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Fair Trading Act 1973

1973 c. 41 · Enacted 25 July 1973 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 19 January 2026.

An Act to provide for the appointment of a Director General of Fair Trading and of a Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, and to confer on the Director General and the Committee so appointed, on the Secretary of State, on the Restrictive Practices Court and on certain other courts new functions for the protection of consumers; to make provision, in substitution for the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act 1948 and the Monopolies and Mergers Act 1965, for the matters dealt with in those Acts and related matters, including restrictive labour practices; to amend the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1956 and the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1968, to make provision for extending the said Act of 1956 to agreements relating to services, and to transfer to the Director General of Fair Trading the functions of the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements; to make provision with respect to pyramid selling and similar trading schemes; to make new provision in place of section 30(2) to (4) of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968; and for purposes connected with those matters.

[25th July 1973]C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act applied (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 7, 82(2)(a)(b), Sch. 2 para. 15

Act applied (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by 1986 c. 44, s. 27 (as inserted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 10(1), Sch. 3 para. 25; S.I. 1996/218, art. 2)

Act applied (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by 1986 c. 44, s. 36A (as inserted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 10(1), Sch. 3 para. 43; S.I. 1996/218, art. 2)

Act applied (N.I.) (10.6.1996) by S.I. 1996/275, arts. 18(5), 23(8) (with Sch. 7 paras. 2, 3(2); S.R. 1996/216, art. 2

C2

Act amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 100(1)

C3

Act modified (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 30(1)–(3)

C4

Act restricted by S.I. 1990/593 (N.I. 5), art. 49(1), Sch. 14 Pt. II para. 8

C5

Act amended (E.W.)(1. 11. 1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59), ss. 10(1)(a), 12(4), (with ss. 25(2), 167(2)); S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3,Sch.

C6

Act amended (S.)(21.10.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 108), s. 33(1)(a) (with ss. 47(4), 167(2)); S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(1), Sch.1

C7

Act modified (E.W.)(1. 11. 1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 59), ss. 10(2), 12(4), (with ss. 25(2), 167(2)); S.I. 1991/2288, art. 3,Sch

C8

Act modified (S.) (21.10.1991) by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22, SIF 108), s. 33(2) (with ss. 47(4), 167(2)); S.I. 1991/2286, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

C9

Act: power to apply conferred (E.W.)(01.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 12(5), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 188, 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6).

C10

Act: definitions applied (E.W.)(01.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 17(4), 31(9), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 188, 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6).

C11

Act modified (E.W.)(01.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss.34(1)(2),35(4), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 188, 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6).

C12

Act modified (17.2.1994) by S.I. 1993/3160 (N.I. 15), art. 32(1)(a) (with Sch. 9 para. 1).

