Consumer Rights Act 2015 (c. 15)

PART 1 U.K. Consumer contracts for goods, digital content and services

CHAPTER 2 U.K. Goods

Can a trader contract out of statutory rights and remedies under a goods contract? U.K.

31 Liability that cannot be excluded or restricted U.K.

(1) A term of a contract to supply goods is not binding on the consumer to the extent that it would exclude or restrict the trader's liability arising under any of these provisions—

(a) section 9 (goods to be of satisfactory quality);

(b) section 10 (goods to be fit for particular purpose);

(c) section 11 (goods to be as described);

(d) section 12 (other pre-contract information included in contract);

(e) section 13 (goods to match a sample);

(f) section 14 (goods to match a model seen or examined);

(g) section 15 (installation as part of conformity of the goods with the contract);

(h) section 16 (goods not conforming to contract if digital content does not conform);

(i) section 17 (trader to have right to supply the goods etc);

(j) section 28 (delivery of goods);

(k) section 29 (passing of risk).

(2) That also means that a term of a contract to supply goods is not binding on the consumer to the extent that it would—

(a) exclude or restrict a right or remedy in respect of a liability under a provision listed in subsection (1),

(b) make such a right or remedy or its enforcement subject to a restrictive or onerous condition,

(c) allow a trader to put a person at a disadvantage as a result of pursuing such a right or remedy, or

(d) exclude or restrict rules of evidence or procedure.

(3) The reference in subsection (1) to excluding or restricting a liability also includes preventing an obligation or duty arising or limiting its extent.

(4) An agreement in writing to submit present or future differences to arbitration is not to be regarded as excluding or restricting any liability for the purposes of this section.

(5) Subsection (1)(i), and subsection (2) so far as it relates to liability under section 17, do not apply to a term of a contract for the hire of goods.

(6) But an express term of a contract for the hire of goods is not binding on the consumer to the extent that it would exclude or restrict a term that section 17 requires to be treated as included in the contract, unless it is inconsistent with that term (and see also section 62 (requirement for terms to be fair)).

(7) See Schedule 3 for provision about the enforcement of this section.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 31 in force at 1.10.2015 by S.I. 2015/1630, art. 3(a) (with art. 6(1))

32 [F1 Contracts applying law of a country other than the UK] U.K.

(1) If—

(a) the law of a country or territory other than [F2 the United Kingdom or any part of the United Kingdom] is chosen by the parties to be applicable to a sales contract, but

(b) the sales contract has a close connection with the United Kingdom,

this Chapter, except the provisions in subsection (2), applies despite that choice.

(2) The exceptions are—

(a) sections 11(4) and (5) and 12;

(b) sections 28 and 29;

(c) section 31(1)(d), (j) and (k).

(3) For cases where those provisions apply, or where the law applicable has not been chosen F3 ..., see Regulation (EC) No. 593/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations [F4 as that Regulation has effect as [F5 assimilated direct] legislation (including that Regulation as applied by regulation 5 of the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009 and regulation 4 of the Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations (Scotland) Regulations 2009), unless the case is one in respect of which Regulation (EC) No. 593/2008 has effect by virtue of Article 66 of the EU withdrawal agreement, in which case see that Regulation as it has effect by virtue of that Article.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 32 heading substituted (31.12.2020) by The Consumer Protection (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1326), regs. 1(3), 3(2)(a) (with reg. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1347, regs. 1(3), 4(8)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F2 Words in s. 32(1)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Consumer Protection (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1326), regs. 1(3), 3(2)(b) (with reg. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1347, regs. 1(3), 4(8)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F3 Words in s. 32(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Consumer Protection (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1326), regs. 1(3), 3(2)(c) (with reg. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1347, regs. 1(3), 4(8)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F4 Words in s. 32(3) inserted by S.I. 2019/834, reg. 4A(2) (as inserted (31.12.2020) by The Jurisdiction, Judgments and Applicable Law (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1574), regs. 1, 6(6))

F5 Words in s. 32(3) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 84(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I2 S. 32 in force at 1.10.2015 by S.I. 2015/1630, art. 3(a) (with art. 6(1))