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Consumer Credit Act 1974

Changes over time for: Consumer Credit Act 1974

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Version Superseded: 01/01/2014

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Point in time view as at 26/07/2013. This version of this Act contains provisions that are prospective. Help about Status

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The term provision is used to describe a definable element in a piece of legislation that has legislative effect – such as a Part, Chapter or section. A version of a provision is prospective either:

  1. where the provision (Part, Chapter or section) has never come into force or;
  2. where the text of the provision is subject to change, but no date has yet been appointed by the appropriate person or body for those changes to come into force.

Commencement Orders listed in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ box as not yet applied may bring this prospective version into force.

Changes to legislation:

Consumer Credit Act 1974 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 25 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Legislation Crest

Consumer Credit Act 1974

1974 CHAPTER 39

An Act to establish for the protection of consumers a new system, administered by the Director General of Fair Trading, of licensing and other control of traders concerned with the provision of credit, or the supply of goods on hire or hire-purchase, and their transactions, in place of the present enactments regulating moneylenders, pawnbrokers and hire-purchase traders and their transactions; and for related matters.

[31st July 1974]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Act excluded by S.I. 1983/1553, reg. 2(7A) (as inserted by S.I. 1984/1600, reg. 2(e))

C2Act excluded by S.I. 1989/869, arts. 2(1), 3(1), 4(1), 5, 6

C3Act modified (12.10.1992) by Timeshare Act 1992 (c. 35), s. 12(5); S.I. 1992/1941, art. 2

C4Act excluded (21.7.2008 with retrospective effect as stated in s. 8(2) of the amending Act) by Sale of Student Loans Act 2008 (c. 10), ss. 8(1), 14 (with s. 9(5))

C6Power to amend conferred (prosp.) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 30(1), 121(1) (with s. 41)

C7Act: power to amend conferred (21.3.2012) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 30(1), 121(1); S.I. 2012/873, art. 2(a)(vi)

Commencement Information

I1Act partly in force at Royal Assent see s. 192(1)(2)(3); Act wholly in force on 19.5.1985

F1Part IU.K.OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING

F11 General functions of OFT.U.K.

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F12 Powers of Secretary of State.U.K.

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F13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

F14 Dissemination of information and advice.U.K.

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F15 Annual and other reports.U.K.

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F16 Form etc. of applications.U.K.

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F16ACharge on applicants for licences etc.U.K.

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F17 Penalty for false information.U.K.

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Part IIU.K. Credit Agreements, Hire Agreements and Linked Transactions

8 Consumer credit agreements.U.K.

(1)A [F2consumer] credit agreement is an agreement between an individual ( “the debtor ”) and any other person ( “the creditor ”) by which the creditor provides the debtor with credit of any amount.

(2)F3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4(3)A consumer credit agreement is a regulated agreement within the meaning of this Act if it is a regulated credit agreement for the purposes of Chapter 14A of Part 2 of the Regulated Activities Order.]

Textual Amendments

F2Word in s. 8(1) substituted (6.4.2008 for certain purposes otherwise 31.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {2(1)(a)}, 71(2); S.I. 2008/831, art. 3(1)(2), Schs. 2, 3 (with art. 4(1)) (as amended by S.I. 2008/2444, art. 2)

F3S. 8(2) ceases to have effect and repealed (6.4.2008 for certain purposes otherwise 31.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {2(1)(b)}, 70, 71(2), {Sch. 4}; S.I. 2008/831, art. 3(1)(2), Schs. 2, 3 (with art. 4(1)) (as amended by S.I. 2008/2444, art. 2)

9 Meaning of credit.U.K.

(1)In this Act “credit ” includes a cash loan, and any other form of financial accommodation.

(2)Where credit is provided otherwise than in sterling it shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as provided in sterling of an equivalent amount.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the person by whom goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired to an individual under a hire-purchase agreement shall be taken to provide him with fixed-sum credit to finance the transaction of an amount equal to the total price of the goods less the aggregate of the deposit (if any) and the total charge for credit.

(4)For the purposes of this Act, an item entering into the total charge for credit shall not be treated as credit even though time is allowed for its payment.

10 Running-account credit and fixed-sum credit.U.K.

(1)For the purposes of this Act—

(a)running-account credit is a facility under a [F5consumer] credit agreement whereby the debtor is enabled to receive from time to time (whether in his own person, or by another person) from the creditor or a third party cash, goods and services (or any of them) to an amount or value such that, taking into account payments made by or to the credit of the debtor, the credit limit (if any) is not at any time exceeded; and

(b)fixed-sum credit is any other facility under a [F5consumer] credit agreement whereby the debtor is enabled to receive credit (whether in one amount or by instalments).

(2)In relation to running-account credit, “credit limit ” means, as respects any period, the maximum debit balance which, under the credit agreement, is allowed to stand on the account during that period, disregarding any term of the agreement allowing that maximum to be exceeded merely temporarily.

(3)For the purposes of [F6any provision of this Act that specifies an amount of credit (except section 17(1)(a))] , running-account credit shall be taken not to exceed the amount specified in [F7that provision]( “the specified amount ”) if—

(a)the credit limit does not exceed the specified amount; or

(b)whether or not there is a credit limit, and if there is, notwithstanding that it exceeds the specified amount,—

(i)the debtor is not enabled to draw at any one time an amount which, so far as (having regard to section 9(4)) it represents credit, exceeds the specified amount, or

(ii)the agreement provides that, if the debit balance rises above a given amount (not exceeding the specified amount), the rate of the total charge for credit increases or any other condition favouring the creditor or his associate comes into operation, or

(iii)at the time the agreement is made it is probable, having regard to the terms of the agreement and any other relevant considerations, that the debit balance will not at any time rise above the specified amount.

Textual Amendments

F5Word in s. 10(1) substituted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {5(2)(a)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

11 Restricted-use credit and unrestricted-use credit.U.K.

(1)A restricted-use credit agreement is a regulated consumer credit agreement—

(a)to finance a transaction between the debtor and the creditor, whether forming part of that agreement or not, or

(b)to finance a transaction between the debtor and a person (the “supplier ”) other than the creditor, or

(c)to refinance any existing indebtedness of the debtor’s, whether to the creditor or another person,

and “restricted-use credit ” shall be construed accordingly.

(2)An unrestricted-use credit agreement is a regulated consumer credit agreement not falling within subsection (1), and “unrestricted-use credit ” shall be construed accordingly.

(3)An agreement does not fall within subsection (1) if the credit is in fact provided in such a way as to leave the debtor free to use it as he chooses, even though certain uses would contravene that or any other agreement.

(4)An agreement may fall within subsection (1)(b) although the identity of the supplier is unknown at the time the agreement is made.

12 Debtor-creditor supplier agreements.U.K.

A debtor-creditor-supplier agreement is a regulated consumer credit agreement being—

(a)a restricted-use credit agreement which falls within section 11(1)(a), or

(b)a restricted-use credit agreement which falls within section 11(1)(b) and is made by the creditor under pre-existing arrangements, or in contemplation of future arrangements, between himself and the supplier, or

(c)an unrestricted-use credit agreement which is made by the creditor under pre-existing arrangements between himself and a person (the “supplier ”) other than the debtor in the knowledge that the credit is to be used to finance a transaction between the debtor and the supplier.

13 Debtor-creditor agreements.U.K.

A debtor-creditor agreement is a regulated consumer credit agreement being—

(a)a restricted-use credit agreement which falls within section 11(1)(b) but is not made by the creditor under pre-existing arrangements, or in contemplation of future arrangements, between himself and the supplier, or

(b)a restricted-use credit agreement which falls within section 11(1)(c), or

(c)an unrestricted-use credit agreement which is not made by the creditor under pre-existing arrangements between himself and a person (the “supplier ”) other than the debtor in the knowledge that the credit is to be used to finance a transaction between the debtor and the supplier.

14 Credit-token agreements.U.K.

(1)A credit-token is a card, check, voucher, coupon, stamp, form, booklet or other document or thing given to an individual by a person carrying on a consumer credit business, who undertakes—

(a)that on the production of it (whether or not some other action is also required) he will supply cash, goods and services (or any of them) on credit, or

(b)that where, on the production of it to a third party (whether or not any other action is also required), the third party supplies cash, goods and services (or any of them), he will pay the third party for them (whether or not deducting any discount or commission), in return for payment to him by the individual.

(2)A credit-token agreement is a regulated agreement for the provision of credit in connection with the use of a credit-token.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of section 9(1), the person who gives to an individual an undertaking falling within subsection (1)(b) shall be taken to provide him with credit drawn on whenever a third party supplies him with cash, goods or services.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (1), use of an object to operate a machine provided by the person giving the object or a third party shall be treated as the production of the object to him.

15 Consumer hire agreements.U.K.

(1)A consumer hire agreement is an agreement made by a person with an individual (the “hirer ”) for the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of goods to the hirer, being an agreement which—

(a)is not a hire-purchase agreement, and

(b)is capable of subsisting for more than three months, F8. . .

(c)F8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F9(2)A consumer hire agreement is a regulated agreement with the meaning of this Act if it is a regulated consumer hire agreement for the purposes of Chapter 14B of Part 2 of the Regulated Activities Order.]

Textual Amendments

F8S. 15(1)(c) and preceding word ceases to have effect (6.4.2008) and repealed (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {2(2)}, 70, 71(2), {Sch. 4}; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F1016 Exempt agreements.U.K.

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Textual Amendments

F10S. 16 omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(5)

F1116AExemption relating to high net worth debtors and hirersU.K.

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F1216BExemption relating to businessesU.K.

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Textual Amendments

F12S. 16B omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(7)

F1316CExemption relating to investment propertiesU.K.

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Textual Amendments

F13S. 16C omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(8)

17 Small agreements.U.K.

(1)A small agreement is—

(a)A regulated consumer credit agreement for credit not exceeding [F14£50], other than a hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement: or

(b)a regulated consumer hire agreement which does not require the hirer to make payments exceeding [F14£50],

being an agreement which is either unsecured or secured by a guarantee or indemnity only (whether or not the guarantee or indemnity is itself secured).

[F15(2)For the purposes of paragraph (a) of subsection (1), running-account credit shall be taken not to exceed the amount specified in that paragraph if the credit limit does not exceed that amount.]

(3)Where—

(a)two or more small agreements are made at or about the same time between the same parties, and

(b)it appears probable that they would instead have been made as a single agreement but for the desire to avoid the operation of provisions of this Act which would have applied to that single agreement but, apart from this subsection, are not applicable to the small agreements,

this Act applies to the small agreements as if they were regulated agreements other than small agreements.

(4)If, apart from this subsection, subsection (3) does not apply to any agreements but would apply if, for any party or parties to any of the agreements, there were substituted an associate of that party, or associates of each of those parties, as the case may be, then subsection (3) shall apply to the agreements.

Textual Amendments

F14"£50" substituted by S.I. 1983/1878, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

18 Multiple agreements.U.K.

(1)This section applies to an agreement (a “multiple agreement ”) if its terms are such as—

(a)to place a part of it within one category of agreement mentioned in this Act, and another part of it within a different category of agreement so mentioned, or within a category of agreement not so mentioned, or

(b)to place it, or a part of it, within two or more categories of agreement so mentioned.

(2)Where a part of an agreement falls within subsection (1), that part shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as a separate agreement.

(3)Where an agreement falls within subsection (1)(b), it shall be treated as an agreement in each of the categories in question, and this Act shall apply to it accordingly.

(4)Where under subsection (2) a part of a multiple agreement is to be treated as a separate agreement, the multiple agreement shall (with any necessary modifications) be construed accordingly; and any sum payable under the multiple agreement, if not apportioned by the parties, shall for the purposes of proceedings in any court relating to the multiple agreement be apportioned by the court as may be requisite.

(5)In the case of an agreement for running-account credit, a term of the agreement allowing the credit limit to be exceeded merely temporarily shall not be treated as a separate agreement or as providing fixed-sum credit in respect of the excess.

(6)This Act does not apply to a multiple agreement so far as the agreement relates to goods if under the agreement payments are to be made in respect of the goods in the form of rent (other than a rentcharge) issuing out of land.

19 Linked transactions.U.K.

(1)A transaction entered into by the debtor or hirer, or a relative of his, with any other person ( “the other party ”), except one for the provision of security, is a linked transaction in relation to an actual or prospective regulated agreement (the “principal agreement ”) of which it does not form part if—

(a)the transaction is entered into in compliance with a term of the principal agreement; or

(b)the principal agreement is a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement and the transaction is financed, or to be financed, by the principal agreement; or

(c)the other party is a person mentioned in subsection (2), and a person so mentioned initiated the transaction by suggesting it to the debtor or hirer, or his relative, who enters into it—

(i)to induce the creditor or owner to enter into the principal agreement, or

(ii)for another purpose related to the principal agreement, or

(iii)where the principal agreement is a restricted-use credit agreement, for a purpose related to a transaction financed, or to be financed, by the principal agreement.

(2)The persons referred to in subsection (1)(c) are—

(a)the creditor or owner, or his associate;

(b)a person who, in the negotiation of the transaction, is represented by a credit-broker who is also a negotiator in antecedent negotiations for the principal agreement;

(c)a person who, at the time the transaction is initiated, knows that the principal agreement has been made or contemplates that it might be made.

(3)A linked transaction entered into before the making of the principal agreement has no effect until such time (if any) as that agreement is made.

(4)Regulations may exclude linked transactions of the prescribed description from the operation of subsection (3).

[F1620.Total charge for creditU.K.

In this Act, “the total charge for credit” has the meaning given by the Regulated Activities Order for the purposes of Chapter 14A of Part 2 of that Order.]

F17Part IIIU.K. Licensing of Credit and Hire Businesses

Textual Amendments

F17Pt. 3 omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(10) (with arts. 37(5), 39(4), 41(5), 44(5), 46(3)(b), 48(3), 54(2))

F17 Licensing principlesU.K.

F1721 Businesses needing a licence.U.K.

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F1722 Standard and group licences.U.K.

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F1723 Authorisation of specific activities.U.K.

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F1724 Control of name of business.U.K.

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F1724AApplications for standard licencesU.K.

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F1725 Licensee to be a fit person.U.K.

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F1725AGuidance on fitness testU.K.

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F1726 Conduct of businessU.K.

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F17 Issue of licencesU.K.

F1727 Determination of applications.U.K.

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F1727AConsumer credit EEA firmsU.K.

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F1728 Exclusion from group licence.U.K.

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F17Charges for indefinite licencesU.K.

F1728ACharges to be paid by licensees etc. before end of payment periodsU.K.

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F1728BExtension of period to pay charge under s. 28AU.K.

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F1728CFailure to pay charge under s. 28AU.K.

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F17 Renewal, variation, suspension and revocation of licencesU.K.

F1729 Renewal.U.K.

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F1730 Variation by request.U.K.

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F1731 Compulsory variation.U.K.

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F1732 ...revocation.U.K.

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F1732APower to suspend licenceU.K.

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F1732BDuration of suspensionU.K.

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F1733 Application to end suspension.U.K.

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F17Further powers of OFT to regulate conduct of licensees etc.U.K.

F1733A Power of OFT to impose requirements on licensees U.K.

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F1733BPower of OFT to impose requirements on supervisory bodiesU.K.

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F1733CSupplementary provision relating to requirementsU.K.

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F1733DProcedure in relation to requirementsU.K.

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F1733EGuidance on requirementsU.K.

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F17 MiscellaneousU.K.

F1734 Representations to OFT.U.K.

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F1734ZARepresentations to OFT: suspension under section 32AU.K.

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F1734AWinding-up of standard licensee's businessU.K.

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F1735 The register.U.K.

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F1736 Duty to notify changes.U.K.

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F1736A Further duties to notify changes etc. U.K.

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F1736B Power of OFT to require information generally U.K.

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F1736C Power of OFT to require access to premises U.K.

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F1736DEntry to premises under warrantU.K.

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F1736EFailure to comply with information requirementU.K.

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F1736F Officers of enforcement authorities other than OFT U.K.

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F1737 Death, bankruptcy etc. of licensee.U.K.

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F1738 Application of s. 37 to Scotland and Northern Ireland.U.K.

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F1739 Offences against Part III.U.K.

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F1739A Power of OFT to impose civil penalties U.K.

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F1739BFurther provision relating to civil penaltiesU.K.

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F1739CStatement of policy in relation to civil penaltiesU.K.

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F1740 Enforcement of agreements made by unlicensed trader.U.K.

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F17AppealsU.K.

F1740AThe Consumer Credit Appeals TribunalU.K.

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F1741 Appeals to First-tier Tribunal under Part III.U.K.

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F1741ZATribunal Procedure Rules: suspension of OFT determinationsU.K.

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F1741ZBDisposal of appealsU.K.

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F1741AAppeals from the Consumer Credit Appeals TribunalU.K.

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F1742. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Part IVU.K. Seeking Business

F18...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F18Cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(11)

F1843 Advertisements to which Part IV applies.U.K.

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F1944 Form and content of advertisements.U.K.

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Textual Amendments

F19S. 44 omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(12)

F2045 Prohibition of advertisement where goods etc. not sold for cash.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F20S. 45 omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(13)

46 False or misleading advertisements.U.K.

F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F21S. 46 repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277) regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 18, {Sch. 4 Pt. 1} (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

F2247 Advertising infringements.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F22S. 47 omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(14)

Canvassing etc.U.K.

48 Definition of canvassing off trade premises (regulated agreements).U.K.

(1)An individual (the “canvasser ”) canvasses a regulated agreement off trade premises if he solicits the entry (as debtor or hirer) of another individual (the “consumer ”) into the agreement by making oral representations to the consumer, or any other individual, during a visit by the canvasser to any place (not excluded by subsection (2)) where the consumer, or that other individual, as the case may be, is, being a visit—

(a)carried out for the purpose of making such oral representations to individuals who are at that place, but

(b)not carried out in response to a request made on a previous occasion.

(2)A place is excluded from subsection (1) if it is a place where a business is carried on (whether on a permanent or temporary basis) by—

(a)the creditor or owner, or

(b)a supplier, or

(c)the canvasser, or the person whose employee or agent the canvasser is, or

(d)the consumer.

49 Prohibition of canvassing debtor-creditor agreements off trade premises.U.K.

(1)It is an offence to canvass debtor-creditor agreements off trade premises.

(2)It is also an offence to solicit the entry of an individual (as debtor) into a debtor-creditor agreement during a visit carried out in response to a request made on a previous occasion, where—

(a)the request was not in writing signed by or on behalf of the person making it, and

(b)if no request for the visit had been made, the soliciting would have constituted the canvassing of a debtor-creditor agreement off trade premises.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to any soliciting for an agreement enabling the debtor to overdraw on a current account of any description kept with the creditor, where—

(a)the [F23FCA] has determined that current accounts of that description kept with the creditor are excluded from subsections (1) and (2), and

(b)the debtor already keeps an account with the creditor (whether a current account or not).

(4)A determination under subsection (3)(a)—

(a)may be made subject to such conditions as the [F23FCA] thinks fit, and

(b)shall be made only where the [F23FCA] is of opinion that it is not against the interests of debtors.

(5)If soliciting is done in breach of a condition imposed under subsection (4)(a), the determination under subsection (3)(a) does not apply to it.

Textual Amendments

F23Word in s. 49 substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(2)

50 Circulars to minors. U.K.

(1)A person commits an offence, who, with a view to financial gain, sends to a minor any document inviting him to—

(a)borrow money, or

(b)obtain goods on credit or hire, or

(c)obtain services on credit, or

(d)apply for information or advice on borrowing money or otherwise obtaining credit, or hiring goods.

(2)In proceedings under subsection (1) in respect of the sending of a document to a minor, it is a defence for the person charged to prove that he did not know, and had no reasonable cause to suspect, that he was a minor.

(3)Where a document is received by a minor at any school or other educational establishment for minors, a person sending it to him at that establishment knowing or suspecting it to be such an establishment shall be taken to have reasonable cause to suspect that he is a minor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

F2451 Prohibition of unsolicited credit-tokens.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prospective

F2551ARestrictions on provision of credit card chequesU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prospective

F26F26...Section 51A: exemption for businessU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F27...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F27Cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(18)

F2752 Quotations.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2853 Duty to display information.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F28S. 53 omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(19)

F2954 Conduct of business regulations.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29S. 54 omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(20)

Part VU.K. Entry into Credit or Hire Agreements

Preliminary mattersU.K.

55 Disclosure of information.U.K.

(1)Regulations may require specified information to be disclosed in the prescribed manner to the debtor or hirer before a regulated agreement is made.

[F30(2)If regulations under subsection (1) are not complied with, the agreement is enforceable against the debtor or hirer on an order of the court only (and for these purposes a retaking of goods or land to which the agreement relates is an enforcement of the agreement).]

Textual Amendments

F3155APre-contractual explanations etcU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3255BAssessment of creditworthinessU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F3355CCopy of draft consumer credit agreementU.K.

(1)Before a regulated consumer credit agreement, other than an excluded agreement, is made, the creditor must, if requested, give to the debtor without delay a copy of the prospective agreement (or such of its terms as have at that time been reduced to writing).

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply if at the time the request is made, the creditor is unwilling to proceed with the agreement.

(3)A breach of the duty imposed by subsection (1) is actionable as a breach of statutory duty.

(4)For the purposes of this section an agreement is an excluded agreement if it is—

(a)an agreement secured on land,

(b)an agreement under which a person takes an article in pawn,

(c)an agreement under which the creditor provides the debtor with credit which exceeds £60, 260, or

(d)an agreement entered into by the debtor wholly or predominantly for the purposes of a business carried on, or intended to be carried on, by him.

[F34(5)Article 60C(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order applies for the purposes of subsection (4)(d).]]

Textual Amendments

F34S. 55C(5) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(23)

56 Antecedent negotiations.U.K.

(1)In this Act “antecedent negotiations ” means any negotiations with the debtor or hirer—

(a)conducted by the creditor or owner in relation to the making of any regulated agreement, or

(b)conducted by a credit-broker in relation to goods sold or proposed to be sold by the credit-broker to the creditor before forming the subject-matter of a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement within section 12(a), or

(c)conducted by the supplier in relation to a transaction financed or proposed to be financed by a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement within section 12(b) or (c),

and “negotiator ” means the person by whom negotiations are so conducted with the debtor or hirer.

(2)Negotiations with the debtor in a case falling within subsection (1)(b) or (c) shall be deemed to be conducted by the negotiator in the capacity of agent of the creditor as well as in his actual capacity.

(3)An agreement is void if, and to the extent that, it purports in relation to an actual or prospective regulated agreement—

(a)to provide that a person acting as, or on behalf of, a negotiator is to be treated as the agent of the debtor or hirer, or

(b)to relieve a person from liability for acts or omissions of any person acting as, or on behalf of, a negotiator.

(4)For the purposes of this Act, antecedent negotiations shall be taken to begin when the negotiator and the debtor or hirer first enter into communication (including communication by advertisement), and to include any representations made by the negotiator to the debtor or hirer and any other dealings between them.

57 Withdrawal from prospective agreement.U.K.

(1)The withdrawal of a party from a prospective regulated agreement shall operate to apply this Part to the agreement, any linked transaction and any other thing done in anticipation of the making of the agreement as it would apply if the agreement were made and then cancelled under section 69.

(2)The giving to a party of a written or oral notice which, however expressed, indicates the intention of the other party to withdraw from a prospective regulated agreement operates as a withdrawal from it.

(3)Each of the following shall be deemed to be the agent of the creditor or owner for the purpose of receiving a notice under subsection (2)—

(a)a credit-broker or supplier who is the negotiator in antecedent negotiations, and

(b)any person who, in the course of a business carried on by him, acts on behalf of the debtor or hirer in any negotiations for the agreement.

(4)Where the agreement, if made, would not be a cancellable agreement, subsection (1) shall nevertheless apply as if the contrary were the case.

58 Opportunity for withdrawal from prospective land mortgage.U.K.

(1)Before sending to the debtor or hirer, for his signature, an unexecuted agreement in a case where the prospective regulated agreement is to be secured on land (the “mortgaged land ”), the creditor or owner shall give the debtor or hirer a copy of the unexecuted agreement which contains a notice in the prescribed form indicating the right of the debtor or hirer to withdraw from the prospective agreement, and how and when the right is exercisable, together with a copy of any other document referred to in the unexecuted agreement.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)a restricted-use credit agreement to finance the purchase of the mortgaged land, or

(b)an agreement for a bridging loan in connection with the purchase of the mortgaged land or other land.

59 Agreement to enter future agreement void.U.K.

(1)An agreement is void if, and to the extent that, it purports to bind a person to enter as debtor or hirer into a prospective regulated agreement.

(2)Regulations may exclude from the operation of subsection (1) agreements such as are described in the regulations.

Making the agreementU.K.

60 Form and content of agreements.U.K.

(1)The [F35Treasury] shall make regulations as to the form and content of documents embodying regulated agreements, and the regulations shall contain such provisions as appear to [F36them] appropriate with a view to ensuring that the debtor or hirer is made aware of—

(a)the rights and duties conferred or imposed on him by the agreement,

(b)the amount and rate of the total charge for credit (in the case of a consumer credit agreement),

(c)the protection and remedies available to him under this Act, and

(d)any other matters which, in the opinion of the [F35Treasury], it is desirable for him to know about in connection with the agreement.

(2)Regulations under subsection (1) may in particular—

(a)require specified information to be included in the prescribed manner in documents, and other specified material to be excluded;

(b)contain requirements to ensure that specified information is clearly brought to the attention of the debtor or hirer, and that one part of a document is not given insufficient or excessive prominence compared with another.

(3)If, on an application made to the [F37FCA] by a person carrying on a consumer credit business or a consumer hire business, it appears to the [F37FCA] impracticable for the applicant to comply with any requirement of regulations under subsection (1) in a particular case, [F38it] may, by notice to the applicant direct that the requirement be waived or varied in relation to such agreements, and subject to such conditions (if any), as [F38it] may specify, and this Act and the regulations shall have effect accordingly.

(4)The [F39FCA] shall give a notice under subsection (3) only if [F38it] is satisfied that to do so would not prejudice the interests of debtors or hirers.

[F40(5)An application may be made under subsection (3) only if it relates to—

(a)a consumer credit agreement secured on land,

(b)a consumer credit agreement under which a person takes an article in pawn,

(c)a consumer credit agreement under which the creditor provides the debtor with credit which exceeds £60,260,

(d)a consumer credit agreement entered into by the debtor wholly or predominantly for the purposes of a business carried on, or intended to be carried on, by him, or

(e)a consumer hire agreement.

[F41(6)Article 60C(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order applies for the purposes of subsection (5)(d).]]

Textual Amendments

F35Words in s. 60(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(3)(a)(i)

F36Word in s. 60(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(3)(a)(ii)

F37Word in s. 60(3) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(3)(b)

F38Words in s. 60(3)(4) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 6(23); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

F39Word in s. 60(4) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(3)(c)

61 Signing of agreement.U.K.

(1)A regulated agreement is not properly executed unless—

(a)a document in the prescribed form itself containing all the prescribed terms and conforming to regulations under section 60(1) is signed in the prescribed manner both by the debtor or hirer and by or on behalf of the creditor or owner, and

(b)the document embodies all the terms of the agreement, other than implied terms, and

(c)the document is, when presented or sent to the debtor or hirer for signature, in such a state that all its terms are readily legible.

(2)In addition, where the agreement is one to which section 58(1) applies, it is not properly executed unless—

(a)the requirements of section 58(1) were complied with, and

(b)the unexecuted agreement was sent, for his signature, to the debtor or hirer [F42by an appropriate method] not less than seven days after a copy of it was given to him under section 58(1), and

(c)during the consideration period, the creditor or owner refrained from approaching the debtor or hirer (whether in person, by telephone or letter, or in any other way) except in response to a specific request made by the debtor or hirer after the beginning of the consideration period, and

(d)no notice of withdrawal by the debtor or hirer was received by the creditor or owner before the sending of the unexecuted agreement.

(3)In subsection (2)(c), “the consideration period ” means the period beginning with the giving of the copy under section 58(1) and ending—

(a)at the expiry of seven days after the day on which the unexecuted agreement is sent, for his signature, to the debtor or hirer, or

(b)on its return by the debtor or hirer after signature by him,

whichever first occurs.

(4)Where the debtor or hirer is a partnership or an unincorporated body of persons, subsection (1)(a) shall apply with the substitution for “by the debtor or hirer ” of “by or on behalf of the debtor or hirer ”.

Textual Amendments

[F4361ADuty to supply copy of executed consumer credit agreementU.K.

(1)Where a regulated consumer credit agreement, other than an excluded agreement, has been made, the creditor must give a copy of the executed agreement, and any other document referred to in it, to the debtor.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply if—

(a)a copy of the unexecuted agreement (and of any other document referred to in it) has already been given to the debtor, and

(b)the unexecuted agreement is in identical terms to the executed agreement.

(3)In a case referred to in subsection (2), the creditor must inform the debtor in writing—

(a)that the agreement has been executed,

(b)that the executed agreement is in identical terms to the unexecuted agreement a copy of which has already been given to the debtor, and

(c)that the debtor has the right to receive a copy of the executed agreement if the debtor makes a request for it at any time before the end of the period referred to in section 66A(2).

(4)Where a request is made under subsection (3)(c) the creditor must give a copy of the executed agreement to the debtor without delay.

(5)If the requirements of this section are not observed, the agreement is not properly executed.

(6)For the purposes of this section, an agreement is an excluded agreement if it is—

(a)a cancellable agreement, or

(b)an agreement—

(i)secured on land,

(ii)under which the creditor provides the debtor with credit which exceeds £60,260, or

(iii)entered into by the debtor wholly or predominantly for the purposes of a business carried on, or intended to be carried on, by him,

unless the creditor or a credit intermediary has complied with or purported to comply with regulation 3(2) of the Consumer Credit (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2010.

[F44(7)Article 60C(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order applies for the purposes of subsection (6)(b)(iii).

(8)In this section, “credit intermediary” means a person who in the course of business—

(a)carries on any of the activities specified in article 36A(1)(d) to (f) of the Regulated Activities Order for a consideration that is or includes a financial consideration, and

(b)does not do so as a creditor.]]

[F4561BDuty to supply copy of overdraft agreementU.K.

(1)Where an authorised business overdraft agreement or an authorised non-business overdraft agreement has been made, a document containing the terms of the agreement must be given to the debtor.

(2)The creditor must provide the document referred to in subsection (1) to the debtor before or at the time the agreement is made unless—

(a)the creditor has provided the debtor with the information referred to in regulation 10(3) of the Consumer Credit (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2010, in which case it may be provided after the agreement is made,

(b)the creditor has provided the debtor with the information referred to in regulation 10(3)(c), (e), (f), (h) and (k) of those Regulations, in which case it must be provided immediately after the agreement is made, or

(c)the agreement is an agreement of a description referred to in regulation 10(4)(b) of those Regulations, in which case it must be provided immediately after the agreement is made.

(3)If the requirements of this section are not observed, the agreement is enforceable against the debtor on an order of the court only (and for these purposes a retaking of goods or land to which the agreement relates is an enforcement of the agreement).]

62 Duty to supply copy of unexecuted agreement [F46: excluded agreements].U.K.

(1)If [F47in the case of a regulated agreement which is an excluded agreement] the unexecuted agreement is presented personally to the debtor or hirer for his signature, but on the occasion when he signs it the document does not become an executed agreement, a copy of it, and of any other document referred to in it, must be there and then delivered to him.

(2)If the unexecuted agreement is sent to the debtor or hirer for his signature, a copy of it, and of any other document referred to in it, must be sent to him at the same time.

(3)A regulated agreement [F48which is an excluded agreement] is not properly executed if the requirements of this section are not observed.

[F49(4)In this section, “excluded agreement” has the same meaning as in section 61A.]

63 Duty to supply copy of executed agreement [F50: excluded agreements].U.K.

(1)If [F51in the case of a regulated agreement which is an excluded agreement] the unexecuted agreement is presented personally to the debtor or hirer for his signature, and on the occasion when he signs it the document becomes an executed agreement, a copy of the executed agreement, and of any other document referred to in it, must be there and then delivered to him.

(2)A copy of the executed agreement, and of any other document referred to in it, must be given to the debtor or hirer within the seven days following the making of the agreement unless—

(a)subsection (1) applies, or

(b)the unexecuted agreement was sent to the debtor or hirer for his signature and, on the occasion of his signing it, the document became an executed agreement.

(3)In the case of a cancellable agreement, a copy under subsection (2) must be sent [F52by an appropriate method] .

(4)In the case of a credit-token agreement, a copy under subsection (2) need not be given within the seven days following the making of the agreement if it is given before or at the time when the credit-token is given to the debtor.

(5)A regulated agreement [F53which is an excluded agreement] is not properly executed if the requirements of this section are not observed.

[F54(6)In this section, “excluded agreement” has the same meaning as in section 61A.]

64 Duty to give notice of cancellation rights.U.K.

(1)In the case of a cancellable agreement, a notice in the prescribed form indicating the right of the debtor or hirer to cancel the agreement, how and when that right is exercisable, and the name and address of a person to whom notice of cancellation may be given,—

(a)must be included in every copy given to the debtor or hirer under section 62 or 63, and

(b)except where section 63(2) applied, must also be sent [F55by an appropriate method] to the debtor or hirer within the seven days following the making of the agreement.

(2)In the case of a credit-token agreement, a notice under subsection (1)(b) need not be sent [F55by an appropriate method] within the seven days following the making of the agreement if either—

(a)it is sent [F55by an appropriate method] to the debtor or hirer before the credit-token is given to him, or

(b)it is sent [F55by an appropriate method] to him together with the credit-token.

(3)Regulations may provide that except where section 63(2) applied a notice sent under subsection (1)(b) shall be accompanied by a further copy of the executed agreement, and of any other document referred to in it.

(4)Regulations may provide that subsection (1)(b) is not to apply in the case of agreements such as are described in the regulations, being agreements made by a particular person, if—

(a)on an application by that person to the [F56FCA] , the [F56FCA] has determined that, having regard to—

(i)the manner in which antecedent negotiations for agreements with the applicant of that description are conducted, and

(ii)the information provided to debtors or hirers before such agreements are made,

the requirement imposed by subsection (1)(b) can be dispensed with without prejudicing the interests of debtors or hirers; and

(b)any conditions imposed by the [F56FCA] in making the determination are complied with.

(5)A cancellable agreement is not properly executed if the requirements of this section are not observed.

Textual Amendments

F56Word in s. 64(4) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(4)

65 Consequences of improper execution.U.K.

(1)An improperly-executed regulated agreement is enforceable against the debtor or hirer on an order of the court only.

(2)A retaking of goods or land to which a regulated agreement relates is an enforcement of the agreement.

66 Acceptance of credit-tokens.U.K.

(1)The debtor shall not be liable under a credit-token agreement for use made of the credit-token by any person unless the debtor had previously accepted the credit-token, or the use constituted an acceptance of it by him.

(2)The debtor accepts a credit-token when—

(a)it is signed, or

(b)a receipt for it is signed, or

(c)it is first used,

either by the debtor himself or by a person who, pursuant to the agreement, is authorised by him to use it.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F57Withdrawal from certain agreementsU.K.

66AWithdrawal from consumer credit agreementU.K.

(1)The debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreement, other than an excluded agreement, may withdraw from the agreement, without giving any reason, in accordance with this section.

(2)To withdraw from an agreement under this section the debtor must give oral or written notice of the withdrawal to the creditor before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the relevant day.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2) the relevant day is whichever is the latest of the following—

(a)the day on which the agreement is made;

(b)where the creditor is required to inform the debtor of the credit limit under the agreement, the day on which the creditor first does so;

(c)in the case of an agreement to which section 61A (duty to supply copy of executed consumer credit agreement) applies, the day on which the debtor receives a copy of the agreement under that section or on which the debtor is informed as specified in subsection (3) of that section;

(d)in the case of an agreement to which section 63 (duty to supply copy of executed agreement: excluded agreements) applies, the day on which the debtor receives a copy of the agreement under that section.

(4)Where oral notice under this section is given to the creditor it must be given in a manner specified in the agreement.

