The Consumer Rights Act 2015

What will it do?

The new Consumer Rights Act 2015 regulates agreements between traders and consumers.

A trader is defined in the Act as a person acting for purposes relating to their trade, business, craft or profession, this includes individuals such as professionals and sole traders.   A consumer is defined in the Act as an individual person acting for purposes which are wholly or mainly outside that individual's trade, business, craft or profession.

The Act aims to protect consumer rights and provide the consumer with more remedies. Traders who do not adhere to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 could potentially leave themselves exposed to a claim by a consumer.

Why is it being introduced?

Much of the existing legislation is over 30 years old.  The aim of the Act is to update and clarify the law.

At the same time, online trading has come to the fore and there are more digital products.  The 2015 Act takes this into account and modernises the law.

When did it come into force?

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 came into force on 1 October 2015.

If you are a trader and you want to update agreements with your consumers, for example contracts or terms and conditions, or if you want any further information regarding The Consumer Rights Act 2015 then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Attila Hunter,

Solicitor in the Corporate and Company Commercial department.