Malcolm Hurlston, RTL Founder
Thursday, 11th December 2025
I want to celebrate the life and achievements of the remarkable Liz Stanton, who very sadly died recently and whose funeral takes place this week. Liz was a true consumer champion, and without her insight and courage, Registry Trust might never have come into being.
It was 1985, and Lord Hailsham, the then Lord Chancellor, had announced - seemingly out of the blue - that his department would stop recording monetary judgments under £50. His decision was not as mad as it sounds. When the limit had first been set at £10 in 1852, almost all judgments were commercial. But by 1985, with the rise of consumer credit, four out of five judgments were against consumers rather than businesses. Hailsham’s announcement caused understandable alarm in the credit industry.
With a few influential friends, including Vic Ware of Burtons and David Cavell (still a member of Registry Trust today), I began canvassing views on what should be done. It was suggested that we approach two expert peers - Lord Ted Graham and Lord Chelmer - to seek a meeting with the Lord Chancellor. But it was important to me that we weren’t seen as speaking solely for industry. I had been working constructively for some years with Maurice Healey of the National Consumer Council on the issue of Sunday shopping, so I spoke to him about our plans. Maurice nominated Liz Stanton, a member of his Council, to join our delegation.
When we met Lord Hailsham, we set out why a public register of monetary judgments mattered. After listening, he challenged us: “That’s all very well, but you are speaking for the industry. I am representing the consumer.”
At that moment, Liz calmly and courageously raised her hand. “Excuse me, Lord Hailsham,” she said. “You’re representing the Government. I am representing the consumer.” Her intervention changed the tone entirely. Hailsham brought the meeting to an abrupt close, but the message had landed.
A week later, I heard from a senior official at the Ministry suggesting we discuss transferring responsibility for the Register of monetary judgments to a new independent entity. Our mission had succeeded, thanks in no small part to Liz. That new entity became Registry Trust Ltd., which continues 40 years on to maintain the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines.
Liz and I stayed in touch, and before long she joined my firm as Director of the Credit Card Research Group, promoting consumer protection through Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, a principle still vital today and, fittingly, back in the news this week.
Liz was courageous, incisive and unwavering in her commitment to the consumer. She will be missed.
Liz Stanton during her time as director of the Credit Card Research Group, pictured with her assistant, Freddie Hurlston.