Contents

  1. Part I: Introductory
  2. 1Director General of Fair Trading. Repealed
  3. 2General functions of Director. Repealed
  4. 3Consumer Protection Advisory Committee. Repealed
  5. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 5Principal functions of Commission. Repealed
  7. 6Monopoly situation in relation to supply of goods. Repealed
  8. 7Monopoly situation in relation to supply of services. Repealed
  9. 8Monopoly situation in relation to exports. Repealed
  10. 9Monopoly situation limited to part of United Kingdom. Repealed
  11. 10Supplementary provisions relating to ss. 6 to 9. Repealed
  12. 11Meaning of “complex monopoly situation”. Repealed
  13. 12Powers of Secretary of State in relation to functions of Director. Repealed
  14. Part II: References to Consumer Protection Advisory Committee
  15. General provisions
  16. 13Meaning of “consumer trade practice”. Repealed
  17. 14General provisions as to references to Advisory Committee. Repealed
  18. 15Exclusion from s. 14 in respect of certain services. Repealed
  19. 16Restriction on references under s. 14 in respect of certain goods and services. Repealed
  20. 17Reference to Advisory Committee proposing recommendation to Secretary of State to make an order. Repealed
  21. 18No such recommendation to be made except in pursuance of reference to which s. 17 applies. Repealed
  22. 19Scope of recommendation proposed in reference to which s. 17 applies. Repealed
  23. 20Time-limit and quorum for report on reference to which s. 17 applies. Repealed
  24. 21Report of Advisory Committee on reference to which s. 17 applies. Repealed
  25. Order in pursuance of report of Advisory Committee
  26. 22Order of Secretary of State in pursuance of report on reference to which s. 17 applies. Repealed
  27. 23Penalties for contravention of order under s. 22.
  28. 24Offences due to default of other person.
  29. 25Defences in proceedings under s. 23.
  30. 26Limitation of effect of orders under s. 22.
  31. Enforcement of orders
  32. 27Enforcing authorities.
  33. 28Power to make test purchases.
  34. 29Power to enter premises and inspect and seize goods and documents.
  35. 30Offences in connection with exercise of powers under s. 29.
  36. 31Notice of test.
  37. 32Compensation for loss in respect of goods seized under s. 29.
  38. 33Application of Part II to Northern Ireland.
  39. Part III: Additional Functions of Director for Protection of Consumers
  40. 34Action by Director with respect to course of conduct detrimental to interests of consumers. Repealed
  41. 35Proceedings before Restrictive Practices Court. Repealed
  42. 36Evidence in proceedings under s. 35. Repealed
  43. 37Order of, or undertaking given to, Court in proceedings under s. 35. Repealed
  44. 38Provisions as to persons consenting to or conniving at courses of conduct detrimental to interests of consumers. Repealed
  45. 39Order of, or undertaking given to, Court in proceedings under s. 38. Repealed
  46. 40Provisions as to interconnected bodies corporate. Repealed
  47. 41Concurrent Jurisdiction of other courts in certain cases. Repealed
  48. 41AMeaning of “relevant Court”. Repealed
  49. 42Appeals from decisions or orders of courts under Part III. Repealed
  50. 43Legal aid in proceedings under Part III in Restrictive Practices Court.
  51. Part IV: Functions of Director and Commission in Relation to Monopoly Situations and Uncompetitive Practices
  52. Powers for Director to require information
  53. 44General power for Director to require information. Repealed
  54. 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  55. 46Supplementary provisions as to requirements to furnish information. Repealed
  56. Monopoly references
  57. 47General provisions as to monopoly references Repealed
  58. 48Monopoly reference limited to the facts. Repealed
  59. 49Monopoly reference not limited to the facts. Repealed
  60. 50Monopoly references by Director. Repealed
  61. 51Monopoly references by Ministers. Repealed
  62. 52Variation of monopoly reference. Repealed
  63. 53Publication of monopoly references and variations, and of directions relating to them. Repealed
  64. 54Report of Commission on monopoly reference. Repealed
  65. 55Time-limit for report on monopoly reference. Repealed
  66. 56Order of appropriate Minister on report on monopoly reference. Repealed
  67. Undertakings as alternative to monopoly reference by Director
  68. 56AProposals by Director. Repealed
  69. 56BProposals under section 56A: preparatory steps. Repealed
  70. 56CProposals under section 56A: exclusion of sensitive information. Repealed
  71. 56DAcceptance by Secretary of State of proposals under section 56A. Repealed
  72. 56EReview of undertakings. Repealed
  73. 56FRelease, variation and replacement of undertakings. Repealed
  74. 56GPublication of undertakings etc. Repealed
  75. Part V: Mergers
  76. Newspaper merger references
  77. 57Meaning of “newspaper”, “transfer of newspaper or of newspaper assets” and related expressions. Repealed
  78. 58Prohibition of certain newspaper mergers. Repealed
  79. 59Newspaper merger reference. Repealed
  80. 60Time-limit for report on newspaper merger reference. Repealed
  81. 61Report on newspaper merger reference. Repealed
  82. 62Enforcement provisions relating to newspaper mergers. Repealed
  83. Other merger references
  84. 63Mergers references to which ss. 64 to 75 apply. Repealed
  85. 64Merger situation qualifying for investigation. Repealed
  86. 65Enterprises ceasing to be distinct enterprises. Repealed
  87. 66Time when enterprises cease to be distinct. Repealed
  88. 66AObtaining control by stages. Repealed
  89. 67Valuation of assets taken over. Repealed
  90. 68Supplementary provisions as to merger situations qualifying for investigation. Repealed
  91. 69Different kinds of merger references. Repealed
