What this law does
The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 are especially important for online, telephone and off-premises sales. They require specified pre-contract information and create cancellation rights for many distance and off-premises contracts, subject to important exclusions.
Important provisions
The sections most likely to matter in ConsumerWise disputes
These are not the only relevant provisions. They are the provisions ConsumerWise currently maps most often to practical guidance.
Contracts outside the Regulations
Lists important general exclusions including financial services, residential accommodation, package travel and timeshare contracts.
When Part 3 applies
Defines the distance/off-premises cancellation regime and important scope exclusions.
When cancellation rights are excluded
Lists important exceptions to the ordinary cancellation right.
Right to cancel
Creates the cancellation right for qualifying distance and off-premises contracts.
Normal cancellation period
Sets the ordinary cancellation period and when it starts.
Extended cancellation period
Can extend the period where required cancellation information was not provided.
How to cancel
Explains how a consumer exercises the right by informing the trader of the decision to cancel.
Trader reimbursement
Deals with refunds following qualifying cancellation.
Return of goods
Covers return obligations and some reimbursement timing issues.
Services during cancellation period
Deals with services begun during the cancellation period.
Digital content during cancellation period
Deals with digital content supplied during the cancellation period.
Official links: legislation.gov.uk
Connected guidance
See how the law applies in real problems
ConsumerWise tools
Use the law in a guided route
Refund Helper
The change-of-mind route uses these cancellation rules where they apply.
Cancellation Rights Checker
Answer how the contract was made, what you bought and when to test the cooling-off period, exceptions and service/digital-content rules.
The Act name is not the whole answer
A legal outcome can depend on the exact provision, commencement date, territorial application, exceptions, contract type and later amendments. Regulator rules, case law and contractual terms can also matter. ConsumerWise therefore links the law to the practical route rather than treating an Act name as a magic citation.
Official legislation
Check the primary source
ConsumerWise provides general information rather than individual legal advice. Check current wording, commencement, amendments and territorial application against the official source before relying on a provision in a formal dispute.