UK Act of Parliament 1979 United Kingdom

Sale of Goods Act 1979

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At a glance

Enforced by

HMRC, CMA

What's here

4 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides across 2 topics · 2 journeys

Who this Act binds

Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.

  • Trader 4

Step-by-step journeys using this legislation

Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.

Relevant guidance

Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.

Supporting — topic alignment

1 guides

Mentioned in related content

1 guides

Other Acts binding the same actors

For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.

Traders also bound by 219 other Acts (top 5 shown)

What 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 — Contracts to Which Act Applies

Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part II — Formation of the Contract

Browse 15 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.015

Modification of remedies for breach of condition in non-consumer cases.

s.015

Remedies for breach of contract as respects Scotland.

Part III — Effects of the Contract

Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.020

Undivided shares in goods forming part of a bulk.

s.020

Deemed consent by co-owner to dealings in bulk goods.

Part IV — Performance of the Contract

Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.035

Right of partial rejection.

Part 5A — ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF BUYER IN CONSUMER CASES

Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.048

Introductory

s.048

Repair or replacement of the goods

s.048

Reduction of purchase price or rescission of contract

s.048

Relation to other remedies etc.

s.048

Powers of the court

s.048

Conformity with the contract

Part V — Rights of Unpaid Seller Against the Goods

Browse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part VI — Actions for Breach of the Contract

Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.053

Measure of damages as respects Scotland.

Part VII — Supplementary

Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Schedules

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Read the full Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

Official guidance

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Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

HMRC

Primary

HM Revenue & Customs

Tax collection, customs duties, national insurance, tax credits, and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage. Regulates all UK businesses for tax compliance …

CMA

Competition 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) …

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Regulators

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