The Reform of Consumer Law in the UK

The Consumer Rights Act 2015

by

Professor James Devenney

Professor of Commercial Law and Head of Exeter Law School

Exeter University

James has a world renowned CV and, inter alia, has provided assistance to the Law Commission on Consumer Law, misrepresentation and unfair commercial practices; and more recently he was invited to discuss the proposal for the codification of Australian Contract Law with the Australian Attorney-General's Department, and to discuss another harmonisation project with the Singapore Ministry of Law

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 enacts fundamental reform of Consumer Law in the UK. It gained Royal Assent on 26th March 2015 after an epic passage through Parliament and, before its introduction into Parliament, a huge consultation process. It is part of a package of reforms to Consumer Law at both national and EU level. This is a hugely significant piece of legislation for both consumers and businesses. The aim of this legislation was:

· to streamline consumer rights;

· to clarify aspects of consumer law;

· to modernise consumer law, particularly for the digital age;

· to deregulate for businesses; and

· to selectively enhance consumer protection in the UK.

In this session Professor Devenney will critically explore the

Consumer Rights Act 2015, placing it in its national context and comparing it

with EU Consumer Law initiatives.