Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024

Section 309

Schedule 27 U.K. Chapter 4 of Part 4: consequential amendments etc

Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 U.K.

1 (1) Section 14 of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 (computation of prescriptive periods) is amended as follows.

(2) In the following places, for “relevant consumer dispute” or “relevant dispute” substitute “consumer contract dispute”—

(a) subsection (1D);

(b) subsection (1F);

(c) subsection (1G) (in each place where it occurs).

(3) In subsection (1D)—

(a) after “this Act is” (in the opening words) insert “, in a case where ADR is carried out in respect of the dispute,”;

(b) in paragraph (a)—

(i) for “the non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “the ADR”, and

(ii) for “such a procedure” substitute “it”;

(c) in each of paragraphs (b) and (c), for “a non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “the ADR”.

(4) In the following places, for “the non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “the ADR”—

(a) subsection (1E);

(b) subsection (1G)(b) and (f);

(c) subsection (2) (in the definition of “qualifying request”).

(5) In subsections (1F) and (1G), for “a non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “ADR”.

(6) In subsection (2)—

(a) omit the following definitions—

• “ADR entity”;

• “ADR procedure”;

• “consumer”;

• “non-binding ADR procedure”;

• “relevant consumer dispute”;

• “sales contract”;

• “service contract”;

• “trader”;

(b) before the definition of “holiday” insert the following definitions—

• ““ADR” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024;

• “ADR entity” means a person who carries out ADR in compliance with section 293(1) of that Act (which prohibits persons from carrying out ADR unless exempt, accredited, or acting under special ADR arrangements, in accordance with Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act);

• “consumer contract dispute” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act.”

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 27 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I2 Sch. 27 para. 1 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Limitation Act 1980 U.K.

2 (1) Section 33B of the Limitation Act 1980 (extension of time limits because of alternative dispute resolution) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for “cross border or domestic contractual” substitute “consumer contract”.

(3) For subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) In this section—

• “ADR” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024;

• “ADR entity” means a person who carries out ADR in compliance with section 293(1) of that Act (which prohibits persons from carrying out ADR unless exempt, accredited, or acting under special ADR arrangements, in accordance with Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act);

• “consumer contract dispute” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act.”

(4) In the following places, for “relevant dispute” substitute “consumer contract dispute”—

(a) subsection (2)(a) and (b);

(b) subsection (5);

(c) subsection (6);

(d) subsection (7) (in each place where it occurs);

(e) subsection (9).

(5) In the following places, for “a non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “ADR”—

(a) subsection (2)(b);

(b) subsection (6);

(c) subsection (9).

(6) In the following places, for “the non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “the ADR”—

(a) subsection (2)(c);

(b) subsection (3);

(c) subsection (7) (in each place where it occurs);

(d) subsection (8);

(e) subsection (9).

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 27 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I4 Sch. 27 para. 2 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984 U.K.

3 (1) Section 1B of the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984 (extension of limitation periods because of alternative dispute resolution) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for “cross border or domestic contractual” substitute “consumer contract”.

(3) For subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) In this section—

• “ADR” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024;

• “ADR entity” means a person who carries out ADR in compliance with section 293(1) of that Act (which prohibits persons from carrying out ADR unless exempt, accredited, or acting under special ADR arrangements, in accordance with Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act);

• “consumer contract dispute” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act.”

(4) In the following places, for “relevant dispute” substitute “consumer contract dispute”—

(a) subsection (2)(a) and (b);

(b) subsection (5);

(c) subsection (6) (in each place where it occurs);

(d) subsection (8).

(5) In the following places, for “a non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “ADR”—

(a) subsection (2)(b);

(b) subsection (5);

(c) subsection (8).

(6) In the following places, for “the non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “the ADR”—

(a) subsection (2)(c);

(b) subsection (3);

(c) subsection (6) (in each place where it occurs);

(d) subsection (7);

(e) subsection (8).

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 27 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I6 Sch. 27 para. 3 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1339 (N.I. 11)) U.K.