(5)Where written notice under this section is given by facsimile transmission or electronically—

(a)it must be sent to the number or electronic address specified for the purpose in the agreement, and

(b)where it is so sent, it is to be regarded as having been received by the creditor at the time it is sent (and section 176A does not apply).

(6)Where written notice under this section is given in any other form—

(a)it must be sent by post to, or left at, the postal address specified for the purpose in the agreement, and

(b)where it is sent by post to that address, it is to be regarded as having been received by the creditor at the time of posting (and section 176 does not apply).

(7)Subject as follows, where the debtor withdraws from a regulated consumer credit agreement under this section—

(a)the agreement shall be treated as if it had never been entered into, and

(b)where an ancillary service relating to the agreement is or is to be provided by the creditor, or by a third party on the basis of an agreement between the third party and the creditor, the ancillary service contract shall be treated as if it had never been entered into.

(8)In the case referred to in subsection (7)(b) the creditor must without delay notify any third party of the fact that the debtor has withdrawn from the agreement.

(9)Where the debtor withdraws from an agreement under this section—

(a)the debtor must repay to the creditor any credit provided and the interest accrued on it (at the rate provided for under the agreement), but

(b)the debtor is not liable to pay to the creditor any compensation, fees or charges except any non-returnable charges paid by the creditor to a public administrative body.

(10)An amount payable under subsection (9) must be paid without undue delay and no later than the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the day after the day on which the notice of withdrawal was given (and if not paid by the end of that period may be recovered by the creditor as a debt).

(11)Where a regulated consumer credit agreement is a conditional sale, hire-purchase or credit-sale agreement and—

(a)the debtor withdraws from the agreement under this section after the credit has been provided, and

(b)the sum payable under subsection (9)(a) is paid in full by the debtor,

title to the goods purchased or supplied under the agreement is to pass to the debtor on the same terms as would have applied had the debtor not withdrawn from the agreement.

(12)In subsections (2), (4), (5), (6) and (9)(a) references to the creditor include a person specified by the creditor in the agreement.

(13)In subsection (7)(b) the reference to an ancillary service means a service that relates to the provision of credit under the agreement and includes in particular an insurance or payment protection policy.

(14)For the purposes of this section, an agreement is an excluded agreement if it is—

(a)an agreement for credit exceeding £60, 260,

(b)an agreement secured on land,

(c)a restricted-use credit agreement to finance the purchase of land, or

(d)an agreement for a bridging loan in connection with the purchase of land.]

Cancellation of certain agreements within cooling-off periodU.K.

67 Cancellable agreements.U.K.

[F58(1) Subject to subsection (2)] a regulated agreement may be cancelled by the debtor or hirer in accordance with this Part if the antecedent negotiations included oral representations made when in the presence of the debtor or hirer by an individual acting as, or on behalf of, the negotiator, unless—

(a)the agreement is secured on land, or is a restricted-use credit agreement to finance the purchase of land or is an agreement for a bridging loan in connection with the purchase of land, or

(b)the unexecuted agreement is signed by the debtor or hirer at premises at which any of the following is carrying on any business (whether on a permanent or temporary basis)—

(i)the creditor or owner;

(ii)any party to a linked transaction (other than the debtor or hirer or a relative of his);

(iii)the negotiator in any antecedent negotiations.

[F59(2) This section does not apply where section 66A applies.]

Textual Amendments

F58S. 67 renumbered as s. 67(1) and words inserted (1.2.2011) by The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 14(a), 99(1) (with regs. 100, 101)

68 Cooling-off period.U.K.

The debtor or hirer may serve notice of cancellation of a cancellable agreement between his signing of the unexecuted agreement and—

(a)the end of the fifth day following the day on which he received a copy under section 63(2) or a notice under section 64(1)(b), or

(b)if (by virtue of regulations made under section 64(4)) section 64(1)(b) does not apply, the end of the fourteenth day following the day on which he signed the unexecuted agreement.

69 Notice of cancellation.U.K.

(1)If within the period specified in section 68 the debtor or hirer under a cancellable agreement serves on—

(a)the creditor or owner, or

(b)the person specified in the notice under section 64(1), or

(c)a person who (whether by virtue of subsection (6) or otherwise) is the agent of the creditor or owner,

a notice (a “notice of cancellation ”) which, however expressed and whether or not conforming to the notice given under section 64(1), indicates the intention of the debtor or hirer to withdraw from the agreement, the notice shall operate—

(i)to cancel the agreement, and any linked transaction, and

(ii)to withdraw any offer by the debtor or hirer, or his relative, to enter into a linked transaction.

(2)In the case of a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement for restricted-use credit financing—

(a)the doing of work or supply of goods to meet an emergency, or

(b)the supply of goods which, before service of the notice of cancellation, had by the act of the debtor or his relative become incorporated in any land or thing not comprised in the agreement or any linked transaction,

subsection (1) shall apply with the substitution of the following for paragraph (i)—

(i)to cancel only such provisions of the agreement and any linked transaction as—

(aa)relate to the provision of credit, or

(bb)require the debtor to pay an item in the total charge for credit, or

(cc)subject the debtor to any obligation other than to pay for the doing of the said work, or the supply of the said goods.

(3)Except so far as is otherwise provided, references in this Act to the cancellation of an agreement or transaction do not include a case within subsection (2).

(4)Except as otherwise provided by or under this Act, an agreement or transaction cancelled under subsection (1) shall be treated as if it had never been entered into.

(5)Regulations may exclude linked transactions of the prescribed description from subsection (1)(i) or (ii).

(6)Each of the following shall be deemed to be the agent of the creditor or owner for the purpose of receiving a notice of cancellation—

(a)a credit-broker or supplier who is the negotiator in antecedent negotiations, and

(b)any person who, in the course of a business carried on by him, acts on behalf of the debtor or hirer in any negotiations for the agreement.

[F60(7)Whether or not it is actually received by him, a notice of cancellation sent to a person shall be deemed to be served on him—

(a)in the case of a notice sent by post, at the time of posting, and

(b)in the case of a notice transmitted in the form of an electronic communication in accordance with section 176A(1), at the time of the transmission.]

70 Cancellation: recovery of money paid by debtor or hirer.U.K.

(1)On the cancellation of a regulated agreement, and of any linked transaction,—

(a)any sum paid by the debtor or hirer, or his relative, under or in contemplation of the agreement or transaction, including any item in the total charge for credit, shall become repayable, and

(b)any sum, including any item in the total charge for credit, which but for the cancellation is, or would or might become, payable by the debtor or hirer, or his relative, under the agreement or transaction shall cease to be, or shall not become, so payable, and

(c)in the case of a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement falling within section 12(b), any sum paid on the debtor’s behalf by the creditor to the supplier shall become repayable to the creditor.

(2)If, under the terms of a cancelled agreement or transaction, the debtor or hirer, or his relative, is in possession of any goods, he shall have a lien on them for any sum repayable to him under subsection (1) in respect of that agreement or transaction, or any other linked transaction.

(3)A sum repayable under subsection (1) is repayable by the person to whom it was originally paid, but in the case of a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement falling within section 12(b) the creditor and the supplier shall be under a joint and several liability to repay sums paid by the debtor, or his relative, under the agreement or under a linked transaction falling within section 19(1)(b) and accordingly, in such a case, the creditor shall be entitled, in accordance with rules of court, to have the supplier made a party to any proceedings brought against the creditor to recover any such sums.

(4)Subject to any agreement between them, the creditor shall be entitled to be indemnified by the supplier for loss suffered by the creditor in satisfying his liability under subsection (3), including costs reasonably incurred by him in defending proceedings instituted by the debtor.

(5)Subsection (1) does not apply to any sum which, if not paid by a debtor, would be payable by virtue of section 71, and applies to a sum paid or payable by a debtor for the issue of a credit-token only where the credit-token has been returned to the creditor or surrendered to a supplier.

(6)If the total charge for credit includes an item in respect of a fee or commission charged by a credit-broker, the amount repayable under subsection (1) in respect of that item shall be the excess over [F61£5] of the fee or commission.

(7)If the total charge for credit includes any sum payable or paid by the debtor to a credit-broker otherwise than in respect of a fee or commission charged by him, that sum shall for the purposes of subsection (6) be treated as if it were such a fee or commission.

(8)So far only as is necessary to give effect to section 69(2), this section applies to an agreement or transaction within that subsection as it applies to a cancelled agreement or transaction.

Textual Amendments

F61Amount "£5" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 70(6) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

71 Cancellation: repayment of credit.U.K.

(1)Notwithstanding the cancellation of a regulated consumer credit agreement, other than a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement for restricted-use credit, the agreement shall continue in force so far as it relates to repayment of credit and payment of interest.

(2)If, following the cancellation of a regulated consumer credit agreement, the debtor repays the whole or a portion of the credit—

(a)before the expiry of one month following service of the notice of cancellation, or

(b)in the case of a credit repayable by instalments, before the date on which the first instalment is due,

no interest shall be payable on the amount repaid.

(3)If the whole of a credit repayable by instalments is not repaid on or before the date specified in subsection (2)(b), the debtor shall not be liable to repay any of the credit except on receipt of a request in writing in the prescribed form, signed by or on behalf of the creditor, stating the amounts of the remaining instalments (recalculated by the creditor as nearly as may be in accordance with the agreement and without extending the repayment period), but excluding any sum other than principal and interest.

(4)Repayment of a credit, or payment of interest, under a cancelled agreement shall be treated as duly made if it is made to any person on whom, under section 69, a notice of cancellation could have been served, other than a person referred to in section 69(6)(b).

72 Cancellation: return of goods.U.K.

(1)This section applies where any agreement or transaction relating to goods, being—

(a)a restricted-use debtor-creditor-supplier agreement, a consumer hire agreement, or a linked transaction to which the debtor or hirer under any regulated agreement is a party, or

(b)a linked transaction to which a relative of the debtor or hirer under any regulated agreement is a party,

is cancelled after the debtor or hirer (in a case within paragraph (a)) or the relative (in a case within paragraph (b)) has acquired possession of the goods by virtue of the agreement or transaction.

(2)In this section—

(a)the possessor ” means the person who has acquired possession of the goods as mentioned in subsection (1),

(b)the other party ” means the person from whom the possessor acquired possession, and

(c)the pre-cancellation period ” means the period beginning when the possessor acquired possession and ending with the cancellation.

(3)The possessor shall be treated as having been under a duty throughout the pre-cancellation period—

(a)to retain possession of the goods, and

(b)to take reasonable care of them.

(4)On the cancellation, the possessor shall be under a duty, subject to any lien, to restore the goods to the other party in accordance with this section, and meanwhile to retain possession of the goods and take reasonable care of them.

(5)The possessor shall not be under any duty to deliver the goods except at his own premises and in pursuance of a request in writing signed by or on behalf of the other party and served on the possessor either before, or at the time when, the goods are collected from those premises.

(6)If the possessor—

(a)delivers the goods (whether at his own premises or elsewhere) to any person on whom, under section 69, a notice of cancellation could have been served (other than a person referred to in section 69(6)(b)), or

(b)sends the goods at his own expense to such a person,

he shall be discharged from any duty to retain the goods or deliver them to any person.

(7)Where the possessor delivers the goods as mentioned in subsection (6)(a), his obligation to take care of the goods shall cease; and if he sends the goods as mentioned in subsection (6)(b), he shall be under a duty to take reasonable care to see that they are received by the other party and not damaged in transit, but in other respects his duty to take care of the goods shall cease.

(8)Where, at any time during the period of 21 days following the cancellation, the possessor receives such a request as is mentioned in subsection (5), and unreasonably refuses or unreasonably fails to comply with it, his duty to take reasonable care of the goods shall continue until he delivers or sends the goods as mentioned in subsection (6), but if within that period he does not receive such a request his duty to take reasonable care of the goods shall cease at the end of that period.

(9)The preceding provisions of this section do not apply to—

(a)perishable goods, or

(b)goods which by their nature are consumed by use and which, before the cancellation, were so consumed, or

(c)goods supplied to meet an emergency, or

(d)goods which, before the cancellation, had become incorporated in any land or thing not comprised in the cancelled agreement or a linked transaction.

(10)Where the address of the possessor is specified in the executed agreement, references in this section to his own premises are to that address and no other.

(11)Breach of a duty imposed by this section is actionable as a breach of statutory duty.

73 Cancellation: goods given in part-exchange.U.K.

(1)This section applies on the cancellation of a regulated agreement where, in antecedent negotiations, the negotiator agreed to take goods in part-exchange (the “part-exchange goods ”) and those goods have been delivered to him.

(2)Unless, before the end of the period of ten days beginning with the date of cancellation, the part-exchange goods are returned to the debtor or hirer in a condition substantially as good as when they were delivered to the negotiator, the debtor or hirer shall be entitled to recover from the negotiator a sum equal to the part-exchange allowance (as defined in subsection (7)(b)).

(3)In the case of a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement within section 12(b), the negotiator and the creditor shall be under a joint and several liability to pay to the debtor a sum recoverable under subsection (2).

(4)Subject to any agreement between them, the creditor shall be entitled to be indemnified by the negotiator for loss suffered by the creditor in satisfying his liability under subsection (3), including costs reasonably incurred by him in defending proceedings instituted by the debtor.

(5)During the period of ten days beginning with the date of cancellation, the debtor or hirer, if he is in possession of goods to which the cancelled agreement relates, shall have a lien on them for—

(a)delivery of the part-exchange goods, in a condition substantially as good as when they were delivered to the negotiator, or

(b)a sum equal to the part-exchange allowance;

and if the lien continues to the end of that period it shall thereafter subsist only as a lien for a sum equal to the part-exchange allowance.

(6)Where the debtor or hirer recovers from the negotiator or creditor, or both of them jointly, a sum equal to the part-exchange allowance, then, if the title of the debtor or hirer to the part-exchange goods has not vested in the negotiator, it shall so vest on the recovery of that sum.

(7)For the purposes of this section—

(a)the negotiator shall be treated as having agreed to take goods in part-exchange if, in pursuance of the antecedent negotiations, he either purchased or agreed to purchase those goods or accepted or agreed to accept them as part of the consideration for the cancelled agreement, and

(b)the part-exchange allowance shall be the sum agreed as such in the antecedent negotiations or, if no such agreement was arrived at, such sum as it would have been reasonable to allow in respect of the part-exchange goods if no notice of cancellation had been served.

(8)In an action brought against the creditor for a sum recoverable under subsection (2), he shall be entitled, in accordance with rules of court, to have the negotiator made a party to the proceedings.

Exclusion of certain agreements from Part VU.K.

74 Exclusion of certain agreements from Part V.U.K.

[F62(1)Except as provided in subsections (1A) to (2), this Part does not apply to—

(a)a non-commercial agreement,

(b)a debtor-creditor agreement enabling the debtor to overdraw on a current account,

(c)a debtor-creditor agreement to finance the making of such payments arising on, or connected with, the death of a person as may be prescribed, or

(d)a small debtor-creditor-supplier agreement for restricted-use credit.

(1A)Section 56 (antecedent negotiations) applies to a non-commercial agreement.

(1B)Where an agreement that falls within subsection (1)(b) is an authorised business overdraft agreement the following provisions apply—

F63(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)section 56 (antecedent negotiations);

(c)section 60 (regulations on form and content of agreements);

(d)section 61B (duty to supply copy of overdraft agreement).

(1C)Where an agreement that falls within subsection (1)(b) is an authorised non-business overdraft agreement the following provisions apply—

(a)section 55 (regulations on disclosure of information);

F64(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)section 55C (copy of draft consumer credit agreement);

(d)section 56 (antecedent negotiations);

(e)section 60 (regulations on form and content of agreements);

(f)section 61B (duty to supply copy of overdraft agreement).

(1D)Where an agreement that falls within subsection (1)(b) would be an authorised non-business overdraft agreement but for the fact that the credit is not repayable on demand or within three months the following provisions apply—

(a)section 55 (regulations on disclosure of information);

F65(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F65(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)section 55C (copy of draft consumer credit agreement);

(e)section 56 (antecedent negotiations);

(f)section 60 (regulations on form and content of agreements);

(g)section 61 (signing of agreement);

(h)section 61A (duty to supply copy of executed agreement);

(i)section 66A (withdrawal from consumer credit agreement).

(1E)In the case of an agreement that falls within subsection (1)(b) but does not fall within subsection (1B), (1C) or (1D), section 56 (antecedent negotiations) applies.

(1F)The following provisions apply to a debtor-creditor agreement to finance the making of such payments arising on, or connected with, the death of a person as may be prescribed—

(a)section 55 (regulations on disclosure of information);

F66(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F66(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)section 55C (copy of draft consumer credit agreement);

(e)section 56 (antecedent negotiations);

(f)section 60 (regulations on form and content of agreements);

(g)section 61 (signing of agreement);

(h)section 61A (duty to supply copy of executed agreement);

(i)section 66A (withdrawal from consumer credit agreement).

(2)The following provisions apply to a small debtor-creditor-supplier agreement for restricted-use credit—

(a)section 55 (regulations on disclosure of information);

(b)section 56 (antecedent negotiations);

(c)section 66A (withdrawal from consumer credit agreement).]

[F67(2A)In the case of an agreement to which the [F68Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008] apply the reference in subsection (2) to a small agreement shall be construed as if in section 17(1)(a) and (b) “£35 ” were substituted for “£50 ”.]

(3)[F69Subsection (1)(c) applies] only where the [F70FCA] so determines, and such a determination—

(a)may be made subject to such conditions as the [F70FCA] thinks fit, and

(b)shall be made only if the [F70FCA] is of the opinion that it is not against the interests of debtors.

(3A)F71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)If any term of an agreement falling within subsection [F72(1)(d)] is expressed in writing, regulations under section 60(1) shall apply to that term (subject to section 60(3)) as if the agreement were a regulated agreement not falling within subsection [F72(1)(d)].

Textual Amendments

F62S. 74(1)-(2) substituted for s. 74(1)(2) (1.2.2011) by The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 17(2), 99(1) (with regs. 100, 101)

F67S. 74(2A) added by S.I. 1987/2117, reg. 9

F68Words in s. 74(2A) substituted (1.10.2008) by The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1816) regs. 1, 3, {Sch. 1 para. 1}

F70Word in s. 74(3) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(5)

F73PART VAU.K.CURRENT ACCOUNT OVERDRAFTS

Textual Amendments

F73Pt. 5A omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(27)

F7374AInformation to be provided on a current account agreementU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7374BInformation to be provided on significant overdrawing without prior arrangementU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part VIU.K. Matters Arising During Currency of Credit or Hire Agreements

75 Liability of creditor for breaches by supplier.U.K.

(1)If the debtor under a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement falling within section 12(b) or (c) has, in relation to a transaction financed by the agreement, any claim against the supplier in respect of a misrepresentation or breach of contract, he shall have a like claim against the creditor, who, with the supplier, shall accordingly be jointly and severally liable to the debtor.

(2)Subject to any agreement between them, the creditor shall be entitled to be indemnified by the supplier for loss suffered by the creditor in satisfying his liability under subsection (1), including costs reasonably incurred by him in defending proceedings instituted by the debtor.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to a claim—

(a)under a non-commercial agreement, F74. . .

(b)so far as the claim relates to any single item to which the supplier has attached a cash price not exceeding [F75£100] or more than [F76£30,000][F77, or]

[F78(c)under a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement for running-account credit—

(i)which provides for the making of payments by the debtor in relation to specified periods which, in the case of an agreement which is not secured on land, do not exceed three months, and

(ii)which requires that the number of payments to be made by the debtor in repayments of the whole amount of the credit provided in each such period shall not exceed one.]

(4)This section applies notwithstanding that the debtor, in entering into the transaction, exceeded the credit limit or otherwise contravened any term of the agreement.

(5)In an action brought against the creditor under subsection (1) he shall be entitled, in accordance with rules of court, to have the supplier made a party to the proceedings.

Textual Amendments

F74Word in s. 75(3)(a) omitted (1.2.2011) by virtue of The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 24(a), 99(1) (with regs. 100, 101)

F75"£100 " substituted by S.I. 1983/1878, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

F76"£30,000" substituted by S.I. 1983/1878, arts. 3, 4, Sch. Pt. II

[F7975AFurther provision for liability of creditor for breaches by supplierU.K.

(1)If the debtor under a linked credit agreement has a claim against the supplier in respect of a breach of contract the debtor may pursue that claim against the creditor where any of the conditions in subsection (2) are met.

(2)The conditions in subsection (1) are—

(a)that the supplier cannot be traced,

(b)that the debtor has contacted the supplier but the supplier has not responded,

(c)that the supplier is insolvent, or

(d)that the debtor has taken reasonable steps to pursue his claim against the supplier but has not obtained satisfaction for his claim.

(3)The steps referred to in subsection (2)(d) need not include litigation.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (2)(d) a debtor is to be deemed to have obtained satisfaction where he has accepted a replacement product or service or other compensation from the supplier in settlement of his claim.

(5)In this section “linked credit agreement” means a regulated consumer credit agreement which serves exclusively to finance an agreement for the supply of specific goods or the provision of a specific service and where—

(a)the creditor uses the services of the supplier in connection with the preparation or making of the credit agreement, or

(b)the specific goods or provision of a specific service are explicitly specified in the credit agreement.

(6)This section does not apply where—

(a)the cash value of the goods or service is £30, 000 or less,

(b)the linked credit agreement is for credit which exceeds £60, 260, or

(c)the linked credit agreement is entered into by the debtor wholly or predominantly for the purposes of a business carried on, or intended to be carried on, by him.

[F80(7)Article 60C(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order applies for the purposes of subsection (6)(c).]

(8)This section does not apply to an agreement secured on land.]

76 Duty to give notice before taking certain action.U.K.

(1)The creditor or owner is not entitled to enforce a term of a regulated agreement by—

(a)demanding earlier payment of any sum, or

(b)recovering possession of any goods or land, or

(c)treating any right conferred on the debtor or hirer by the agreement as terminated, restricted or deferred,

except by or after giving the debtor or hirer not less than seven days’ notice of his intention to do so.

(2)Subsection (1) applies only where—

(a)a period for the duration of the agreement is specified in the agreement, and

(b)that period has not ended when the creditor or owner does an act mentioned in subsection (1),

but so applies notwithstanding that, under the agreement, any party is entitled to terminate it before the end of the period so specified.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) is ineffective if not in the prescribed form.

(4)Subsection (1) does not prevent a creditor from treating the right to draw on any credit as restricted or deferred and taking such steps as may be necessary to make the restriction or deferment effective.

(5)Regulations may provide that subsection (1) is not to apply to agreements described by the regulations.

(6)Subsection (1) does not apply to a right of enforcement arising by reason of any breach by the debtor or hirer of the regulated agreement.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

77 Duty to give information to debtor under fixed-sum credit agreement.U.K.

(1)The creditor under a regulated agreement for fixed-sum credit, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the debtor and payment of a fee of [F81£1], shall give the debtor a copy of the executed agreement (if any) and of any other document referred to in it, together with a statement signed by or on behalf of the creditor showing, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer,—

(a)the total sum paid under the agreement by the debtor;

(b)the total sum which has become payable under the agreement by the debtor but remains unpaid, and the various amounts comprised in that total sum, with the date when each became due; and

(c)the total sum which is to become payable under the agreement by the debtor, and the various amounts comprised in that total sum, with the date, or mode of determining the date, when each becomes due.

(2)If the creditor possesses insufficient information to enable him to ascertain the amounts and dates mentioned in subsection (1)(c), he shall be taken to comply with that paragraph if his statement under subsection (1) gives the basis on which, under the regulated agreement, they would fall to be ascertained.

[F82(2A)Subsection (2B) applies if the regulated agreement is a green deal plan (within the meaning of section 1 of the Energy Act 2011).

(2B)The duty imposed on the creditor by subsection (1) may be discharged by another person acting on the creditor's behalf.]

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)an agreement under which no sum is, or will or may become, payable by the debtor, or

(b)a request made less than one month after a previous request under that subsection relating to the same agreement was complied with.

(4)If the creditor under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the agreement; F83. . .

(b)F83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement.

Textual Amendments

F81"£1" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 77(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F82S. 77(2A)(2B) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.1.2013) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 27(2), 121(1); S.I. 2013/125, art. 3(b)

F83S. 77(4)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277) regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 19, {Sch. 4 Pt. 1} (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

[F8477AStatements to be provided in relation to fixed-sum credit agreementsU.K.

[F85(1)The creditor under a regulated agreement for fixed-sum credit must give the debtor statements under this section.

(1A)The statements must relate to consecutive periods.

(1B)The first such period must begin with either—

(a)the day on which the agreement is made, or

(b)the day the first movement occurs on the debtor's account with the creditor relating to the agreement.

(1C)No such period may exceed a year.

(1D)For the purposes of subsection (1C), a period of a year which expires on a non-working day may be regarded as expiring on the next working day.

(1E)Each statement under this section must be given to the debtor before the end of the period of thirty days beginning with the day after the end of the period to which the statement relates.]

(2)Regulations may make provision about the form and content of statements under this section.

[F86(2A)Subsection (2B) applies if the regulated agreement is a green deal plan (within the meaning of section 1 of the Energy Act 2011).

(2B)Any duty imposed on the creditor by this section may be discharged by another person acting on the creditor's behalf.]

(3)The debtor shall have no liability to pay any sum in connection with the preparation or the giving to him of a statement under this section.

(4)The creditor is not required to give the debtor any statement under this section once the following conditions are satisfied—

(a)that there is no sum payable under the agreement by the debtor; and

(b)that there is no sum which will or may become so payable.

(5)Subsection (6) applies if at a time before the conditions mentioned in subsection (4) are satisfied the creditor fails to give the debtor—

(a)a statement under this section within the period mentioned in subsection [F87(1E)] ; F88...

F88(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)Where this subsection applies in relation to a failure to give a statement under this section to the debtor—

(a)the creditor shall not be entitled to enforce the agreement during the period of non-compliance;

(b)the debtor shall have no liability to pay any sum of interest to the extent calculated by reference to the period of non-compliance or to any part of it; and

(c)the debtor shall have no liability to pay any default sum which (apart from this paragraph)—

(i)would have become payable during the period of non-compliance; or

(ii)would have become payable after the end of that period in connection with a breach of the agreement which occurs during that period (whether or not the breach continues after the end of that period).

(7)In this section ‘the period of non-compliance’ means, in relation to a failure to give a statement under this section to the debtor, the period which—

(a)begins immediately after the end of the period mentioned in F89. . . subsection (5); and

(b)ends at the end of the day on which the statement is given to the debtor or on which the conditions mentioned in subsection (4) are satisfied, whichever is earlier.

(8)This section does not apply in relation to a non-commercial agreement or to a small agreement.

[F90(9)This section does not apply where the holder of a current account overdraws on the account without a pre-arranged overdraft or exceeds a pre-arranged overdraft limit.]]

Textual Amendments

F84S. 77A inserted (16.6.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {6}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

F85S. 77A(1)-(1E) substituted for s. 77A(1) (31.10.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Consumer Credit) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2826), art. 4(a) (with art. 5)

F86S. 77A(2A)(2B) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.1.2013) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 27(3), 121(1); S.I. 2013/125, art. 3(b)

F88S. 77A(5)(b) and preceding word ceased to have effect (31.10.2008) by The Legislative Reform (Consumer Credit) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2826), art. 4(b)(ii) (with art. 5)

F89Words in s. 77A(7) omitted (31.10.2008) by virtue of The Legislative Reform (Consumer Credit) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2826), art. 4(c) (with art. 5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F9177BFixed-sum credit agreement: statement of account to be provided on requestU.K.

(1)This section applies to a regulated consumer credit agreement—

(a)which is for fixed-sum credit,

(b)which is of fixed duration,

(c)where the credit is repayable in instalments by the debtor, and

(d)which is not an excluded agreement.

(2)Upon a request from the debtor, the creditor must as soon as reasonably practicable give to the debtor a statement in writing which complies with subsections (3) to (5).

(3)The statement must include a table showing the details of each instalment owing under the agreement as at the date of the request.

(4)Details to be provided under subsection (3) must include—

(a)the date on which the instalment is due,

(b)the amount of the instalment,

(c)any conditions relating to payment of the instalment, and

(d)a breakdown of the instalment showing how much of it is made up of capital repayment, interest payment and other charges.

(5)Where the rate of interest is variable or the charges under the agreement may be varied, the statement must also indicate clearly and concisely that the information in the table is valid only until the rate of interest or charges are varied.

(6)The debtor may make a request under subsection (2) at any time that the agreement is in force unless a previous request has been made less than a month before and has been complied with.

(7)The debtor shall have no liability to pay any sum in connection with the preparation or the giving of a statement under this section.

[F92(7A)Subsection (7B) applies if the regulated agreement is a green deal plan (within the meaning of section 1 of the Energy Act 2011).

(7B)The duty imposed on the creditor by this section may be discharged by another person acting on the creditor's behalf.]

(8)A breach of the duty imposed by this section is actionable as a breach of statutory duty.

(9)For the purposes of this section, an agreement is an excluded agreement if it is—

(a)an agreement secured on land,

(b)an agreement under which a person takes an article in pawn,

(c)an agreement under which the creditor provides the debtor with credit which exceeds £60, 260, or

(d)an agreement entered into by the debtor wholly or predominantly for the purpose of a business carried on, or intended to be carried on, by him.

[F93(10)Article 60C(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order applies for the purposes of subsection (9)(d).]]

Textual Amendments

F92S. 77B(7A)(7B) inserted (E.W.S.) (28.1.2013) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 27(4), 121(1); S.I. 2013/125, art. 3(b)

F93S. 77B(10) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(29)

78 Duty to give information to debtor under running-account credit agreement.U.K.

(1)The creditor under a regulated agreement for running-account credit, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the debtor and payment of a fee of [F94£1], shall give the debtor a copy of the executed agreement (if any) and of any other document referred to in it, together with a statement signed by or on behalf of the creditor showing, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer,—

(a)the state of the account, and

(b)the amount, if any currently payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor, and

(c)the amounts and due dates of any payments which, if the debtor does not draw further on the account, will later become payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor.

(2)If the creditor possesses insufficient information to enable him to ascertain the amounts and dates mentioned in subsection (1)(c), he shall be taken to comply with that paragraph if his statement under subsection (1) gives the basis on which, under the regulated agreement, they would fall to be ascertained.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)an agreement under which no sum is, or will or may become, payable by the debtor, or

(b)a request made less than one month after a previous request under that subsection relating to the same agreement was complied with.

(4)Where running-account credit is provided under a regulated agreement, the creditor shall give the debtor statements in the prescribed form, and with the prescribed contents—

(a)showing according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer, the state of the account at regular intervals of not more than twelve months, and

(b)where the agreement provides, in relation to specified periods, for the making of payments by the debtor, or the charging against him of interest or any other sum, showing according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer the state of the account at the end of each of those periods during which there is any movement in the account.

[F95(4A)Regulations may require a statement under subsection (4) to contain also information in the prescribed terms about the consequences of the debtor—

(a)failing to make payments as required by the agreement; or

(b)only making payments of a prescribed description in prescribed circumstances.]

(5)A statement under subsection (4) shall be given within the prescribed period after the end of the period to which the statement relates.

(6)If the creditor under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the agreement;F96. . .

(b)F96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement, and subsections [F97(4) to (5)] do not apply to a small agreement.

Textual Amendments

F94"£1" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 78(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F95S. 78(4A) inserted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {7(1)}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F96S. 78(6)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 20, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

F97Words in s. 78(7) substituted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {7(2)}, 71(2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

[F9878ADuty to give information to debtor on change of rate of interestU.K.

(1)Where the rate of interest charged under a regulated consumer credit agreement, other than an excluded agreement, is to be varied, the creditor must inform the debtor in writing of the matters mentioned in subsection (3) before the variation can take effect.

(2)But subsection (1) does not apply where—

(a)the agreement provides that the creditor is to inform the debtor in writing periodically of the matters mentioned in subsection (3) in relation to any variation, at such times as may be provided for in the agreement,

(b)the agreement provides that the rate of interest is to vary according to a reference rate,

(c)the reference rate is publicly available,

(d)information about the reference rate is available on the premises of the creditor, and

(e)the variation of the rate of interest results from a change to the reference rate.

(3)The matters referred to in subsections (1) and (2)(a) are—

(a)the variation in the rate of interest,

(b)the amount of any payments that are to be made after the variation has effect, if different, expressed as a sum of money where practicable, and

(c)if the number or frequency of payments changes as a result of the variation, the new number or frequency.

(4)In the case of an agreement mentioned in subsection (5) this section applies as follows—

(a)the obligation in subsection (1) only applies if the rate of interest increases, and

(b)subsection (3) is to be read as if paragraphs (b) and (c) were omitted.

(5)The agreements referred to in subsection (4) are—

(a)an authorised business overdraft agreement,

(b)an authorised non-business overdraft agreement, or

(c)an agreement which would be an authorised non-business overdraft agreement but for the fact that the credit is not repayable on demand or within three months.

(6)For the purposes of this section an agreement is an excluded agreement if it is—

(a)a debtor-creditor agreement arising where the holder of a current account overdraws on the account without a pre-arranged overdraft or exceeds a pre-arranged overdraft limit, or

(b)an agreement secured on land.]

79 Duty to give hirer information.U.K.

(1)The owner under a regulated consumer hire agreement, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the hirer and payment of a fee of [F99£1], shall give to the hirer a copy of the executed agreement and of any other document referred to in it, together with a statement signed by or on behalf of the owner showing, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer, the total sum which has become payable under the agreement by the hirer but remains unpaid and the various amounts comprised in that total sum, with the date when each became due.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)an agreement under which no sum is, or will or may become, payable by the hirer, or

(b)a request made less than one month after a previous request under that subsection relating to the same agreement was complied with.

(3)If the owner under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the agreement;F100. . .

(b)F100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement.

Textual Amendments

F99"£1" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 79(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F100S. 79(3)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 21, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

80 Debtor or hirer to give information about goods.U.K.

(1)Where a regulated agreement, other than a non-commercial agreement, requires the debtor or hirer to keep goods to which the agreement relates in his possession or control, he shall, within seven working days after he has received a request in writing to that effect from the creditor or owner, tell the creditor or owner where the goods are.

(2)If the debtor or hirer fails to comply with subsection (1), and the default continues for 14 days, he commits an offence.

F10181 Appropriation of payments.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

82 Variation of agreements.U.K.

(1)Where, under a power contained in a regulated agreement, the creditor or owner varies the agreement, the variation shall not take effect before notice of it is given to the debtor or hirer in the prescribed manner.

[F102(1A)Subsection (1) does not apply to a variation in the rate of interest charged under an agreement not secured on land (see section 78A).

(1B)Subsection (1) does not apply to a variation in the rate of interest charged under an agreement secured on land if—

(a)the agreement falls within subsection (1D), and

(b)the variation is a reduction in the rate.

(1C)Subsection (1) does not apply to a variation in any other charge under an agreement if—

(a)the agreement falls within subsection (1D), and

(b)the variation is a reduction in the charge.

(1D)The agreements referred to in subsections (1B) and (1C) are—

(a)an authorised business overdraft agreement,

(b)an authorised non-business overdraft agreement, or

(c)an agreement which would be an authorised non-business overdraft agreement but for the fact that the credit is not repayable on demand or within three months.

(1E)Subsection (1) does not apply to a debtor-creditor agreement arising where the holder of a current account overdraws on the account without a pre-arranged overdraft or exceeds a pre-arranged overdraft limit.]

(2)Where an agreement (a “modifying agreement ”) varies or supplements an earlier agreement, the modifying agreement shall for the purposes of this Act be treated as—

(a)revoking the earlier agreement, and

(b)containing provisions reproducing the combined effect of the two agreements,

and obligations outstanding in relation to the earlier agreement shall accordingly be treated as outstanding instead in relation to the modifying agreement.

[F103(2A)Subsection (2) does not apply if [F104the earlier agreement or] the modifying agreement is an exempt agreement F105... .]

[F106(2B)Subsection (2) does not apply if the modifying agreement varies—

(a)the amount of the repayment to be made under the earlier agreement, or

(b)the duration of the agreement,

as a result of the discharge of part of the debtor's indebtedness under the earlier agreement by virtue of section 94(3).]

(3)If the earlier agreement is a regulated agreement but (apart from this subsection) the modifying agreement is not then, [F107 unless the modifying agreement is—

(a)for running account credit; or

(b)an exempt agreement F108... ,

it shall be treated as a regulated agreement.] .

