There is a story that the charges are too high (disproportionatly high) and therefore they could be illegal. A while ago someone sued their bank (could have been Halifax) in the small claims court for the charges plus about �1000.00 (may have been higher).
It was uncontested in the court and so he won. He did have a law degree and prepared his own paperwork.
Banks Pray on the fact that you will not contest charges (and make a lot of money out of it). At the end of the day, they can charge you but they cannot legally enfoce it (Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977) - Read the Article that Ethel mentions - it is great (along with the rest of the site)
Another one that people are unaware of is charging for late Video/DVD returns - they can charge, but can't enforce it.
Oneeyedvic - the bloke who took his bank to court (and they never showed up) was taking action against Abbey. I think his name was Peter or Stephen Hone and the judge awarded him even more than he was asking for! Brilliant!!!
Bank charges are evil (but completely avoidable in most cases).
Stevie21, a court has the right not only to allocate compensation, but also 'punative' damages' which usually goes to the claimant too, which is how he got more than he bargained for.
Cheers,
Steve