Competition Act 1998: Primary legislation governing anti-competitive agreements and vertical arrangements between suppliers and distributors. Ensures compliance with competition law and regulates market behavior.
Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993: While primarily for agents, this legislation is crucial for clearly distinguishing the relationship as a distributorship to avoid misclassification and unintended legal obligations.
Consumer Rights Act 2015: Essential legislation if the distributor sells to consumers, covering warranty terms and consumer protection obligations.
Sale of Goods Act 1979: Governs commercial sales of goods and defines fundamental rights and obligations in business-to-business transactions.
Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982: Relevant legislation for any services aspects included within the distribution agreement.
Trade Marks Act 1994: Protects intellectual property rights related to trademarks in the distribution relationship.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988: Governs intellectual property rights protection for copyrights, designs, and patents that may be involved in the distribution arrangement.
UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018: Regulates the processing and handling of personal data between parties and in business operations.
Modern Slavery Act 2015: Addresses supply chain considerations and ensures compliance with anti-slavery and human trafficking regulations.
Bribery Act 2010: Ensures anti-corruption compliance in the distribution relationship and related business activities.
Misrepresentation Act 1967: Covers false statements and representations made during contract formation and execution.
EU Retained Law: Post-Brexit legislation retained from EU law that continues to affect distribution agreements in the UK.
International Trade Regulations: Various regulations governing cross-border distribution, including export controls and international sanctions compliance.