(4)If the earlier agreement is a regulated agreement for running-account credit, and by the modifying agreement the creditor allows the credit limit to be exceeded but intends the excess to be merely temporary, Part V (except section 56) shall not apply to the modifying agreement.

(5)If—

(a)the earlier agreement is a cancellable agreement, and

(b)the modifying agreement is made within the period applicable under section 68 to the earlier agreement,

then, whether or not the modifying agreement would, apart from this subsection, be a cancellable agreement, it shall be treated as a cancellable agreement in respect of which a notice may be served under section 68 not later than the end of the period applicable under that section to the earlier agreement.

[F109(5A)Subsection (5) does not apply where the modifying agreement is an exempt agreement F110... .]

(6)Except under subsection (5), a modifying agreement shall not be treated as a cancellable agreement.

[F111(6A)If—

(a)the earlier agreement is an agreement to which section 66A (right of withdrawal) applies, and

(b)the modifying agreement is made within the period during which the debtor may give notice of withdrawal from the earlier agreement (see section 66A(2)),

then, whether or not the modifying agreement would, apart from this subsection, be an agreement to which section 66A applies, it shall be treated as such an agreement in respect of which notice may be given under subsection (2) of that section within the period referred to in paragraph (b) above.

(6B)Except as provided for under subsection (6A) section 66A does not apply to a modifying agreement.]

(7)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement.

[F112(8)In this section, an “exempt agreement” means an agreement which is an exempt agreement for the purposes of Chapter 14A of Part 2 of the Regulated Activities Order by virtue of article 60C(2) (regulated mortgage contracts and regulated home purchase plans) or article 60D (exemption relating to the purchase of land for non-residential purposes) of that Order.]

Textual Amendments

F11382AAssignment of rightsU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

83 Liability for misuse of credit facilities.U.K.

(1)The debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreement shall not be liable to the creditor for any loss arising from use of the credit facility by another person not acting, or to be treated as acting, as the debtor’s agent.

(2)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement, or to any loss in so far as it arises from misuse of an instrument to which section 4 of the M1Cheques Act 1957 applies.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

84 Misuse of credit-tokens.U.K.

(1)Section 83 does not prevent the debtor under a credit-token agreement from being made liable to the extent of [F114£50] (or the credit limit if lower) for loss to the creditor arising from use of the credit-token by other persons during a period beginning when the credit-token ceases to be in the possession of any authorised person and ending when the credit-token is once more in the possession of an authorised person.

(2)Section 83 does not prevent the debtor under a credit-token agreement from being made liable to any extent for loss to the creditor from use of the credit-token by a person who acquired possession of it with the debtor’s consent.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to any use of the credit-token after the creditor has been given oral or written notice that it is lost or stolen, or is for any other reason liable to misuse.

[F115(3A)Subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to any use, in connection with a distance contract (other than an excepted contract), of a card which is a credit-token.

F115(3B)In subsection (3A), “distance contract ” and “excepted contract ” have the meanings given in the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000.

[F116(3C)Subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to any use, in connection with a distance contract within the meaning of the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004, of a card which is a credit-token.]]

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply unless there are contained in the credit-token agreement in the prescribed manner particulars of the name, address and telephone number of a person stated to be the person to whom notice is to be given under subsection (3).

(5)Notice under subsection (3) takes effect when received, but where it is given orally, and the agreement so requires, it shall be treated as not taking effect if not confirmed in writing within seven days.

(6)Any sum paid by the debtor for the issue of the credit-token, to the extent (if any) that it has not been previously offset by use made of the credit-token, shall be treated as paid towards satisfaction of any liability under subsection (1) or (2).

(7)The debtor, the creditor, and any person authorised by the debtor to use the credit-token, shall be authorised persons for the purposes of subsection (1).

(8)Where two or more credit-tokens are given under one credit-token agreement, the preceding provisions of this section apply to each credit-token separately.

Textual Amendments

F114"£50" in s. 84(1) substituted (1.5.1998) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F115S. 84(3A)(3B) inserted (31.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2334, reg. 21(5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

85 Duty on issue of new credit-tokens.U.K.

(1)Whenever, in connection with a credit-token agreement, a credit-token (other than the first) is given by the creditor to the debtor, the creditor shall give the debtor a copy of the executed agreement (if any) and of any other document referred to in it.

(2)If the creditor fails to comply with this section—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the agreement; F117. . .

(b)F117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)This section does not apply to a small agreement.

Textual Amendments

F117S. 85(2)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 22, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

86 Death of debtor or hirer.U.K.

(1)The creditor or owner under a regulated agreement is not entitled, by reason of the death of the debtor or hirer, to do an act specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 87(1) if at the death the agreement is fully secured.

(2)If at the death of the debtor or hirer a regulated agreement is only partly secured or is unsecured, the creditor or owner is entitled, by reason of the death of the debtor or hirer, to do an act specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 87(1) on an order of the court only.

(3)This section applies in relation to the termination of an agreement only where—

(a)a period for its duration is specified in the agreement, and

(b)that period has not ended when the creditor or owner purports to terminate the agreement,

but so applies notwithstanding that, under the agreement, any party is entitled to terminate it before the end of the period so specified.

(4)This section does not prevent the creditor from treating the right to draw on any credit as restricted or deferred, and taking such steps as may be necessary to make the restriction or deferment effective.

(5)This section does not affect the operation of any agreement providing for payment of sums—

(a)due under the regulated agreement, or

(b)becoming due under it on the death of the debtor or hirer,

out of the proceeds of a policy of assurance on his life.

(6)For the purposes of this section an act is done by reason of the death of the debtor or hirer if it is done under a power conferred by the agreement which is—

(a)exercisable on his death, or

(b)exercisable at will and exercised at any time after his death.

[F118Information sheetsU.K.

Textual Amendments

F118S. 86A and preceding cross-heading inserted (31.1.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {8}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 5); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

86A[F119FCA] to prepare information sheets on arrears and defaultU.K.

(1)The [F120FCA shall prepare and issue] an arrears information sheet and a default information sheet.

(2)The arrears information sheet shall include information to help debtors and hirers who receive notices under section 86B or 86C.

(3)The default information sheet shall include information to help debtors and hirers who receive default notices.

(4)Regulations may make provision about the information to be included in an information sheet.

(5)An information sheet takes effect for the purposes of this Part at the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which [F121it is issued].

[F122(6)If the FCA revises an information sheet after it has been issued, it shall issue the revised information sheet.]

(7)A revised information sheet takes effect for the purposes of this Part at the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which [F123it is issued].]

Textual Amendments

F119Word in s. 86A heading substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(6)

F120Words in s. 86A(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(7)(a)

F121Words in s. 86A(5) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(7)(b)

F123Words in s. 86A(7) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(7)(d)

[F124Sums in arrears and default sumsU.K.

Textual Amendments

F124S. 86B and preceding cross-heading inserted (16.6.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {9}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 6); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

86BNotice of sums in arrears under fixed-sum credit agreements etc.U.K.

(1)This section applies where at any time the following conditions are satisfied—

(a)that the debtor or hirer under an applicable agreement is required to have made at least two payments under the agreement before that time;

(b)that the total sum paid under the agreement by him is less than the total sum which he is required to have paid before that time;

(c)that the amount of the shortfall is no less than the sum of the last two payments which he is required to have made before that time;

(d)that the creditor or owner is not already under a duty to give him notices under this section in relation to the agreement; and

(e)if a judgment has been given in relation to the agreement before that time, that there is no sum still to be paid under the judgment by the debtor or hirer.

(2)The creditor or owner—

(a)shall, within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the conditions mentioned in subsection (1) are satisfied, give the debtor or hirer a notice under this section; and

(b)after the giving of that notice, shall give him further notices under this section at intervals of not more than six months.

(3)The duty of the creditor or owner to give the debtor or hirer notices under this section shall cease when either of the conditions mentioned in subsection (4) is satisfied; but if either of those conditions is satisfied before the notice required by subsection (2)(a) is given, the duty shall not cease until that notice is given.

(4)The conditions referred to in subsection (3) are—

(a)that the debtor or hirer ceases to be in arrears;

(b)that a judgment is given in relation to the agreement under which a sum is required to be paid by the debtor or hirer.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (4)(a) the debtor or hirer ceases to be in arrears when—

(a)no [F125payments] , which he has ever failed to [F126make] under the agreement when required, [F127are] still owing;

(b)no default sum, which has ever become payable under the agreement in connection with his failure to pay any sum under the agreement when required, is still owing;

(c)no sum of interest, which has ever become payable under the agreement in connection with such a default sum, is still owing; and

(d)no other sum of interest, which has ever become payable under the agreement in connection with his failure to pay any sum under the agreement when required, is still owing.

(6)A notice under this section shall include a copy of the current arrears information sheet under section 86A.

(7)The debtor or hirer shall have no liability to pay any sum in connection with the preparation or the giving to him of a notice under this section.

(8)Regulations may make provision about the form and content of notices under this section.

(9)In the case of an applicable agreement under which the debtor or hirer must make all payments he is required to make at intervals of one week or less, this section shall have effect as if in subsection (1)(a) and (c) for ‘two’ there were substituted ‘four’.

(10)If an agreement mentioned in subsection (9) was made before the beginning of the relevant period, only amounts resulting from failures by the debtor or hirer to make payments he is required to have made during that period shall be taken into account in determining any shortfall for the purposes of subsection (1)(c).

(11)In subsection (10) ‘relevant period’ means the period of 20 weeks ending with the day on which the debtor or hirer is required to have made the most recent payment under the agreement.

(12)[F128In this section ‘applicable agreement’ means an agreement which—

In this section “applicable agreement” means an agreement which falls within subsection (12A) or (12B).

(a)is a regulated agreement for fixed-sum credit or a regulated consumer hire agreement; and

(b)is neither a non-commercial agreement nor a small agreement.]

(12)[F128In this section “applicable agreement” means an agreement which falls within subsection (12A) or (12B).

(12A)An agreement falls within this subsection if—

(a)it is a regulated agreement for fixed-sum credit; and

(b)it is not—

(i)a non-commercial agreement;

(ii)a small agreement; or

(iii)a green deal plan (within the meaning of section 1 of the Energy Act 2011).

(12B)An agreement falls within this subsection if—

(a)it is a regulated consumer hire agreement; and

(b)it is neither a non-commercial agreement nor a small agreement.]

[F129(13)In this section—

(a)payments ” in relation to an applicable agreement which is a regulated agreement for fixed-sum credit means payments to be made at predetermined intervals provided for under the terms of the agreement; and

(b)payments ” in relation to an applicable agreement which is a regulated consumer hire agreement means any payments to be made by the hirer in relation to any period in consideration of the bailment or hiring to him of goods under the agreement. ]

Textual Amendments

F128Ss. 86B(12)-(12B) substituted for s. 86B(12) (E.W.S.) (28.1.2013) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 28, 121(1); S.I. 2013/125, art. 3(b)

[F13086CNotice of sums in arrears under running-account credit agreementsU.K.

(1)This section applies where at any time the following conditions are satisfied—

(a)that the debtor under an applicable agreement is required to have made at least two payments under the agreement before that time;

(b)that the last two payments which he is required to have made before that time have not been made;

(c)that the creditor has not already been required to give a notice under this section in relation to either of those payments; and

(d)if a judgment has been given in relation to the agreement before that time, that there is no sum still to be paid under the judgment by the debtor.

(2)The creditor shall, no later than the end of the period within which he is next required to give a statement under section 78(4) in relation to the agreement, give the debtor a notice under this section.

(3)The notice shall include a copy of the current arrears information sheet under section 86A.

(4)The notice may be incorporated in a statement or other notice which the creditor gives the debtor in relation to the agreement by virtue of another provision of this Act.

(5)The debtor shall have no liability to pay any sum in connection with the preparation or the giving to him of the notice.

(6)Regulations may make provision about the form and content of notices under this section.

(7)In this section ‘applicable agreement’ means an agreement which—

(a)is a regulated agreement for running-account credit; and

(b)is neither a non-commercial agreement nor a small agreement.

[F131(8)In this section “payments” means payments to be made at predetermined intervals provided for under the terms of the agreement.]]

Textual Amendments

F130S. 86C inserted (16.6.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {10}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 7); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

[F13286DFailure to give notice of sums in arrearsU.K.

(1)This section applies where the creditor or owner under an agreement is under a duty to give the debtor or hirer notices under section 86B but fails to give him such a notice—

(a)within the period mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of that section; or

(b)within the period of six months beginning with the day after the day on which such a notice was last given to him.

(2)This section also applies where the creditor under an agreement is under a duty to give the debtor a notice under section 86C but fails to do so before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (2) of that section.

(3)The creditor or owner shall not be entitled to enforce the agreement during the period of non-compliance.

(4)The debtor or hirer shall have no liability to pay—

(a)any sum of interest to the extent calculated by reference to the period of non-compliance or to any part of it; or

(b)any default sum which (apart from this paragraph)—

(i)would have become payable during the period of non-compliance; or

(ii)would have become payable after the end of that period in connection with a breach of the agreement which occurs during that period (whether or not the breach continues after the end of that period).

(5)In this section ‘the period of non-compliance’ means, in relation to a failure to give a notice under section 86B or 86C to the debtor or hirer, the period which—

(a)begins immediately after the end of the period mentioned in (as the case may be) subsection (1)(a) or (b) or (2); and

(b)ends at the end of the day mentioned in subsection (6).

(6)That day is—

(a)in the case of a failure to give a notice under section 86B as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of this section, the day on which the notice is given to the debtor or hirer;

(b)in the case of a failure to give a notice under that section as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of this section, the earlier of the following—

(i)the day on which the notice is given to the debtor or hirer;

(ii)the day on which the condition mentioned in subsection (4)(a) of that section is satisfied;

(c)in the case of a failure to give a notice under section 86C, the day on which the notice is given to the debtor.]

Textual Amendments

F132S. 86D inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {11}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

[F13386ENotice of default sumsU.K.

(1)This section applies where a default sum becomes payable under a regulated agreement by the debtor or hirer.

(2)The creditor or owner shall, within the prescribed period after the default sum becomes payable, give the debtor or hirer a notice under this section.

(3)The notice under this section may be incorporated in a statement or other notice which the creditor or owner gives the debtor or hirer in relation to the agreement by virtue of another provision of this Act.

(4)The debtor or hirer shall have no liability to pay interest in connection with the default sum to the extent that the interest is calculated by reference to a period occurring before the 29th day after the day on which the debtor or hirer is given the notice under this section.

(5)If the creditor or owner fails to give the debtor or hirer the notice under this section within the period mentioned in subsection (2), he shall not be entitled to enforce the agreement until the notice is given to the debtor or hirer.

(6)The debtor or hirer shall have no liability to pay any sum in connection with the preparation or the giving to him of the notice under this section.

(7)Regulations may—

(a)provide that this section does not apply in relation to a default sum which is less than a prescribed amount;

(b)make provision about the form and content of notices under this section.

(8)This section does not apply in relation to a non-commercial agreement or to a small agreement.]

Textual Amendments

F133S. 86E inserted (16.6.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {12}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 8); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

[F13486FInterest on default sumsU.K.

(1)This section applies where a default sum becomes payable under a regulated agreement by the debtor or hirer.

(2)The debtor or hirer shall only be liable to pay interest in connection with the default sum if the interest is simple interest.]]

Textual Amendments

F134S. 86F inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {13}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 9); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

Part VIIU.K. Default and Termination

Default noticesU.K.

87 Need for default notice.U.K.

(1)Service of a notice on the debtor or hirer in accordance with section 88 (a “default notice ”) is necessary before the creditor or owner can become entitled, by reason of any breach by the debtor or hirer of a regulated agreement,—

(a)to terminate the agreement, or

(b)to demand earlier payment of any sum, or

(c)to recover possession of any goods or land, or

(d)to treat any right conferred on the debtor or hirer by the agreement as terminated, restricted or deferred, or

(e)to enforce any security.

(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent the creditor from treating the right to draw upon any credit as restricted or deferred, and taking such steps as may be necessary to make the restriction or deferment effective.

(3)The doing of an act by which a floating charge becomes fixed is not enforcement of a security.

(4)Regulations may provide that subsection (1) is not to apply to agreements described by the regulations.

[F135(5)Subsection (1)(d) does not apply in a case referred to in section 98A(4) (termination or suspension of debtor's right to draw on credit under open-end agreement).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

88 Contents and effect of default notice.U.K.

(1)The default notice must be in the prescribed form and specify—

(a)the nature of the alleged breach;

(b)if the breach is capable of remedy, what action is required to remedy it and the date before which that action is to be taken;

(c)if the breach is not capable of remedy, the sum (if any) required to be paid as compensation for the breach, and the date before which it is to be paid.

(2)A date specified under subsection (1) must not be less than [F13614] days after the date of service of the default notice, and the creditor or owner shall not take action such as is mentioned in section 87(1) before the date so specified or (if no requirement is made under subsection (1)) before those [F13614] days have elapsed.

(3)The default notice must not treat as a breach failure to comply with a provision of the agreement which becomes operative only on breach of some other provision, but if the breach of that other provision is not duly remedied or compensation demanded under subsection (1) is not duly paid, or (where no requirement is made under subsection (1)) if the [F13614] days mentioned in subsection (2) have elapsed, the creditor or owner may treat the failure as a breach and section 87(1) shall not apply to it.

(4)The default notice must contain information in the prescribed terms about the consequences of failure to comply with it [F137and any other prescribed matters relating to the agreement].

[F138(4A)The default notice must also include a copy of the current default information sheet under section 86A.]

(5)A default notice making a requirement under subsection (1) may include a provision for the taking of action such as is mentioned in section 87(1) at any time after the restriction imposed by subsection (2) will cease, together with a statement that the provision will be ineffective if the breach is duly remedied or the compensation duly paid.

Textual Amendments

F136Words in s. 88(2)(3) substituted (1.10.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {14(1)}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 10); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F137Words in s. 88(4) inserted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {14(2)}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 10); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F138S. 88(4A) inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {14(3)}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 10); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

89 Compliance with default notice.U.K.

If before the date specified for that purpose in the default notice the debtor or hirer takes the action specified under section 88(1)(b) or (c) the breach shall be treated as not having occurred.

Further restriction of remedies for defaultU.K.

90 Retaking of protected hire-purchase etc. goods.U.K.

(1)At any time when—

(a)the debtor is in breach of a regulated hire-purchase or a regulated conditional sale agreement relating to goods, and

(b)the debtor has paid to the creditor one-third or more of the total price of the goods, and

(c)the property in the goods remains in the creditor,

the creditor is not entitled to recover possession of the goods from the debtor except on an order of the court.

(2)Where under a hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement the creditor is required to carry out any installation and the agreement specifies, as part of the total price, the amount to be paid in respect of the installation (the “installation charge ”) the reference in subsection (1)(b) to one-third of the total price shall be construed as a reference to the aggregate of the installation charge and one-third of the remainder of the total price.

(3)In a case where—

(a)subsection (1)(a) is satisfied, but not subsection (1)(b), and

(b)subsection (1)(b) was satisfied on a previous occasion in relation to an earlier agreement, being a regulated hire-purchase or regulated conditional sale agreement, between the same parties, and relating to any of the goods comprised in the later agreement (whether or not other goods were also included),

subsection (1) shall apply to the later agreement with the omission of paragraph (b).

(4)If the later agreement is a modifying agreement, subsection (3) shall apply with the substitution, for the second reference to the later agreement, of a reference to the modifying agreement.

(5)Subsection (1) shall not apply, or shall cease to apply, to an agreement if the debtor has terminated, or terminates, the agreement.

(6)Where subsection (1) applies to an agreement at the death of the debtor, it shall continue to apply (in relation to the possessor of the goods) until the grant of probate or administration, or (in Scotland) confirmation (on which the personal representative would fall to be treated as the debtor).

(7)Goods falling within this section are in this Act referred to as “protected goods ”.

91 Consequences of breach of s. 90.U.K.

If goods are recovered by the creditor in contravention of section 90—

(a)the regulated agreement, if not previous terminated, shall terminate, and

(b)the debtor shall be released from all liability under the agreement, and shall be entitled to recover from the creditor all sums paid by the debtor under the agreement.

92 Recovery of possession of goods or land.U.K.

(1)Except under an order of the court, the creditor or owner shall not be entitled to enter any premises to take possession of goods subject to a regulated hire-purchase agreement, regulated conditional sale agreement or regulated consumer hire agreement.

(2)At any time when the debtor is in breach of a regulated conditional sale agreement relating to land, the creditor is entitled to recover possession of the land from the debtor, or any person claiming under him, on an order of the court only.

(3)An entry in contravention of subsection (1) or (2) is actionable as a breach of statutory duty.

93 Interest not to be increased on default.U.K.

The debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreement shall not be obliged to pay interest on sums which, in breach of the agreement, are unpaid by him at a rate—

(a)where the total charge for credit includes an item in respect of interest, exceeding the rate of that interest, or

(b)in any other case, exceeding what would be the rate of the total charge for credit if any items included in the total charge for credit by virtue of [F139rules made by the FCA under paragraph (2)(d) of article 60M of the Regulated Activities Order] were disregarded.

[F14093A Summary diligence not competent in Scotland.U.K.

Summary diligence shall not be competent in Scotland to enforce payment of a debt due under a regulated agreement or under any security related thereto.]

Early payment by debtorU.K.

94 Right to complete payments ahead of time.U.K.

(1)The debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreement is entitled at any time, by notice to the creditor and the payment to the creditor of all amounts payable by the debtor to him under the agreement [F141and any amount which the creditor claims under section 95A(2)][F142or section 95B(2)](less any rebate allowable under section 95), to discharge the debtor’s indebtedness under the agreement.

(2)A notice under subsection (1) may embody the exercise by the debtor of any option to purchase goods conferred on him by the agreement, and deal with any other matter arising on, or in relation to, the termination of the agreement.

[F143(3)The debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreement, other than an agreement secured on land, is entitled at any time to discharge part of his indebtedness by taking the steps in subsection (4).

(4)The steps referred to in subsection (3) are as follows—

(a)he provides notice to the creditor,

(b)he pays to the creditor some of the amount payable by him to the creditor under the agreement before the time fixed by the agreement, and

(c)he makes the payment—

(i)before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day following that on which notice under paragraph (a) was received by the creditor, or

(ii)on or before any later date specified in the notice.

(5)Where a debtor takes the steps in subsection (4) his indebtedness shall be discharged by an amount equal to the sum of the amount paid and any rebate allowable under section 95 less any amount which the creditor claims under section 95A(2)[F144or section 95B(2)].

(6)A notice—

(a)under subsection (1), other than a notice relating to a regulated consumer credit agreement secured on land, or

(b)under subsection (4)(a),

need not be in writing.]

Textual Amendments

F142Words in s. 94(1) inserted (E.W.S.) (21.3.2012 for specified purposes, 28.1.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 29(3)(a), 121(1); S.I. 2012/873, art. 3(1)(d)(2); S.I. 2013/125, art. 2(d)

F144Words in s. 94(5) inserted (E.W.S.) (21.3.2012 for specified purposes, 28.1.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 29(3)(b), 121(1); S.I. 2012/873, art. 3(1)(d)(2); S.I. 2013/125, art. 2(d)

95 Rebate on early settlement.U.K.

(1)Regulations may provide for the allowance of a rebate of charges for credit to the debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreeement where, under section 94, on refinancing, on breach of the agreement, or for any other reason, his indebtedness is discharged [F145or is discharged in part] or becomes payable before the time fixed by the agreement, or any sum becomes payable by him before the time so fixed.

(2)Regulations under subsection (1) may provide for calculation of the rebate by reference to any sums paid or payable by the debtor or his relative under or in connection with the agreement (whether to the creditor or some other person), including sums under linked transactions and other items in the total charge for credit.

Textual Amendments

[F14695ACompensatory amountU.K.

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a regulated consumer credit agreement, other than an agreement secured on land, provides for the rate of interest on the credit to be fixed for a period of time, and

(b)under section 94 the debtor discharges all or part of his indebtedness during that period.

(2)The creditor may claim an amount equal to the cost which the creditor has incurred as a result only of the debtor's indebtedness being discharged during that period if—

(a)the amount of the payment under section 94 exceeds £8,000 or, where more than one such payment is made in any 12 month period, the total of those payments exceeds £8,000,

(b)the agreement is not a debtor-creditor agreement enabling the debtor to overdraw on a current account, and

(c)the amount of the payment under section 94 is not paid from the proceeds of a contract of payment protection insurance.

(3)The amount in subsection (2)—

(a)must be fair,

(b)must be objectively justified, and

(c)must not exceed whichever is the lower of—

(i)the relevant percentage of the amount of the payment under section 94, and

(ii)the total amount of interest that would have been paid by the debtor under the agreement in the period from the date on which the debtor makes the payment under section 94 to the date fixed by the agreement for the discharge of the indebtedness of the debtor.

(4) In subsection (3)(c)(i) “ relevant percentage ” means—

(a)1%, where the period from the date on which the debtor makes the payment under section 94 to the date fixed by the agreement for the discharge of the indebtedness of the debtor is more than one year, or

(b)0.5%, where that period is equal to or less than one year.]

Textual Amendments

[F14795BCompensatory amount: green deal financeU.K.

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a regulated consumer credit agreement provides for the rate of interest on the credit to be fixed for a period of time (“the fixed rate period”),

(b)the agreement is a green deal plan (within the meaning of section 1 of the Energy Act 2011) which is of a duration specified for the purposes of this section in regulations, and

(c)under section 94 the debtor discharges all or part of his indebtedness during the fixed rate period.

(2)The creditor may claim an amount equal to the cost which the creditor has incurred as a result only of the debtor's indebtedness being discharged during the fixed rate period if—

(a)the amount of the payment under section 94 is not paid from the proceeds of a contract of payment protection insurance, and

(b)such other conditions as may be specified for the purposes of this section in regulations are satisfied.

(3)The amount in subsection (2)—

(a)must be fair,

(b)must be objectively justified,

(c)must be calculated by the creditor in accordance with provision made for the purposes of this section in regulations, and

(d)must not exceed the total amount of interest that would have been paid by the debtor under the agreement in the period from the date on which the debtor makes the payment under section 94 to the date fixed by the agreement for the discharge of the indebtedness of the debtor.

(4)If a creditor could claim under either section 95A or this section, the creditor may choose under which section to claim.]

Textual Amendments

F147S. 95B inserted (21.3.2012 for specified purposes, 28.1.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 29(2), 121(1); S.I. 2012/873, art. 3(1)(d)(2); S.I. 2013/125, art. 2(d)

96 Effect on linked transactions.U.K.

(1)Where for any reason the indebtedness of the debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreement is discharged before the time fixed by the agreement, he, and any relative of his, shall at the same time be discharged from any liability under a linked transaction, other than a debt which has already become payable.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to a linked transaction which is itself an agreement providing the debtor or his relative with credit.

(3)Regulations may exclude linked transactions of the prescribed description from the operation of subsection (1).

97 Duty to give information.U.K.

(1)The creditor under a regulated consumer credit agreement, within the prescribed period after he has received a request F148. . . to that effect from the debtor, shall give the debtor a statement in the prescribed form indicating, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer, the amount of the payment required to discharge the debtor’s indebtedness under the agreement, together with the prescribed particulars showing how the amount is arrived at.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to a request made less than one month after a previous request under that subsection relating to the same agreement was complied with.

[F149(2A)A request under subsection (1) need not be in writing unless the agreement is secured on land.]

(3)If the creditor fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the agreement; F150. . .

(b)F150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F150S. 97(3)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277) regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 23, {Sch. 4 Pt. 1} (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

[F15197ADuty to give information on partial repaymentU.K.

(1)Where a debtor under a regulated consumer credit agreement—

(a)makes a payment by virtue of which part of his indebtedness is discharged under section 94, and

(b)at the same time or subsequently requests the creditor to give him a statement concerning the effect of the payment on the debtor's indebtedness,

the creditor must give the statement to the debtor before the end of the period of seven working days beginning with the day following that on which the creditor receives the request.

(2)The statement shall be in writing and shall contain the following particulars—

(a)a description of the agreement sufficient to identify it,

(b)the name, postal address and, where appropriate, any other address of the creditor and the debtor,

(c)where the creditor is claiming an amount under section 95A(2)[F152or section 95B(2)], that amount and the method used to determine it,

(d)the amount of any rebate to which the debtor is entitled—

(i)under the agreement, or

(ii)by virtue of section 95 where that is higher,

(e)where the amount of the rebate mentioned in paragraph (d)(ii) is given, a statement indicating that this amount has been calculated having regard to the Consumer Credit (Early Settlement) Regulations 2004,

(f)where the debtor is not entitled to any rebate, a statement to this effect,

(g)any change to—

(i)the number, timing or amount of repayments to be made under the agreement, or

(ii)the duration of the agreement,

which results from the partial discharge of the indebtedness of the debtor, and

(h)the amount of the debtor's indebtedness remaining under the agreement at the date the creditor gives the statement.]

Textual Amendments

F152Words in s. 97A(2)(c) inserted (E.W.S.) (21.3.2012 for specified purposes, 28.1.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 29(4), 121(1); S.I. 2012/873, art. 3(1)(d)(2); S.I. 2013/125, art. 2(d)

Termination of agreementsU.K.

98 Duty to give notice of termination (non-default cases).U.K.

(1)The creditor or owner is not entitled to terminate a regulated agreement except by or after giving the debtor or hirer not less than seven days’ notice of the termination.

(2)Subsection (1) applies only where—

(a)a period for the duration of the agreement is specified in the agreement, and

(b)that period has not ended when the creditor or owner does an act mentioned in subsection (1),

but so applies notwithstanding that, under the agreement, any party is entitled to terminate it before the end of the period so specified.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) is ineffective if not in the prescribed form.

(4)Subsection (1) does not prevent a creditor from treating the right to draw on any credit as restricted or deferred and taking such steps as may be necessary to make the restriction or deferment effective.

(5)Regulations may provide that subsection (1) is not to apply to agreements described by the regulations.

(6)Subsection (1) does not apply to the termination of a regulated agreement by reason of any breach by the debtor or hirer of the agreement.

[F15398ATermination etc of open-end consumer credit agreementsU.K.

(1)The debtor under a regulated open-end consumer credit agreement, other than an excluded agreement, may by notice terminate the agreement, free of charge, at any time, subject to any period of notice not exceeding one month provided for by the agreement.

(2)Notice under subsection (1) need not be in writing unless the creditor so requires.

(3)Where a regulated open-end consumer credit agreement, other than an excluded agreement, provides for termination of the agreement by the creditor—

(a)the termination must be by notice served on the debtor, and

(b)the termination may not take effect until after the end of the period of two months, or such longer period as the agreement may provide, beginning with the day after the day on which notice is served.

(4)Where a regulated open-end consumer credit agreement, other than an excluded agreement, provides for termination or suspension by the creditor of the debtor's right to draw on credit—

(a)to terminate or suspend the right to draw on credit the creditor must serve a notice on the debtor before the termination or suspension or, if that is not practicable, immediately afterwards,

(b)the notice must give reasons for the termination or suspension, and

(c)the reasons must be objectively justified.

(5)Subsection (4)(a) and (b) does not apply where giving the notice—

(a)is prohibited by an EU obligation, or

(b)would, or would be likely to, prejudice—

(i)the prevention or detection of crime,

(ii)the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or

(iii)the administration of justice.

(6)An objectively justified reason under subsection (4)(c) may, for example, relate to—

(a)the unauthorised or fraudulent use of credit, or

(b)a significantly increased risk of the debtor being unable to fulfil his obligation to repay the credit.

(7)Subsections (1) and (3) do not affect any right to terminate an agreement for breach of contract.

(8)For the purposes of this section an agreement is an excluded agreement if it is—

(a)an authorised non-business overdraft agreement,

(b)an authorised business overdraft agreement,

(c)a debtor-creditor agreement arising where the holder of a current account overdraws on the account without a pre-arranged overdraft or exceeds a pre-arranged overdraft limit, or

(d)an agreement secured on land.]

99 Right to terminate hire-purchase etc. agreements.U.K.

(1)At any time before the final payment by the debtor under a regulated hire-purchase or regulated conditional sale agreement falls due, the debtor shall be entitled to terminate the agreement by giving notice to any person entitled or authorised to receive the sums payable under the agreement.

(2)Termination of an agreement under subsection (1) does not affect any liability under the agreement which has accrued before the termination.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to a conditional sale agreement relating to land after the title to the land has passed to the debtor.

(4)In the case of a conditional sale agreement relating to goods, where the property in the goods, having become vested in the debtor, is transferred to a person who does not become the debtor under the agreement, the debtor shall not thereafter be entitled to terminate the agreement under subsection (1).

(5)Subject to subsection (4), where a debtor under a conditional sale agreement relating to goods terminates the agreement under this section after the property in the goods has become vested in him, the property in the goods shall thereupon vest in the person (the “previous owner ”) in whom it was vested immediately before it became vested in the debtor:

Provided that if the previous owner has died, or any other event has occurred whereby that property, if vested in him immediately before that event, would thereupon have vested in some other person, the property shall be treated as having devolved as if it had been vested in the previous owner immediately before his death or immediately before that event, as the case may be.

100 Liability of debtor on termination of hire-purchase etc. agreement.U.K.

(1)Where a regulated hire-purchase or regulated conditional sale agreement is terminated under section 99 the debtor shall be liable, unless the agreement provides for a smaller payment, or does not provide for any payment, to pay to the creditor the amount (if any) by which one-half of the total price exceeds the aggregate of the sums paid and the sums due in respect of the total price immediately before the termination.

(2)Where under a hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement the creditor is required to carry out any installation and the agreement specifies, as part of the total price, the amount to be paid in respect of the installation (the “installation charge ”) the reference in subsection (1) to one-half of the total price shall be construed as a reference to the aggregate of the installation charge and one-half of the remainder of the total price.

(3)If in any action the court is satisfied that a sum less than the amount specified in subsection (1) would be equal to the loss sustained by the creditor in consequence of the termination of the agreement by the debtor, the court may make an order for the payment of that sum in lieu of the amount specified in subsection (1).

(4)If the debtor has contravened an obligation to take reasonable care of the goods or land, the amount arrived at under subsection (1) shall be increased by the sum required to recompense the creditor for that contravention, and subsection (2) shall have effect accordingly.

(5)Where the debtor, on the termination of the agreement, wrongfully retains possession of goods to which the agreement relates, then, in any action brought by the creditor to recover possession of the goods from the debtor, the court, unless it is satisfied that having regard to the circumstances it would not be just to do so, shall order the goods to be delivered to the creditor without giving the debtor an option to pay the value of the goods.

101 Right to terminate hire agreement.U.K.

(1)The hirer under a regulated consumer hire agreement is entitled to terminate the agreement by giving notice to any person entitled or authorised to receive the sums payable under the agreement.

(2)Termination of an agreement under subsection (1) does not affect any liability under the agreement which has accrued before the termination.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) shall not expire earlier than eighteen months after the making of the agreement, but apart from that the minimum period of notice to be given under subsection (1), unless the agreement provides for a shorter period, is as follows.

(4)If the agreement provides for the making of payments by the hirer to the owner at equal intervals, the minimum period of notice is the length of one interval or three months, whichever is less.

(5)If the agreement provides for the making of such payments at differing intervals, the minimum period of notice is the length of the shortest interval or three months, whichever is less.

(6)In any other case, the minimum period of notice is three months.

(7)This section does not apply to—

(a)any agreement which provides for the making by the hirer of payments which in total (and without breach of the agreement) exceed [F154£1,500] in any year, or

(b)any agreement where—

(i)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired to the hirer for the purposes of a business carried on by him, or the hirer holds himself out as requiring the goods for those purposes, and

(ii)the goods are selected by the hirer, and acquired by the owner for the purposes of the agreement at the request of the hirer from any person other than the owner’s associate, or

(c)any agreement where the hirer requires, or holds himself out as requiring, the goods for the purpose of bailing or hiring them to other persons in the course of a business carried on by him.