  92. 70Time-limit for report on merger reference. Repealed
  93. 71Variation of certain merger references. Repealed
  94. 72Report of Commission on merger reference. Repealed
  95. 73Order of Secretary of State on report on merger reference. Repealed
  96. 74Interim order in respect of merger reference. Repealed
  97. 75Reference in anticipation of merger. Repealed
  98. Restriction on power to make merger reference where prior notice has been given
  99. 75AGeneral rule where notice given by acquirer and no reference made within period for considering notice. Repealed
  100. 75BThe role of the Director. Repealed
  101. 75CCases where power to refer unaffected. Repealed
  102. 75DRegulations Repealed
  103. 75EInterpretation of sections 75A to 75D. Repealed
  104. 75FPower to amend sections 75B to 75D. Repealed
  105. Undertakings as alternative to merger reference
  106. 75GAcceptance of undertakings. Repealed
  107. 75HPublication of undertakings. Repealed
  108. 75JReview of undertakings. Repealed
  109. 75KOrder of Secretary of State where undertaking not fulfilled. Repealed
  110. Supplementary
  111. 76Functions of Director in relation to merger situations. Repealed
  112. 77Associated persons. Repealed
  113. Part VI: References to Commission other than Monopoly and Merger References
  114. 78General references. Repealed
  115. 79References as to restrictive labour practices. Repealed
  116. 80Variation of reference under Part VI. Repealed
  117. Part VII: Provisions Relating to References to Advisory Committee or to Commission
  118. 81Procedure in carrying out investigations Repealed
  119. 82General provisions as to reports. Repealed
  120. 83Laying before Parliament and publication of reports. Repealed
  121. Part VIII: Additional Provisions relating to References to Commission
  122. 84Public interest. Repealed
  123. 85Attendance of witnesses and production of documents. Repealed
  124. 86Director to receive copies of reports. Repealed
  125. 87Supplementary provisions as to laying reports before Parliament. Repealed
  126. 88Action by Director in consequence of report of Commission on monopoly or merger reference. Repealed
  127. 89Interim order after report of Commission under s. 54 or s. 72. Repealed
  128. 90General provisions as to orders under ss. 56, 73, 74 and 89. Repealed
  129. 91Procedure relating to orders to which s. 90 applies. Repealed
  130. 92Investigation of company or association with reference to order to which s. 90 applies. Repealed
  131. 93Enforcement of orders to which s. 90 applies. Repealed
  132. 93AEnforcement of undertakings. Repealed
  133. 93BFalse or misleading information. Repealed
  134. Part IX: Amendments of Restrictive Trade Practices Acts
  135. 94Transfer of functions of Registrar to Director.
  136. 95—106. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  137. Part X
  138. 107—117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  139. Part XI: Pyramid Selling and Similar Trading Schemes
  140. 118Trading schemes to which Part XI applies.
  141. 119Regulations relating to such trading schemes.
  142. 120Offences under Part XI.
  143. 121Defences in certain proceedings under Part XI.
  144. 122Penalties for offences under Part XI.
  145. 123Enforcement provisions.
  146. Part XII: Miscellaneous and Supplementary Provisions
  147. 124Publication of information and advice. Repealed
  148. 125Annual and other reports of Director. Repealed
  149. 126. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  150. 127Additional power to make orders under Agricultural Marketing Act 1958.
  151. 128. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  152. 129Time-limit for prosecutions.
  153. 130Notice to Director of intended prosecution. Repealed
  154. 131Notification of convictions and judgments to Director. Repealed
  155. 132Offences by bodies corporate.
  156. 133General restrictions on disclosure of information. Repealed
  157. 134Provisions as to orders.
  158. 135Financial provisions.
  159. 136. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  160. 137General interpretation provisions.
  161. 138Supplementary interpretation provisions.
  162. 139Amendments, repeals and transitional provisions.
  163. 140†Short title, citation, commencement and extent.
  164. Schedule 1: Director General of Fair Trading Repealed
  165. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  166. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  167. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  168. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  169. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  170. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  171. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  172. Schedule 2: Consumer Protection Advisory Committee Repealed
  173. Status of Committee Repealed
  174. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  175. Tenure of office of members Repealed
  176. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  177. Tenure of office of chairman and deputy chairman Repealed
  178. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  179. Remuneration and allowances Repealed
  180. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  181. General provisions as to sums payable on retirement or death of members Repealed
  182. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  183. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  184. Procedure of Committee Repealed
  185. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  186. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  187. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  188. Schedule 3
  189. Part I
  190. Status of Commission
  191. 1Paragraph 1
  192. Tenure of office of regular members
  193. 2Paragraph 2
