Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Unfair Practices
4. Meaning of unfair practice
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In a consumer transaction, a supplier commits an unfair practice if anything it does, says or leaves out might reasonably mislead a consumer. Making a false claim is an unfair practice. So is exploiting a consumer the supplier knows, or ought to know, cannot protect their interests or understand the deal. So is anything listed in the Second Schedule.
Summary · Drafted with AI, checked against the official text on 30 Sep 2026.
It is an unfair practice for a supplier, in relation to a consumer transaction —
unfair practice
“unfair practice” means an unfair practice within the meaning of section 4;
to do or say anything, or omit to do or say anything, if as a result a consumer might reasonably be deceived or misled;
consumer
“consumer” means an individual who, otherwise than exclusively in the course of business —(a)receives or has the right to receive goods or services from a supplier; or(b)has a legal obligation to pay a supplier for goods or services that have been or are to be supplied to another individual;
to make a false claim;
to take advantage of a consumer if the supplier knows or ought reasonably to know that the consumer —
supplier
“supplier” means a person who, in the course of the person’s business —(a)provides goods or services to consumers;(b)manufactures, assembles or produces goods;(c)promotes the use or purchase of goods or services; or(d)receives or is entitled to receive money or other consideration as a result of the provision of goods or services to consumers,and includes any employee or agent of the person, and the word “supply”, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, has corresponding meanings;
is not in a position to protect his or her own interests; or
is not reasonably able to understand the character, nature, language or effect of the transaction or any matter related to the transaction; or
without limiting paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), to do anything specified in the Second Schedule.