(8)If, on an application made to the [F155FCA] by a person carrying on a consumer hire business, it appears to the [F155FCA] that it would be in the interest of hirers to do so, [F156it] may F157... direct that [F158, subject to such conditions (if any) as it may specify, this section shall not apply to consumer hire agreements made by the applicant; and this Act shall have effect accordingly] .

[F159(8A)If it appears to the [F160FCA] that it would be in the interests of hirers to do so, it may F161... direct that, subject to such conditions (if any) as it may specify, this section shall not apply to a consumer hire agreement if the agreement falls within a specified description; and this Act shall have effect accordingly.]

(9)In the case of a modifying agreement, subsection (3) shall apply with the substitution, for “the making of the agreement ” of “the making of the original agreement ”.

Textual Amendments

F154"£1,500" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 101(7)(a) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F155Word in s. 101(8) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(8)(a)(i)

F156Word in s. 101(8) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 6(26); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

F157Words in s. 101(8) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by virtue of The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(8)(a)(ii)

F158Words in s. 101(8) substituted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {63(2)}, 71(2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F159S. 101(8A) inserted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {63(1)}, 71(2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F160Word in s. 101(8A) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(8)(b)(i)

F161Words in s. 101(8A) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by virtue of The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(8)(b)(ii)

102 Agency for receiving notice of rescission.U.K.

(1)Where the debtor or hirer under a regulated agreement claims to have a right to rescind the agreement, each of the following shall be deemed to be the agent of the creditor or owner for the purpose of receiving any notice rescinding the agreement which is served by the debtor or hirer—

(a)a credit-broker or supplier who was the negotiator in antecedent negotiations, and

(b)any person who, in the course of a business carried on by him, acted on behalf of the debtor or hirer in any negotiations for the agreement.

(2)In subsection (1) “rescind ” does not include—

(a)service of a notice of cancellation, or

(b)termination of an agreement under section 99 or 101 or by the exercise of a right or power in that behalf expressly conferred by the agreement.

103 Termination statements.U.K.

(1)If an individual (the “customer ”) serves on any person (the “trader ”) a notice—

(a)stating that—

(i)the customer was the debtor or hirer under a regulated agreement described in the notice, and the trader was the creditor or owner under the agreement, and

(ii)the customer has discharged his indebtedness to the trader under the agreement, and

(iii)the agreement has ceased to have any operation; and

(b)requiring the trader to give the customer a notice, signed by or on behalf of the trader, confirming that those statements are correct,

the trader shall, within the prescribed period after receiving the notice, either comply with it or serve on the customer a counter-notice stating that, as the case may be, he disputes the correctness of the notice or asserts that the customer is not indebted to him under the agreement.

(2)Where the trader disputes the correctness of the notice he shall give particulars of the way in which he alleges it to be wrong.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any agreement if the trader has previously complied with that subsection on the service of a notice under it with respect to that agreement.

(4)Subsection (1) does not apply to a non-commercial agreement.

(5)F162. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F163(6)A breach of the duty imposed by subsection (1) is actionable as a breach of statutory duty.]

Textual Amendments

F162S. 103(5) repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 24(a), Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

F163S. 103(6) inserted (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), reg. 30(1), Sch. 2 para. 24(b) (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

104 Goods not to be treated as subject to landlord’s hypothec in Scotland.U.K.

Goods comprised in a hire-purchase agreement or goods comprised in a conditional sale agreement which have not become vested in the debtor shall not be treated in Scotland as subject to the landlord’s hypothec—

(a)during the period between the service of a default notice in respect of the goods and the date on which the notice expires or is earlier complied with; or

(b)if the agreement is enforceable on an order of the court only, during the period between the commencement and termination of an action by the creditor to enforce the agreement.

Part VIIIU.K. Security

GeneralU.K.

105 Form and content of securities.U.K.

(1)Any security provided in relation to a regulated agreement shall be expressed in writing.

(2)Regulations may prescribe the form and content of documents ( “security instruments ”) to be made in compliance with subsection (1).

(3)Regulations under subsection (2) may in particular—

(a)require specified information to be included in the pre-scribed manner in documents, and other specified material to be excluded;

(b)contain requirements to ensure that specified information is clearly brought to the attention of the surety, and that one part of a document is not given insufficient or excessive prominence compared with another.

(4)A security instrument is not properly executed unless—

(a)a document in the prescribed form, itself containing all the prescribed terms and conforming to regulations under subsection (2), is signed in the prescribed manner by or on behalf of the surety, and

(b)the document embodies all the terms of the security, other than implied terms, and

(c)the document, when presented or sent for the purpose of being signed by or on behalf of the surety, is in such state that its terms are readily legible, and

(d)when the document is presented or sent for the purpose of being signed by or on behalf of the surety there is also presented or sent a copy of the document.

(5)A security instrument is not properly executed unless—

(a)where the security is provided after, or at the time when, the regulated agreement is made, a copy of the executed agreement, together with a copy of any other document referred to in it, is given to the surety at the time the security is provided, or

(b)where the security is provided before the regulated agreement is made, a copy of the executed agreement, together with a copy of any other document referred to in it, is given to the surety within seven days after the regulated agreement is made.

(6)Subsection (1) does not apply to a security provided by the debtor or hirer.

(7)If—

(a)in contravention of subsection (1) a security is not expressed in writing, or

(b)a security instrument is improperly executed,

the security, so far as provided in relation to a regulated agreement, is enforceable against the surety on an order of the court only.

(8)If an application for an order under subsection (7) is dismissed (except on technical grounds only) section 106 (ineffective securities) shall apply to the security.

(9)Regulations under section 60(1) shall include provision requiring documents embodying regulated agreements also to embody any security provided in relation to a regulated agreement by the debtor or hirer.

106 Ineffective securities.U.K.

Where, under any provision of this Act, this section is applied to any security provided in relation to a regulated agreement, then, subject to section 177 (saving for registered charges)—

(a)the security, so far as it is so provided, shall be treated as never having effect;

(b)any property lodged with the creditor or owner solely for the purposes of the security as so provided shall be returned by him forthwith;

(c)the creditor or owner shall take any necessary action to remove or cancel an entry in any register, so far as the entry relates to the security as so provided; and

(d)any amount received by the creditor or owner on realisation of the security shall, so far as it is referable to the agreement, be repaid to the surety.

107 Duty to give information to surety under fixed-sum credit agreement.U.K.

(1)The creditor under a regulated agreement for fixed-sum credit in relation to which security is provided, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the surety and payment of a fee of [F164£1], shall give to the surety (if a different person from the debtor)—

(a)a copy of the executed agreement (if any) and of any other document referred to in it;

(b)a copy of the security instrument (if any); and

(c)a statement signed by or on behalf of the creditor showing, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer,—

(i)the total sum paid under the agreement by the debtor,

(ii)the total sum which has become payable under the agreement by the debtor but remains unpaid, and the various amounts comprised in that total sum, with the date when each became due, and

(iii)the total sum which is to become payable under the agreement by the debtor, and the various amounts comprised in that total sum, with the date, or mode of determining the date, when each becomes due.

(2)If the creditor possesses insufficient information to enable him to ascertain the amounts and dates mentioned in subsection (1)(c)(iii), he shall be taken to comply with that sub-paragraph if his statement under subsection (1)(c) gives the basis on which, under the regulated agreement, they would fall to be ascertained.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)an agreement under which no sum is, or will or may become, payable by the debtor, or

(b)a request made less than one month after a previous request under that subsection relating to the same agreement was complied with.

(4)If the creditor under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the security, so far as provided in relation to the agreement; F165. . .

(b)F165. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement.

Textual Amendments

F164"£1" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 107(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F165S. 107(4)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 25, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

108 Duty to give information to surety under running-account credit agreement.U.K.

(1)The creditor under a regulated agreement for running-account credit in relation to which security is provided, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the surety and payment of a fee of [F166£1], shall give to the surety (if a different person from the debtor)—

(a)a copy of the executed agreement (if any) and of any other document referred to in it;

(b)a copy of the security instrument (if any); and

(c)a statement signed by or on behalf of the creditor showing, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer,—

(i)the state of the account, and

(ii)the amount, if any, currently payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor, and

(iii)the amounts and due dates of any payments which, if the debtor does not draw further on the account, will later become payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor.

(2)If the creditor possesses insufficient information to enable him to ascertain the amounts and dates mentioned in subsection (1)(c)(iii), he shall be taken to comply with that sub-paragraph if his statement under subsection (1)(c) gives the basis on which, under the regulated agreement, they would fall to be ascertained.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)an agreement under which no sum is, or will or may become, payable by the debtor, or

(b)a request made less than one month after a previous request under that subsection relating to the same agreement was complied with.

(4)If the creditor under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the security, so far as provided in relation to the agreement; F167. . .

(b)F167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement.

Textual Amendments

F166"£1" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 108(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F167S. 108(4)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 26, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

109 Duty to give information to surety under consumer hire agreement.U.K.

(1)The owner under a regulated consumer hire agreement in relation to which security is provided, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the surety and payment of a fee of [F168£1], shall give to the surety (if a different person from the hirer)—

(a)a copy of the executed agreement and of any other document referred to in it;

(b)a copy of the security instrument (if any); and

(c)a statement signed by or on behalf of the owner showing, according to the information to which it is practicable for him to refer, the total sum which has become payable under the agreement by the hirer but remains unpaid and the various amounts comprised in that total sum, with the date when each became due.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)an agreement under which no sum is, or will or may become, payable by the hirer, or

(b)a request made less than one month after a previous request under that subsection relating to the same agreement was complied with.

(3)If the owner under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the security, so far as provided in relation to the agreement; F169. . .

(b)F169. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)This section does not apply to a non-commercial agreement.

Textual Amendments

F168"£1" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 109(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F169S. 109(3)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 27, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

110 Duty to give information to debtor or hirer.U.K.

(1)The creditor or owner under a regulated agreement, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the debtor or hirer and payment of a fee of [F170£1], shall give the debtor or hirer a copy of any security instrument executed in relation to the agreement after the making of the agreement.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)a non-commercial agreement, or

(b)an agreement under which no sum is, or will or may become, payable by the debtor or hirer, or

(c)a request made less than one month after a previous request under subsection (1) relating to the same agreement was complied with.

(3)If the creditor or owner under an agreement fails to comply with subsection (1)—

(a)he is not entitled, while the default continues, to enforce the security (so far as provided in relation to the agreement); F171. . .

(b)F171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F170"£1" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 110(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F171S. 110(3)(b) and preceding word repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), regs. 30(1)(3), Sch. 2 para. 28, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

111 Duty to give surety copy of default etc. notice.U.K.

(1)When a default notice or a notice under section 76(1) or 98(1) is served on a debtor or hirer, a copy of the notice shall be served by the creditor or owner on any surety (if a different person from the debtor or hirer).

(2)If the creditor or owner fails to comply with subsection (1) in the case of any surety, the security is enforceable against the surety (in respect of the breach or other matter to which the notice relates) on an order of the court only.

F172112 Realisation of securities.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

113 Act not to be evaded by use of security.U.K.

(1)Where a security is provided in relation to an actual or prospective regulated agreement, the security shall not be enforced so as to benefit the creditor or owner, directly or indirectly, to an extent greater (whether as respects the amount of any payment or the time or manner of its being made) than would be the case if the security were not provided and any obligations of the debtor or hirer, or his relative, under or in relation to the agreement were carried out to the extent (if any) to which they would be enforced under this Act.

(2)In accordance with subsection (1), where a regulated agreement is enforceable on an order of the court or the [F173FCA] only, any security provided in relation to the agreement is enforceable (so far as provided in relation to the agreement) where such an order has been made in relation to the agreement, but not otherwise.

(3)Where—

(a)a regulated agreement is cancelled under section 69(1) or becomes subject to section 69(2), or

(b)a regulated agreement is terminated under section 91, or

(c)in relation to any agreement an application for an order under section [F17465(1) or 124(1) or a notice under section 28A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000] is dismissed (except on technical grounds only), or

(d)a declaration is made by the court under section 142(1) (refusal of enforcement order) as respects any regulated agreement,

section 106 shall apply to any security provided in relation to the agreement.

(4)Where subsection (3)(d) applies and the declaration relates to a part only of the regulated agreement, section 106 shall apply to the security only so far as it concerns that part.

(5)In the case of a cancelled agreement, the duty imposed on the debtor or hirer by section 71 or 72 shall not be enforceable before the creditor or owner has discharged any duty imposed on him by section 106 (as applied by subsection (3)(a)).

(6)If the security is provided in relation to a prospective agreement or transaction, the security shall be enforceable in relation to the agreement or transaction only after the time (if any) when the agreement is made; and until that time the person providing the security shall be entitled, by notice to the creditor or owner, to require that section 106 shall thereupon apply to the security.

(7)Where an indemnity [F175or guarantee] is given in a case where the debtor or hirer is a minor, or [F176an indemnity is given in a case where he] is otherwise not of full capacity, the reference in subsection (1) to the extent to which his obligations would be enforced shall be read in relation to the indemnity [F175or guarantee] as a reference to the extent to which [F177they][F177those obligations] would be enforced if he were of full capacity.

(8)Subsections (1) to (3) also apply where a security is provided in relation to an actual or prospective linked transaction, and in that case—

(a)references to the agreement shall be read as references to the linked transaction, and

(b)references to the creditor or owner shall be read as references to any person (other than the debtor or hirer, or his relative) who is a party, or prospective party, to the linked transaction.

Textual Amendments

F173Word in s. 113(2) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(9)

F175Words inserted (E.W.N.I.) by virtue of (E.W.) Minors' Contracts Act 1987 (c. 13, SIF 30), s. 4(1)(a) and (N.I.) S.I. 1988/930 (N.I. 9), art. 6(1)(a)

F176Words inserted (E.W.N.I.) by virtue of (E.W.) Minors' Contracts Act 1987 (c. 13, SIF 30), s. 4(1)(b) and (N.I.) S.I. 1988/930 (N.I. 9), art. 6(1)(b)

F177Words “those obligations ” substituted (E.W.N.I.) for “they ” by virtue of (E.W.) Minors' Contracts Act 1987 (c. 13, SIF 30), s. 4(1)(c) and (N.I.) S.I. 1988/930 (N.I. 9), art. 6(1)(c)

PledgesU.K.

114 Pawn-receipts. U.K.

(1)At the time he receives the article, a person who takes any article in pawn under a regulated agreement shall give to the person from whom he receives it a receipt in the prescribed form (a “pawn-receipt ”).

(2)A person who takes any article in pawn from an individual whom he knows to be, or who appears to be and is, a minor commits an offence.

(3)This section and sections [F178117] to 122 do not apply to—

(a)a pledge of documents of title [F179or of bearer bonds], or

(b)a non-commercial agreement.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

F180115 Penalty for failure to supply copies of pledge agreement, etc. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

116 Redemption period. U.K.

(1)A pawn is redeemable at any time within six months after it was taken.

(2)Subject to subsection (1), the period within which a pawn is redeemable shall be the same as the period fixed by the parties for the duration of the credit secured by the pledge, or such longer period as they may agree.

(3)If the pawn is not redeemed by the end of the period laid down by subsections (1) and (2) (the “redemption period ”), it nevertheless remains redeemable until it is realised by the pawnee under section 121 except where under section 120(1)(a) the property in it passes to the pawnee.

(4)No special charge shall be made for redemption of a pawn after the end of the redemption period, and charges in respect of the safe keeping of the pawn shall not be at a higher rate after the end of the redemption period than before.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16Ss. 115–117 excluded by Banking Act 1979 (c. 37, SIF 10), s. 38(2)

117 Redemption procedure. U.K.

(1)On surrender of the pawn-receipt, and payment of the amount owing, at any time when the pawn is redeemable, the pawnee shall deliver the pawn to the bearer of the pawn-receipt.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply if the pawnee knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that the bearer of the pawn-receipt is neither the owner of the pawn nor authorised by the owner to redeem it.

(3)The pawnee is not liable to any person in tort or delict for delivering the pawn where subsection (1) applies, or refusing to deliver it where the person demanding delivery does not comply with subsection (1) or, by reason of subsection (2), subsection (1) does not apply.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17Ss. 115–117 excluded by Banking Act 1979 (c. 37, SIF 10), s. 38(2)

118 Loss etc. of pawn-receipt. U.K.

(1)A person (the “claimant ”) who is not in possession of the pawn-receipt but claims to be the owner of the pawn, or to be otherwise entitled or authorised to redeem it, may do so at any time when it is redeemable by tendering to the pawnee in place of the pawn-receipt—

(a)a statutory declaration made by the claimant in the pre-scribed form, and with the prescribed contents, or

(b)where the pawn is security for fixed-sum credit not exceeding [F181£75] or running-account credit on which the credit limit does not exceed [F181£75], and the pawnee agrees, a statement in writing in the prescribed form, and with the prescribed contents, signed by the claimant.

(2)On compliance by the claimant with subsection (1), section 117 shall apply as if the declaration or statement were the pawn-receipt, and the pawn-receipt itself shall become inoperative for the purposes of section 117.

Textual Amendments

F181"£75" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 118(1)(b) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

119 Unreasonable refusal to deliver pawn. U.K.

(1)If a person who has taken a pawn under a regulated agreement refuses without reasonable cause to allow the pawn to be redeemed, he commits an offence.

(2)On the conviction in England or Wales of a pawnee under subsection (1) where the offence does not amount to theft, [F182section 148 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (restitution orders)] shall apply as if the pawnee had been convicted of stealing the pawn.

(3)On the conviction in Northern Ireland of a pawnee under subsection (1) where the offence does not amount to theft, section 27 (orders for restitution) of the M2Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969, and any provision of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 relating to that section, shall apply as if the pawnee had been convicted of stealing the pawn.

Textual Amendments

F182Words in s. 119(2) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9 para. 45

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

120 Consequence of failure to redeem. U.K.

(1)If at the end of the redemption period the pawn has not been redeemed—

(a)notwithstanding anything in section 113, the property in the pawn passes to the pawnee where

[F183(i)the redemption period is six months,

(ii)the pawn is security for fixed-sum credit not exceeding £75 or running-account credit on which the credit limit does not exceed £75, and

(iii)the pawn was not immediately before the making of the regulated consumer credit agreement a pawn under another regulated consumer credit agreement in respect of which the debtor has discharged his indebtedness in part under section 94(3); or]

(b)in any other case the pawn becomes realisable by the pawnee.

(2)Where the debtor or hirer is entitled to apply to the court for a time order under section 129, subsection (1) shall apply with the substitution, for “at the end of the redemption period ” of “after the expiry of five days following the end of the redemption period ”.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

121 Realisation of pawn. U.K.

(1)When a pawn has become realisable by him, the pawnee may sell it, after giving to the pawnor (except in such cases as may be prescribed) not less than the prescribed period of notice of the intention to sell, indicating in the notice the asking price and such other particulars as may be prescribed.

(2)Within the prescribed period after the sale takes place, the pawnee shall give the pawnor the prescribed information in writing as to the sale, its proceeds and expenses.

(3)Where the net proceeds of sale are not less than the sum which, if the pawn had been redeemed on the date of the sale, would have been payable for its redemption, the debt secured by the pawn is discharged and any surplus shall be paid by the pawnee to the pawnor.

(4)Where subsection (3) does not apply, the debt shall be treated as from the date of sale as equal to the amount by which the net proceeds of sale fall short of the sum which would have been payable for the redemption of the pawn on that date.

(5)In this section the “net proceeds of sale ” is the amount realised (the “gross amount ”) less the expenses (if any) of the sale.

(6)If the pawnor alleges that the gross amount is less than the true market value of the pawn on the date of sale, it is for the pawnee to prove that he and any agents employed by him in the sale used reasonable care to ensure that the true market value was obtained, and if he fails to do so subsections (3) and (4) shall have effect as if the reference in subsection (5) to the gross amount were a reference to the true market value.

(7)If the pawnor alleges that the expenses of the sale were unreasonably high, it is for the pawnee to prove that they were reasonable, and if he fails to do so subsections (3) and (4) shall have effect as if the reference in subsection (5) to expenses were a reference to reasonable expenses.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21Ss. 121, 122 excluded by Banking Act 1979 (c. 37, SIF 10), s. 38(2)

122 Order in Scotland to deliver pawn. U.K.

(1)As respects Scotland where—

(a)a pawn is either—

(i)an article which has been stolen, or

(ii)an article which has been obtained by fraud, and a person is convicted of any offence in relation to the theft or, as the case may be, the fraud; or

(b)a person is convicted of an offence under section 119(1),

the court by which that person is so convicted may order delivery of the pawn to the owner or the person otherwise entitled thereto.

(2)A court making an order under subsection (1)(a) for delivery of a pawn may make the order subject to such conditions as to payment of the debt secured by the pawn as it thinks fit.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22Ss. 121, 122 excluded by Banking Act 1979 (c. 37, SIF 10), s. 38(2)

Negotiable instrumentsU.K.

123 Restrictions on taking and negotiating instruments.U.K.

(1)A creditor or owner shall not take a negotiable instrument, other than a bank note or cheque, in discharge of any sum payable—

(a)by the debtor or hirer under a regulated agreement, or

(b)by any person as surety in relation to the agreement.

(2)The creditor or owner shall not negotiate a cheque taken by him in discharge of a sum payable as mentioned in subsection (1) except to a banker (within the meaning of the M3Bills of Exchange Act 1882).

(3)The creditor or owner shall not take a negotiable instrument as security for the discharge of any sum payable as mentioned in subsection (1).

(4)A person takes a negotiable instrument as security for the discharge of a sum if the sum is intended to be paid in some other way, and the negotiable instrument is to be presented for payment only if the sum is not paid in that way.

(5)This section does not apply where the regulated agreement is a non-commercial agreement.

(6)The [F184Treasury] may by order provide that this section shall not apply where the regulated agreement has a connection with a country outside the United Kingdom.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

124 Consequences of breach of s. 123.U.K.

(1)After any contravention of section 123 has occurred in relation to a sum payable as mentioned in section 123(1)(a), the agreement under which the sum is payable is enforceable against the debtor or hirer on an order of the court only.

(2)After any contravention of section 123 has occurred in relation to a sum payable by any surety, the security is enforceable on an order of the court only.

(3)Where an application for an order under subsection (2) is dismissed (except on technical grounds only) section 106 shall apply to the security.

125 Holders in due course.U.K.

(1)A person who takes a negotiable instrument in contravention of section 123(1) or (3) is not a holder in due course, and is not entitled to enforce the instrument.

(2)Where a person negotiates a cheque in contravention of section 123(2), his doing so constitutes a defect in his title within the meaning of the M4Bills of Exchange Act 1882.

(3)If a person mentioned in section 123(1)(a) or (b) ( “the protected person ”) becomes liable to a holder in due course of an instrument taken from the protected person in contravention of section 123(1) or (3), or taken from the protected person and negotiated in contravention of section 123(2), the creditor or owner shall indemnify the protected person in respect of that liability.

(4)Nothing in this Act affects the rights of the holder in due course of any negotiable instrument.

Marginal Citations

Land mortgagesU.K.

126 Enforcement of land mortgages.U.K.

A land mortgage securing a regulated agreement [F185or a regulated mortgage contract (within the meaning of the Regulated Activities Order)] is enforceable (so far as provided in relation to the agreement) on an order of the court only.

Part IXU.K. Judicial Control

Enforcement of certain regulated agreements and securitiesU.K.

127 Enforcement orders in cases of infringement.U.K.

(1)In the case of an application for an enforcement order under—

[F186(za)section 55(2) (disclosure of information), or]

[F187(zb)section 61B(3) (duty to supply copy of overdraft agreement), or]

(a)section 65(1) (improperly executed agreements), or

(b)section 105(7)(a) or (b) (improperly executed security instruments), or

(c)section 111(2) (failure to serve copy of notice on surety), or

(d)section 124(1) or (2) (taking of negotiable instrument in contravention of section 123),

the court shall dismiss the application if, but F188. . . only if, it considers it just to do so having regard to—

(i)prejudice caused to any person by the contravention in question, and the degree of culpability for it; and

(ii)the powers conferred on the court by subsection (2) and sections 135 and 136.

(2)If it appears to the court just to do so, it may in an enforcement order reduce or discharge any sum payable by the debtor or hirer, or any surety, so as to compensate him for prejudice suffered as a result of the contravention in question.

(3)F189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)F189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)F189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F189S. 127(3)-(5) repealed (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {15}, 70, 71(2), {Sch. 4} (with Sch. 3 para. 11); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

128 Enforcement orders on death of debtor or hirer.U.K.

The court shall make an order under section 86(2) if, but only if, the creditor or owner proves that he has been unable to satisfy himself that the present and future obligations of the debtor or hirer under the agreement are likely to be discharged.

Extension of timeU.K.

129 Time orders.U.K.

(1)[F190Subject to subsection (3) below,] if it appears to the court just to do so—

(a)on an application for an enforcement order; or

(b)on an application made by a debtor or hirer under this paragraph after service on him of—

(i)a default notice, or

(ii)a notice under section 76(1) or 98(1); or

[F191(ba)on an application made by a debtor or hirer under this paragraph after he has been given a notice under section 86B or 86C; or]

(c)in an action brought by a creditor or owner to enforce a regulated agreement or any security, or recover possession of any goods or land to which a regulated agreement relates,

the court may make an order under this section (a “time order ”).

(2)A time order shall provide for one or both of the following, as the court considers just—

(a)the payment by the debtor or hirer or any surety of any sum owed under a regulated agreement or a security by such instalments, payable at such times, as the court, having regard to the means of the debtor or hirer and any surety, considers reasonable;

(b)the remedying by the debtor or hirer of any breach of a regulated agreement (other than non-payment of money) within such period as the court may specify.

[F192(3)Where in Scotland a time to pay direction or a time to pay order has been made in relation to a debt, it shall not thereafter be competent to make a time order in relation to the same debt.]

Textual Amendments

F190Words added (S.) by Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 18, SIF 45:2), ss. 108(1) (2), 109(3), Sch. 6 para. 17(a), Sch. 7 para. 5

F191S. 129(1)(ba) inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {16(1)}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 12); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

F192S. 129(3) added (S.) by Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 18, SIF 45:2), ss. 108(1) (2), 109(3), Sch. 6 para. 17(b), Sch. 7 para. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23S. 129 excluded (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1997/687, art. 9(1)(a)(iv) (as inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/754, art. 2(2))

[F193129ADebtor or hirer to give notice of intent etc. to creditor or ownerU.K.

(1)A debtor or hirer may make an application under section 129(1)(ba) in relation to a regulated agreement only if—

(a)following his being given the notice under section 86B or 86C, he gave a notice within subsection (2) to the creditor or owner; and

(b)a period of at least 14 days has elapsed after the day on which he gave that notice to the creditor or owner.

(2)A notice is within this subsection if it—

(a)indicates that the debtor or hirer intends to make the application;

(b)indicates that he wants to make a proposal to the creditor or owner in relation to his making of payments under the agreement; and

(c)gives details of that proposal.]

Textual Amendments

F193S. 129A inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {16(2)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

130 Supplemental provisions about time orders.U.K.

(1)Where in accordance with rules of court an offer to pay any sum by instalments is made by the debtor or hirer and accepted by the creditor or owner, the court may in accordance with rules of court make a time order under section 129(2)(a) giving effect to the offer without hearing evidence of means.

(2)In the case of a hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement only, a time order under section 129(2)(a) may deal with sums which, although not payable by the debtor at the time the order is made, would if the agreement continued in force become payable under it subsequently.

(3)A time order under section 129(2)(a) shall not be made where the regulated agreement is secured by a pledge if, by virtue of regulations made under section 76(5), 87(4) or 98(5), service of a notice is not necessary for enforcement of the pledge.

(4)Where, following the making of a time order in relation to a regulated hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement or a regulated consumer hire agreement, the debtor or hirer is in possession of the goods, he shall be treated (except in the case of a debtor to whom the creditor’s title has passed) as a bailee or (in Scotland) a custodier of the goods under the terms of the agreement, notwithstanding that the agreement has been terminated.

(5)Without prejudice to anything done by the creditor or owner before the commencement of the period specified in a time order made under section 129(2)(b) ( “the relevant period ”),—

(a)he shall not while the relevant period subsists take in relation to the agreement any action such as is mentioned in section 87(1);

(b)where—

(i)a provision of the agreement ( “the secondary provision ”) becomes operative only on breach of another provision of the agreement ( “the primary provision ”), and

(ii)the time order provides for the remedying of such a breach of the primary provision within the relevant period,

he shall not treat the secondary provision as operative before the end of that period;

(c)if while the relevant period subsists the breach to which the order relates is remedied it shall be treated as not having occurred.

(6)On the application of any person affected by a time order, the court may vary or revoke the order.

[F194InterestU.K.

Textual Amendments

F194S. 130A and preceding cross-heading inserted (16.6.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {17}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 13); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

130AInterest payable on judgment debts etc.U.K.

(1)If the creditor or owner under a regulated agreement wants to be able to recover from the debtor or hirer post-judgment interest in connection with a sum that is required to be paid under a judgment given in relation to the agreement (the ‘judgment sum’), he—

(a)after the giving of that judgment, shall give the debtor or hirer a notice under this section (the ‘first required notice’); and

(b)after the giving of the first required notice, shall give the debtor or hirer further notices under this section at intervals of not more than six months.

(2)The debtor or hirer shall have no liability to pay post-judgment interest in connection with the judgment sum to the extent that the interest is calculated by reference to a period occurring before the day on which he is given the first required notice.

(3)If the creditor or owner fails to give the debtor or hirer a notice under this section within the period of six months beginning with the day after the day on which such a notice was last given to the debtor or hirer, the debtor or hirer shall have no liability to pay post-judgment interest in connection with the judgment sum to the extent that the interest is calculated by reference to the whole or to a part of the period which—

(a)begins immediately after the end of that period of six months; and

(b)ends at the end of the day on which the notice is given to the debtor or hirer.

(4)The debtor or hirer shall have no liability to pay any sum in connection with the preparation or the giving to him of a notice under this section.

(5)A notice under this section may be incorporated in a statement or other notice which the creditor or owner gives the debtor or hirer in relation to the agreement by virtue of another provision of this Act.

(6)Regulations may make provision about the form and content of notices under this section.

(7)This section does not apply in relation to post-judgment interest which is required to be paid by virtue of any of the following—

(a)section 4 of the Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972;

(b)Article 127 of the Judgments Enforcement (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;

(c)section 74 of the County Courts Act 1984.

(8)This section does not apply in relation to a non-commercial agreement or to a small agreement.

(9)In this section ‘post-judgment interest’ means interest to the extent calculated by reference to a period occurring after the giving of the judgment under which the judgment sum is required to be paid.]

Protection of property pending proceedingsU.K.

131 Protection orders.U.K.

The court, on the application of the creditor or owner under a regulated agreement, may make such orders as it thinks just for protecting any property of the creditor or owner, or property subject to any security, from damage or depreciation pending the determination of any proceedings under this Act, including orders restricting or prohibiting use of the property or giving directions as to its custody.

Hire and hire-purchase etc. agreementsU.K.

132 Financial relief for hirer.U.K.

(1)Where the owner under a regulated consumer hire agreement recovers possession of goods to which the agreement relates otherwise than by action, the hirer may apply to the court for an order that—

(a)the whole or part of any sum paid by the hirer to the owner in respect of the goods shall be repaid, and

(b)the obligation to pay the whole or part of any sum owed by the hirer to the owner in respect of the goods shall cease,

and if it appears to the court just to do so, having regard to the extent of the enjoyment of the goods by the hirer, the court shall grant the application in full or in part.

(2)Where in proceedings relating to a regulated consumer hire agreement the court makes an order for the delivery to the owner of goods to which the agreement relates the court may include in the order the like provision as may be made in an order under subsection (1).

133 Hire-purchase etc. agreements: special powers of court.U.K.

(1)If, in relation to a regulated hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement, it appears to the court just to do so—

(a)on an application for an enforcement order or time order; or

(b)in an action brought by the creditor to recover possession of goods to which the agreement relates,

the court may—

(i)make an order (a “return order ”) for the return to the creditor of goods to which the agreement relates;

(ii)make an order (a “transfer order ”) for the transfer to the debtor of the creditor’s title to certain goods to which the agreement relates ( “the transferred goods ”), and the return to the creditor of the remainder of the goods.

(2)In determining for the purposes of this section how much of the total price has been paid ( “the paid-up sum ”), the court may—

(a)treat any sum paid by the debtor, or owed by the creditor, in relation to the goods as part of the paid-up sum;

(b)deduct any sum owed by the debtor in relation to the goods (otherwise than as part of the total price) from the paid-up sum,

and make corresponding reductions in amounts so owed.

(3)Where a transfer order is made, the transferred goods shall be such of the goods to which the agreement relates as the court thinks just; but a transfer order shall be made only where the paid-up sum exceeds the part of the total price referable to the transferred goods by an amount equal to at least one-third of the unpaid balance of the total price.

(4)Notwithstanding the making of a return order or transfer order, the debtor may at any time before the goods enter the possession of the creditor, on payment of the balance of the total price and the fulfilment of any other necessary conditions, claim the goods ordered to be returned to the creditor.

(5)When, in pursuance of a time order or under this section, the total price of goods under a regulated hire-purchase agreement or regulated conditional sale agreement is paid and any other necessary conditions are fulfilled, the creditor’s title to the goods vests in the debtor.

(6)If, in contravention of a return order or transfer order, any goods to which the order relates are not returned to the creditor, the court, on the application of the creditor, may—

(a)revoke so much of the order as relates to those goods, and

(b)order the debtor to pay the creditor the unpaid portion of so much of the total price as is referable to those goods.

(7)For the purposes of this section, the part of the total price referable to any goods is the part assigned to those goods by the agreement or (if no such assignment is made) the part determined by the court to be reasonable.

134 Evidence of adverse detention in hire-purchase etc. cases.U.K.

(1)Where goods are comprised in a regulated hire-purchase agreement, regulated conditional sale agreement or regulated consumer hire agreement, and the creditor or owner—

(a)brings an action or makes an application to enforce a right to recover possession of the goods from the debtor or hirer, and

(b)proves that a demand for the delivery of the goods was included in the default notice under section 88(5), or that, after the right to recover possession of the goods accrued but before the action was begun or the application was made, he made a request in writing to the debtor or hirer to surrender the goods,

then, for the purposes of the claim of the creditor or owner to recover possession of the goods, the possession of them by the debtor or hirer shall be deemed to be adverse to the creditor or owner.

(2)In subsection (1) “the debtor or hirer ” includes a person in possession of the goods at any time between the debtor’s or hirer’s death and the grant of probate or administration, or (in Scotland) confirmation.

(3)Nothing in this section affects a claim for damages for conversion or (in Scotland) for delict.

Supplemental provisions as to ordersU.K.

135 Power to impose conditions, or suspend operation of order.U.K.

(1)If it considers it just to do so, the court may in an order made by it in relation to a regulated agreement include provisions—

(a)making the operation of any term of the order conditional on the doing of specified acts by any party to the proceedings;

(b)suspending the operation of any term of the order either—

(i)until such time as the court subsequently directs, or

(ii)until the occurrence of a specified act or omission.

(2)The court shall not suspend the operation of a term requiring the delivery up of goods by any person unless satisfied that the goods are in his possession or control.

(3)In the case of a consumer hire agreement, the court shall not so use its powers under subsection (1)(b) as to extend the period for which, under the terms of the agreement, the hirer is entitled to possession of the goods to which the agreement relates.

(4)On the application of any person affected by a provision included under subsection (1), the court may vary the provision.

136 Power to vary agreements and securities.U.K.

The court may in an order made by it under this Act include such provision as it considers just for amending any agreement or security in consequence of a term of the order.

Extortionate credit bargainsU.K.

137 Extortionate credit bargains.U.K.

F195. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F195S. 137 repealed (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {22(3)}, 70, 71(2), {Sch. 4} (with Sch. 3 para. 15); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

138 When bargains are extortionate.U.K.

F196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F196S. 138 repealed (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {22(3)}, 70, 71(2), {Sch. 4} (with Sch. 3 para. 15); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

139 Reopening of extortionate agreements.U.K.

F197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F197S. 139 repealed (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {22(3)}, 70, 71(2), {Sch. 4} (with Sch. 3 para. 15); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

140 Interpretation of sections 137 to 139.U.K.

F198. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F198S. 140 repealed (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {22(3)}, 70, 71(2), {Sch. 4} (with Sch. 3 para. 15); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

[F199Unfair relationshipsU.K.