  194. Appointment and tenure of office of chairman and deputy chairmen
  195. 3Paragraph 3
  196. Staff
  197. 4Paragraph 4
  198. 5Paragraph 5
  199. Remuneration and allowances
  200. 6Paragraph 6
  201. 7Paragraph 7
  202. General provisions as to sums payable on retirement or death of members
  203. 8Paragraph 8
  204. 9Paragraph 9
  205. Part II: Performance of Functions of Commission
  206. 10Paragraph 10
  207. 11Paragraph 11
  208. 12Paragraph 12
  209. 13Paragraph 13
  210. 14Paragraph 14
  211. 15Paragraph 15
  212. 16Paragraph 16
  213. 17Paragraph 17
  214. 18Paragraph 18
  215. 19Paragraph 19
  216. 20Paragraph 20
  217. 21Paragraph 21
  218. 22Paragraph 22
  219. Schedule 4: Services Excluded from Sections 14 and 109 Repealed
  220. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  221. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  222. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  223. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  224. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  225. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  226. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  227. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  228. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  229. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  230. 10AParagraph 10A Repealed
  231. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  232. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  233. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  234. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  235. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  236. Schedule 5: Goods and Services Referred to in Section 16 Repealed
  237. Part I: General Restriction Repealed
  238. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  239. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  240. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  241. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  242. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  243. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  244. IILimited Restriction . . . Repealed
  245. Schedule 6: Matters Falling Within Scope of Proposals Under Section 17 Repealed
  246. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  247. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  248. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  249. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  250. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  251. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  252. Schedule 7: Goods and Services (in addition to those in Schedule 5) Wholly or Partly Excluded from Section 50 Repealed
  253. Part I: Goods and Services Wholly Excluded Repealed
  254. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  255. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  256. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  257. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  258. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  259. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  260. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  261. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  262. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  263. IIGoods and Services Partly Excluded Repealed
  264. IIIGoods Partly Excluded in Relation to Northern Ireland Only Repealed
  265. Schedule 8: Powers Exercisable by Orders Under Sections 56 and 73
  266. Part I: Powers Exercisable in all Cases Repealed
  267. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  268. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  269. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  270. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  271. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  272. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  273. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  274. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  275. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  276. 9AParagraph 9A Repealed
  277. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  278. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  279. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  280. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  281. Part II: Powers Exercisable Except in Cases Falling within Section 56(6) Repealed
  282. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  283. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  284. Schedule 9: Procedure Preliminary to Laying Draft of Order to which Section 91(1) Applies
  285. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  286. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  287. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  288. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  289. Schedule 10Schedule 10
  290. Schedule 11: Transitional Provisions and Savings
  291. General provisions
  292. 1Paragraph 1
  293. 2Paragraph 2
  294. 3Paragraph 3
  295. 4Paragraph 4
  296. 5Paragraph 5
  297. 6Paragraph 6
  298. Reference made to Commission before commencement of Act
  299. 7Paragraph 7
  300. Report of Commission made before 5th August 1965
  301. 8Paragraph 8
  302. Undertaking given in consequence of report on reference made under repealed enactments
  303. 9Paragraph 9
  304. Functions of Director in relation to orders made under Acts of 1948 and 1965
  305. 10Paragraph 10
  306. Provisions consequential upon transfer of functions from Registrar to Director
  307. 11Paragraph 11
  308. 12, 13Paragraph 12, 13 Repealed
  309. Pension benefits
  310. 14Paragraph 14
  311. 15Paragraph 15
  312. Trade Descriptions Act 1968, s. 30
  313. 16Paragraph 16
  314. Schedule 12ENACTMENTS AMENDED
  315. Schedule 13ENACTMENTS REPEALED