OpenLegislation

Postal Services Act 2000

2000 c. 26 · Enacted 28 July 2000 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 3 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 April 2024.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 6 para. 3(4)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 319(a)
Sch. 6 para. 3(4A)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 319(b)
Sch. 7 para. 3(2)(g)repealedCommunications Act 2003 Sch. 19(1) Note 1
An Act to establish the Postal Services Commission and the Consumer Council for Postal Services; to provide for the licensing of certain postal services and for a universal postal service; to provide for the vesting of the property, rights and liabilities of the Post Office in a company nominated by the Secretary of State and for the subsequent dissolution of the Post Office; to make further provision in relation to postal services; and for connected purposes.[28th July 2000]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1C2

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: transfer of functions (1.10.2008) by Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17), ss. 30(3)(b), 66(2) (with s. 6(9), Sch. 3); S.I. 2008/2550, art. 2, Sch.

C2

Act: transfer of functions (1.9.2009) by Transfer of Functions (Transport Tribunal and Appeal Panel) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1885), art. 2(1)

Contents

  1. Part I: Introductory
  2. 1The Postal Services Commission. Repealed
  3. 2The Consumer Council for Postal Services. Repealed
  4. 3Duty of the Commission to ensure provision of a universal postal service. Repealed
  5. 4Provision of a universal postal service: meaning. Repealed
  6. 5Other duties of the Commission in the consumer interest. Repealed
  7. Part II: Licences for Postal Services
  8. Restriction on provision of postal services
  9. 6Restriction on provision of postal services. Repealed
  10. 7Exceptions from section 6. Repealed
  11. 7ASection 7A Repealed
  12. 8Power to modify section 7 by order. Repealed
  13. 9General power to suspend the restriction. Repealed
  14. 10Emergency power to suspend the restriction. Repealed
  15. Licences
  16. 11Licences: general. Repealed
  17. 12Licences: grant. Repealed
  18. 12ALicences: refusal Repealed
  19. 12BLicences: determination of applications Repealed
  20. 13Licences: conditions and other provisions. Repealed
  21. Modification of licences
  22. 14Modification of licences by agreement. Repealed
  23. 15References to the Competition Commission. Repealed
  24. 15AReferences under section 15: time limits Repealed
  25. 15BReferences under section 15: application of Enterprise Act 2002 Repealed
  26. 16Reports on references. Repealed
  27. 16AReports on references under section 15: further provision Repealed
  28. 17Modification following report. Repealed
  29. 18Power of intervention of the Competition Commission. Repealed
  30. 19Procedural requirements in relation to modifications. Repealed
  31. 19ASections 18 and 19: further provision Repealed
  32. 20Application of competition legislation to references etc. Repealed
  33. 21Modification by order under other enactments. Repealed
  34. Enforcement orders
  35. 22Final orders. Repealed
  36. 23Provisional orders. Repealed
  37. 24Confirmation of provisional orders. Repealed
  38. 25Exceptions from duty to make or confirm enforcement orders. Repealed
  39. 26Enforcement orders: main procedural requirements. Repealed
  40. 27Enforcement orders: further procedural requirements. Repealed
  41. 28Validity of enforcement orders. Repealed
  42. 29Effect of enforcement orders. Repealed
  43. Financial penalties
  44. 30Financial penalties. Repealed
  45. 31Statement of policy in relation to penalties. Repealed
  46. 32Imposition of penalties: main procedural requirements. Repealed
  47. 33Penalties: further procedural requirements. Repealed
  48. 34Time-limits on the imposition of penalties. Repealed
  49. 35Interest and payments by instalment. Repealed
  50. 36Appeals. Repealed
  51. 37Recovery of penalties. Repealed
  52. Miscellaneous
  53. 38Register. Repealed
  54. 39Recovery of costs of the Council etc. Repealed
  55. 39ALicences and the new arrangements Repealed
  56. 40Directors’ remuneration. Repealed
  57. 41Free services for the blind and partially sighted. Repealed
  58. Part III: Other functions of the Commission and the Council
  59. The Commission
  60. 42Duties in relation to public post offices. Repealed
  61. 43Duties in relation to social and environmental matters. Repealed