Textual Amendments

F199S. 140A and preceding cross-heading inserted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {19}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 16); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

140AUnfair relationships between creditors and debtorsU.K.

(1)The court may make an order under section 140B in connection with a credit agreement if it determines that the relationship between the creditor and the debtor arising out of the agreement (or the agreement taken with any related agreement) is unfair to the debtor because of one or more of the following—

(a)any of the terms of the agreement or of any related agreement;

(b)the way in which the creditor has exercised or enforced any of his rights under the agreement or any related agreement;

(c)any other thing done (or not done) by, or on behalf of, the creditor (either before or after the making of the agreement or any related agreement).

(2)In deciding whether to make a determination under this section the court shall have regard to all matters it thinks relevant (including matters relating to the creditor and matters relating to the debtor).

(3)For the purposes of this section the court shall (except to the extent that it is not appropriate to do so) treat anything done (or not done) by, or on behalf of, or in relation to, an associate or a former associate of the creditor as if done (or not done) by, or on behalf of, or in relation to, the creditor.

(4)A determination may be made under this section in relation to a relationship notwithstanding that the relationship may have ended.

(5)An order under section 140B shall not be made in connection with a credit agreement which is an exempt agreement [F200for the purposes of Chapter 14A of Part 2 of the Regulated Activities Order by virtue of article 60C(2) of that Order (regulated mortgage contracts and regulated home purchase plans)] .

Textual Amendments

F200Words in s. 140A(5) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(39)

[F201140BPowers of court in relation to unfair relationshipsU.K.

(1)An order under this section in connection with a credit agreement may do one or more of the following—

(a)require the creditor, or any associate or former associate of his, to repay (in whole or in part) any sum paid by the debtor or by a surety by virtue of the agreement or any related agreement (whether paid to the creditor, the associate or the former associate or to any other person);

(b)require the creditor, or any associate or former associate of his, to do or not to do (or to cease doing) anything specified in the order in connection with the agreement or any related agreement;

(c)reduce or discharge any sum payable by the debtor or by a surety by virtue of the agreement or any related agreement;

(d)direct the return to a surety of any property provided by him for the purposes of a security;

(e)otherwise set aside (in whole or in part) any duty imposed on the debtor or on a surety by virtue of the agreement or any related agreement;

(f)alter the terms of the agreement or of any related agreement;

(g)direct accounts to be taken, or (in Scotland) an accounting to be made, between any persons.

(2)An order under this section may be made in connection with a credit agreement only—

(a)on an application made by the debtor or by a surety;

(b)at the instance of the debtor or a surety in any proceedings in any court to which the debtor and the creditor are parties, being proceedings to enforce the agreement or any related agreement; or

(c)at the instance of the debtor or a surety in any other proceedings in any court where the amount paid or payable under the agreement or any related agreement is relevant.

(3)An order under this section may be made notwithstanding that its effect is to place on the creditor, or any associate or former associate of his, a burden in respect of an advantage enjoyed by another person.

(4)An application under subsection (2)(a) may only be made—

(a)in England and Wales, to the county court;

(b)in Scotland, to the sheriff court;

(c)in Northern Ireland, to the High Court (subject to subsection (6)).

(5)In Scotland such an application may be made in the sheriff court for the district in which the debtor or surety resides or carries on business.

(6)In Northern Ireland such an application may be made to the county court if the credit agreement is an agreement under which the creditor provides the debtor with—

(a)fixed-sum credit not exceeding £15,000; or

(b)running-account credit on which the credit limit does not exceed £15,000.

(7)Without prejudice to any provision which may be made by rules of court made in relation to county courts in Northern Ireland, such rules may provide that an application made by virtue of subsection (6) may be made in the county court for the division in which the debtor or surety resides or carries on business.

(8)A party to any proceedings mentioned in subsection (2) shall be entitled, in accordance with rules of court, to have any person who might be the subject of an order under this section made a party to the proceedings.

(9)If, in any such proceedings, the debtor or a surety alleges that the relationship between the creditor and the debtor is unfair to the debtor, it is for the creditor to prove to the contrary.]

Textual Amendments

F201S. 140B inserted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {20}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 paras. 14, 16); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

[F202140CInterpretation of ss. 140A and 140BU.K.

(1)In this section and in sections 140A and 140B ‘credit agreement’ means any agreement between an individual (the ‘debtor’) and any other person (the ‘creditor’) by which the creditor provides the debtor with credit of any amount.

(2)References in this section and in sections 140A and 140B to the creditor or to the debtor under a credit agreement include—

(a)references to the person to whom his rights and duties under the agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law;

(b)where two or more persons are the creditor or the debtor, references to any one or more of those persons.

(3)The definition of ‘court’ in section 189(1) does not apply for the purposes of sections 140A and 140B.

(4)References in sections 140A and 140B to an agreement related to a credit agreement (the ‘main agreement’) are references to—

(a)a credit agreement consolidated by the main agreement;

(b)a linked transaction in relation to the main agreement or to a credit agreement within paragraph (a);

(c)a security provided in relation to the main agreement, to a credit agreement within paragraph (a) or to a linked transaction within paragraph (b).

(5)In the case of a credit agreement which is not a regulated consumer credit agreement, for the purposes of subsection (4) a transaction shall be treated as being a linked transaction in relation to that agreement if it would have been such a transaction had that agreement been a regulated consumer credit agreement.

(6)For the purposes of this section and section 140B the definitions of ‘security’ and ‘surety’ in section 189(1) apply (with any appropriate changes) in relation to—

(a)a credit agreement which is not a consumer credit agreement as if it were a consumer credit agreement; and

(b)a transaction which is a linked transaction by virtue of subsection (5).

(7)For the purposes of this section a credit agreement (the ‘earlier agreement’) is consolidated by another credit agreement (the ‘later agreement’) if—

(a)the later agreement is entered into by the debtor (in whole or in part) for purposes connected with debts owed by virtue of the earlier agreement; and

(b)at any time prior to the later agreement being entered into the parties to the earlier agreement included—

(i)the debtor under the later agreement; and

(ii)the creditor under the later agreement or an associate or a former associate of his.

(8)Further, if the later agreement is itself consolidated by another credit agreement (whether by virtue of this subsection or subsection (7)), then the earlier agreement is consolidated by that other agreement as well.]

Textual Amendments

F202S. 140C inserted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {21}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 16); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F203140DAdvice and informationU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F203S. 140D omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(40)

MiscellaneousU.K.

141 Jurisdiction and parties.U.K.

(1)In England and Wales the county court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine—

(a)any action by the creditor or owner to enforce a regulated agreement or any security relating to it;

(b)any action to enforce any linked transaction against the debtor or hirer or his relative,

and such an action shall not be brought in any other court.

(2)Where an action or application is brought in the High Court which, by virtue of this Act, ought to have been brought in the county court it shall not be treated as improperly brought, but shall be transferred to the county court.

[F204(3)In Scotland the sheriff court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any action referred to in subsection (1) and such an action shall not be brought in any other court.

(3A)Subject to subsection (3B) an action which is brought in the sheriff court by virtue of subsection (3) shall be brought only in one of the following courts, namely—

(a)the court for the place where the debtor or hirer is domiciled (within the meaning of section 41 or 42 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982);

(b)the court for the place where the debtor or hirer carries on business; and

(c)where the purpose of the action is to assert, declare or determine proprietary or possessory rights, or rights of security, in or over moveable property, or to obtain authority to dispose of moveable property, the court for the place where the property is situated.

(3B)Subsection (3A) shall not apply—

(a)where Rule 3 of Schedule 8 to the said Act of 1982 applies; or

(b)where the jurisdiction of another court has been prorogated by an agreement entered into after the dispute has arisen.]

(4)In Northern Ireland the county court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any action or application falling within subsection (1).

(5)Except as may be provided by rules of court, all the parties to a regulated agreement, and any surety, shall be made parties to any proceedings relating to the agreement.

Textual Amendments

142 Power to declare rights of parties.U.K.

(1)Where under any provision of this Act a thing can be done by a creditor or owner on an enforcement order only, and either—

(a)the court dismisses (except on technical grounds only) an application for an enforcement order, or

(b)where no such application has been made or such an application has been dismissed on technical grounds only, an interested party applies to the court for a declaration under this subsection,

the court may if it thinks just make a declaration that the creditor or owner is not entitled to do that thing, and thereafter no application for an enforcement order in respect of it shall be entertained.

(2)Where—

(a)a regulated agreement or linked transaction is cancelled under section 69(1), or becomes subject to section 69(2), or

(b)a regulated agreement is terminated under section 91,

and an interested party applies to the court for a declaration under this subsection, the court may make a declaration to that effect.

Northern IrelandU.K.

143 Jurisdiction of county court in Northern Ireland.U.K.

Without prejudice to any provision which may be made by rules of court made in relation to county courts in Northern Ireland such rules may provide—

(a)that any action or application such as is mentioned in section 141(4) which is brought against the debtor or hirer in the county court may be brought in the county court for the division in which the debtor or hirer resided or carried on business at the date on which he last made a payment under the regulated agreement;

(b)that an application by a debtor or hirer or any surety under section 129(1)(b) [F205or (ba)], 132(1)F206. . . or 142(1)(b) which is brought in the county court may be brought in the county court for the division in which the debtor, or, as the case may be, the hirer or surety resides or carries on business;

(c)for service of process on persons outside Northern Ireland.

Textual Amendments

F205Words in s. 143(b) inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {16(3)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

144 Appeal from county court in Northern Ireland.U.K.

Any person dissatisfied—

(a)with an order, whether adverse to him or in his favour, made by a county court in Northern Ireland in the exercise of any jurisdiction conferred by this Act, or

(b)with the dismissal or refusal by such a county court of any action or application instituted by him under the provisions of this Act,

shall be entitled to appeal from the order or from the dismissal or refusal as if the order, dismissal or refusal had been made in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred by Part III of the County Courts [F207Northern Ireland) Order 1980 and the appeal brought under Part VI of that Order and Articles 61 and 62 of that Order shall apply accordingly].

Textual Amendments

Part XU.K. Ancillary Credit Businesses

DefinitionsU.K.

145 Types of ancillary credit business.U.K.

(1)An ancillary credit business is any business so far as it comprises or relates to—

(a)credit brokerage,

(b)debt-adjusting,

(c)debt-counselling,

(d)debt-collecting,

[F208(da)debt administration,]

[F209(db)the provision of credit information services, or]

(e)the operation of a credit reference agency.

[F210(2)“Credit brokerage” means the carrying on of an activity of the kind specified by article 36A(1)(a) to (c) of the Regulated Activities Order (credit broking), disregarding the effect of paragraph (2) of that article.]

[F211(5)“Debt adjusting” means the carrying on of an activity of the kind specified by article 39D of that Order (debt adjusting).]

[F212(6)“Debt-counselling” means the carrying on of an activity of the kind specified by article 39E of that Order (debt-counselling).]

[F213(7)“Debt-collecting” means the carrying on of an activity of the kind specified by article 39F of that Order (debt-collecting).]

[F214(7A)“Debt administration” means the carrying on of an activity of the kind specified by article 39G of that Order (debt administration), disregarding the effect of paragraph (3) of that article.]

[F215(7B)A person (“P”) provides credit information services if P carries on, by way of business, an activity of the kind specified by article 89A(1) or (2) of that Order (providing credit information services).]

[F216(8)A person (“P”) operates a credit reference agency if P carries on, by way of business, an activity of the kind specified by article 89B of that Order (providing credit references).]

Textual Amendments

F208S. 145(1)(da) substituted (1.10.2008) for word by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {24(1)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

F209S. 145(1)(db) inserted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {25(1)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

F210S. 145(2) substituted for s. 145(2)-(4) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(41)(a)

F211S. 145(5) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(41)(b)

F212S. 145(6) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(41)(c)

F213S. 145(7) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(41)(d)

F214S. 145(7A) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(41)(e)

F215S. 145(7B) substituted for (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(41)(f)

F216S. 145(8) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(41)(g)

F217146 Exceptions from section 145.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F217Ss. 146-152 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(42) (with arts. 48A, 48B (as inserted by S.I. 2014/208, arts. 1(3)(4), 7(3))

F217...U.K.

F217147 Application of Part III.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F217148 Agreement for services of unlicensed trader.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F217149 Regulated agreements made on introductions by unlicensed credit-broker.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F217150 Appeals to Secretary of State against licensing decisions.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Seeking businessU.K.

F217151 Advertisements.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F217Ss. 146-152 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(42) (with arts. 48A, 48B (as inserted by S.I. 2014/208, arts. 1(3)(4), 7(3))

F217152 Application of sections 52 to 54 to credit brokerage etc.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F217Ss. 146-152 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(42) (with arts. 48A, 48B (as inserted by S.I. 2014/208, arts. 1(3)(4), 7(3))

153 Definition of canvassing off trade premises (agreements for ancillary credit services).U.K.

(1)An individual (the “canvasser ”) canvasses off trade premises the services of a person carrying on an ancillary credit business if he solicits the entry of another individual (the “consumer ”) into an agreement for the provision to the consumer of those services by making oral representations to the consumer, or any other individual, during a visit by the canvasser to any place (not excluded by subsection (2)) where the consumer, or that other individual as the case may be, is, being a visit—

(a)carried out for the purpose of making such oral representations to individuals who are at that place, but

(b)not carried out in response to a request made on a previous occasion.

(2)A place is excluded from subsection (1) if it is a place where (whether on a permanent or temporary basis)—

(a)the ancillary credit business is carried on, or

(b)any business is carried on by the canvasser or the person whose employee or agent the canvasser is, or by the consumer.

154 Prohibition of canvassing certain ancillary credit services off trade premises.U.K.

It is an offence to canvass off trade premises the services of a person carrying on a business of credit-brokerage, debt-adjusting [F218, debt-counselling or the provision of credit information services].

Textual Amendments

F218Words in s. 154 substituted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {25(4)(b)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

155 Right to recover brokerage fees.U.K.

(1)[F219Subject to subsection (2A),]the excess over [F220£5] of a fee or commission for his services charged by a credit-broker to an individual to whom this subsection applies shall cease to be payable or, as the case may be, shall be recoverable by the individual if the introduction does not result in his entering into a relevant agreement within the six months following the introduction (disregarding any agreement which is cancelled under section 69(1) or becomes subject to section 69(2)).

(2)Subsection (1) applies to an individual who sought an introduction for a purpose which would have been fulfilled by his entry into—

(a)a regulated agreement, or

(b)in the case of an individual [F221desiring to obtain credit to finance the acquisition or provision of a dwelling occupied or to be occupied by that individual or a relative of that individual], an agreement for credit secured on land,

[F222(c)a credit agreement which is an exempt agreement for the purposes of Chapter 14A of Part 2 of the Regulated Activities Order, or

(d)an agreement which is not a regulated credit agreement or a regulated consumer hire agreement but which would be such an agreement if the law applicable to the agreement were the law of a part of the United Kingdom.]

[F223(2A)But subsection (1) does not apply where—

(a)the fee or commission relates to the effecting of an introduction of a kind mentioned in [F224article 36E of the Regulated Activities Order (activities in relation to certain agreements relating to land)]; and

(b)the person charging that fee or commission is an authorised person or an appointed representative, within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.]

(3)An agreement is a relevant agreement for the purposes of subsection (1) in relation to an individual if it is an agreement such as is referred to in subsection (2) in relation to that individual.

(4)In the case of an individual desiring to obtain credit under a consumer credit agreement, any sum payable or paid by him to a credit-broker otherwise than as a fee or commission for the credit-broker’s services shall for the purposes of subsection (1) be treated as such a fee or commission if it enters, or would enter, into the total charge for credit.

Textual Amendments

F220"£5" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 155(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F221Words in s. 155(2)(b) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(43)(a)(i)

F222S. 155(2)(c)(d) substituted for s. 155(2)(c) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(43)(a)(ii)

F224Words in s. 155(2A)(a) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(43)(b)

F225...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F225S. 156 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(44)

F225156 Entry into agreements.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Credit reference agenciesU.K.

157 Duty to disclose name etc. of agency.U.K.

[F226(A1)Where a creditor under a prospective regulated agreement, other than an excluded agreement, decides not to proceed with it on the basis of information obtained by the creditor from a credit reference agency, the creditor must, when informing the debtor of the decision—

(a)inform the debtor that this decision has been reached on the basis of information from a credit reference agency, and

(b)provide the debtor with the particulars of the agency including its name, address and telephone number.]

(1)[F227In any other case,] a creditor, owner or negotiator, within the prescribed period after receiving a request in writing to that effect from the debtor or hirer, shall give him notice of the name and address of any credit reference agency from which the creditor, owner or negotiator has, during the antecedent negotiations, applied for information about his financial standing.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to a request received more than 28 days after the termination of the antecedent negotiations, whether on the making of the regulated agreement or otherwise.

[F228(2A)A creditor is not required to disclose information under this section if such disclosure—

(a)contravenes the Data Protection Act 1998,

(b)is prohibited by any EU obligation,

(c)would create or be likely to create a serious risk that any person would be subject to violence or intimidation, or

(d)would, or would be likely to, prejudice—

(i)the prevention or detection of crime,

(ii)the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or

(iii)the administration of justice.]

(3)If the creditor, owner or negotiator fails to comply with subsection [F229(A1) or](1) he commits an offence.

[F230(4)For the purposes of subsection (A1) an agreement is an excluded agreement if it is—

(a)a consumer hire agreement, or

(b)an agreement secured on land.]

158 Duty of agency to disclose filed information.U.K.

(1)A credit reference agency, within the prescribed period after receiving,—

[F231(a)a request in writing to that effect from a consumer,]

(b)such particulars as the agency may reasonably require to enable them to identify the file, and

(c)a fee of [F232£2],

shall give the consumer a copy of the file relating to [F233it] kept by the agency.

(2)When giving a copy of the file under subsection (1), the agency shall also give the consumer a statement in the prescribed form of [F234the consumer’s] rights under section 159.

(3)If the agency does not keep a file relating to the consumer it shall give [F234the consumer]notice of that fact, but need not return any money paid.

(4)If the agency contravenes any provision of this section it commits an offence.

[F235(4A)In this section ‘consumer’ means—

(a)a partnership consisting of two or three persons not all of whom are bodies corporate; or

(b)an unincorporated body of persons which does not consist entirely of bodies corporate and is not a partnership.]

(5)In this Act “file ”, in relation to an individual, means all the information about him kept by a credit reference agency, regardless of how the information is stored, and “copy of the file ”, as respects information not in plain English, means a transcript reduced into plain English.

Textual Amendments

F231S. 158(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {5(5)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2007/387, art. 2(3)(a))

F232"£2" substituted (1.5.1998) in s. 158(1) by S.I. 1998/997, art. 3, Sch.

F233Word in s. 158(1) substituted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 62(1)(a)(ii) (with Sch. 14 para. 20); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2

F234Words in s. 158(2)(3) substituted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, ss. 62(1)(b)(c) (with Sch. 14 para. 20); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2

F235S. 158(4A) inserted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {5(6)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2007/387, art. 2(3)(a))

159 Correction of wrong information.U.K.

[F236(1)Any individual (the “objector ”) given—

(a)information under section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 by a credit reference agency, or

(b)information under section 158,

who considers that an entry in his file is incorrect, and that if it is not corrected he is likely to be prejudiced, may give notice to the agency requiring it either to remove the entry from the file or amend it.]

(2)Within 28 days after receiving a notice under subsection (1), the agency shall by notice inform the [F237objector] that it has—

(a)removed the entry from the file, or

(b)amended the entry, or

(c)taken no action,

and if the notice states that the agency has amended the entry it shall include a copy of the file so far as it comprises the amended entry.

(3)Within 28 days after receiving a notice under subsection (2), or where no such notice was given, within 28 days after the expiry of the period mentioned in subsection (2), the [F237objector] may, unless he has been informed by the agency that it has removed the entry from his file, serve a further notice on the agency requiring it to add to the file an accompanying notice of correction (not exceeding 200 words) drawn up by the [F237objector], and include a copy of it when furnishing information included in or based on that entry.

(4)Within 28 days after receiving a notice under subsection (3), the agency, unless it intends to apply to the [F237the relevant authority] under subsection (5), shall by notice inform the [F237objector] that it has received the notice under subsection (3) and intends to comply with it.

(5)If—

(a)the [F237objector] has not received a notice under subsection (4) within the time required, or

(b)it appears to the agency that it would be improper for it to publish a notice of correction because it is incorrect, or unjustly defames any person, or is frivolous or scandalous, or is for any other reason unsuitable,

the [F237objector] or, as the case may be, the agency may, in the prescribed manner and on payment of [F238the prescribed fee], apply to [F237the relevant authority], who may make such order on the application as he thinks fit.

(6)If a person to whom an order under this section is directed fails to comply with it within the period specified in the order he commits an offence.

[F239(7)The [F240Information Commissioner] may vary or revoke any order made by him under this section.

(8)In this section “the relevant authority ” means—

(a)where the objector is a partnership or other unincorporated body of persons, the [F241FCA], and

(b)in any other case, the [F240Information Commissioner].]

Textual Amendments

F236S. 159(1) substituted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s.62(2); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2 (with ss. 159, 160)

F237Words in s. 159(2)-(6) substituted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 62(3)(a)(b); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2 (with art. 2(2))

F238Words in s. 159(5) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(45)

F239S. 159(7)(8) inserted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 62(4); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2 (with art. 2(2))

F240Words in s. 159(7)(8)(b) substituted (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 36, ss. 18(4), 87(2), Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 7 (with ss. 7(1)(7), 56, 78)

F241Word in s. 159(8)(a) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(11)

160 Alternative procedure for business consumers.U.K.

(1)The [F242FCA] , on an application made by a credit reference agency, may direct that this section shall apply to the agency if [F243it] is satisfied—

(a)that compliance with section 158 in the case of consumers who carry on a business would adversely affect the service provided to its customers by the agency, and

(b)that, having regard to the methods employed by the agency and to any other relevant factors, it is probable that consumers carrying on a business would not be prejudiced by the making of the direction.

(2)Where an agency to which this section applies receives a request, particulars and a fee under section 158(1) from a consumer who carries on a business, and section 158(3) does not apply, the agency, instead of complying with section 158, may elect to deal with the matter under the following subsections.

(3)Instead of giving the consumer a copy of the file, the agency shall within the prescribed period give notice to the consumer that it is proceeding under this section, and by notice give the consumer such information included in or based on entries in the file as the [F242FCA] may direct, together with a statement in the prescribed form of the consumer’s rights under subsections (4) and (5).

(4)If within 28 days after receiving the information given [F244to the consumer] under subsection (3), or such longer period as the [F242FCA] may allow, the consumer—

(a)gives notice to the [F242FCA] that [F245the consumer] is dissatisfied with the information, and

(b)satisfies the [F242FCA] that [F245the consumer] has taken such steps in relation to the agency as may be reasonable with a view to removing the cause of [F245the consumer’s] dissatisfaction, and

(c)pays the [F242FCA] [F246the prescribed fee],

the [F242FCA] may direct the agency to give the [F242FCA] a copy of the file, and the [F242FCA] may disclose to the consumer such of the information on the file as the [F242FCA] thinks fit.

(5)Section 159 applies with any necessary modifications to information given to the consumer under this section as it applies to information given under section 158.

(6)If an agency making an election under subsection (2) fails to comply with subsection (3) or (4) it commits an offence.

[F247(7)In this section “consumer ” has the same meaning as in section 158.]

Textual Amendments

F242Word in s. 160 substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(12)

F243Word in s. 160(1) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 6(31)(b); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

F244Words in s. 160(4) substituted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 62(5)(a)(i); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2 (with art. 2(2))

F245Words in s. 160(4)(a)(b) substituted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 62(5)(a)(ii); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2 (with art. 2(2))

F246Words in s. 160(4)(c) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(46)

F247S. 160(7) inserted (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 29, s. 62(5)(b); S.I. 2000/183, art. 2 (with art. 2(2))

F248160ACredit intermediariesU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F248S. 160A omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(47)

Part XIU.K. Enforcement of Act

161 Enforcement authorities.U.K.

(1)The following authorities ( “enforcement authorities ”) have a duty to enforce this Act and regulations made under it—

F249(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)in Great Britain, the local weights and measures authority,

(c)in Northern Ireland, the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland.

[F250(1A)Subsection (1) does not limit any function of the FCA in relation to the enforcement of this Act or regulations made under it.]

(2)F251. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Every local weights and measures authority shall, whenever the [F252FCA] requires, report to [F253it] in such form and with such particulars as [F253it] requires on the exercise of their functions under this Act.

(4)—(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F254

162 Powers of entry and inspection.U.K.

(1)A duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority, at all reasonable hours and on production, if required, of his credentials, may—

(a)in order to ascertain whether a breach of any provision of or under this Act has been committed, inspect any goods and enter any premises (other than premises used only as a dwelling);

(b)if he has reasonable cause to suspect that a breach of any provision of or under this Act has been committed, in order to ascertain whether it has been committed, require any person—

(i)carrying on, or employed in connection with, a business to produce any F255. . . documents relating to it; or

(ii)having control of any information relating to a business [F256to provide him with that information;]

F257. . . ;

(c)if he has reasonable cause to believe that a breach of any provision of or under this Act has been committed, seize and detain any goods in order to ascertain (by testing or otherwise) whether such a breach has been committed;

(d)seize and detain any goods, F258. . . or documents which he has reason to believe may be required as evidence in proceedings for an offence under this Act;

(e)for the purpose of exercising his powers under this subsection to seize goods, F258. . . or documents, but only if and to the extent that it is reasonably necessary for securing that the provisions of this Act and of any regulations made under it are duly observed, require any person having authority to do so to break open any container and, if that person does not comply, break it open himself.

(2)An officer seizing goods, F258. . . or documents in exercise of his powers under this section shall not do so without informing the person he seizes them from.

(3)If a justice of the peace, on sworn information in writing, or, in Scotland, a sheriff or a magistrate or justice of the peace, on evidence on oath,—

(a)is satisfied that there is reasonable ground to believe either—

(i)that any goods, F258. . . or documents which a duly authorised officer has power to inspect under this section are on any premises and their inspection is likely to disclose evidence of a breach of any provision of or under this Act; or

(ii)that a breach of any provision of or under this Act has been, is being or is about to be committed on any premises; and

(b)is also satisfied either—

(i)that admission to the premises has been or is likely to be refused and that notice of intention to apply for a warrant under this subsection has been given to the occupier; or

(ii)that an application for admission, or the giving of such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry or that the premises are unoccupied or that the occupier is temporarily absent and it might defeat the object of the entry to wait for his return,

the justice or, as the case may be, the sheriff or magistrate may by warrant under his hand, which shall continue in force for a period of one month, authorise an officer of an enforcement authority to enter the premises (by force if need be).

(4)An officer entering premises by virtue of this section may take such other persons and equipment with him as he thinks necessary; and on leaving premises entered by virtue of a warrant under subsection (3) shall, if they are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, leave them as effectively secured against tres-passers as he found them.

F259(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)A person who is not a duly authorised officer of an enforcement authority, but purports to act as such under this section, commits an offence.

(7)F260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F261(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F255Words in s. 162(1)(b)(i) repealed (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. 70, 71(2), Sch. 4; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F256Words in s. 162(1)(b)(ii) substituted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {51(2)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F257Words in s. 162(1)(b) repealed (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. 70, 71(2), Sch. 4; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F258Word in s. 162(1)(d)(e)(2)(3) repealed (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. 70, 71(2), Sch. 4; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C24S. 162 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 8(2)

C25S. 162(1)(c)(d): powers of seizure extended (1.4.2003) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 50, 52-54, 68, 138, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 para. 19; S.I. 2003/708, art. 2

163 Compensation for loss.U.K.

(1)Where, in exercising his powers under section 162, an officer of an enforcement authority seizes and detains goods and their owner suffers loss by reason of—

(a)that seizure, or

(b)the loss, damage or deterioration of the goods during detention,

then, unless the owner is convicted of an offence under this Act committed in relation to the goods, the authority shall compensate him for the loss so suffered.

(2)Any dispute as to the right to or amount of any compensation under subsection (1) shall be determined by arbitration.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26S. 163 applied (1.4.2003) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 70, 138, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 7; S.I. 2003/708, art. 2

C27S. 163 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 8(3)

164 Power to make test purchases etc.U.K.

(1)An enforcement authority may—

(a)make, or authorise any of their officers to make on their behalf, such purchases of goods; and

(b)authorise any of their officers to procure the provision of such services or facilities or to enter into such agreements or other transactions,

as may appear to them expedient for determining whether any provisions made by or under this Act are being complied with.

(2)Any act done by an officer authorised to do it under subsection (1) shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as done by him as an individual on his own behalf.

(3)Any goods seized by an officer under this Act may be tested, and in the event of such a test he shall inform the person mentioned in section 162(2) of the test results.

(4)Where any test leads to proceedings under this Act, the enforcement authority shall—

(a)if the goods were purchased, inform the person they were purchased from of the test results, and

(b)allow any person against whom the proceedings are taken to have the goods tested on his behalf if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28S. 164 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 8(4)

165 Obstruction of authorised officers.U.K.

(1)Any person who—

(a)wilfully obstructs an officer of an enforcement authority acting in pursuance of this Act; or

(b)wilfully fails to comply with any requirement properly made to him by such an officer under section 162; or

(c)without reasonable cause fails to give such an officer (so acting) other assistance or information he may reasonably require in performing his functions under this Act,

commits an offence.

F262(1A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)If any person, in giving such information as is mentioned in subsection (1)(c), makes any statement which he knows to be false, he commits an offence.

(3)Nothing in this section requires a person to answer any question or give any information if to do so might incriminate that person or (where that person is [F263married or a civil partner) the spouse or civil partner] of that person.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C29S. 165 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 8(5)

166 Notification of convictions and judgments to [F264FCA].U.K.

Where a person is convicted of an offence or has a judgment given against him by or before any court in the United Kingdom and it appears to the court—

(a)having regard to the functions of the [F265FCA under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or] this Act, that the conviction or judgment should be brought to the [F266FCA's] attention, and

(b)that it may not be brought to [F267its] attention unless arrangements for that purpose are made by the court,

the court may make such arrangements notwithstanding that the proceedings have been finally disposed of.

Textual Amendments

F264Word in s. 166 heading substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(14)

F265Words in s. 166(a) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(15)(a)

F266Word in s. 166(a) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(15)(b)

F267Word in s. 166(b) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 6(34); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

167 Penalties. U.K.

(1)An offence under a provision of this Act specified in column 1 of Schedule 1 is triable in the mode or modes indicated in column 3, and on conviction is punishable as indicated in column 4 (where a period of time indicates the maximum term of imprisonment, and a monetary amount indicates the maximum fine, for the offence in question).

F268(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

168 Defences.U.K.

(1)In any proceedings for an offence under this Act it is a defence for the person charged to prove—

(a)that his act or omission was due to a mistake, or to reliance on information supplied to him, or to an act or omission by another person, or to an accident or some other cause beyond his control, and

(b)that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid such an act or omission by himself or any person under his control.

(2)If in any case the defence provided by subsection (1) involves the allegation that the act or omission was due to an act or omission by another person or to reliance on information supplied by another person, the person charged shall not, without leave of the court, be entitled to rely on that defence unless, within a period ending seven clear days before the hearing, he has served on the prosecutor a notice giving such information identifying or assisting in the identification of that other person as was then in his possession.

169 Offences by bodies corporate.U.K.

Where at any time a body corporate commits an offence under this Act with the consent or connivance of, or because of neglect by, any individual, the individual commits the like offence if at that time—

(a)he is a director, manager, secretary or similar officer of the body corporate, or

(b)he is purporting to act as such an officer, or

(c)the body corporate is managed by its members of whom he is one.

170 No further sanctions for breach of Act.U.K.

(1)A breach of any requirement made (otherwise than by any court) by or under this Act shall incur no civil or criminal sanction as being such a breach, except to the extent (if any) expressly provided by or under this Act [F269or by or under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by virtue of an order made under section 107 of the Financial Services Act 2012].

(2)In exercising [F270its] functions under this Act the [F271FCA] may take account of any matter appearing to [F272it] to constitute a breach of a requirement made by or under this Act, whether or not any sanction for that breach is provided by or under this Act and, if it is so provided, whether or not proceedings have been brought in respect of the breach.

(3)Subsection (1) does not prevent the grant of an injunction, or the making of an order of certiorari, mandamus or prohibition or as respects Scotland the grant of an interdict or of an order under section 91 of the M5Court of Session Act 1868 (order for specific performance of statutory duty).

Textual Amendments

F269Words in s. 170(1) inserted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(16)(a)

F270Word in s. 170(2) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 6(35); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

F271Word in s. 170(2) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(16)(b)

F272Word in s. 170(2) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 6(35); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

Marginal Citations

171 Onus of proof in various proceedings.U.K.

(1)If an agreement contains a term signifying that in the opinion of the parties section 10(3)(b)(iii) does not apply to the agreement, it shall be taken not to apply unless the contrary is proved.

(2)It shall be assumed in any proceedings, unless the contrary is proved, that when a person initiated a transaction as mentioned in section 19(1)(c) he knew the principal agreement had been made, or contemplated that it might be made.

F273(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)In proceedings brought by the creditor under a credit-token agreement—

(a)it is for the creditor to prove that the credit-token was lawfully supplied to the debtor, and was accepted by him, and

(b)if the debtor alleges that any use made of the credit-token was not authorised by him, it is for the creditor to prove either—

(i)that the use was so authorised, or

(ii)that the use occurred before the creditor had been given notice under section 84(3).

(5)In proceedings under section 50(1) in respect of a document received by a minor at any school or other educational establishment for minors, it is for the person sending it to him at that establishment to prove that he did not know or suspect it to be such an establishment.

(6)In proceedings under section 119(1) it is for the pawnee to prove that he had reasonable cause to refuse to allow the pawn to be redeemed.

(7)F274. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

172 Statements by creditor or owner to be binding.U.K.

(1)A statement by a creditor or owner is binding on him if given under—

  • section 77(1),

  • section 78(1),

  • section 79(1),

  • section 97(1),

  • section 107(1)(c),

  • section 108(1)(c), or

  • section 109(1)(c),

(2)Where a trader—

(a)gives a customer a notice in compliance with section 103(1)(b), or

(b)gives a customer a notice under section 103(1) asserting that the customer is not indebted to him under an agreement,

the notice is binding on the trader.

(3)Where in proceedings before any court—

(a)it is sought to rely on a statement or notice given as mentioned in subsection (1) or (2), and

(b)the statement or notice is shown to be incorrect,

the court may direct such relief (if any) to be given to the creditor or owner from the operation of subsection (1) or (2) as appears to the court to be just.

173 Contracting-out forbidden.U.K.

(1)A term contained in a regulated agreement or linked transaction, or in any other agreement relating to an actual or prospective regulated agreement or linked transaction, is void if, and to the extent that, it is inconsistent with a provision for the protection of the debtor or hirer or his relative or any surety contained in this Act or in any regulation made under this Act.

(2)Where a provision specifies the duty or liability of the debtor or hirer or his relative or any surety in certain circumstances, a term is inconsistent with that provision if it purports to impose, directly or indirectly, an additional duty or liability on him in those circumstances.

(3)Notwithstanding subsection (1), a provision of this Act under which a thing may be done in relation to any person on an order of the court or the [F275FCA] only shall not be taken to prevent its being done at any time with that person’s consent given at that time, but the refusal of such consent shall not give rise to any liability.

Part XIIU.K. Supplemental

174 Restrictions on disclosure of information.U.K.

F276. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F277174APowers to require provision of information or documents etc.U.K.

(1)Every power conferred on a relevant authority by or under this Act (however expressed) to require the provision or production of information or documents includes the power—

(a)to require information to be provided or produced in such form as the authority may specify, including, in relation to information recorded otherwise than in a legible form, in a legible form;

(b)to take copies of, or extracts from, any documents provided or produced by virtue of the exercise of the power;

(c)to require the person who is required to provide or produce any information or document by virtue of the exercise of the power—

(i)to state, to the best of his knowledge and belief, where the information or document is;

(ii)to give an explanation of the information or document;

(iii)to secure that any information provided or produced, whether in a document or otherwise, is verified in such manner as may be specified by the authority;

(iv)to secure that any document provided or produced is authenticated in such manner as may be so specified;

(d)to specify a time at or by which a requirement imposed by virtue of paragraph (c) must be complied with.

