1962 saw the publication of the first edition of Professor Goode’s mould-breaking Hire Purchase Law and Practice. It made such an impression that, even before the appearance of the second edition at twice the size, its author had been recruited in 1968 to membership of the Crowther Committee. By all accounts, Professor Goode played a significant part in the proceedings of that Committee. In March 1971, the Committee produced its seminal two-volume Report on Consumer Credit. That Report recommended a package of two new statutes, although unfortunately the Government accepted only half the package, which it enacted as the Consumer Credit Act 1974(CCA).

The CCA was essentially a bi-partisan measure designed for the protection of borrower/consumers. During its passage through Parliament, the Bill was almost killed by kindness, as MPs competed to give ever-more protection to their consumer-voters. The outcome was an Act of very substantial proportions: 193 sections and five schedules, occupying some 174