1) Take photos at the time if relevant to help to prove your case when you comeback from your holiday. Photos are particularly useful to show dirty accommodation which is not up to standard.
2) Make notes of your any complaint you have made verbally to the holiday rep. The notes should be made as soon as possible after the conversation with the rep. Also get a complaints form from a Holiday Rep, fill it in and keep a copy yourself.
3) When relevant, take names and address of other holidaymakers who can witness your complaint. In many cases if the food is bad or the swimming pool is dirty this will also effect other holidaymakers.
4) If any representative of the Holiday Company makes any admission concerning your problem make sure you make a note of exactly what was said. We must point out that holiday rep's are trained not to make admissions. However everyone is human and people make mistakes so use this to your advantage.
5) Never sign away your rights or accept compensation without first talking to a lawyer. The holiday company's aim is clearly not to pay you as much as possible, but as little as possible.
6) Make sure you take any legal advice from a qualified lawyer and not a "do goody group" or claims company. Claims companies are only interested in making money out of you and are not regulated as lawyers have to be. Stay away from do goody or grief groups, they are not lawyers and do not have the llegal expertice. If you need an operation do you take advice from the hospital porter or the surgeon?
7) Never agree to settle your case until you have spoken to a qualified lawyer with the relevant experience.