Misrepresentation Act 1967

1 Removal of certain bars to rescission for innocent misrepresentation. E+W

Where a person has entered into a contract after a misrepresentation has been made to him, and—

(a) the misrepresentation has become a term of the contract; or

(b) the contract has been performed;

or both, then, if otherwise he would be entitled to rescind the contract without alleging fraud, he shall be so entitled, subject to the provisions of this Act, notwithstanding the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

2 Damages for misrepresentation. E+W

(1) Where a person has entered into a contract after a misrepresentation has been made to him by another party thereto and as a result thereof he has suffered loss, then, if the person making the misrepresentation would be liable to damages in respect thereof had the misrepresentation been made fraudulently, that person shall be so liable notwithstanding that the misrepresentation was not made fraudulently, unless he proves that he had reasonable ground to believe and did believe up to the time the contract was made the facts represented were true.

(2) Where a person has entered into a contract after a misrepresentation has been made to him otherwise than fraudulently, and he would be entitled, by reason of the misrepresentation, to rescind the contract, then, if it is claimed, in any proceedings arising out of the contract, that the contract ought to be or has been rescinded, the court or arbitrator may declare the contract subsisting and award damages in lieu of rescission, if of opinion that it would be equitable to do so, having regard to the nature of the misrepresentation and the loss that would be caused by it if the contract were upheld, as well as to the loss that rescission would cause to the other party.

(3) Damages may be awarded against a person under subsection (2) of this section whether or not he is liable to damages under subsection (1) thereof, but where he is so liable any award under the said subsection (2) shall be taken into account in assessing his liability under the said subsection (1).

[F1 (4) This section does not entitle a person to be paid damages in respect of a misrepresentation if the person has a right to redress under Part 4A of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 ( SI 2008/1277 ) in respect of the conduct constituting the misrepresentation.

(5) Subsection (4) does not prevent a debtor from bringing a claim under section 75(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 against a creditor under a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement in a case where, but for subsection (4), the debtor would have a claim against the supplier in respect of a misrepresentation (and, where section 75 of that Act would otherwise apply, it accordingly applies as if the debtor had a claim against the supplier).]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 2(4)(5) inserted (1.10.2014) by The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/870), regs. 1(3), 5

[F2 3 Avoidance of provision excluding liability for misrepresentation. E+W

[F3 (1)] If a contract contains a term which would exclude or restrict—

(a) any liability to which a party to a contract may be subject by reason of any misrepresentation made by him before the contract was made; or

(b) any remedy available to another party to the contract by reason of such a misrepresentation,

that term shall be of no effect except in so far as it satisfies the requirement of reasonableness as stated in section 11(1) of the M1 Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977; and it is for those claiming that the term satisfies that requirement to show that it does. ]

[F4 (2) This section does not apply to a term in a consumer contract within the meaning of Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (but see the provision made about such contracts in section 62 of that Act).]

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 3 substituted by Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (c. 50), s. 8(1)

F3 Word in s. 3 inserted (1.10.2015) by Consumer Rights Act 2015 (c. 15), s. 100(5), Sch. 4 para. 1(2); S.I. 2015/1630, art. 3(g) (with art. 6(1))

F4 S. 3(2) inserted (1.10.2015) by Consumer Rights Act 2015 (c. 15), s. 100(5), Sch. 4 para. 1(3); S.I. 2015/1630, art. 3(g) (with art. 6(1))

Marginal Citations

M1 1977 c. 50.

4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5 E+W

Textual Amendments

F5 s. 4 repealed by Sale of Goods Act 1979 (c. 54, SIF 109:1), ss. 62, 63, Sch. 3

5 Saving for past transactions. E+W

Nothing in this Act shall apply in relation to any misrepresentation or contract of sale which is made before the commencement of this Act.

6 Short title, commencement and extent. E+W

(1) This Act may be cited as the Misrepresentation Act 1967.

(2) This Act shall come into operation at the expiration of the period of one month beginning with the date on which it is passed.

(3) This Act . . . F6 does not extend to Scotland.

(4) This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words repealed by Sale of Goods Act 1979 (c. 54, SIF 109:1), ss. 62, 63, Sch. 3