4 (1) Article 51B of the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (extension of time limits: non-binding ADR procedure) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for “: Non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “because of alternative dispute resolution in certain consumer contract disputes”.

(3) In paragraphs (1)(a) and (3), for “a non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “ADR”.

(4) In the following places, for “the non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “the ADR”—

(a) paragraph (1)(b) (in each place where it occurs);

(b) paragraph (2);

(c) paragraph (4) (in each place where it occurs).

(5) In paragraph (1)(b)(i), for “that such a procedure” substitute “on which it”.

(6) In the following places, for “relevant dispute” substitute “consumer contract dispute”—

(a) paragraph (1)(a);

(b) paragraph (3);

(c) paragraph (4) (in each place where it occurs).

(7) For paragraph (5) substitute—

“(5) In this Article—

• “ADR” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024;

• “ADR entity” means a person who carries out ADR in compliance with section 293(1) of that Act (which prohibits persons from carrying out ADR unless exempt, accredited, or acting under special ADR arrangements, in accordance with Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act);

• “consumer contract dispute” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act;

• “qualifying request” is a request by a party that another (A) confirm to all parties that A is continuing with the ADR.”

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 27 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I8 Sch. 27 para. 4 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 U.K.

5 In Schedule 17 to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (ombudsman scheme), omit the following provisions—

(a) in paragraph 1, the definition of “ADR entity”;

(b) paragraph 2(2);

(c) paragraph 14(3A).

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 27 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I10 Sch. 27 para. 5 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Enterprise Act 2002 U.K.

6 In EA 2002—

(a) in Schedule 14 (provisions about disclosure of information) at the appropriate place insert—

• “Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.”;

(b) in Schedule 15 (enactments conferring functions) at the appropriate place insert—

• “Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.”

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 27 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I12 Sch. 27 para. 6 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 U.K.

7 In Schedule 3 to the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), at the appropriate place insert—

• “Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, Chapter 4 of Part 4”.

Commencement Information

I13 Sch. 27 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I14 Sch. 27 para. 7 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Equality Act 2010 U.K.

8 (1) Section 140AA of the Equality Act 2010 (extension of time limits because of alternative dispute resolution) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for “cross border or domestic contractual” substitute “consumer contract”.

(3) For subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) In this section—

• “ADR” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024;

• “ADR entity” means a person who carries out ADR in compliance with section 293(1) of that Act (which prohibits persons from carrying out ADR unless exempt, accredited, or acting under special ADR arrangements, in accordance with Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act);

• “consumer contract dispute” has the same meaning as in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of that Act.”

(4) In each of the following places, for “relevant dispute” substitute “consumer contract dispute”—

(a) subsection (2)(a) and (b);

(b) subsection (5);

(c) subsection (6);

(d) subsection (7) (in each place where it occurs);

(e) subsection (9).

(5) In each of the following places, for “a non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “ADR”—

(a) subsection (2)(b);

(b) subsection (6);

(c) subsection (9).

(6) In each of the following places, for “the non-binding ADR procedure” substitute “the ADR”—

(a) subsection (2)(c);

(b) subsection (3);

(c) subsection (7) (in each place where it occurs);

(d) subsection (8);

(e) subsection (9).

(7) In subsection (8), for “(6)” substitute “(7)”.

Commencement Information

I15 Sch. 27 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I16 Sch. 27 para. 8 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Consumer Rights Act 2015 U.K.

9 (1) Schedule 5 to CRA 2015 (investigatory powers etc) is amended as follows.

(2) In the table in paragraph 11 (enforcer’s legislation: legislation mentioned in paragraph 9(1)(b)), at the appropriate place insert—

“The Secretary of State

Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 ”

Commencement Information

I17 Sch. 27 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I18 Sch. 27 para. 9 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)

Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/542) U.K.

10 The Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/542) are revoked.

Commencement Information

I19 Sch. 27 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)

I20 Sch. 27 para. 10 in force at 6.4.2026 by S.I. 2026/284, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)