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UK Act of Parliament
1977
United Kingdom
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
1 practical guide · 2 journeys
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
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Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
1 guidesWhat this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — AMENDMENT OF LAW FOR ENGLAND AND WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Browse 14 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Scope of Part I.
Negligence liability.
Liability arising in contract.
Unreasonable indemnity clauses.
“Guarantee” of consumer goods.
Sale and hire purchase.
Miscellaneous contracts under which goods pass.
Misrepresentation.
Effect of breach.
Evasion by means of secondary contract.
The “reasonableness” test.
“Dealing as a consumer”.
Varieties of exemption clause.
Interpretation of Part I.
Part II — AMENDMENT OF LAW FOR SCOTLAND
Browse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Scope of Part II.
Liability for breach of duty.
Control of unreasonable exemptions in ... standard form contracts.
Unreasonable indemnity clauses in consumer contracts.
“Guarantee” of consumer goods.
Obligations implied by law in sale and hire-purchase contracts.
Obligations implied by law in other contracts for the supply of goods.
Consequence of breach.
Evasion by means of secondary contract.
The “reasonableness” test.
Interpretation of Part II.
Part III — PROVISIONS APPLYING TO WHOLE OF UNITED KINGDOM
Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
International supply contracts.
Choice of law clauses.
Temporary provision for sea carriage passengers.
Saving for other relevant legislation.
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Commencement; amendments; repeals.
Citation and extent.
Schedules
Browse 12 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
“Guidelines” for Application of Reasonableness Test
Repeals
Scope of Sections 2 , 3 and 7
Sections 2 and 3 of this Act do not extend...
Section 2(1) extends to— (a) any contract of marine salvage...
Where goods are carried by ship or hovercraft in pursuance...
Section 2(1) and (2) do not extend to a contract...
Section 2(1) does not affect the validity of any discharge...
The matters to which regard is to be had in...
Amendments of Enactments
In the Supply of Goods (Implied Terms ) Act 1973...
The repeals in sections 12 and 15 of the Supply...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Betting: advice for remote, non-remote and betting intermediaries (opens in a new tab) from Gambling Commission Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
CMA
PrimaryCompetition and Markets Authority
Promotes competitive markets and tackles unfair behaviour. Investigates mergers, enforces competition law, and has specific digital markets powers. Digital Markets Unit (DMU) …
Trading Standards (Local Authority)
Enforces consumer protection legislation including food labelling, weights and measures, product safety, and fair trading. Part of local authority structure. Investigates food …
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