11 February 2008
The High Court test case on bank charges has come to an end - although a ruling is not yet in sight, the BBC reports.
In his closing remarks, presiding judge Mr Justice Andrew Smith told the court last week that he had a "great deal of work" to do on the case before delivering his verdict.
Seven banks and one building society are contesting the Office of Fair Trading's claim that the penalty charges they charge consumers for offences such as exceeding overdraft limits are unfair.
The test case was called following a consumer revolt on the issue - which saw customers attempting to re-claim the penalties in county courts threatening to overwhelm the system.
Banks have already repaid millions of pounds worth of penalties before all cases were frozen, pending the High Court's verdict.
Closing the case, Mr Justice Smith commented: "There is every indication that my findings will translate to the historic terms."
"That could mean a decision on the historic terms in very short order - maybe within a month [of my decision]."