Part 3

Enforcement of consumer protection law
Chapter 3

Consumer protection orders and undertakings

Jurisdiction etc

Appropriate court
173
1
This section applies for the purposes of determining the appropriate court in relation to an application for, or the making of, a consumer protection order against a person (“the respondent”) in connection with a relevant infringement.
2
If the respondent has a place of business in, or carries on business in, a part of the United Kingdom, the appropriate court is—
a
the High Court or the county court in England and Wales, if the respondent carries on business in England and Wales or has a place of business in England and Wales;
b
the High Court or a county court in Northern Ireland, if the respondent carries on business in Northern Ireland or has a place of business in Northern Ireland;
c
the Court of Session or the sheriff, if the respondent carries on business in Scotland or has a place of business in Scotland.
3
If the respondent does not have a place of business in, and does not carry on business in, any part of the United Kingdom, the appropriate court is—
a
the High Court or the county court in England and Wales, if a relevant consumer is domiciled in England or Wales;
b
the High Court or a county court in Northern Ireland, if a relevant consumer is domiciled in Northern Ireland;
c
the Court of Session or the sheriff, if a relevant consumer is domiciled in Scotland.
4
References in subsection (3) to a “relevant consumer” are to any consumer—
a
to or for whom goods, services or digital content are supplied in connection with which the relevant infringement has, or is alleged to have, taken place,
b
to whom activities are directed the carrying out of which constitutes, or is alleged to constitute, the relevant infringement, or
c
from whom goods are received in connection with which the relevant infringement has, or is alleged to have, taken place.
5
Section 41 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 applies for the purposes of determining the part of the United Kingdom in which a relevant consumer is domiciled.
S. 173 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 339(1)
S. 173 in force at 6.4.2025 by S.I. 2025/272, reg. 2(1)(2)