  62. 44Review and information. Repealed
  63. 45Annual and other reports: the Commission. Repealed
  64. 46Publication of information and advice: the Commission. Repealed
  65. 47Power of the Commission to require information. Repealed
  66. 48Information powers: enforcement. Repealed
  67. 49Powers of entry and seizure. Repealed
  68. 50Codes of practice. Repealed
  69. The Council
  70. 51Relevant postal issues.
  71. 52Provision of advice and information to public authorities and licence holders.
  72. 53Publication of information to users.
  73. 54Exercise of functions: general.
  74. 55Annual and other reports: the Council.
  75. 56Complaints referred to the Council.
  76. 57Power of the Council to investigate other matters.
  77. 58Power of the Council to require information.
  78. The Commission and the Council
  79. 59Provision of information by the Council to the Commission.
  80. 60Memorandum of understanding. Repealed
  81. 61Forward work programmes. Repealed
  82. Information
  83. 61AInformation relating to complaints handling standards Repealed
  84. Part IV: Reorganisation of the Post Office
  85. Transfer of property etc.
  86. 62Transfer of property etc. to nominated company.
  87. The Post Office company etc: government holdings
  88. 63Power to direct issue of certain securities etc
  89. 64Government investment in securities of certain companies.
  90. The Post Office company etc: restrictions on dealings
  91. 65Restriction on issue of shares to third parties. Repealed
  92. 66Restriction on disposals of shares to third parties. Repealed
  93. 67Approved disposals. Repealed
  94. Financial provisions
  95. 68Loans by the Secretary of State to relevant companies.
  96. 69Guarantees by the Secretary of State for relevant companies.
  97. 70Extinguishment of certain liabilities.
  98. 71Limit on loans and other arrangements with government.
  99. 72Reserves of relevant companies.
  100. 73Statutory accounts of the original holding company.
  101. 74Further provisions relating to the capital structure of certain relevant companies.
  102. Dissolution of the Post Office
  103. 75Dissolution of the Post Office. Repealed
  104. Supplementary provisions
  105. 76Accounts of the Secretary of State in relation to loans.
  106. 77Publicity requirements for certain accounts and reports ....
  107. 78Information requirements on certain relevant companies.
  108. 79Exercise of functions through nominees. Repealed
  109. 80Shadow directors.
  110. 81Tax.
  111. 82Interpretation: Part IV.
  112. Part V: Offences in relation to Postal Services
  113. Offences of interfering with the mail
  114. 83Interfering with the mail: postal operators.
  115. 84Interfering with the mail: general.
  116. Prohibition on sending certain articles by post
  117. 85Prohibition on sending certain articles by post.
  118. Additional protection for universal postal service
  119. 86Prohibition on affixing advertisements on certain letter boxes etc.
  120. 87Prohibition on misleading descriptions.
  121. 88Obstruction of business of universal service providers.
  122. Part VI: Postal services: supplementary
  123. Schemes and limitation of liability
  124. 89Schemes as to terms and conditions for provision of postal services.
  125. 89APowers of OFCOM in relation to schemes
  126. 90Exclusion of liability.
  127. 91Limited liability for postal packets.
  128. 92Section 91: supplementary.
  129. 93Power to modify sections 89 to 92.
  130. Supplementary powers for universal postal service
  131. 94Power to require carriage of mail-bags by ship or aircraft.
  132. 95Power to acquire land etc.
  133. Articles in transit
  134. 96Immunity from prosecution.
  135. 97Harbour charges on mail-bags.
  136. 98Mail-bags not to be subject to control by harbour authorities.
  137. Common carriers
  138. 99Common carriers.
  139. Certain exemptions from postage etc.
  140. 100Certain exemptions from postage etc.
  141. Part VII: Miscellaneous and supplementary
  142. Supplementary powers of the Secretary of State
  143. 101Directions in interests of national security etc.
  144. 102Power to ensure compliance with the Postal Services Directive. Repealed
  145. 103Subsidy for public post offices.
  146. Inviolability of mails etc.
  147. 104Inviolability of mails.
  148. 104APower to detain packets in respect of unpaid or underpaid postage
  149. 105Application of customs and excise enactments to certain postal packets.
  150. 105ASection 105: limit on handling charges etc
