Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. 1 (ss. 1-46) restricted by Channel Tunnel Act 1987 (c. 53, SIF 102), ss. 31(1), 45, Sch. 7 Pt. VI para. 2
C2Pt. 1 (ss. 1-46) modified (1.4.1991) by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 60(2), Sch. 8 para. 18(1)
C3Pt. 1 (ss. 1-46) modified (17.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1732, art. 4(1)
C4Pt. 1 (ss. 1-46) excluded (18. 12. 1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 38, Sch. 10 para.7PPt. I (ss. 1-46) excluded (26.3.2001) by S.I. 2001/1149, art. 4(5) (subject to art. 1(3))
C5Pt. 1 (ss. 1-46) excluded (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), Sch. 14 para. 8
C6Pt. 1 (ss. 1-46) excluded (24.9.2014) by The Thames Water Utilities Limited (Thames Tideway Tunnel) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2384), art. 1, Sch. 19 Pt. 1 para. 3
C7Pt. 1 (ss. 1-46) excluded (23.2.2017) by High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 (c. 7), s. 70(1), Sch. 22 para. 1
C8Pt. 1 excluded (11.2.2021) by High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Act 2021 (c. 2), s. 64(1), Sch. 22 para. 1(1)(a) (with Sch. 22 para. 1(2)(3))
(1)A failure on the part of a person to comply with an approved document does not of itself render him liable to any civil or criminal proceedings; but if, in any proceedings whether civil or criminal, it is alleged that a person has at any time contravened a provision of building regulations—
(a)a failure to comply with a [F1relevant approved document] may be relied upon as tending to establish liability, and
(b)proof of compliance with such a document may be relied on as tending to negative liability.
[F2(1A)In subsection (1) “relevant approved document” means a document approved for the purposes of the provision that applies in relation to the work in question.]
(2)In any proceedings, whether civil or criminal—
(a)a document purporting to be a notice issued as mentioned in section 6(3) above shall be taken to be such a notice unless the contrary is proved, and
(b)a document that appears to the court [F3or tribunal] to be the approved document to which such a notice refers shall be taken to be that approved document unless the contrary is proved.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 7(1)(a) substituted (28.6.2022 for E., 5.9.2023 for W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 5 para. 10(2); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(f), Sch. para. 10; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xiii), Sch. para. 7
F2S. 7(1A) inserted (28.6.2022 for E., 5.9.2023 for W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 5 para. 10(3); S.I. 2022/561, reg. 3(f), Sch. para. 10; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xiii), Sch. para. 7
F3Words in s. 7(2)(b) inserted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W., 6.4.2024 for W.) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), s. 170(4)(b)(c), Sch. 6 para. 10; S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(o)(i) (with reg. 6); S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(xii) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)