Does anyone know if Microsoft will refund my account as Ive just being charged today for a years membership and I havent used XBox Live in a long time and never recieved any direct debit notice or charge notice from them.

Could be a lengthy process but yeah, if MS dont (more than likely) talk to your bank.

I had a similar issue when I changed cards and didnt want to renew xbox live so just left it. When I did renew some time later, they charged me for 2 years. Turns out that this is normal for this circumstance as loads of other people had this issue.

Contacted MS and got passed around loads with loads of crap. Ended up contacting barclays and explaining it, and barclays gave me the money back.

I know its not help now, but a good thing to do is go to the bank and ask for a printout of all DDs on your account, then cancel the ones you dont want. If you cancel one that is active the company wanting the money will contact you as they cannot take the payment and thus you get a notice. This is at least how i think it works.

If you have put your CC details on your account then MS will automatically bill you for 12 months Live when it comes to renewall.  However, in the past I have received an email when the time is due but that may be because I havent given MS any card details.
Ive always bought a 12 month sub and points cards online rather than direct from MS for exactly this reason.
MS may charge you again for it...

I aint being on my xbox in 3months I think. Plus no longer use the email adress it was signed up for, it was just one of thoose things I forgot to change over. Contacting m$ tomorrow about it.