  151. 106Power to detain postal packets containing contraband.
  152. 107Conditions of transit of postal packets.
  153. Evidential provisions
  154. 108Evidence of amount of postage etc.
  155. 109Evidence of thing being a postal packet.
  156. 110Certificates in relation to universal postal service letter boxes.
  157. Postal and money orders
  158. 111Exclusion of liability in relation to postal and money orders.
  159. 112Schemes in relation to postal and money orders.
  160. 113Recoupment of losses on wrongly paid money orders.
  161. 114Special arrangements with other countries or territories.
  162. Other
  163. 115Extension of existing powers relating to the Post Office.
  164. 116The Postcode Address File.
  165. 117Records of the former Postmaster General’s department. Repealed
  166. 118Supplementary provisions relating to the Council. Repealed
  167. 119General restrictions on disclosure of information. Repealed
  168. General
  169. 120Offences by bodies corporate.
  170. 121Service of documents.
  171. 122Orders and regulations.
  172. 123Directions.
  173. 124General financial provision.
  174. 125Interpretation.
  175. 126Index of defined expressions. Repealed
  176. 127General amendments and repeals.
  177. 128Modifications of local enactments etc.
  178. 129Transitional provisions etc.
  179. Final
  180. 130Commencement.
  181. 131Short title and extent.
  182. Schedule 1: The Postal Services Commission Repealed
  183. ... Repealed
  184. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  185. ... Repealed
  186. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  187. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  188. ... Repealed
  189. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  190. ... Repealed
  191. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  192. ... Repealed
  193. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  194. ...et ceterala... Repealed
  195. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  196. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  197. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  198. ... Repealed
  199. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  200. ... Repealed
  201. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  202. Schedule 2: The Consumer Council for Postal Services Repealed
  203. Membership Repealed
  204. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  205. Committees Repealed
  206. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  207. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  208. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  209. Terms of appointment of members Repealed
  210. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  211. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  212. Pay and remuneration of members Repealed
  213. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  214. Staff Repealed
  215. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  216. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  217. Proceedings et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  218. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  219. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  220. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  221. Delegation Repealed
  222. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  223. Supplementary powers Repealed
  224. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  225. Accounts and expenses Repealed
  226. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  227. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  228. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  229. Schedule 3: Transfer to the Post Office company: supplementary provisions
  230. General provisions as to vesting of property etc.
  231. 1Paragraph 1
  232. Pensions
  233. 2Paragraph 2
  234. 3Paragraph 3
  235. 4Paragraph 4
  236. Welfare funds
  237. 5Paragraph 5
  238. Third party rights relating to land
  239. 6Paragraph 6
  240. Other third party property rights
  241. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  242. Requisitions on title as to Treasury consent
  243. 8Paragraph 8
  244. Vesting of foreign property etc.
  245. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  246. Interpretation
  247. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  248. Schedule 4: Transfer to the Post Office company: tax
  249. Corporation tax: general
  250. 1Paragraph 1
  251. Shares and other securities
  252. 2Paragraph 2
  253. 3Paragraph 3
  254. Debt
