Sale of Goods Act 1979: Primary legislation governing the sale of goods (including boats) in England and Wales. Establishes implied terms about title, quality, and fitness for purpose, and defines fundamental rights and obligations of both seller and buyer.
Merchant Shipping Act 1995: Maritime-specific legislation relevant for registered vessels. Covers requirements for vessel registration, transfer of ownership procedures, and compliance with maritime regulations.
Consumer Rights Act 2015: Applicable when selling to private individuals (consumers). Provides additional consumer protections and rights not available in business-to-business transactions.
Misrepresentation Act 1967: Ensures statements made about the vessel are accurate and truthful. Provides remedies against false representations made during the sale process.
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR: Regulates the handling and processing of personal information of parties involved in the transaction.
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977: Ensures contract terms are fair and reasonable, particularly important for limitation of liability clauses in the bill of sale.
Maritime Liens Consideration: Legal requirement to check and declare any existing maritime liens or encumbrances on the vessel before sale.
VAT Status Requirements: Consideration of the vessel's VAT status and proper documentation of VAT paid or exempt status.
Insurance Requirements: Consideration of insurance obligations during and after the sale process, including transfer of insurance responsibilities.
Maritime Authority Registration: Requirements for registration or transfer of registration with relevant maritime authorities, particularly for larger vessels.
