Another record week for M1 Legal as Spanish timeshare claims hit £310,480 in awards

As Spanish timeshare victims secure larger compensation awards, M1 Legal continues to break its own records

Spanish judges increasingly rule in favour of timeshare consumers

At Arona Court Number Three in Tenerife, the judiciary changes regularly. In recent weeks, new judges have appeared to place greater emphasis on consumer rights — welcome news for people pursuing timeshare claims.

In one case, a judge ruled that "CLC World (CLC) acted in bad faith by alleging that the vendor agency was on behalf of another company".

This relates to a familiar tactic used by timeshare operators: attempting to distance themselves from liability by pointing to other companies within a wider corporate structure. In this instance, the court did not accept that argument.

In another decision, a judge held that where a company has a presence in Spain — even if it is only an office — it can be sued if it breaks the law.

Further rulings also favoured consumers, including findings around timeshare contracts and the ways they can be abused.

Overall, Fernando Sansegundo, head of M1 Legal, said: "Things are going our way."

M1 Legal sets a new weekly record for compensation awards

Sansegundo also noted that the team is "regularly breaking records in terms of how much money we win in court for our clients".

The previous weekly record for awards (£295,000) was only set in March 2022.

That figure has now been surpassed, with a new record of £310,480 — and Sansegundo expects it will be beaten again soon.

This record week’s awards were shared between 14 claimants, averaging £22,177 each. On top of the compensation, they no longer have to pay ongoing timeshare membership costs, which can mean significant additional savings.

A record month in May

Sansegundo explained that half a million euros in compensation awards used to be considered an exceptional monthly outcome. "Nowadays," he said, "that figure is regularly achieved. In May this year (at time of going to press, with two working days left in the month) we have already reached £703,470."

This total was shared by over 30 claimants, with 20 successful cases against CLC and a further nine against Anfi.

There were also notable individual awards, including the largest win — against CLC.

In that case, an "eye-watering £69,437" was awarded to the client. Although CLC attempted to appeal, M1 had the decision overturned at the Court of Appeal.

As Sansegundo put it, "when timeshare resorts appeal like this, it is only ever a delay. Our success rate is 98.6% and that 1.4% we did lose was in the early days, when the process was not as established as it is today."

Another substantial award went to a former Silverpoint owner, who received £50,393. In that case, the judge ruled for the claimant due to missing or inadequate information within the contract.

This often relates to arrangements such as floating weeks or points-based memberships. While both have been illegal for over two decades, some companies continued to use them to profit at consumers’ expense. The courts penalising this behaviour reflects a continued focus on protecting consumers.

Finally, Sansegundo highlighted the £43,609 awarded against Paradise Resorts.

"It is a significant amount of money for the claimant of course. But also, it establishes culpability for yet another CLC entity," he said. "CLC has a complex corporate structure which they try to use to avoid their financial responsibilities. Luckily for their victims, judges are just not accepting that a company as wealthy as CLC is unable to meet legally awarded compensation payments to former owners."

For advice on making a timeshare claim, or to find out about working with M1 Legal, get in touch with Timeshare Advice Centre for a no-obligation assessment.