(2)Every power conferred on a relevant authority by or under this Act (however expressed) to inspect or to seize documents at any premises includes the power to take copies of, or extracts from, any documents inspected or seized by virtue of the exercise of the power.

(3)But a relevant authority has no power under this Act—

(a)to require another person to provide or to produce,

(b)to seize from another person, or

(c)to require another person to give access to premises for the purposes of the inspection of,

any information or document which the other person would be entitled to refuse to provide or produce in proceedings in the High Court on the grounds of legal professional privilege or (in Scotland) in proceedings in the Court of Session on the grounds of confidentiality of communications.

(4)In subsection (3) ‘communications’ means—

(a)communications between a professional legal adviser and his client;

(b)communications made in connection with or in contemplation of legal proceedings and for the purposes of those proceedings.

[F278(5)In this section, “relevant authority” means an enforcement authority or an officer of an enforcement authority.]]

Textual Amendments

F277S. 174A inserted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {51(5)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C34S. 174A applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 8(6)

175 Duty of persons deemed to be agents.U.K.

Where under this Act a person is deemed to receive a notice or payment as agent of the creditor or owner under a regulated agreement, he shall be deemed to be under a contractual duty to the creditor or owner to transmit the notice, or remit the payment, to him forthwith.

176 Service of documents.U.K.

(1)A document to be served under this Act by one person ( “the server ”) on another person ( “the subject ”) is to be treated as properly served on the subject if dealt with as mentioned in the following subsections.

(2)The document may be delivered or sent [F279by an appropriate method] to the subject, or addressed to him by name and left at his proper address.

(3)For the purposes of this Act, a document sent by post to, or left at, the address last known to the server as the address of a person shall be treated as sent by post to, or left at, his proper address.

(4)Where the document is to be served on the subject as being the person having any interest in land, and it is not practicable after reasonable inquiry to ascertain the subject’s name or address, the document may be served by—

(a)addressing it to the subject by the description of the person having that interest in the land (naming it), and

(b)delivering the document to some responsible person on the land or affixing it, or a copy of it, in a conspicuous position on the land.

(5)Where a document to be served on the subject as being a debtor, hirer or surety, or as having any other capacity relevant for the purposes of this Act, is served at any time on another person who—

(a)is the person last known to the server as having that capacity, but

(b)before that time had ceased to have it,

the document shall be treated as having been served at that time on the subject.

(6)Anything done to a document in relation to a person who (whether to the knowledge of the server or not) has died shall be treated for the purposes of subsection (5) as service of the document on that person if it would have been so treated had he not died.

[F280(7)The following enactments shall not be construed as authorising service on the Public Trustee (in England and Wales) or the Probate Judge (in Northern Ireland) of any document which is to be served under this Act—

section 9 of the Administration of Estates Act 1925;

section 3 of the Administration of Estates Act (Northern Ireland) 1955.]

(8)References in the preceding subsections to the serving of a document on a person include the giving of the document to that person.

Textual Amendments

F280S. 176(7) substituted (1.7.1995) by 1994 c. 36, s. 21(1), Sch. 1 para. 6 (with s. 20); S.I. 1995/1317, art. 3

[F281176AElectronic transmission of documentsU.K.

(1)A document is transmitted in accordance with this subsection if–

(a)the person to whom it is transmitted agrees that it may be delivered to him by being transmitted to a particular electronic address in a particular electronic form,

(b)it is transmitted to that address in that form, and

(c)the form in which the document is transmitted is such that any information in the document which is addressed to the person to whom the document is transmitted is capable of being stored for future reference for an appropriate period in a way which allows the information to be reproduced without change.

(2)A document transmitted in accordance with subsection (1) shall, unless the contrary is proved, be treated for the purposes of this Act, except section 69, as having been delivered on the working day immediately following the day on which it is transmitted.

(3)In this section, “electronic address” includes any number or address used for the purposes of receiving electronic communications.]

177 Saving for registered charges.U.K.

(1)Nothing in this Act affects the rights of a proprietor of a registered charge (within the meaning of the [F282Land Registration Act 2002]), who—

(a)became the proprietor under a transfer for valuable consideration without notice of any defect in the title arising (apart from this section) by virtue of this Act, or

(b)derives title from such a proprietor.

(2)Nothing in this Act affects the operation of section 104 of the M6Law of Property Act 1925 (protection of purchaser where mortgagee exercises power of sale).

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to a proprietor carrying on [F283a consumer credit business, a consumer hire business or a business of debt-collecting or debt administration] .

(4)Where, by virtue of subsection (1), a land mortgage is enforced which apart from this section would be treated as never having effect, the original creditor or owner shall be liable to indemnify the debtor or hirer against any loss thereby suffered by him.

(5)In the application of this section to Scotland for subsections (1) to (3) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

(1)Nothing in this Act affects the rights of a creditor in a heritable security who—

(a)became the creditor under a transfer for value without notice of any defect in the title arising (apart from this section) by virtue of this Act; or

(b)derives title from such a creditor.

(2)Nothing in this Act affects the operation of section 41 of the Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1924 (protection of purchasers), or of that section as applied to standard securities by section 32 of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply to a creditor carrying on [F283a consumer credit business, a consumer hire business or a business of debt-collecting or debt administration] ..

(6)In the application of this section to Northern Ireland—

(a)any reference to the proprietor of a registered charge (within the meaning of the [F282Land Registration Act 2002]) shall be construed as a reference to the registered owner of a charge under the M7Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act 1891 or Part IV of the M8Land Registration Act (Northern Ireland) 1970, and

(b)for the reference to section 104 of the M9Law of Property Act 1925 there shall be substituted a reference to section 21 of the M10Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1881 and section 5 of the M11Conveyancing Act 1911.

Textual Amendments

F282Words in s. 177(1)(6) substituted (13.10.2003) by Land Registration Act 2002 (c. 9), ss. 126, 136(2), Sch. 11 para. 11; S.I. 2003/1725, art. 2

F283Words in s. 177(3)(5) substituted (1.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {24(5)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

Marginal Citations

178 Local Acts.U.K.

The [F284Treasury] or the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland may by order make such amendments or repeals of any provision of any local Act as appears to the [F284Treasury] or, as the case may be, the Department, necessary or expedient in consequence of the replacement by this Act of the enactments relating to pawnbrokers and moneylenders.

Textual Amendments

Regulations, orders, etc.U.K.

179 Power to prescribe form etc. of secondary documents.U.K.

(1)Regulations may be made as to the form and content of credit-cards, trading-checks, receipts, vouchers and other documents or things issued by creditors, owners or suppliers under or in connection with regulated agreements or by other persons in connection with linked transactions, and may in particular—

(a)require specified information to be included in the pre-scribed manner in documents, and other specified material to be excluded;

(b)contain requirements to ensure that specified information is clearly brought to the attention of the debtor or hirer, or his relative, and that one part of a document is not given insufficient or excessive prominence compared with another.

(2)If a person issues any document or thing in contravention of regulations under subsection (1) then, as from the time of the contravention but without prejudice to anything done before it, this Act shall apply as if the regulated agreement had been improperly executed by reason of a contravention of regulations under section 60(1).

180 Power to prescribe form etc. of copies.U.K.

(1)Regulations may be made as to the form and content of documents to be issued as copies of any executed agreement, security instrument or other document referred to in this Act, and may in particular—

(a)require specified information to be included in the prescribed manner in any copy, and contain requirements to ensure that such information is clearly brought to the attention of a reader of the copy;

(b)authorise the omission from a copy of certain material contained in the original, or the inclusion of such material in condensed form.

(2)A duty imposed by any provision of this Act F285... to supply a copy of any document—

(a)is not satisfied unless the copy supplied is in the prescribed form and conforms to the prescribed requirements;

(b)is not infringed by the omission of any material, or its inclusion in condensed form, if that is authorised by regulations;

and references in this Act to copies shall be construed accordingly.

(3)Regulations may provide that a duty imposed by this Act to supply a copy of a document referred to in an unexecuted agreement or an executed agreement shall not apply to documents of a kind specified in the regulations.

Textual Amendments

F285Words in s. 180(2) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(55)

181 Power to alter monetary limits etc.U.K.

(1)The [F286Treasury] may by order made by statutory instrument amend, or further amend, any of the following provisions of this Act so as to reduce or increase a sum mentioned in that provision, namely, sections F287... 17(1), F288. . . F287... 70(6), 75(3)(b), 77(1), 78(1), 79(1), 84(1), 101(7)(a), 107(1), 108(1), 109(1), 110(1), F287... F288. . . [F289140B(6),] 155(1) and 158(1).

(2)An order under subsection (1) amending section F290... 17(1), F291. . . F290... 75(3)(b) F291. . . [F292or 140B(6)] shall be of no effect unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by each House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F286Word in s. 181(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(18)

F287Words in s. 181(1) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(56)(a)

F289Words in s. 181(1) inserted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {22(4)(a)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F290Words in s. 181(2) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(56)(b)

F292Words in s. 181(2) inserted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {22(4)(b)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

182 Regulations and orders.U.K.

(1)Any power of the [F293Treasury] to make regulations or orders under this Act, except the power conferred by sections F294... 181 and 192 shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(1A)F295. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)Where a power to make regulations or orders F296. . . is exercisable by the [F293Treasury] F297. . . by virtue of this Act, regulations or orders F296. . . made in the exercise of that power may—

(a)make different provision in relation to different cases or classes of case, and

(b)exclude certain cases or classes of case, and

(c)contain such transitional provisions as the [F293Treasury] thinks fit.

(3)Regulations may provide that specified expressions, when used as described by the regulations, are to be given the prescribed meaning, notwithstanding that another meaning is intended by the person using them.

(4)Any power conferred on the [F293Treasury] by this Act to make orders includes power to vary or revoke an order so made.

Textual Amendments

F293Word in s. 182 substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(19)

F294Word in s. 182(1) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(57)

F299183 Determinations etc. by [F298FCA] .U.K.

(1)The [F300FCA] may vary or revoke any determination made, or direction given, by it under this Act.

F301(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F298Word in s. 183 heading substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(20)(a)

F300Word in s. 183(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(20)(b)

F301S. 183(2) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(58)

InterpretationU.K.

184 Associates.U.K.

[F302(1)A person is an associate of an individual if that person is—

(a)the individual’s husband or wife or civil partner,

(b)a relative of—

(i)the individual, or

(ii)the individual’s husband or wife or civil partner, or

(c)the husband or wife or civil partner of a relative of—

(i)the individual, or

(ii)the individual’s husband or wife or civil partner.]

(2)A person is an associate of any person with whom he is in partnership, and of the husband or wife [F303or civil partner] or a relative of any individual with whom he is in partnership.

(3)A body corporate is an associate of another body corporate—

(a)if the same person is a controller of both, or a person is a controller of one and persons who are his associates, or he and persons who are his associates, are controllers of the other; or

(b)if a group of two or more persons is a controller of each company, and the groups either consist of the same persons or could be regarded as consisting of the same persons by treating (in one or more cases) a member of either group as replaced by a person of whom he is an associate.

(4)A body corporate is an associate of another person if that person is a controller of it or if that person and persons who are his associates together are controllers of it.

(5)In this section “relative ” means brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal ancestor or lineal descendant, F304. . . references to a husband or wife include a former husband or wife and a reputed husband [F305or wife, and references to a civil partner include a former civil partner [F306and a reputed civil partner];] and for the purposes of this subsection a relationship shall be established as if any illegitimate child, step-child or adopted child of a person [F307were the legitimate child of the relationship in question] .

185 Agreement with more than one debtor or hirer.U.K.

(1)Where an actual or prospective regulated agreement has two or more debtors or hirers (not being a partnership or an unincorporated body of persons)—

(a)anything required by or under this Act to be done to or in relation to the debtor or hirer shall be done to or in relation to each of them; and

(b)anything done under this Act by or on behalf of one of them shall have effect as if done by or on behalf of all of them.

F308(1A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F309(2)Notwithstanding subsection (1)(a), where credit is provided under an agreement to two or more debtors jointly, in performing his duties—

(a)in the case of fixed-sum credit, under section 77A, or

(b)in the case of running-account credit, under section 78(4),

the creditor need not give statements to any debtor who has signed and given to him a notice (a ‘dispensing notice’) authorising him not to comply in the debtor's case with section 77A or (as the case may be) 78(4).

(2A)A dispensing notice given by a debtor is operative from when it is given to the creditor until it is revoked by a further notice given to the creditor by the debtor.

(2B)But subsection (2) does not apply if (apart from this subsection) dispensing notices would be operative in relation to all of the debtors to whom the credit is provided.

(2C)Any dispensing notices operative in relation to an agreement shall cease to have effect if any of the debtors dies.

(2D)A dispensing notice which is operative in relation to an agreement shall be operative also in relation to any subsequent agreement which, in relation to the earlier agreement, is a modifying agreement.]

(3)Subsection (1)(b) does not apply for the purposes of section 61(1)(a) F310. . . .

(4)Where a regulated agreement has two or more debtors or hirers (not being a partnership or an unincorporated body of persons), section 86 applies to the death of any of them.

(5)An agreement for the provision of credit, or the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of goods, to two or more persons jointly where—

(a)one or more of those persons is an individual, and

(b)one or more of them is [F311not an individual] ,

is a consumer credit agreement or consumer hire agreement if it would have been one had they all been individuals; and [F312each person within paragraph (b)] shall accordingly be included among the debtors or hirers under the agreement.

(6)Where subsection (5) applies, references in this Act to the signing of any document by the debtor or hirer shall be construed in relation to a body corporate [F313within paragraph (b) of that subsection] as referring to a signing on behalf of the body corporate.

Textual Amendments

F309S. 185(2)-(2D) substituted (1.10.2008) for s. 185(2) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {7(3)}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 4); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(3), Sch. 3

F311Words in s. 185(5)(b) substituted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {5(8)(a)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2007/387, art. 2(3)(a))

F312Words in s. 185(5) substituted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {5(8)(b)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2007/387, art. 2(3)(a))

F313Words in s. 185(6) inserted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {5(9)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2007/387, art. 2(3)(a))

186 Agreement with more than one creditor or owner.U.K.

Where an actual or prospective regulated agreement has two or more creditors or owners, anything required by or under this Act to be done to, or in relation to, or by, the creditor or owner shall be effective if done to, or in relation to, or by, any one of them.

187 Arrangements between creditor and supplier.U.K.

(1)A consumer credit agreement shall be treated as entered into under pre-existing arrangements between a creditor and a supplier if it is entered into in accordance with, or in furtherance of, arrangements previously made between persons mentioned in subsection (4)(a), (b) or (c).

(2)A consumer credit agreement shall be treated as entered into in contemplation of future arrangements between a creditor and a supplier if it is entered into in the expectation that arrangements will subsequently be made between persons mentioned in subsection (4)(a), (b) or (c) for the supply of cash, goods and services (or any of them) to be financed by the consumer credit agreement.

(3)Arrangements shall be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2) if—

(a)they are arrangements for the making, in specified circumstances, of payments to the supplier by the creditor, and

(b)the creditor holds himself out as willing to make, in such circumstances, payments of the kind to suppliers generally.

[F314(3A)Arrangements shall also be disregarded for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) if they are arrangements for the electronic transfer of funds from a current account at a bank within the meaning of the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 1879.]

(4)The persons referred to in subsections (1) and (2) are—

(a)the creditor and the supplier;

(b)one of them and an associate of the other’s;

(c)an associate of one and an associate of the other’s.

(5)Where the creditor is an associate of the supplier’s, the consumer credit agreement shall be treated, unless the contrary is proved, as entered into under pre-existing arrangements between the creditor and the supplier.

Textual Amendments

[F315187ADefinition of ‘default sum’U.K.

(1)In this Act ‘default sum’ means, in relation to the debtor or hirer under a regulated agreement, a sum (other than a sum of interest) which is payable by him under the agreement in connection with a breach of the agreement by him.

(2)But a sum is not a default sum in relation to the debtor or hirer simply because, as a consequence of his breach of the agreement, he is required to pay it earlier than he would otherwise have had to.]

Textual Amendments

F315S. 187A inserted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {18(1)}, 71(2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

188 Examples of use of new terminology.U.K.

(1)Schedule 2 shall have effect for illustrating the use of terminology employed in this Act.

(2)The examples given in Schedule 2 are not exhaustive.

(3)In the case of conflict between Schedule 2 and any other provision of this Act, that other provision shall prevail.

(4)The [F316Treasury] may by order amend Schedule 2 by adding further examples or in any other way.

Textual Amendments

189 Definitions.U.K.

(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

  • advertisement ” includes every form of advertising, whether in a publication, by television or radio, by display of notices, signs, labels, showcards or goods, by distribution of samples, circulars, catalogues, price lists or other material, by exhibition of pictures, models or films, or in any other way, and references to the publishing of advertisements shall be construed accordingly;

  • F317...

  • ancillary credit business ” has the meaning given by section 145(1);

  • antecedent negotiations ” has the meaning given by section 56;

  • F317...

  • [F318appropriate method” means–

    (a)

    post, or

    (b)

    transmission in the form of an electronic communication in accordance with section 176A(1);”]

  • assignment ”, in relation to Scotland, means assignation;

  • associate ” shall be construed in accordance with section 184;

  • [F319authorised business overdraft agreement” means a debtor-creditor agreement which provides authorisation in advance for the debtor to overdraw on a current account, where the agreement is entered into by the debtor wholly or predominantly for the purposes of the debtor's business (see subsection (2A));

  • authorised non-business overdraft agreement” means a debtor-creditor agreement which provides authorisation in advance for the debtor to overdraw on a current account where—

    (a)

    the credit must be repaid on demand or within three months, and

    (b)

    the agreement is not entered into by the debtor wholly or predominantly for the purposes of the debtor's business (see subsection (2A));]

  • F320. . .

  • bill of sale ” has the meaning given by section 4 of the M12Bills of Sale Act 1878 or, for Northern Ireland, by section 4 of the M13Bills of Sale (Ireland) Act 1879;

  • [F321building society ” means a building society within the meaning of the Building Societies Act 1986;]

  • business ” includes profession or trade, and references to a business apply subject to subsection (2);

  • cancellable agreement ” means a regulated agreement which, by virtue of section 67, may be cancelled by the debtor or hirer;

  • canvass ” shall be construed in accordance with sections 48 and 153;

  • cash ” includes money in any form;

  • charity ” means as respects England and Wales a charity registered under [F322the Charities Act 2011] or an exempt charity (within the meaning of that Act), [F323as respects] Northern Ireland an institution or other organisation established for charitable purposes only ( “organisation ” including any persons administering a trust and “charitable ” being construed in the same way as if it were contained in the Income Tax Acts) [F324and as respects Scotland a body entered in the Scottish Charity Register];

  • conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods or land under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods or land is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods or land) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled;

  • consumer credit agreement ” has the meaning given by section 8, and includes a consumer credit agreement which is cancelled under section 69(1), or becomes subject to section 69(2), so far as the agreement remains in force;

  • [F325‘consumer credit business’ means any business being carried on by a person so far as it comprises or relates to—

    (a)

    the provision of credit by him, or

    (b)

    otherwise his being a creditor,

    under regulated consumer credit agreements;]

  • [F326consumer hire business” means any business being carried on by a person so far as it comprises or relates to—

    (a)

    the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of goods by him, or

    (b)

    otherwise his being an owner,

    under regulated consumer hire agreements;]

  • consumer hire business ” means any business so far as it comprises or relates to the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of goods under regulated consumer hire agreements;

  • controller ”, in relation to a body corporate, means a person—

    (a)

    in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the body corporate or of another body corporate which is its controller (or any of them) are accustomed to act, or

    (b)

    who, either alone or with any associate or associates, is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise of, one third or more of the voting power at any general meeting of the body corporate or of another body corporate which is its controller;

  • copy ” shall be construed in accordance with section 180;

  • F327. . .

  • court ” means in relation to England and Wales the county court, in relation to Scotland the sheriff court and in relation to Northern Ireland the High Court or the county court;

  • credit ” shall be construed in accordance with section 9;

  • credit-broker ” means a person carrying on a business of credit brokerage;

  • credit brokerage ” has the meaning given by section 145(2);

  • [F328‘credit information services’ [F329is to be read in accordance with] section 145(7B).]

  • [F330credit intermediary” has the meaning given by section 160A;]

  • credit limit ” has the meaning given by section 10(2);

  • creditor ” means the person providing credit under a consumer credit agreement or the person to whom his rights and duties under the agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law, and in relation to a prospective consumer credit agreement, includes the prospective creditor;

  • credit reference agency [F331is to be read in accordance with] section 145(8);

  • credit-sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods, under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, but which is not a conditional sale agreement;

  • credit-token ” has the meaning given by section 14(1);

  • credit-token agreement ” means a regulated agreement for the provision of credit in connection with the use of a credit-token;

  • debt-adjusting ” has the meaning given by section 145(5);

  • [F332‘debt administration’ has the meaning given by section 145(7A);]

  • debt-collecting ” has the meaning given by section 145(7);

  • debt-counselling ” has the meaning given by section 145(6);

  • debtor ” means the individual receiving credit under a consumer credit agreement or the person to whom his rights and duties under the agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law, and in relation to a prospective consumer credit agreement includes the prospective debtor;

  • debtor-creditor agreement ” has the meaning given by section 13;

  • debtor-creditor-supplier agreement ” has the meaning given by section 12;

  • default notice ” has the meaning given by section 87(1);

  • [F333‘default sum’ has the meaning given by section 187A;]

  • deposit ” means F334...any sum payable by a debtor or hirer by way of deposit or down-payment, or credited or to be credited to him on account of any deposit or down-payment, whether the sum is to be or has been paid to the creditor or owner or any other person, or is to be or has been discharged by a payment of money or a transfer or delivery of goods or by any other means;

  • [F335‘documents’ includes information recorded in any form;]

  • F336. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • electric line ” has the meaning given by [F337the Electricity Act 1989] or, for Northern Ireland, [F338[the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992]

  • [F339electronic communication” means an electronic communication within the meaning of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 (c. 7)“]

  • “embodies ” and related words shall be construed in accordance with subsection (4);

  • enforcement authority ” has the meaning given by section 161(1);

  • enforcement order ” means an order under section 65(1), 105(7)(a) or (b), 111(2) or 124(1) or (2);

  • executed agreement ” means a document, signed by or on behalf of the parties, embodying the terms of a regulated agreement, or such of them as have been reduced to writing;

  • F317...

  • [F340FCA” means the Financial Conduct Authority;]

  • finance ” means to finance wholly or partly, and “financed ” and “refinanced ” shall be construed accordingly;

  • file ” and “copy of the file ” have the meanings given by section 158(5);

  • fixed-sum credit ” has the meaning given by section 10(1)(b);

  • friendly society ” means a society registered [F341or treated as registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1974 or the Friendly Societies Act 1992] or a society within the meaning of the M14Friendly Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1970;

  • future arrangements ” shall be construed in accordance with section 187;

  • F342...

  • give ” means deliver or send [F343by an appropriate method] to;

  • goods M15 has the meaning given by [F344section 61(1) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979];

  • F317...

  • High Court ” means Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice, or the Court of Session in Scotland or the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland;

  • hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

    (a)

    goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

    (b)

    the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

    (i)

    the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

    (ii)

    the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

    (iii)

    the happening of any other specified event;

  • hirer ” means the individual to whom goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a consumer hire agreement, or the person to whom his rights and duties under the agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law, and in relation to a prospective consumer hire agreement includes the prospective hirer;

  • [F345individual” includes—

    (a)

    a partnership consisting of two or three persons not all of whom are bodies corporate; and

    (b)

    an unincorporated body of persons which does not consist entirely of bodies corporate and is not a partnership;]

  • installation ” means—

    (a)

    the installing of any electric line or any gas or water pipe,

    (b)

    the fixing of goods to the premises where they are to be used, and the alteration of premises to enable goods to be used on them,

    (c)

    where it is reasonably necessary that goods should be constructed or erected on the premises where they are to be used, any work carried out for the purpose of constructing or erecting them on those premises;

  • F320. . .

  • judgment ” includes an order or decree made by any court;

  • land ”, includes an interest in land, and in relation to Scotland includes heritable subjects of whatever description;

  • land improvement company ” means an improvement company as defined by section 7 of the M16Improvement of Land Act 1899;

  • land mortgage ” includes any security charged on land;

  • F317...

  • F317...

  • F317...

  • linked transaction ” has the meaning given by section 19(1);

  • local authority ”, in relation to England F346. . ., means . . . F347, a county council, a London borough council, a district council, the Common Council of the City of London, or the Council of the Isles of Scilly [F348in relation to Wales means a county council or a county borough council,], and in relation to Scotland, means a [F349council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994], and, in relation to Northern Ireland, means a district council;

  • [F350. . .]

  • modifying agreement ” has the meaning given by section 82(2);

  • mortgage ”, in relation to Scotland, includes any heritable security;

  • multiple agreement ” has the meaning given by section 18(1);

  • negotiator ” has the meaning given by section 56(1);

  • non-commercial agreement ” means a consumer credit agreement or a consumer hire agreement not made by the creditor or owner in the course of a business carried on by him;

  • notice ” means notice in writing;

  • notice of cancellation ” has the meaning given by section 69(1);

  • F351...

  • [F352open-end” in relation to a consumer credit agreement, means of no fixed duration;]

  • owner ” means a person who bails or (in Scotland) hires out goods under a consumer hire agreement or the person to whom his rights and duties under the agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law, and in relation to a prospective consumer hire agreement, includes the prospective bailor or person from whom the goods are to be hired;

  • pawn ” means any article subject to a pledge;

  • pawn-receipt ” has the meaning given by section 114;

  • pawnee ” and “pawnor ” include any person to whom the rights and duties of the original pawnee or the original pawnor, as the case may be, have passed by assignment or operation of law;

  • payment ” includes tender;

  • F353. . .

  • pledge ” means the pawnee’s rights over an article taken in pawn;

  • prescribed ” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

  • pre-existing arrangements ” shall be construed in accordance with section 187;

  • principal agreement ” has the meaning given by section 19(1);

  • protected goods ” has the meaning given by section 90(7);

  • F317...

  • redemption period ” has the meaning given by section 116(3);

  • [F354Regulated Activities Order” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001;]

  • F317...

  • [F355regulated agreement ” means a consumer credit agreement which is a regulated agreement (within the meaning of section 8(3)) or a consumer hire agreement which is a regulated agreement (within the meaning of section 15(2));]

  • regulations ” means regulations made by the [F356Treasury];

  • relative ”, except in section 184, means a person who is an associate by virtue of section 184(1);

  • representation ” includes any condition or warranty, and any other statement or undertaking, whether oral or in writing;

  • restricted-use credit agreement ” and “restricted-use credit ” have the meanings given by section 11(1);

  • rules of court ”, in relation to Northern Ireland means, in relation to the High Court, rules made under section 7 of the M17Northern Ireland Act 1962, and, in relation to any other court, rules made by the authority having for the time being power to make rules regulating the practice and procedure in that court;

  • running-account credit ” shall be construed in accordance with section 10;

  • security ”, in relation to an actual or prospective consumer credit agreement or consumer hire agreement, or any linked transaction, means a mortgage, charge, pledge, bond, debenture, indemnity, guarantee, bill, note or other right provided by the debtor or hirer, or at his request (express or implied), to secure the carrying out of the obligations of the debtor or hirer under the agreement;

  • security instrument ” has the meaning given by section 105(2);

  • serve on ” means deliver or send [F343by an appropriate method] to;

  • signed ” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (3);

  • small agreement ” has the meaning given by section 17(1), and “small ” in relation to an agreement within any category shall be construed accordingly;

  • F317...

  • F317...

  • supplier ” has the meaning given by section 11(1)(b) or 12(c) or 13(c) or, in relation to an agreement falling within section 11(1)(a), means the creditor, and includes a person to whom the rights and duties of a supplier (as so defined) have passed by assignment or operation of law, or (in relation to a prospective agreement) the prospective supplier;

  • surety ” means the person by whom any security is provided, or the person to whom his rights and duties in relation to the security have passed by assignment or operation of law;

  • technical grounds ” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (5);

  • time order ” has the meaning given by section 129(1);

  • [F357total charge for credit ” has the meaning given by section 20;]

  • total price ” means the total sum payable by the debtor under a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement, including any sum payable on the exercise of an option to purchase, but excluding any sum payable as a penalty or as compensation or damages for a breach of the agreement;

  • F358. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  • unexecuted agreement ” means a document embodying the terms of a prospective regulated agreement, or such of them as it is intended to reduce to writing;

  • F317...

  • unrestricted-use credit agreement ” and “unresticted-use credit ” have the meanings given by section 11(2);

  • working day ” means any day other than—

    (a)

    Saturday or Sunday,

    (b)

    Christmas Day or Good Friday,

    (c)

    a bank holiday within the meaning given by section 1 of the M18Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

[F359(1A)In sections F360... 70(4), 73(4) and 75(2) F361. . . ‘costs’, in relation to proceedings in Scotland, means expenses.]

(2)A person is not to be treated as carrying on a particular type of business merely because occasionally he enters into transactions belonging to a business of that type.

[F362(2A)For the purpose of the definitions of “authorised business overdraft agreement” and “authorised non-business overdraft agreement” [F363article 60C(5) and (6) of the Regulated Activities Order applies].]

(3)Any provision of this Act requiring a document to be signed is complied with by a body corporate if the document is sealed by that body.

This subsection does not apply to Scotland.

(4)A document embodies a provision if the provision is set out either in the document itself or in another document referred to in it.

(5)An application dismissed by the court F364... shall, if the court F364... so certifies, be taken to be dismissed on technical grounds only.

(6)Except in so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to an enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended by or under any other enactment, including this Act.

(7)In this Act, except where otherwise indicated—

(a)a reference to a numbered Part, section or Schedule is a reference to the Part or section of, or the Schedule to, this Act so numbered, and

(b)a reference in a section to a numbered subsection is a reference to the subsection of that section so numbered, and

(c)a reference in a section, subsection or Schedule to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph of that section, subsection or Schedule so numbered.]

Textual Amendments

F317Words in s. 189(1) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(a)(i)

F318S. 189(1): definition of "appropriate method" inserted (31.12.2004) by The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (Electronic Communications) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3236), art. 2(8)

F319S. 189(1): definitions of "authorised business overdraft agreement" and "authorised non-business overdraft agreement" inserted (30.4.2010) by The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 19(2), 99(2)(a) (with regs. 100, 101)

F320S. 189(1): definitions repealed (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, art. 176(a)

F321Definition of “building society ” substituted by Building Societies Act 1986 (c. 53, SIF 16), s. 120, Sch. 18 para. 10(4)

F322S. 189(1): words in definition of "charity" substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), ss. 354(1), 355, Sch. 7 para. 29 (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

F325S. 189(1): definition of "consumer credit business" substituted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {23(a)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F326S. 189(1): definition of "consumer hire business" substituted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {23(b)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F327S. 189(1): definition of "costs" repealed (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. 70, 71(2), Sch. 4; S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F328S. 189(1): definition of "credit information services" inserted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {25(5)}, 71(2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F329Words in s. 189(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(a)(ii)

F330S. 189(1): definition of "credit intermediary" inserted (30.4.2010) by The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 42, 99(2)(d) (with regs. 100, 101)

F331Words in s. 189(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(a)(iii)

F332S. 189(1): definition of "debt administration" inserted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {24(6)}, 71(2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F333S. 189(1): definition of "default sum" inserted (16.6.2006) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {18(2)}, 71(2); S.I. 2006/1508, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F334Words in s. 189(1) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(a)(iv)

F335S. 189(1): definition of "documents" inserted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {51(6)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F336S. 189(1): definition of "Director" repealed (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 6(38)(a)(i), Sch. 26; S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

F337Words “the Electricity Act 1989 ” substituted (E.W.S.) for “the Electric Lighting Act 1882 ” by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 17(1)(3), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1)

F338S. 189(1): words in definition of "electric line" substituted (N.I.) (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231 (N.I. 1), art. 95(1), Sch. 12 para. 15; S.R. 1992/117, art. 3.

F339S. 189(1): definition of "electronic communication" inserted (31.12.2004) by The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (Electronic Communications) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3236), art. 2(8)

F340Words in s. 189(1) inserted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(22)(a)(i)

F341S. 189(1): words in definition of “friendly society ” substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, art. 176(c)

F342Words in s. 189(1) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(22)(a)(ii)

F345S. 189(1): definition of "individual" substituted (6.4.2007) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {1}, 71(2) (with Sch. 3 paras. 17, 29); S.I. 2007/123, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 (with transitional provisions in arts. 4, 5)

F346Words in s. 189(1) repealed (E.W) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6)(8), Sch. 16 para. 45, Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F348Words in s. 189(1) inserted (E.W) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s.66(6)(8), Sch. 16 para. 45 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F349Words in s. 189(1) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 94; S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)

F350Definition of “minor” in relation to Scotland repealed (S.) (25.9.1991) by Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 50, SIF 60), ss. 10, 11(2), Sch. 2 (with s. 1(3)).

F351Words in s. 189(1) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(22)(a)(iii)

F352S. 189(1): definition of "open-end" inserted (30.4.2010) by The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 39, 99(2)(b) (with regs. 100, 101)

F353S. 189(1): definition of "personal credit agreement" repealed (6.4.2008 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. 70, 71(2), Sch. 4; S.I. 2008/831, art. 3(1)(2), Schs. 2, 3 (as amended by S.I. 2008/2444, art. 2)

F354Words in s. 189(1) inserted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(a)(v)

F355Words in s. 189(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(a)(vi)

F356Word in s. 189(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 7(22)(a)(iv)

F357Words in s. 189(1) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(a)(vii)

F359S. 189(1A) inserted (6.4.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. {27(3)}, 71(2); S.I. 2007/3300, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

F360Word in s. 189(1A) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(b)

F363Words in s. 189(2A) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(c)

F364Words in s. 189(5) omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(60)(d)

Marginal Citations

M141970 c. 31. (N.I.)

F365189A Meaning of “consumer credit EEA firm ”U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

190 Financial provisions.U.K.

(1)There shall be defrayed out of money provided by Parliament—

(a)all expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in consequence of the provisions of this Act;

(b)any expenses incurred in consequence of those provisions by any other Minister of the Crown or Government department;

(c)any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under the M19Superannuation Act 1972 or the M20Fair Trading Act 1973.

F366(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

191 Special provisions as to Northern Ireland.U.K.

F367(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F367(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Nothing in this Act shall authorise any Northern Ireland department to incur any expenses attributable to the provisions of this Act until provision has been made for those expenses to be defrayed out of money appropriated for the purpose.

(4)The power of the Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland to make an order under section 178 shall be exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the [F368Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979], and any such order shall be subject to negative resolution within the meaning of the M21Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 as if it were a statutory instrument within the meaning of that Act.

(5)In this Act “enactment ” includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or the Northern Ireland Assembly, and “Act ” shall be construed in a corresponding manner; and (without prejudice to section 189(6)) any reference in this Act to such an enactment shall include a reference to any enactment re-enacting it with or without modifications.

(6)Section 38 of the M22Interpretation Act 1889 (effect of repeals) shall have the same operation in relation to any repeal by this Act of an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland as it has in relation to the repeal of an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, references in that section of the Act of 1889 to Acts and enactments being construed accordingly.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

M211954 c. 33. (N.I.)

192 Transitional and commencement provisions, amendments and repeals.U.K.

(1)The provisions of Schedule 3 shall have effect for the purposes of this Act.

(2)The appointment of a day for the purposes of any provision of Schedule 3 shall be effected by an order of the Secretary of State made by statutory instrument; and any such order shall include a provision amending Schedule 3 so as to insert an express reference to the day appointed.

X1(3)Subject to subsection (4)—

(a)the enactments specified in Schedule 4 shall have effect subject to the amendments specified in that Schedule (being minor amendments or amendments consequential on the preceding provisions of this Act), and

(b)the enactments specified in Schedule 5 are hereby repealed to the extent shown in column 3 of that Schedule.

