Electronic Communications Act 2000

15 General interpretation. U.K.

(1) In this Act, except in so far as the context otherwise requires—

• “document” includes a map, plan, design, drawing, picture or other image;

• “communication” includes a communication comprising sounds or images or both and a communication effecting a payment;

• “electronic communication” means a communication transmitted (whether from one person to another, from one device to another or from a person to a device or vice versa)—

  (a)

  by means of [F1 an electronic communications network] ; or

  (b)

  by other means but while in an electronic form;

• “enactment” includes—

  (a)

  an enactment passed after the passing of this Act,

  (b)

  an enactment comprised in an Act of the Scottish Parliament, and

  (c)

  an enactment contained in Northern Ireland legislation,

  but does not include an enactment contained in Part I or II of this Act;

• “modification” includes any alteration, addition or omission, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;

• “record” includes an electronic record; and

• “subordinate legislation” means—

  (a)

  any subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the M1 Interpretation Act 1978);

  (b)

  any instrument made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament; or

  (c)

  any statutory rules (within the meaning of the M2 Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979).

(2) In this Act—

(a) references to the authenticity of any communication or data are references to any one or more of the following—

(i) whether the communication or data comes from a particular person or other source;

(ii) whether it is accurately timed and dated;

(iii) whether it is intended to have legal effect;

and

(b) references to the integrity of any communication or data are references to whether there has been any tampering with or other modification of the communication or data.

(3) References in this Act to something’s being put into an intelligible form include references to its being restored to the condition in which it was before any encryption or similar process was applied to it.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 15(1) substituted (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 for further specified purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406, 411(2)(3), Sch. 17 para. 158; (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (with transitional provisions in arts 3-6) (as amended (8.12.2003) by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2)(3) (with art. 11)

Marginal Citations

M1 1978 c.30.

M2 S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12).