  255. 4Paragraph 4
  256. Transfer arrangements
  257. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  258. Tax-free benefits
  259. 6Paragraph 6
  260. Assets acquired by the Post Office in 1969
  261. 7Paragraph 7
  262. Value added tax
  263. 8Paragraph 8
  264. Stamp duty
  265. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  266. Schedule 5: Acquisition of land
  267. Part I: Powers of acquisition etc
  268. England and Wales
  269. 1Paragraph 1
  270. Scotland
  271. 2Paragraph 2
  272. Northern Ireland
  273. 3Paragraph 3
  274. Part II: Procedure, compensation etc (England and Wales)
  275. Application of Acquisition of Land Act 1981
  276. 4Paragraph 4
  277. New rights: Compulsory Purchase Act 1965
  278. 5Paragraph 5
  279. New rights: specific adaptations of 1965 Act
  280. 6Paragraph 6
  281. 7Paragraph 7
  282. 8Paragraph 8
  283. 9Paragraph 9
  284. 10Paragraph 10
  285. 11Paragraph 11
  286. 12Paragraph 12
  287. New rights: compensation
  288. 13Paragraph 13
  289. Part III: Procedure, compensation etc (Scotland)
  290. Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947
  291. 14Paragraph 14
  292. New rights: application of 1947 Act and incorporated enactments
  293. 15Paragraph 15
  294. New rights: specific adaptations of 1947 Act
  295. 16Paragraph 16
  296. 17Paragraph 17
  297. 18Paragraph 18
  298. 19Paragraph 19
  299. 20Paragraph 20
  300. 21Paragraph 21
  301. New rights: specific adaptations of Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845
  302. 22Paragraph 22
  303. 23Paragraph 23
  304. 24Paragraph 24
  305. 25Paragraph 25
  306. 26Paragraph 26
  307. New rights: compensation
  308. 27Paragraph 27
  309. Part IV: Procedure, compensation etc (Northern Ireland)
  310. 28Paragraph 28
  311. 29Paragraph 29
  312. 30Paragraph 30
  313. Schedule 6: Further provisions relating to land
  314. Power to place post-boxes etc in streets
  315. 1Paragraph 1
  316. Entry on land for exploratory purposes
  317. 2Paragraph 2
  318. 3Paragraph 3
  319. 4Paragraph 4
  320. 5Paragraph 5
  321. Acquisition of land by agreement
  322. 6Paragraph 6
  323. 7Paragraph 7
  324. 8Paragraph 8
  325. Power to sell Duchy of Lancaster land
  326. 9Paragraph 9
  327. Supplementary
  328. 10Paragraph 10
  329. Schedule 7: Disclosure of information Repealed
  330. ... Repealed
  331. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  332. ... Repealed
  333. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  334. ... Repealed
  335. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  336. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  337. ... Repealed
  338. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  339. ... Repealed
  340. ...Paragraph ... Repealed
  341. Schedule 8: Amendments of enactments
  342. Part I: General amendments
  343. 1Paragraph 1
  344. 2Paragraph 2
  345. 3Paragraph 3
  346. 4Paragraph 4
  347. 5Paragraph 5
  348. 6Paragraph 6
  349. 7Paragraph 7
  350. Part II: Other amendments
  351. Public Records Act 1958 (c.51)
  352. 8Paragraph 8
  353. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c.13)
  354. 9Paragraph 9
  355. 10Paragraph 10
  356. Post Office Act 1969 (c.48)
  357. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  358. Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (c.56)
  359. 12Paragraph 12
  360. Superannuation Act 1972 (c.11)
  361. 13Paragraph 13
  362. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c.24)
  363. 14Paragraph 14
  364. 15Paragraph 15
  365. Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 (S.I.1977/2157 (N.I.28))
  366. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  367. Representation of the People Act 1983 (c.2)
  368. 17Paragraph 17
  369. 18Paragraph 18
  370. Mental Health Act 1983 (c.20)
  371. 19Paragraph 19
  372. Insolvency Act 1986 (c.45)
  373. 20Paragraph 20
  374. ...
  375. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  376. Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c.23)
  377. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  378. Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 (S.I.1995/2518)
  379. 23Paragraph 23
  380. Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.46)
  381. 24Paragraph 24
  382. Local Government and Rating Act 1997 (c.29)
  383. 25Paragraph 25
  384. Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c.47)
  385. 26Paragraph 26
  386. Postal Services Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2107)
  387. 27Paragraph 27
  388. Schedule 9: Repeals and revocations