(4)The Secretary of State shall by order made by statutory instrument provide for the coming into operation of the amendments contained in Schedule 4 and the repeals contained in Schedule 5, and those amendments and repeals shall have effect only as provided by an order so made.

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1Power of appointment conferred by s. 192(2) fully exercised: S.I. 1975/2123, 1977/325, 802, 2163, 1980/50, 1983/1551, 1984/436 and 1989/1128

P2Power of appointment conferred by s. 192(4) exercised: S.I. 1977/325, 802, 1979/1685, 1980/50, 1981/280, 1983/1551

Editorial Information

X1The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

193 Short title and extent.U.K.

(1)This Act may be cited as the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

(2)This Act extends to Northern Ireland.

SCHEDULES

F369F369[F370SCHEDULE A1U.K.The Consumer Credit Appeals Tribunal]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F370Sch. A1 inserted (1.12.2007 for specified provisions and 6.4.2008 for further specified provisions and otherwise prosp.) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. 55(2), 71(2), Sch. 1 (with Sch. 3 para. 23(2)); S.I. 2007/3300, arts. 3(1), 3(2), Sch. 1, Sch. 2

Section 167.

SCHEDULE 1U.K. Prosecution and Punishment of Offences

1234
SectionOffenceMode of prosecutionImprisonment or fine
F374. . .F374... .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
49(1)Canvassing debtor-creditor agreements off trade premises.(a) Summarily.£400.
(b) On indictment.1 year or a fine or both.
49(2)Soliciting debtor-creditor agreements during visits made in response to previous oral requests.(a) Summarily.£400.
(b) On indictment.1 year or a fine or both.
50(1)Sending circulars to minors.(a) Summarily.£400.
(b) On indictment.1 year or a fine or both.
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80(2)Failure to tell creditor or owner whereabouts of goods.Summarily.[F376level 3 on the standard scale].
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F375. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
114(2)Taking pledges from minors.(a) Summarily.£400.
(b) On indictment.1 year or a fine or both.
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
119(1)Unreasonable refusal to allow pawn to be redeemed.Summarily.[F376level 4 on the standard scale].
154Canvassing ancillary credit services off trade premises.(a) Summarily.£200.
(b) On indictment.1 year or a fine or both.
157(3)Refusal to give name etc. of credit reference agency.Summarily.[F376level 4 on the standard scale].
158(4)Failure of credit reference agency to disclose filed information.Summarily.[F376level 4 on the standard scale].
159(6)Failure of credit reference agency to correct information.Summarily.[F376level 4 on the standard scale].
160(6)Failure of credit reference agency to comply with section 160(3) or (4).Summarily.[F376level 4 on the standard scale].
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
162(6)Impersonation of enforcement authority officers.(a) Summarily.£400.
(b) On indictment.2 years or a fine or both.
165(1)Obstruction of enforcement authority officers.Summarily.[F376level 4 on the standard scale].
165(2)Giving false information to enforcement authority officers.(a) Summarily.£400.
(b) On indictment.2 years or a fine or both.
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .F374. . .
F374. . .F374. . .

Textual Amendments

F374Entries in Sch. 1 Table omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(64) (with S.I. 2014/366, arts. 1(3)(4), 13(2)(b)

F375Entries in Sch. 1 Table repealed (26.5.2008) by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1277), reg. 30(3), Sch. 1 (with savings in reg. 28(2)(3))

Section 188(1).

SCHEDULE 2U.K. Examples of Use of New Terminology

Part IU.K. Lists of Terms

TermDefined in sectionIllustrated by example(s)
Advertisement189(1)2
F377. . .F377. . .F377. . .
Antecedent negotiations561, 2, 3, 4
Cancellable agreement674
Consumer credit agreement85, 6, 7, 15, 19, 21
Consumer hire agreement1520, 24
Credit916, 19, 21
Credit-broker189(1)2
Credit limit10(2)6, 7, 19, 22, 23
Creditor189(1)1, 2, 3, 4
Credit-sale agreement189(1)5
Credit-token143, 14, 16
Credit-token agreement143, 14, 16, 22
Debtor-creditor agreement138, 16, 17, 18
Debtor-creditor-supplier agreement128, 16
Fixed-sum credit109, 10, 17, 23
Hire-purchase agreement189(1)10
Individual189(1)19, 24
Linked transaction1911
Modifying agreement82(2)24
Multiple agreement1816, 18
Negotiator56(1)1, 2, 3, 4
F378. . . F378. . . F378. . .
Pre-existing arrangements1878, 21
Restricted-use credit1110, 12, 13, 14, 16
Running-account credit1015, 16, 18, 23
Small agreement1716, 17, 22
Supplier189(1)3, 14
Total charge for credit205, 10
Total price189(1)10
Unrestricted-use credit118, 12, 16, 17, 18.

Textual Amendments

F377Words in Sch. 2 Pt. I omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(65)(a)

F378Words in Sch. 2 Pt. 1 repealed (6.4.2008 for certain purposes otherwise 31.10.2008) by Consumer Credit Act 2006 (c. 14), ss. 70, 71(2), Sch. 4; S.I. 2008/831, arts. 3(1)(2), Schs. 2, 3 (as amended by S.I. 2008/2444, art. 2)

Part IIU.K.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Facts.Correspondence passes between an employee of a moneylending company (writing on behalf of the company) and an individual about the terms on which the company would grant him a loan under a regulated agreement.

Analysis.The correspondence constitutes antecedent negotiations falling within section 56(1)(a), the moneylending company being both creditor and negotiator.

Example 2

Facts.Representations are made about goods in a poster displayed by a shopkeeper near the goods, the goods being selected by a customer who has read the poster and then sold by the shopkeeper to a finance company introduced by him (with whom he has a business relationship). The goods are disposed of by the finance company to the customer under a regulated hire-purchase agreement.

Analysis.The representations in the poster constitute antecedent negotiations falling within section 56(1)(b), the shopkeeper being the credit-broker and negotiator and the finance company being the creditor. The poster is an advertisement and the shopkeeper is the advertiser.

Example 3

Facts.Discussions take place between a shopkeeper and a customer about goods the customer wishes to buy using a credit-card issued by the D Bank under a regulated agreement.

Analysis.The discussions constitute antecedent negotiations falling within section 56(1)(c), the shopkeeper being the supplier and negotiator and the D Bank the creditor. The credit-card is a credit-token as defined in section 14(1), and the regulated agreement under which it was issued is a credit-token agreement as defined in section 14(2).

Example 4

Facts.Discussions take place and correspondence passes between a secondhand car dealer and a customer about a car, which is then sold by the dealer to the customer under a regulated conditional sale agreement. Subsequently, on a revocation of that agreement by consent, the car is resold by the dealer to a finance company introduced by him (with whom he has a business relationship), who in turn dispose of it to the same customer under a regulated hire-purchase agreement.

Analysis.The discussions and correspondence constitute antecedent negotiations in relation both to the conditional sale agreement and the hire-purchase agreement. They fall under section 56(1)(a) in relation to the conditional sale agreement, the dealer being the creditor and the negotiator. In relation to the hire-purchase agreement they fall within section 56(1)(b), the dealer continuing to be treated as the negotiator but the finance company now being the creditor. Both agreements are cancellable if the discussions took place when the individual conducting the negotiations (whether the “negotiator ” or his employee or agent) was in the presence of the debtor, unless the unexecuted agreement was signed by the debtor at trade premises (as defined in section 67(b)). If the discussions all took place by telephone however, or the unexecuted agreeement was signed by the debtor on trade premises (as so defined) the agreements are not cancellable.

Example 5

Facts.E agrees to sell to F (an individual) an item of furniture in return for 24 monthly instalments of £10 payable in arrear. The property in the goods passes to F immediately.

Analysis.This is a credit-sale agreement (see definition of “credit-sale agreement ” in section 189(1)). The credit provided amounts to £240 less the amount which[F379constitutes the total charge for credit (within the meaning given by section 20)]. (This amount is required to be deducted by section 9(4)). Accordingly the agreement falls within section 8(2) and is a consumer credit agreement.

Textual Amendments

F379Words in Sch. 2 Pt. II, Example 5 substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(65)(b)

Example 6

Facts.The G Bank grants H (an individual) an unlimited overdraft, with an increased rate of interest on so much of any debit balance as exceeds £2,000.

Analysis.Although the overdraft purports to be unlimited, the stipulation for increased interest above £2,000 brings the agreement within section 10(3)(b)(ii) and it is a consumer credit agreement.

Example 7

Facts.J is an individual who owns a small shop which usually carries a stock worth about £1,000. K makes a stocking agreement under which he undertakes to provide on short-term credit the stock needed from time to time by J without any specified limit.

Analysis.Although the agreement appears to provide unlimited credit, it is probable, having regard to the stock usually carried by J, that his indebtedness to K will not at any time rise above £5,000. Accordingly the agreement falls within section 10(3)(b)(iii) and is a consumer credit agreement.

Example 8

Facts.U, a moneylender, lends £500 to V (an individual) knowing he intends to use it to buy office equipment from W. W introduced V to U, it being his practice to introduce customers needing finance to him. Sometimes U gives W a commission for this and sometimes not. U pays the £500 direct to V.

Analysis.Although this appears to fall under section 11(1)(b), it is excluded by section 11(3) and is therefore (by section 11(2)) an unrestricted-use credit agreement. Whether it is a debtor-creditor agreement (by section 13(c)) or a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement (by section 12(c)) depends on whether the previous dealings between U and W amount to “pre-existing arrangements ”, that is whether the agreement can be taken to have been entered into “in accordance with, or in furtherance of ” arrangements previously made between U and W, as laid down in section 187(1).

Example 9

Facts.A agrees to lend B (an individual) £4,500 in nine monthly instalments of £500.

Analysis.This is a cash loan and is a form of credit (see section 9 and definition of “cash ” in section 189(1)). Accordingly it falls within section 10(1)(b) and is fixed-sum credit amounting to £4,500.

Example 10

Facts.C (in England) agrees to bail goods to D (an individual) in return for periodical payments. The agreement provides for the property in the goods to pass to D on payment of a total of £7,500 and the exercise by D of an option to purchase. The sum of £7,500 includes a down-payment of £1,000. It also includes an amount which, according to regulations made under section 20(1), constitutes a total charge for credit of £1,500.

Analysis.This is a hire-purchase agreement with a deposit of £1,000 and a total price of £7,500 (see definitions of “hire-purchase agreement ”, “deposit ” and “total price ” in section 189(1)). By section 9(3), it is taken to provide credit amounting to £7,500—(£1,500 + £1,000), which equals £5,000. Under section 8(2), the agreement is therefore a consumer credit agreement, and under sections 9(3) and 11(1) it is a restricted-use credit agreement for fixed-sum credit. A similar result would follow if the agreement by C had been a hiring agreement in Scotland.

Example 11

Facts.X (an individual) borrows £500 from Y (Finance). As a condition of the granting of the loan X is required—

(a) to execute a second mortgage on his house in favour of Y (Finance), and

(b) to take out a policy of insurance on his life with Y (Insurances).

In accordance with the loan agreement, the policy is charged to Y (Finance) as collateral security for the loan. The two companies are associates within the meaning of section 184(3).

Analysis.The second mortgage is a transaction for the provision of security and accordingly does not fall within section 19(1), but the taking out of the insurance policy is a linked transaction falling within section 19(1)(a). The charging of the policy is a separate transaction (made between different parties) for the provision of security and again is excluded from section 19(1). The only linked transaction is therefore the taking out of the insurance policy. If X had not been required by the loan agreement to take out the policy, but it had been done at the suggestion of Y (Finance) to induce them to enter into the loan agreement, it would have been a linked transaction under section 19(1)(c)(i) by virtue of section 19(2)(a).

Example 12

Facts.The N Bank agrees to lend O (an individual) £2,000 to buy a car from P. To make sure the loan is used as intended, the N Bank stipulates that the money must be paid by it direct to P.

Analysis.The agreement is a consumer credit agreement by virtue of section 8(2). Since it falls within section 11(1)(b), it is a restricted-use credit agreement, P being the supplier. If the N Bank had not stipulated for direct payment to the supplier, section 11(3) would have operated and made the agreement into one for unrestricted-use credit.

Example 13

Facts.Q, a debt-adjuster, agrees to pay off debts owed by R (an individual) to various moneylenders. For this purpose the agreement provides for the making of a loan by Q to R in return for R’s agreeing to repay the loan by instalments with interest. The loan money is not paid over to R but retained by Q and used to pay off the moneylenders.

Analysis.This is an agreement to refinance existing indebtedness of the debtor’s, and if the loan by Q does not exceed £5,000 is a restricted-use credit agreement falling within section 11(1)(c).

Example 14

Facts.On payment of £1, S issues to T (an individual) a trading check under which T can spend up to £20 at any shop which has agreed, or in future agrees, to accept S’s trading checks.

AnalysisThe trading check is a credit-token falling within section 14(1)(b). The credit-token agreement is a restricted-use credit agreement within section 11(1)(b), any shop in which the credit-token is used being the “supplier ”. The fact that further shops may be added after the issue of the credit-token is irrelevant in view of section 11(4).

Example 15

Facts.A retailer L agrees with M (an individual) to open an account in M’s name and, in return for M’s promise to pay a specified minimum sum into the account each month and to pay a monthly charge for credit, agrees to allow to be debited to the account, in respect of purchases made by M from L, such sums as will not increase the debit balance at any time beyond the credit limit, defined in the agreement as a given multiple of the specified minimum sum.

Analysis.This agreement provides credit falling within the definition of running-account credit in section 10(1)(a). Provided the credit limit is not over £5,000, the agreement falls within section 8(2) and is a consumer credit agreement for running-account credit.

Example 16

Facts.Under an unsecured agreement, A (Credit), an associate of the A Bank, issues to B (an individual) a credit-card for use in obtaining cash on credit from A (Credit), to be paid by branches of the A Bank (acting as agent of A (Credit)), or goods or cash from suppliers or banks who have agreed to honour credit-cards issued by A (Credit). The credit limit is £30.

Analysis.This is a credit-token agreement falling within section 14(1)(a) and (b). It is a regulated consumer credit agreement for running-account credit. Since the credit limit does not exceed £30, the agreement is a small agreement. So far as the agreement relates to goods it is a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement within section 12(b), since it provides restricted-use credit under section 11(1)(b). So far as it relates to cash it is a debtor-creditor agreement within section 13(c) and the credit it provides is unrestricted-use credit. This is therefore a multiple agreement. In that the whole agreement falls within several of the categories of agreement mentioned in this Act, it is, by section 18(3), to be treated as an agreement in each of those categories. So far as it is a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement providing restricted-use credit it is, by section 18(2), to be treated as a separate agreement; and similarly so far as it is a debtor-creditor agreement providing unrestricted-use credit. (See also Example 22.)

Example 17

Facts.The manager of the C Bank agrees orally with D (an individual) to open a current account in D’s name. Nothing is said about overdraft facilities. After maintaining the account in credit for some weeks, D draws a cheque in favour of E for an amount exceeding D’s credit balance by £20. E presents the cheque and the Bank pay it.

Analysis.In drawing the cheque D, by implication, requests the Bank to grant him an overdraft of £20 on its usual terms as to interest and other charges. In deciding to honour the cheque, the Bank by implication accept the offer. This constitutes a regulated small consumer credit agreement for unrestricted-use, fixed-sum credit. It is a debtor-creditor agreement, and falls within section 74(1)(b) F380. . . . (Compare Example 18.)

Textual Amendments

F380Sch. 2 Pt. II, Example 17: words omitted (1.2.2011) by virtue of The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 20(2), 99(1) (with regs. 100, 101)

Example 18

Facts.F (an individual) has had a current account with the G Bank for many years. Although usually in credit, the account has been allowed by the Bank to become overdrawn from time to time. The maximum such overdraft has been is about £1,000. No explicit agreement has ever been made about overdraft facilities. Now, with a credit balance of £500, F draws a cheque for £1,300.

Analysis.It might well be held that the agreement with F (express or implied) under which the Bank operate his account includes an implied term giving him the right to overdraft facilities up to say £1,000. If so, the agreement is a regulated consumer credit agreement for unrestricted-use, running-account credit. It is a debtor-creditor agreement, and falls within section 74(1)(b)F381. . . . It is also a multiple agreement, part of which (i.e. the part not dealing with the overdraft), as referred to in section 18(1)(a), falls within a category of agreement not mentioned in this Act. (Compare Example 17.)

Textual Amendments

F381Sch. 2 Pt. II, Example 18: words omitted (1.2.2011) by virtue of The Consumer Credit (EU Directive) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1010), regs. 20(3), 99(1) (with regs. 100, 101)

Example 19

Facts.H (a finance house) agrees with J (a partnership of individuals) to open an unsecured loan account in J’s name on which the debit balance is not to exceed £7,000 (having regard to payments into the account made from time to time by J). Interest is to be payable in advance on this sum, with provision for yearly adjustments. H is entitled to debit the account with interest, a “setting-up ” charge, and other charges. Before J has an opportunity to draw on the account it is initially debited with £2,250 for advance interest and other charges.

Analysis.This is a personal running-account credit agreement (see sections 8(1) and 10(1)(a), and definition of “individual ” in section 189(1)). By section 10(2) the credit limit is £7,000. By section 9(4) however the initial debit of £2,250, and any other charges later debited to the account by H, are not to be treated as credit even though time is allowed for their payment. Effect is given to this by section 10(3). Although the credit limit of £7,000 exceeds the amount (£5,000) specified in section 8(2) as the maximum for a consumer credit agreement, so that the agreement is not within section 10(3)(a), it is caught by section 10(3)(b)(i). At the beginning J can effectively draw (as credit) no more than £4,750, so the agreement is a consumer credit agreement.

Example 20

Facts.K (in England) agrees with L (an individual) to bail goods to L for a period of three years certain at £2,000 a year, payable quarterly. The agreement contains no provision for the passing of the property in the goods to L.

Analysis.This is not a hire-purchase agreement (see paragraph (b) of the definition of that term in section 189(1)), and is capable of subsisting for more than three months. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 15(1) are therefore satisfied, but paragraph (c) is not. The payments by L must exceed £5,000 if he conforms to the agreement. It is true that under section 101 L has a right to terminate the agreement on giving K three months’ notice expiring not earlier than eighteen months after the making of the agreement, but that section applies only where the agreement is a regulated consumer hire agreement apart from the section (see subsection (1)). So the agreement is not a consumer hire agreement, though it would be if the hire charge were say £1,500 a year, or there were a “break ” clause in it operable by either party before the hire charges exceeded £5,000. A similar result would follow if the agreement by K had been a hiring agreement in Scotland.

Example 21

Facts.The P Bank decides to issue cheque cards to its customers under a scheme whereby the bank undertakes to honour cheques of up to £30 in every case where the payee has taken the cheque in reliance on the cheque card, whether the customer has funds in his account or not. The P Bank writes to the major retailers advising them of this scheme and also publicises it by advertising. The Bank issues a cheque card to Q (an individual), who uses it to pay by cheque for goods costing £20 bought by Q from R, a major retailer. At the time, Q has £500 in his account at the P Bank.

Analysis.The agreement under which the cheque card is issued to Q is a consumer credit agreement even though at all relevant times Q has more than £30 in his account. This is because Q is free to draw out his whole balance and then use the cheque card, in which case the Bank has bound itself to honour the cheque. In other words the cheque card agreement provides Q with credit, whether he avails himself of it or not. Since the amount of the credit is not subject to any express limit, the cheque card can be used any number of times. It may be presumed however that section 10(3)(b)(iii) will apply. The agreement is an unrestricted-use debtor-creditor agreement (by section 13(c)). Although the P Bank wrote to R informing R of the P Bank’s willingness to honour any cheque taken by R in reliance on a cheque card, this does not constitute pre-existing arrangements as mentioned in section 13(c) because section 187(3) operates to prevent it. The agreement is not a credit-token agreement within section 14(1)(b) because payment by the P Bank to R, would be a payment of the cheque and not a payment for the goods.

Example 22

Facts.The facts are as in Example 16. On one occasion B uses the credit-card in a way which increases his debit balance with A (Credit) to £40. A (Credit) writes to B agreeing to allow the excess on that occasion only, but stating that it must be paid off within one month.

Analysis.In exceeding his credit limit B, by implication, requests A (Credit) to allow him a temporary excess (compare Example 17). A (Credit) is thus faced by B’s action with the choice of treating it as a breach of contract or granting his implied request. He does the latter. If he had done the former, B would be treated as taking credit to which he was not entitled (see section 14(3)) and, subject to the terms of his contract with A (Credit), would be liable to damages for breach of contract. As it is, the agreement to allow the excess varies the original credit-token agreement by adding a new term. Under section 10(2), the new term is to be disregarded in arriving at the credit limit, so that the credit-token agreement at no time ceases to be a small agreement. By section 82(2) the later agreement is deemed to revoke the original agreement and contain provisions reproducing the combined effect of the two agreements. By section 82(4), this later agreement is exempted from Part V (except section 56).

Example 23

Facts.Under an oral agreement made on 10th January, X (an individual) has an overdraft on his current account at the Y bank with a credit limit of £100. On 15th February, when his overdraft stands at £90, X draws a cheque for £25. It is the first time that X has exceeded his credit limit, and on 16th February the bank honours the cheque.

Analysis.The agreement of 10th January is a consumer credit agreement for running-account credit. The agreement of 15th-16th February varies the earlier agreement by adding a term allowing the credit limit to be exceeded merely temporarily. By section 82(2) the later agreement is deemed to revoke the earlier agreement and reproduce the combined effect of the two agreements. By section 82(4), Part V of this Act (except section 56) does not apply to the later agreement. By section 18(5), a term allowing a merely temporary excess over the credit limit is not to be treated as a separate agreement, or as providing fixed-sum credit. The whole of the £115 owed to the bank by X on 16th February is therefore running-account credit.

Example 24

Facts.On 1st March 1975 Z (in England) enters into an agreement with A (an unincorporated body of persons) to bail to A equipment consisting of two components (component P and component Q). The agreement is not a hire-purchase agreement and is for a fixed term of 3 years, so paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 15(1) are both satisfied. The rental is payable monthly at a rate of £2,400 a year, but the agreement provides that this is to be reduced to £1,200 a year for the remainder of the agreement if at any time during its currency A returns component Q to the owner Z. On 5th May 1976 A is incorporated as A Ltd., taking over A’s assets and liabilities. On 1st March 1977, A Ltd. returns component Q. On 1st January 1978, Z and A Ltd. agree to extend the earlier agreement by one year, increasing the rental for the final year by £250 to £1,450.

Analysis.When entered into on 1st March 1975, the agreement is a consumer hire agreement. A falls within the definition of “individual ” in section 189(1) and if A returns component Q before 1st May 1976 the total rental will not exceed £5,000 (see section 15(1)(c)). When this date is passed without component Q having been returned it is obvious that the total rental must now exceed £5,000. Does this mean that the agreement then ceases to be a consumer hire agreement? The answer is no, because there has been no change in the terms of the agreement, and without such a change the agreement cannot move from one category to the other. Similarly, the fact that A’s rights and duties under the agreement pass to a body corporate on 5th May 1976 does not cause the agreement to cease to be a consumer hire agreement (see the definition of “hirer ” in section 189(1)).

The effect of the modifying agreement of 1st January 1978 is governed by section 82(2), which requires it to be treated as containing provisions reproducing the combined effect of the two actual agreements, that is to say as providing that—

(a) obligations outstanding on 1st January 1978 are to be treated as outstanding under the modifying agreement;

(b) the modifying agreement applies at the old rate of hire for the months of January and February 1978, and

(c) for the year beginning 1st March 1978 A Ltd. will be the bailee of component P at a rental of £1,450.

The total rental under the modifying agreement is £1,850. Accordingly the modifying agreement is a regulated agreement. Even if the total rental under the modifying agreement exceeded £5,000 it would still be regulated because of the provisions of section 82(3).

Section 192(1).

SCHEDULE 3U.K. Transitional and Commencement Provisions

Note.Except as otherwise mentioned in this Schedule, the provisions of this Act come into operation on its passing, that is on 31st July 1974.

Part II of Act U.K. Credit Agreements, Hire Agreements and Linked Transactions

Regulated agreementsU.K.

1(1)An agreement made before [F3821st April 1977]is not a regulated agreement within the meaning of this Act.U.K.

(2)In this Act “prospective regulated agreement ” does not include a prospective agreement which, if made as expected, would be made before [F3821st April 1977].

Textual Amendments

Linked transactionsU.K.

2U.K.A transaction may be a linked transaction in relation to a regulated agreement or prospective regulated agreement even though the transaction was entered into before the day appointed for the purposes of paragraph 1.

3U.K.Section 19(3) applies only to transactions entered into on or after [F38319th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F383Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Total charge for creditU.K.

4U.K.Section 20 applies to consumer credit agreements whenever made.

Part III of ActU.K. Licensing of Credit and Hire Businesses

F384...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F384Sch. 3 paras. 5-7 and cross-headings omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(66)(a)

F3845U.K.............................................................

F384...U.K.

F3846U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F384...U.K.

F3847U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part IV of Act U.K. Seeking Business

AdvertisementsU.K.

8U.K.Part IV does not apply to any advertisement published before [F3856th October 1980].

Textual Amendments

F385Words substituted by S.I. 1980/50, art. 3

CanvassingU.K.

9U.K.Section 49 comes into operation on [F3861st October 1977].

Textual Amendments

F386Words substituted by S.I. 1977/802, para. 3

Circulars to minorsU.K.

10U.K.Section 50 comes into operation on [F3871st July 1977].

Textual Amendments

F387Words substituted by S.I. 1977/802, para. 3

F388...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F388Sch. 3 para. 11 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(66)(b)

F38811U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part V of Act U.K. Entry into Credit or Hire Agreements

Antecedent negotiationsU.K.

12(1)Section 56 applies to negotiations in relation to an actual or prospective regulated agreement where the negotiations begin after [F38916th May 1977].U.K.

(2)In section 56(3), “agreement ”, where it first occurs, means an agreement whenever made.

Textual Amendments

GeneralU.K.

13U.K.Sections 57 to 59, 61 to 65 and 67 to 73 come into operation on [F39019th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F390Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

14U.K.Section 66 comes into operation on [F39119th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F391Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Part VI of Act U.K. Matters Arising During Currency of Credit or Hire Agreements

Liability of creditor for breaches by supplierU.K.

15U.K.Section 75 comes into operation on [F3921st July 1977 but only in relation to regulated agreements made on or after that day].

Textual Amendments

F392Words substituted by S.I. 1977/802, para. 3

Duty to give noticeU.K.

16(1)Section 76 comes into operation on [F39319th May 1985].U.K.

(2)Section 76 applies to an agreement made before [F39319th May 1985]where the agreement would have been a regulated agreement if made on that day.

Textual Amendments

F393Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Duty to give informationU.K.

17(1)Sections 77 to 80 come into operation on [F39419th May 1985].U.K.

(2)Sections 77 to 79 apply to an agreement made before [F39419th May 1985]where the agreement would have been a regulated agreement if made on that day.

Textual Amendments

F394Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Appropriation of paymentsU.K.

18U.K.Section 81 comes into operation on [F39519th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F395Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Variation of agreementsU.K.

19U.K.Section 82 comes into operation on [F3961st April 1977].

Textual Amendments

Misuse of credit facilitiesU.K.

20(1)Sections 83 and 84 come into operation on [F39719th May 1985].U.K.

(2)Subject to sub-paragraph (4), section 83 applies to an agreement made before [F39719th May 1985] where the agreement would have been a regulated consumer credit agreement if made on that day.

(3)Subject to sub-paragraph (4), section 84 applies to an agreement made before [F39719th May 1985] where the agreement would have been a credit-token agreement if made on that day.

(4)Sections 83 and 84 do not apply to losses arising before [F39719th May 1985].

(5)Section 84(4) shall be taken to be satisfied in relation to an agreement made before [F39719th May 1985] if, within 28 days after that day, the creditor gives notice to the debtor of the name, address and telephone number of a person stated in that notice to be the person to whom notice is to be given under section 84(3).

Textual Amendments

F397Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Duty on issue of new credit-tokensU.K.

21(1)Section 85 comes into operation on [F39819th May 1985].U.K.

(2)Section 85 applies to an agreement made before [F39819th May 1985] where the agreement would have been a regulated agreement if made on that day.

Textual Amendments

F398Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Death of debtor or hirerU.K.

22(1)Section 86 comes into operation on [F39919th May 1985].U.K.

(2)Section 86 applies to an agreement made before [F39919th May 1985] where the agreement would have been a regulated agreement if made on that day.

Textual Amendments

F399Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Part VII of Act U.K. Default and Termination

Default noticesU.K.

23U.K.Sections 87 to 89 come into operation on [F40019th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F400Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Retaking of goods and landU.K.

24U.K.Sections 90 and 91 come into operation on [F40119th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F401Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

25U.K.Section 92 comes into operation on [F40219th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F402Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Interest on defaultU.K.

26U.K.Section 93 comes into operation on [F40319th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F403Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Early payment by debtorU.K.

27U.K.Sections 94 to 97 come into operation on [F40419th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F404Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Termination of agreementsU.K.

28U.K.Section 98 comes into operation on [F40519th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F405Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

29U.K.Section 99 comes into operation on [F40619th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F406Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

30U.K.Section 100 comes into operation on [F40719th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F407Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

31U.K.Section 101 comes into operation on [F40819th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F408Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

32U.K.Section 102 comes into operation on [F40919th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F409Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

33U.K.Section 103 comes into operation on [F41019th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F410Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

34U.K.Section 104 comes into operation on [F41119th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F411Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Old agreementsU.K.

35U.K.Part VII (except sections 90, 91, 93 and 99 to 102 and 104) applies to an agreement made before [F41219th May 1985] where the agreement would have been a regulated agreement if made on that day.

Textual Amendments

F412Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Part VIII of Act U.K. Security

GeneralU.K.

36U.K.Section 105 comes into operation on [F41319th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F413Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

37(1)Sections 107 to 110 come into operation on [F41419th May 1985].U.K.

(2)Sections 107 to 110 apply to an agreement made before [F41419th May 1985] where the agreement would have been a regulated agreement if made on that day.

Textual Amendments

F414Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

38(1)Section 111 comes into operation on [F41519th May 1985].U.K.

(2)Section 111 applies to an agreement made before [F41519th May 1985] where the agreement would have been a regulated agreement if made on that day.

Textual Amendments

F415Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

PledgesU.K.

39U.K.Sections 114 to 122 come into operation on [F41619th May 1985 but only in respect of articles taken in pawn under a regulated consumer credit agreement].

Textual Amendments

F416Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(2), 3(a)(ii)

Negotiable instrumentsU.K.

40U.K.Sections 123 to 125 come into operation on [F41719th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F417Words substituted by S.I. 1984/436, art. 3

Land mortgagesU.K.

41U.K.Section 126 comes into operation on [F41819th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F418Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Part IX of Act U.K. Judicial Control

42U.K.Sections 137 to 140 (extortionate credit bargains) come into operation on [F41916th May 1977], and apply to agreements and transactions whenever made.

Textual Amendments

43U.K.Subject to paragraph 42, Part IX comes into operation on [F42019th May 1985].

Textual Amendments

F420Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, arts. 2(1), 3(a)(i)

Part X of ActU.K. Ancillary Credit Businesses

F421...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F421Sch. 3 para. 44 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(66)(c)

F42144U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F422...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F422Sch. 3 para. 45 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(66)(c)

F42245U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F423...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F423Sch. 3 para. 46 and cross-heading omitted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 20(66)(c)

F42346U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AdvertisementsU.K.

47U.K.Subsections (1) and (2) of section 151 do not apply to any advertisement published before 6th October 1980

Credit Reference AgenciesU.K.

48U.K.Sections 157 and 158 do not apply to a request received before 16th May 1977.

Part XII of Act U.K. Supplemental

InterpretationU.K.

49(1)In the case of an agreement—U.K.

(a)which was made before [F42419th May 1985], and

(b)to which (by virtue of paragraph 17(2)) section 78(4) applies,

section 185(2) shall have effect as respects a notice given before that day in relation to the agreement (whether given before or after the passing of this Act) as it would have effect if section 78(4) had been in operation when the notice was given.

(2)Paragraph (1) applies to an agreement made on or after [F42419th May 1985] to provide credit on a current account opened before that day as it applies to an agreement made before that day.

Textual Amendments

F424Words substituted by S.I. 1983/1551, art. 3(b)

50U.K.In section 189, the definition of “local authority ” shall have effect in relation to matters arising before 16th May 1975 as if for the words “regional, islands or district council ” there were substituted “a county council or town council ”.

Section 192.

SCHEDULE 4.U.K. MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

PART I U.K. UNITED KINGDOM

M23 Bills of Sale Act (1878) Amendment Act 1882U.K.

Marginal Citations

X21U.K.The following section shall be inserted after section 7

7A Default under consumer credit agreements.

(1)Paragraph (1) of section 7 of this Act does not apply to a default relating to a bill of sale given by way of security for the payment of money under a regulated agreement to which section 87(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 applies —

(a)unless the restriction imposed by section 88(2) of that Act has ceased to apply to the bill of sale ; or

(b)if, by virtue of section 89 of that Act, the default is to be treated as not having occurred.

(2)Where paragraph (1) of section 7 of this Act does apply in relation to a bill of sale such as is mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, the proviso to that section shall have effect with the substitution of “county court ” for “High Court ”.

Editorial Information

X2The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M24 Factors Act 1889U.K.

Marginal Citations

M241889 c 45.

X32U.K.At the end of section 9 insert For the purposes of this section—

(i)the buyer under a conditional sale agreement shall be deemed not to be a person who has bought or agreed to buy goods, and

(ii)conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods which is a consumer credit agreement within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled.

Editorial Information

X3The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

3, 4.U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F425

M25Law of Distress Amendment Act 1908U.K.

Marginal Citations

X45U.K.The following section shall be inserted after section 4—

4A Hire purchase etc. agreements.

(1)Goods—

(a)bailed under a hire-purchase agreement or a consumer hire agreement, or

(b)agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement,

are, where the relevant agreement has not been terminated, excluded from the application of this Act except during the period between the service of a default notice under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in respect of the goods and the date on which the notice expires or is earlier complied with.

(2)Goods comprised in a bill of sale are excluded from the application of this Act except, during the period between service of a default notice under the Consumer Credit Act 1914 in respect of goods subject to a regulated agreement under which a bill of sale is given by way of security and the date on which the notice expires or is earlier complied with.

(3)In this section—

conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled ;

“consumer hire agreement ” has the meaning given by section 15 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event; and

“regulated agreement ” has the meaning given by section 189(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Editorial Information

X4The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M26Bankruptcy Act 1914U.K.

Marginal Citations

[F426X56U.K.The following section shall be inserted after section 38—

38A Hire purchase etc. agreement.

(1)Goods—

(a)bailed under a hire-purchase agreement or a consumer hire agreement, or

(b)agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, or

(c)subject to a regulated agreement under which a bill of sale is given by way of security.

shall not be treated as the property of the bankrupt during the period between the service of a default notice under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in respect of the goods and the date on which the notice expires or is earlier complied with.

(2)In this section—

  • conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled;

  • “consumer hire agreement ” has the meaning given by section 15 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974;

  • hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event; and “regulated agreement ” has the meaning given by section 189(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.]

Editorial Information

X5The text of Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 6, 18 and Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 38 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

M27Compensation (Defence) Act 1939U.K.

Marginal Citations

X67U.K.In section 13 after “hire-purchase agreement ” insert “or a conditional sale agreement ”.

Editorial Information

X6The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

X78U.K.In section 17(1)—

(1)After the definition of “aircraft ” insert—

conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods which is a consumer credit agreement within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled ; , and

(2)for the definition of “hire-purchase agreement ” substitute—

hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement which is a consumer credit agreement within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event ;

Editorial Information

X7The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M28Liability for War Damage (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1939U.K.

Marginal Citations

X89U.K.In section 1(3), for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

(a)a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 being (in either case) a consumer credit agreement as defined by that Act ; or

(b)a consumer hire agreement as defined by that Act.

Editorial Information

X8The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

10U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F427

M29Rag Flock and Other Filing Materials Act 1951U.K.

