http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/section/13/2007-08-21Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000An Act to make new provision for public access to the countryside; to amend the law relating to public rights of way; to enable traffic regulation orders to be made for the purpose of conserving an area’s natural beauty; to make provision with respect to the driving of mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads; to amend the law relating to nature conservation and the protection of wildlife; to make further provision with respect to areas of outstanding natural beauty; and for connected purposes.2000-12-07texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-03-18Expert Participation2007-08-21 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 55ADeregulation Act 2015s. 20s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 56ADeregulation Act 2015s. 21s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 56BDeregulation Act 2015s. 22(1)s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000Blanket amendmentThe Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011art. 3 4art. 3(2)art. 3(3) 4(2) 6(4)(5)art. 2 Part IChapter I131In section 1 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 (liability in tort: preliminary), for subsection (4) there is substituted—4A person entering any premises in exercise of rights conferred by virtue of—asection 2(1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, orban access agreement or order under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949,is not, for the purposes of this Act, a visitor of the occupier of the premises.2In section 1 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984 (duty of occupier to persons other than his visitors), after subsection (6) there is inserted—6AAt any time when the right conferred by section 2(1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 is exercisable in relation to land which is access land for the purposes of Part I of that Act, an occupier of the land owes (subject to subsection (6C) below) no duty by virtue of this section to any person in respect of—aa risk resulting from the existence of any natural feature of the landscape, or any river, stream, ditch or pond whether or not a natural feature, orba risk of that person suffering injury when passing over, under or through any wall, fence or gate, except by proper use of the gate or of a stile.6BFor the purposes of subsection (6A) above, any plant, shrub or tree, of whatever origin, is to be regarded as a natural feature of the landscape.6CSubsection (6A) does not prevent an occupier from owing a duty by virtue of this section in respect of any risk where the danger concerned is due to anything done by the occupier—awith the intention of creating that risk, orbbeing reckless as to whether that risk is created.3After section 1 of that Act there is inserted—1AIn determining whether any, and if so what, duty is owed by virtue of section 1 by an occupier of land at any time when the right conferred by section 2(1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 is exercisable in relation to the land, regard is to be had, in particular, to—athe fact that the existence of that right ought not to place an undue burden (whether financial or otherwise) on the occupier,bthe importance of maintaining the character of the countryside, including features of historic, traditional or archaeological interest, andcany relevant guidance given under section 20 of that Act.1957 c. 31. 1949 c. 97. 1984 c. 3. S. 13 in force at 19.9.2004 for E. by S.I. 2004/2173, art. 2(1)(c)S. 13 in force at 28.5.2005 for W. by S.I. 2005/423, art. 2(c)