Marginal Citations

F42811U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F428Sch. 4 para. 11 repealed (6.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/ 3097, arts. 1, 3(1)(b)

M30Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interest) Act 1951U.K.

Marginal Citations

X912U.K.In section 4 for subsections (4), (5) and (6), substitute—

(4)Where the appropriate court refuses leave under section 4(2) of this Act to take possession of goods subject to a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement or to execute a judgment or order for delivery of such goods, or gives leave subject to restrictions and conditions, and the person to whom the goods are bailed, or, as the case may be, the buyer, before possession is taken or execution on the judgment or order completed, pays the total price, the creditor’s title to the goods shall, notwithstanding any failure to pay the total price at the time required by the agreement, vest in that person.

(5)Where the creditor under a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement has taken possession of the goods bailed or agreed to be sold under it, the appropriate court on an application under section 3(1)(c) of this Act, may, if it thinks fit, deal with the case as if the creditor were proceeding to take possession of the goods and, if it makes an order under that paragraph, may direct accordingly that the goods be restored to the person to whom they were bailed or, as the case may be, the buyer ; and if, after the creditor has taken possession of the goods, notice is given under that paragraph with respect to them, he shall not, so long as the notice is in force or any application in pursuance of the notice is undisposed of, deal with the goods in such a way as to prejudice the powers of the appropriate court under this subsection.

Editorial Information

X9The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

X1013U.K.For section 10 substitute—

10 Property in goods subject to hire-purchase agreement.

(1)Where the appropriate court refuses leave under section 8(3) of this Act to take or resume possession of goods subject to a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement or to do diligence on any decree for the delivery of such goods, or gives leave subject to restrictions and conditions, and the person to whom they are hired, or, as the case may be, the buyer before possession is taken or resumed or diligence is done, pays the total price, the creditor’s title to the goods shall, notwithstanding any failure to pay the total price at the time required by the agreement, vest in that person.

(2)Where the creditor under a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement has taken possession of the goods hired or agreed to be sold under it, the appropriate court on an application under section 9(1)(C) of this Act may, if it thinks fit, deal with the case as if the creditor were proceeding to take possession of the goods and, if it makes an order under that paragraph, may direct accordingly that the goods be restored to the person to whom they were hired or, as the case may be, the buyer ; and if, after the creditor has taken possession of the goods, notice is given under that paragraph with respect to them, he shall not, so long as the notice is in force or any application in pursuance of the notice is undisposed of, deal with the goods in such a way as to prejudice the powers of the appropriate court under this subsection.

Editorial Information

X10The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

X1114U.K.In section 64(I)—

(1)after the definition of “compulsory national service ” insert—

conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled ;

creditor ” means the person by whom goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a hire-purchase agreement or, as the case may be, the seller under a conditional sale agreement, or the person to whom his rights and duties have passed by assignment or operation of the law ;

hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event ;.

(2)After the definition of “short period of training ” insert—

total price ” means the total sum payable by the person to whom goods are bailed or hired under a hire-purchase agreement or, as the case may be, the buyer under a conditional sale agreement including any sum payable on the exercise of an option to purchase but excluding any sum payable as a penalty or as compensation or damages for a breach of the agreement.

Editorial Information

X11The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M31Clean Air Act 1956U.K.

Marginal Citations

F42915U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F429Sch. 4 para. 15 repealed (E.W.S.) (27.8.1993) by 1993 c. 11, ss. 67(3), 68(2), Sch. 6 .

F43016U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F430Sch. 4 para. 16 repealed (E.W.S.) (27.8.1993) by 1993 c. 11, ss. 67(3), 68(2) Sch. 6.

M32Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1956U.K.

Marginal Citations

X1217U.K.For section 26(3) substitute—

(3)In this Part of this Act any reference to selling goods includes a reference to bailing or (in Scotland) hiring goods under a hire-purchase, agreement or to agreeing to sell the goods under a conditional sale agreement.

In this subsection—

(1)conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled; and

(2)hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event.

Editorial Information

X12The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M33Housing Act 1957U.K.

Marginal Citations

[F431X1318U.K.For section 94 substitute—

94 Power to provide furniture.

A local authority may fit out, furnish and supply any house erected, converted or acquired by them under section 92 of this Act with all requisite furniture, fittings and conveniences and may sell, or supply under a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement, furniture to the occupants of houses provided by the local authority and, for that purpose may buy furniture. In this subsection—

(1)conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled; and

(2)hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event.]

Editorial Information

X13The text of Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 6, 18 and Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 38 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

M34County Courts Act 1959U.K.

Marginal Citations

F43219U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F432Sch. 4 para. 19 repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1, Pt. IX Group 1.

20, 21.U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F433

Hire Purchase Act 1964U.K.

X1422U.K.For Part III substitute the following (which reproduces the existing provisions of that Part subject only to changes in terminology)—

Part III U.K. TITLE TO MOTOR VEHICLES ON HIRE-PURCHASE OR CONDITIONAL SALE
27 Protection of purchasers of motor vehicles.

(1)This section applies where a motor vehicle has been bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a hire-purchase agreement, or has been agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, and, before the property in the vehicle has become vested in the debtor, he disposes of the vehicle to another person.

(2)Where the disposition referred to in subsection (1) above is to a private purchaser, and he is a purchaser of the motor vehicle in good faith without notice of the hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement (the “relevant agreement ”) that disposition shall have effect as if the creditor’s title to the vehicle has been vested in the debtor immediately before that disposition.

(3)Where the person to whom the disposition referred to in subsection (1) above is made (the “original purchaser ”) is a trade or finance purchaser, then if the person who is the first private purchaser of the motor vehicle after that disposition (the “first private purchaser ”) is a purchaser of the vehicle in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement, the disposition of the vehicle to the first private purchaser shall have effect as if the title of the creditor to the vehicle had been vested in the debtor immediately before he disposed of it to the original purchaser.

(4)Where, in a case within subsection (3) above—

(a)the disposition by which the first private purchaser becomes a purchaser of the motor vehicle in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement is itself a bailment or hiring under a hire-purchase agreement, and

(b)the person who is the creditor in relation to that agreement disposes of the vehicle to the first private purchaser, or a person claiming under him, by transferring to him the property in the vehicle in pursuance of a provision in the agreement in that behalf,

the disposition referred to in paragraph (b) above (whether or not the person to whom it is made is a purchaser in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement) shall as well as the disposition referred to in paragraph (a) above, have effect as mentioned in subsection (3) above.

(5)The preceding provisions of this section apply—

(a)notwithstanding anything in section 21 of the Sale of Goods Act 1893 (sale of goods by a person not the owner), but

(b)without prejudice to the provisions of the Factors Acts (as defined by section 62(1) of the said Act of 1893) or of any other enactment enabling the apparent owner of goods to dispose of them as if he were the true owner.

(6)Nothing in this section shall exonerate the debtor from any liability (whether criminal or civil) to which he would be subject apart from this section ; and, in a case where the debtor disposes of the motor vehicle to a trade or finance purchaser, nothing in this section shall exonerate—

(a)that trade or finance purchaser, or

(b)any other trade or finance purchaser who becomes a purchaser of the vehicle and is not a person claiming under the first private purchaser,

from any liability (whether criminal or civil) to which he would be subject apart from this section.

28 Presumptions relating to dealing with motor vehicles.

(1)Where in any proceedings (whether criminal or civil) relating to a motor vehicle it is proved—

(a)that the vehicle was bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a hire-purchase agreement, or was agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement and

(b)that a person (whether a party to the proceedings or not) became a private purchaser of the vehicle in good faith without notice of the hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement (the “relevant agreement ”),

this section shall have effect for the purposes of the operation of section 27 of this Act in relation to those proceedings.

(2)lt shall be presumed for those purposes, unless the contrary is proved, that the disposition of the vehicle to the person referred to in subsection (1)(b) above (the “relevant purchaser ”) was made by the debtor.

(3)If it is proved that that disposition was not made by the debtor, then it shall be presumed for those purposes, unless the contrary is proved—

(a)that the debtor disposed of the vehicle to a private purchaser purchasing in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement, and

(b)that the relevant purchaser is or was a person claiming under the person to whom the debtor so disposed of the vehicle.

(4)If it is proved that the disposition of the vehicle to the relevant purchaser was not made by the debtor, and that the person to whom the debtor disposed of the vehicle (the “original purchaser ”) was a trade or finance purchaser, then it shall be presumed for those purposes, unless the contrary is proved,

(a)that the person who, after the disposition of the vehicle to the original purchaser, first became a private purchaser of the vehicle was a purchaser in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement, and

(b)that the relevant purchaser is or was a person claiming under the original purchaser.

(5)Without prejudice to any other method of proof, where in any proceedings a party thereto admits a fact, that fact shall, for the purposes of this section, be taken as against him to be proved in relation to those proceedings.

29(1)In this Part of this Act—

  • conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled ;

  • creditor ” means the person by whom goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a hire-purchase agreement or as the case may be, the seller under a conditional sale agreement, or the person to whom his rights and duties have passed by assignment or operation of law ;

  • disposition ” means any sale or contract of sale (including a conditional sale agreement), any bailment or (in Scotland) hiring under a hire-purchase agreement and any transfer of the property in goods in pursuance of a provision, in that behalf contained in a hire-purchase agreement, and includes any transaction purporting to be a disposition (as so defined), and “dispose of ” shall be construed accordingly;

  • hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified events ; and

motor vehicle ” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads to which the public has access.

(2)In this Part of this Act “trade or finance purchaser ” means a purchaser who, at the time of the disposition made to him, carries on a business which consists, wholly or partly,—

(a)of purchasing motor vehicles for the purpose of offering or exposing them for sale, or

(b)of providing finance by purchasing motor vehicles for the purpose of bailing or (in Scotland) hiring them under hire-purchase agreements or agreeing to sell them under conditional sale agreements,

and “private purchaser ” means a purchaser who, at the time of the disposition made to him, does not carry on any such business.

(3)For the purposes of this Part of this Act a person becomes a purchaser of a motor vehicle if, and at the time when, a disposition of the vehicle is made to him; and a person shall be taken to be a purchaser of a motor vehicle without notice of a hire-purchase agreement or conditional sale agreement if, at the time of the disposition made to him , he has no actual notice that the vehicle is or was the subject of any such agreement.

(4)In this Part of this Act the “debtor ” in relation to a motor vehicle which has been bailed or hired under a hire-purchase agreement, or, as the case may be, agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, means the person who at the material time (whether the agreement has before that time been terminated or not) either—

(a)is the person to whom the vehicle is bailed or hired under that agreement, or

(b)is, in relation to the agreement, the buyer,

including a person who at that time is, by virtue of section 130(4) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 treated as a bailee or (in Scotland) a custodier of the vehicle.

(5)In this Part of this Act any reference to the title of the creditor to a motor vehicle which has been bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a hire-purchase agreement, or agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, and is disposed of by the debtor, is a reference to such title (if any) to the vehicle as, immediately before that disposition, was vested in the person who then was the creditor in relation to the agreement,.

Editorial Information

X14The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M35Emergency Laws (Re-enactment and Repeals) Act 1964U.K.

Marginal Citations

X1523U.K.In section 1—

(1)In subsection (1) for “or credit-sale agreements, or under agreements for letting on hire ” substitute “conditional sale agreements, credit-sale agreements or hire agreements ”

(2)For subsection (2) substitute—

(2)In this section —

  • conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of any article under which the purchase price, or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the article is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the article) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled ;

  • credit-sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of any article, under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, but which is not a conditional sale agreement ;

  • hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement under which—

(a)an article is bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom it is bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the article will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option by that person

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement ;

(iii)the happening of any other specified event; and

hire agreement ” means an agreement for the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of an article which is not a hire-purchase agreement.

Editorial Information

X15The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M36Trading Stamps Act 1964U.K.

Marginal Citations

X1624U.K.

[F434In section 2, for subsection (1) substitute—

(1)No person shall after the coming into force of this section issue any trading stamp, or cause any trading stamp to be issued, or deliver any trading stamp to any person in connection with the sale of any goods, the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of any goods under a hire-purchase agreement or the performance of any services, unless such trading stamp bears on its face in clear and legible characters a value expressed in or by reference to current coin of the realm.]

Editorial Information

X16The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

X1725U.K.

[F435In section 3, for subsection (4) substitute—

(4)In this section “redeemable trading stamps ” means trading stamps delivered after the coming into force of this section in accordance with a trading stamp scheme on or in connection with either—

(a)the purchase of any goods,

(b)the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of any goods under a hire-purchase, agreement, or

(c)the obtaining of any services for money,

and “the holder ”, in relation to such a trading stamp, means the person to whom it was so delivered or any person who holds it without notice of any defect in title.]

Editorial Information

X17The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

X1826U.K.

[F436In section 10(1)—

(1)after the definition of “cash value ” insert—

conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled;, and

(2)after the definition of “goods ” insert—

hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event;,

(3)For the definition of “trading stamp ” substitute—

trading stamp ” means a stamp which is, or is intended to be, delivered to any person on or in connection with either—

(i)the purchase of any goods, or

(ii)the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring of any goods under a hire-purchase agreement,

(other than the purchase of a newspaper or other periodical of which the stamp forms part or in which it is contained) and is, or is intended to be, redeemable (whether singly or together with other such stamps) by that or some other person:

Provided that a stamp shall not be deemed to be a trading stamp if—

(a)it is delivered or is intended to be delivered to a person (in this definition called “the purchaser ”) on or in connection with the purchase of any goods by the purchaser, or the bailment or (in Scotland) the hiring to him of any goods, and

(b)it is intended to be, and is not, redeemable from any person other than—

(i)the person (in this definition called “the seller ”) from whom the purchaser purchased those goods, or who bailed or hired those goods to him, or

(ii)any person from whom the seller (whether directly or indirectly) acquired those goods, and

(c)in the case where a business is carried on by six or more retail establishments, the stamp is one of a kind obtainable at no more than six of those retail establishments, and not obtainable by the Public elsewhere, and the arrangements under which it is redeemable are entirely separate from arrangements under which any other stamps, whether trading stamps or not, are redeemable,

and references in this definition to the purchase of goods include references to the obtaining of services for money;.]

Editorial Information

X18The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

M37Housing (Scotland) Act 1966U.K.

Marginal Citations

F43727U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F437Sch. 4 para. 27 repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. IX Group 1.

M38Trade Descriptions Act 1968U.K.

Marginal Citations

28U.K.F438. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

29U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F439

M39Administration of Justice Act 1970U.K.

Marginal Citations

X1930U.K.After section 38 insert the following new section—

38AThis Part of this Act shall not apply to a mortgage securing an agreement which is a regulated agreement within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Editorial Information

X19The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

X2031U.K.In section 54(6)(c) after “36 ” insert “38A ”.

Editorial Information

X20The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M40Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971U.K.

Marginal Citations

F44032U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

33U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F441

M41Counter-Inflation Act 1973U.K.

Marginal Citations

X2134U.K.In section 21(5)—

(a)for “total purchase price or hire-purchase price ” substitute “total price ”; and

(b)for the words from “This subsection ” onwards substitute— In this subsection—

conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled, and

hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event ; and “total price ” means the total sum payable by the person to whom goods are bailed or hired under a hire-purchase agreement or, as the case may be, the buyer under a conditional sale agreement including any sum payable on the exercise of an option to purchase but excluding any sum payable as a penalty or as compensation or damages for a breach of the agreement.

Editorial Information

X21The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M42Supply of Goods (Implied Terms) Act 1973U.K.

Marginal Citations

X2235U.K.For sections 8 to 12 substitute the following sections (which reproduce the existing provisions of those sections subject only to changes in terminology)—

8 Implied terms as to title.

(1)In every hire-purchase agreement, other than one to which subsection (2) below applies, there is—

(a)an implied condition on the part of the creditor that he will have a right to sell the goods at the time when the property is to pass ; and

(b)an implied warranty that—

(i)the goods are free, and will remain free until the time when the property is to pass, from any charge or encumbrance not disclosed or known to the person to whom the goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired before the agreement is made, and

(ii)that person will enjoy quiet possession of the goods except so far as it may be disturbed by any person entitled to the benefit of any charge or encumbrance so disclosed or known.

(2)In a hire-purchase agreement, in the case of which there appears from the agreement or is to be inferred from the circumstances of the agreement an intention that the creditor should transfer only such title as he or a third person may have, there is—

(a)an implied warranty that all charges or encumbrances known to the creditor and not known to the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired have been disclosed to that person before the agreement is made ; and

(b)an implied warranty that neither—

(i)the creditor; nor

(ii)in a case where the parties to the agreement intend that any title which may be transferred shall be only such title as a third person may have, that person ; nor

(iii)anyone claiming through or under the creditor or that third person otherwise than under a charge or encumbrance disclosed or known to the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired, before the agreement is made ;

will disturb, the quiet possession of the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired.

9 Bailing or hiring by description.

(1)Where under a hire-purchase agreement goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired by description, there is an implied condition that the goods will correspond with the description, and if under the agreement the goods are bailed or hired by reference to a sample as well as a description, it is not sufficient that the bulk of the goods corresponds with the sample if the goods do not also correspond with the description.

(2)Goods shall not be prevented from being bailed of hired by description by reason only that, being exposed for sale, bailment or hire, they are selected by the person to whom they are bailed or hired.

10 Implied undertakings as to quality or fitness.

(1)Except as provided by this section and section 11 below and subject to the provisions of any other enactment, including any enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or the Northern Ireland Assembly, there is no implied condition or warranty as to the quality or fitness for any particular purpose of goods bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a hire-purchase agreement.

(2)Where the creditor bails or hires goods under a hire-purchase agreement in the course of a business, there is an implied condition that the goods are of merchantable quality, except that there is no such condition—

(a)as regards defects specifically drawn to the attention of the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired before the agreement is made; or

(b)if that person examines the goods before the agreement is made, as regards defects which that examination ought to reveal.

(3)Where the creditor bails or hires goods under a hire-purchase agreement in the course of a business and the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired, expressly or by implication, makes known—

(a)to the creditor in the course of negotiations conducted by the creditor in relation to the making of the hire-purchase agreement, or

(b)to a credit-broker in the course of negotiations conducted by that broker in relation to goods sold by him to the creditor before forming the subject matter of the hire-purchase agreement,

any particular purpose for which the goods are being bailed or hired, there is an implied condition that the goods supplied under the agreement are reasonably fit for that purpose, whether or not that is a purpose for which such goods are commonly supplied, except where the circumstances show that the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired does not rely, or that it is unreasonable for him to rely, on the skill or judgement of the creditor or credit-broker.

(4)An implied condition or warranty as to quality or fitness for a particular purpose may be annexed to a hire-purchase agreement by usage.

(5)The preceding provisions of this section apply to a hire-purchase agreement made by a person who in the course of a business is acting as agent for the creditor as they apply to an agreement made by the creditor in the course of a business, except where the creditor is not bailing or hiring in the course of a business and either the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired knows that fact or reasonable steps are taken to bring it to the notice of that person before the agreement is made.

(6)In subsection (3) above and this subsection—

(a)credit-broker ” means a person acting in the course of a business of credit brokerage ;

(b)credit brokerage ” means the effecting of introductions of individuals desiring to obtain credit—

(i)to persons carrying on any business so far as it relates to the provision of credit, or

(ii)to other persons engaged in credit brokerage.

11 Samples.

Where under a hire-purchase agreement goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired by reference to a sample, there is an implied condition—

(a)that the bulk will correspond with the sample in quality ; and

(b)that the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired will have a reasonable opportunity of comparing the bulk with the sample; and

(c)that the goods will be free from any defect, rendering them numerchantable, which would not be apparent on reasonable examination of the sample.

12 Exclusion of implied terms and conditions.

(1)An express condition or warranty does not negative a condition or warranty implied by this Act this unless inconsistent with it.

(2)A term of a hire-purchase agreement or any other agreement exempting from all or any of the provisions of section 8 above shall be void.

(3)A term of a hire-purchase agreement or any other agreement exempting from all or any of the provisions of sections 9, 10 or 11 above shall be void in the case of a consumer agreement and shall, in any other case, not be enforceable to the extent that it is shown that it would not be fair or reasonable to allow reliance on the term.

(4)In determining for the purpose of subsection (3) above whether or not reliance on any such term would be fair or reasonable regard shall be had to all the circumstances of the case and in particular to the following matters—

(a)the strength of the bargaining positions of the creditor and the person to whom the goods are bailed or hired relative to each other, taking into account, among other things, the availability of suitable alternative products and sources of supply;

(b)whether that person received an inducement to agree to the term or in accepting it had an opportunity of acquiring the goods or suitable alternatives without it from any source of supply;

(c)whether that person knew or ought reasonably to have known of the existence and extent of the term (having regard, among other things, to any custom of the trade and any previous course of dealing between the parties);

(d)where the term exempts from all or any of the provisions of sections 9, 10 or 11 above if some condition is not complied with , whether it was reasonable at the time of the agreement to expect that compliance with that condition would be practicable ;

(e)whether the goods were manufactured, processed or adapted to the special order of that person.

(5)Subsection (4) above shall not prevent the court from holding, in accordance with any rule of law, that a term which purports to exclude any or restrict any of the provisions of sections 9, 10 and 11 above is not a term of the hire-purchase agreement.

(6)In this section “consumer agreement ” means a hire-purchase agreement where the creditor makes the agreement in the course of a business and the goods to which the agreement relates—

(a)are of a type ordinarily supllied for private use or consumption ; and

(b)are bailed or (in Scotland) hired to a person who does not bail or hire them or hold himself out as bailing or hiring them in the course of a business.

(7)The onus of proving that a hire-purchase agreement is to be treated for the purposes of this section as not being a consumer agreement shall lie on the party so contending.

(8)Any reference in this section to a term exempting from all or any of the provisions of any section of this Act is a reference to a term which purports to exclude or restrict, or has the effect of excluding or restricting, the operation of all or any of the provisions of that section, or the exercise of a right conferredby any provision of that section, or any liability of the owner for breach of a condition or warranty implied by any provision of that section.

(9)It is hereby declared that any reference in this section to a term of an agreement includes a reference to a term which although not contained in an agreement is incorporated in the agreement another term of the agreement.

Editorial Information

X22The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

X2336U.K.For sections 14 and 15 substitute the following sections (which reproduce the existing provisions of those sections subject only to changes in terminology)—

14 Special provisions as to conditional sale agreements.

(1)Section 11(1)(c) of the principal Act (whereby provisions in certain circumstances a breach of a condition in a contract of sale is treated only as a breach of warranty shall not apply to conditional sale agreements which are agreements for consumer sales.

(2)In England and Wales and Northern Ireland a breach of a condition (whether express or implied) to be fulfilled by the seller under any such agreement shall be treated as a breach of warranty, and not as grounds for rejecting the goods and treating the agreement as repudiated, if (but only if) it would have fallen to be so treated had the condition been contained or implied in a corresponding hire-purchase agreement as a condition to be fulfilled by the creditor.

15 Supplementary.

(1)In sections 8 to 14 above and this section—

  • business ” includes a profession and the activities of any government department (including a Northern Ireland department), local authority or statutory undertaker;

  • buyer ” and “seller ” includes a person to whom rights and duties under a conditional sale agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law ;

  • condition ” and “warranty ”, in relation to Scotland, mean stipulation, and any stipulation referred to in sections 8(1)(a), 9, 10 and 11 above shall be deemed to be material to the agreement.

  • conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled;

  • consumer sale ” has the same meaning as in section 55 of the principal Act, as amended by section 4 above ;

  • creditor ” means the person by whom the goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired under a hire-purchase agreement or the person to whom his rights and duties under the agreement have passed by assignment or operation of law ; and

  • hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed or (in Scotland) hired in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed or hired, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event.

(2)Goods of any kind are of merchantable quality within the meaning of section 10(2) above if they are as fit for the purpose or purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly bought as it is reasonable to expect having regard to any description applied to them, the price (if relevant) and all the other relevant circumstances ; and in section 11 above “unmerchantable ” shall be construed accordingly.

(3)In section 14(2) above “corresponding hire-purchase agreement ” means, in relation to a conditional sale agreement, a hire-purchase agreement relating to the same goods as the conditional sale agreement and made between the same parties and at the same time and in the same circumstances and, as nearly as may be, in the same terms as the conditional sale agreement.

(4)Nothing in sections 8 to 13 above shall prejudice the operation of any other enactment including any enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or the Northern Ireland Assembly or any rule of law whereby any condition or warranty, other than one relating to quality or fitness, is to be implied in any hire-purchase agreement.

Editorial Information

X23The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M43Fair Trading Act 1973U.K.

Marginal Citations

37U.K.F442. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II U.K. NORTHERN IRELAND

M44Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act 1857U.K.

Marginal Citations

F44338U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

M45Bills of Sale (Ireland) Act (1879) Amendment Act 1883U.K.

Marginal Citations

X2439U.K.The following section shall be inserted after section 7:—

7A Defaults under consumer credit agreements.

(1)Paragraph (1) of section 7 of this Act does not apply to a default relating to a bill of sale given by way of security for the payment of money under a regulated agreement to which section 87(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 applies:—

(a)unless the restriction imposed by section 88(2) of that Act has ceased to apply to the bill of sale; or

(b)if, by virtue of section 89 of that Act, the default is to be treated as not having occurred.

(2)Where paragraph (1) of section 7 of this Act does apply in relation to a bill of sale such as is mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, the proviso to that section shall have effect with the insertion after “High Court ” of the words “or county court ”.

Editorial Information

X24The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M46Liability for War Damage (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1939U.K.

Marginal Citations

X2540U.K.In section 1(3), for paragraph (a) and (b) substitute—

(a)a hire-purchase agreement or a conditional sale agreement within the meaning of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 being a consumer credit agreement as defined by that Act ; or

(b)a consumer hire agreement within the meaning of that Act.

Editorial Information

X25The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

41, 42.U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F444

M47Trading Stamps Act (Northern Ireland) 1965U.K.

Marginal Citations

X2643U.K.

[F445In section 2, for subsection (1) substitute—

(1)No person shall after the coming into force of this section issue any trading stamp, or cause any trading stamp to be issued, or deliver any trading stamp to any person in connection with the sale of any goods, the bailment of any goods under a hire-purchase agreement or the performance of any services, unless such trading stamp bears on its face in clear and legible characters a value expressed in or by reference to current coin of the realm.]

Editorial Information

X26The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

X2744U.K.

[F446In section 3, for subsection (4) substitute—

(4)In this section “redeemable trading stamps ” means trading stamps delivered after the coming into force of this section in accordance with a trading stamp scheme on or in connection with either—

(a)the purchase of any goods,

(b)the bailment of any goods under a hire-purchase agreement, or

(c)the obtaining of any services for money,

and “the holder ” in relation to such a trading stamp, means the person to whom it was so delivered or any person who holds it without notice of any defect in title.]

Editorial Information

X27The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

X2845U.K.

[F447In section 9—

(1)after the definition of “cash value ” insert—

conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled ;, and

(2)after the definition of “goods ” insert—

hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed in retum for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event:

(3)For the definition of “trading stamp ” substitute—

trading stamp ” means a stamp which is, or is intended to be, delivered to any person on or in connection with either—

(i)the purchase of any goods, or

(ii)the bailment of any goods under a hire-purchase agreement,

(other than the purchase of a newspaper or other periodical of which the stamp forms part or in which it is contained) and is, or is intended to be, redeemable (whether singly or together with other such stamps) by that or some other person:

Provided that a stamp shall not be deemed to be a trading stamp if—

(a)it is delivered or is intended to be delivered to a person (in this definition called “the purchaser ”) on or in connection with the purchase of any goods by the purchaser, or the bailment to him of any goods, and

(b)it is intended to be, and is not, redeemable from any person other than—

(i)the person (in this definition called “the selle ”) from whom the purchaser purchased those goods or who bailed those goods to him, or

(ii)any person from whom the seller (whether directly or indirectly) acquired those goods, and

(c)in the case where a business is carried on by six or more retail establishments, the stamp is one of a kind obtainable at no more than six of those retail establishments, and not obtainable by the public elsewhere, and the arrangements under which it is redeemable are entirely separate from arrangements under which any other stamps, whether trading stamps or not, are redeemable, and references in this definition to the purchase of goods include references to the obtaining of services for money..]

Editorial Information

X28The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Textual Amendments

46, 47.U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F448

48U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F449

M48 Hire-Purchase Act (Northern Ireland) 1966U.K.

Marginal Citations

X2949U.K.For Part VI substitute the following (which reproduces the existing provisions of that Part subject only to changes in terminology)—

Part VI U.K. TITLE TO MOTOR VEHICLES ON HIRE-PURCHASE OR CONDITIONAL SALE
62 Protection of purchasers of motor vehicles.

(1)This section applies where a motor vehicle has, been bailed under a hire-purchase agreement, or has been agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, and, before the property in the vehicle has become vested in the debtor, he disposes of the vehicle to another person.

(2)Where the disposition referred to in subsection (1) is to a private purchaser, and he is a purchaser of the motor vehicle in good faith without notice of the hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement (the “relevant agreement ”) that disposition shall have effect as if the creditor’s title to the vehicle had been vested in the debtor immediately before that disposition.

(3)Where the person to whom the disposition referred to in subsection (1) is made (the “original purchaser ”) is a trade or finance purchaser, then if the person who is the first private purchaser of the motor vehicle after that disposition ( “the first private purchaser ”) is a purchaser of the vehicle in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement, the disposition of the vehicle to the first private purchaser shall have effect as if the title of the creditor to the vehicle had been vested in the debtor immeffiatily before he disposed of it to the original purchaser.

(4)Where, in a case within subsection (3)—

(a)the disposition by which the first private purchaser becomes a purchaser of the motor vehicle in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement is itself a bailment under a hire-purchase agreement, and

(b)the person who is the creditor in relation to that agreement disposes of the vehicle to the first private purchaser, or a person claiming under him, by transferring to him the property in the vehicle in pursuance of a provision in the agreement in that behalf,

the, disposition referred to in paragraph (b) (whether or not the person to whom it is made is a purchaser in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement) shall, as well as the disposition referred to in paragraph (a), have effect as mentioned in subsection (3).

(5)The preceding provisions of this section apply—

(a)notwithstanding anything in section 21 of the Sale of Goods Act 1893 (sale of goods by a person not the owner), but

(b)without prejudice to the provisions of the Factors Act (as defined by section 62(1) of the said Act of 1893) or of any other enactment enabling the apparent owner of goods to dispose of them as if he were the true owner.

(6)Nothing in this section shall exonerate the debtor from any liability (whether criminal or civil) to which he would be subject apart from this section ; and, in a case where the debtor disposes of the motor vehicle to a trade or finance purchaser, nothing in this section shall exonerate—

(a)that trade or finance purchaser, or

(b)any other trade or finance purchaser who becomes a purchaser of the vehicle and is not a person claiming under the first private purchaser,

from any liability (whether criminal or civil) to which he would be subject apart from this section.

63 Presumptions relating to dealings with motor vehicles.

(1)Where in any proceedings (whether criminal or civil) relating to a motor vehicle it is proved—

(a)that the vehicle was bailed under a hire-purchase agreement, or was agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, and

(b)that a person (whether a party to the proceedings or not) became a private purchaser of the vehicle in good faith without notice of the hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement (the “relevant agreement ”),

this section shall have effect for the purpose of the operation of section 62 of this Act in relation to those proceedings.

(2)It shall be presumed for those purposes, unless the contrary is proved, that the disposition of the vehicle to the person referred to in subsection (1)(b) (the “relevant purchaser ”) was made by the debtor.

(3)If it is proved that that disposition was not made by the debtor, then it shall be presumed for those purposes, unless the contrary is proved—

(a)that the debtor disposed of the vehicle to a private purchaser purchasing in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement and

(b)that the relevant purchaser is or was a person claiming under the person to whom the debtor so disposed of the vehicle.

(4)If it is proved that the disposition of the vehicle to the relevant purchaser was not made by the debtor, and that the person to whom the debtor disposed of the vehicle (the “original purchaser ”) was a trade or finance purchaser, then it shall be presumed for those purposes, unless the contrary is proved,—

(a)that the person who, after the disposition of the vehicle to the original purchaser, first became a private purchaser of the vehicle was a purchaser in good faith without notice of the relevant agreement, and

(b)that the relevant purchaser is or was a person claiming under the original purchaser.

(5)Without prejudice to any other method of proof, where in any proceedings a party thereto admits a fact, that fact shall, for the purposes of this section, be taken as against him to be proved in relation to those proceedings.

64 Interpretation of Part VI and application to the Crown.

(1)In this Part—

  • conditional sale agreement ” means an agreement for the sale of goods under which the purchase price or part of it is payable by instalments, and the property in the goods is to remain in the seller (notwithstanding that the buyer is to be in possession of the goods) until such conditions as to the payment of instalments or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement are fulfilled ;

  • creditor ” means the person by whom goods are bailed under a hire-purchase agreement or, as the case may be, the seller under a conditional sale agreement, or the person to whom his rights and duties have passed by assignment or operation of law ;

  • disposition ” means any sale or contract of sale (including a conditional sale agreement), any bailment under a hire-purchase agreement and any transfer of the property in goods in pursuance of a provision in that behalf contained in a hire-purchase agreement, and includes any transaction purporting to be a disposition (as so defined), and “dispose of ” shall be construed accordingly;

  • hire-purchase agreement ” means an agreement, other than a conditional sale agreement, under which—

(a)goods are bailed in return for periodical payments by the person to whom they are bailed, and

(b)the property in the goods will pass to that person if the terms of the agreement are complied with and one or more of the following occurs—

(i)the exercise of an option to purchase by that person,

(ii)the doing of any other specified act by any party to the agreement,

(iii)the happening of any other specified event, and “motor vehicle ” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads to which the public has access.

(2)In this Part “trade or finance purchaser ” means a purchaser who, at the time of the disposition made to him, carries on a business which consists, wholly or partly,—

(a)of purchasing motor vehicles for the purpose of offering or exposing them for sale, or

(b)of providing finance by purchasing motor vehicles for the purpose of bailing them under hire-purchase agreements or agreeing to sell them under conditional sale agreements,

and “private purchaser ” means a purchaser who, at the time of the disposition made to him, does not carry on any such business.

(3)For the purposes of this Part a person becomes a purchaser of a motor vehicle if, and at the time when, a disposition of the vehicle is made to him ; and a person shall be taken to be a purchaser of a motor vehicle without notice of a hire-purchase agreement or conditional sale agreement if, at the time of the disposition made to him, he has no actual notice that the vehicle is or was the subject of any such agreement.

(4)In this Part the “debtor ”, in relation to a motor vehicle which has been bailed under a hire-purchase agreement or, as the case may be, agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, means the person who at the material time (whether the agreement has before that time been terminated or not) either—

(a)is the person to whom the vehicle is bailed under that agreement or

(b)is, in relation to the agreement, the buyer, including a person who at that time is, by virtue of section 130(4) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 treated as a bailee of the vehicle.

(5)In this Part any reference to the title of the creditor to a motor vehicle which has been bailed under a hire-purchase agreement, or agreed to be sold under a conditional sale agreement, and is disposed of by the debtor, is a reference to such title (if any) to the vehicle as, immediately before that disposition, was vested in the person who then was the creditor in relation to the agreement.

(6)This Part binds the Crown to the full extent authorised or permitted by the constitutional laws of Northern Ireland..

Editorial Information

X29The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

M49Vehicles (Excise) Act (Northern Ireland) 1972U.K.

Marginal Citations

F45050U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

M50Miscellaneous Transferred Excise Duties Act (Northern Ireland) 1972U.K.

Marginal Citations

M501972 c. II (N.I.).

X3051U.K.In section 1(2) for “VII ” where first occurring substitute “V ” and for “to VIII ” where secondly occurring substitute “and V ”.

Editorial Information

X30The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Section 192 (3)(b).

X31Schedule 5U.K. Repeals

Editorial Information

X31The text of ss. 3(a)(b)(c), 5, 42(1)(2)(3), 192(3)(a)(b), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 2, 5, 7 - 9, 11 - 17, 19, 22 - 28, 30 - 32, 34 - 37, Sch. 4 Pt. II paras. 39, 40, 43 -45, 49 - 51 and Sch. 5 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

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