Terms of Service (UK)
England & Wales
These Terms of Service (the "Terms") govern your access to and use of the website located at [Website URL] and the services described as [Service Description] (collectively, the "Service"), operated by [Company Name], [Company Entity Type] (Companies House number: [Company Reg Number]) ("we", "us", or "our").
Our registered office is at [Company Address], [Company City], [Company County], [Company Postcode], England. Our VAT registration number is [VAT Number]. You may contact us by email at [Company Email].
By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Service. These Terms take effect on [Effective Date].
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. If you are a consumer, you will benefit from any mandatory provisions of the law of the country in which you are resident. Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 In these Terms, the following definitions apply:
- "Content" means any text, images, audio, video, software, data, or other material uploaded, posted, or transmitted through the Service;
- "Consumer" means an individual acting for purposes that are wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft, or profession, as defined in the Consumer Rights Act 2015;
- "Intellectual Property Rights" means patents, utility models, rights to inventions, copyright and neighbouring rights, trade marks and service marks, business names and domain names, goodwill and the right to sue for passing off, rights in designs, database rights, rights to use and protect the confidentiality of confidential information, and all other intellectual property rights, whether registered or unregistered;
- "User", "you", or "your" means any person who accesses or uses the Service.
2. THE SERVICE
2.1 We will use reasonable endeavours to make the Service available to you in accordance with these Terms. However, we do not guarantee that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from viruses or other harmful components.
2.2 We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Service at any time, with or without notice. Where a material change affects your use of the Service, we will endeavour to provide reasonable advance notice.
2.3 We may perform scheduled and emergency maintenance from time to time, during which the Service may be temporarily unavailable. We will use reasonable endeavours to minimise disruption and, where possible, to notify you in advance of scheduled maintenance.
3. ACCEPTABLE USE
3.1 You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You must not use the Service:
[Prohibited Activities]
3.2 We reserve the right to investigate any suspected breach of this clause and to take appropriate action, including suspending or terminating your access to the Service, reporting the matter to law enforcement authorities, and disclosing information to them as we reasonably feel is necessary.
3.3 You are solely responsible for any Content you upload, post, or transmit through the Service. You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights and permissions to submit such Content and that it does not infringe the Intellectual Property Rights or other rights of any third party.
4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
4.1 [IP Ownership Description]
4.2 We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Service for your personal or internal business purposes, in accordance with these Terms. This licence does not include the right to modify, copy, distribute, sell, lease, or create derivative works based on the Service or any Content, except as expressly permitted.
4.3 Nothing in these Terms transfers any Intellectual Property Rights from us to you. All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved.
4.4 If you believe that any Content on the Service infringes your Intellectual Property Rights, please contact us at [Company Email] with details of the alleged infringement.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
5.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for: death or personal injury caused by our negligence; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; any breach of the terms implied by Section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 or Section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982; or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.
5.2 Subject to clause 8.1, our total aggregate liability to you for all claims arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of the Service shall not exceed [Liability Cap].
5.3 Subject to clause 8.1, we shall not be liable for any: loss of profits, loss of business, loss of revenue, loss of anticipated savings, loss of data, loss of goodwill, or any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive damages, howsoever arising, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise.
5.4 If you are a Consumer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides that certain terms cannot be excluded by contract. Where any provision of these Terms is held to be unfair under Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, that provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
6. INDEMNITY
6.1 If you are a business user (and not a Consumer), you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless [Company Name], its directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with: your breach of these Terms; your use of the Service; any Content you submit through the Service; or your violation of any applicable law or the rights of a third party.
6.2 This clause does not apply to Consumers. Nothing in this clause is intended to override the statutory protections available to Consumers under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 or any other applicable legislation.
7. TERMINATION
7.1 You may terminate your use of the Service [Termination Notice].
7.2 We may terminate or suspend your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, if: you breach any provision of these Terms; we are required to do so by law; or we decide to discontinue the Service in whole or in part.
7.3 Upon termination: your right to use the Service will cease immediately; any licences granted to you under these Terms will terminate; and we may delete your account and any associated data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
7.4 Clauses that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to: Intellectual Property, Limitation of Liability, Indemnity, and Governing Law.
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and us in relation to your use of the Service and supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.
8.2 Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found by any court or other competent authority to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
8.3 No Waiver: A failure or delay by us to exercise any right or remedy under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy.
8.4 Assignment: We may assign, transfer, or sub-contract any of our rights or obligations under these Terms to any third party at our discretion. You may not assign, transfer, or sub-contract any of your rights or obligations without our prior written consent.
8.5 Third Party Rights: A person who is not a party to these Terms shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of its terms.
8.6 Amendments: We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time by publishing the updated Terms on our website. Material changes will be notified to registered users by email. Your continued use of the Service after the updated Terms are published constitutes your acceptance of the amended Terms.
9. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
9.1 These Terms and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
9.2 If you are a Consumer, you may bring proceedings in the courts of England and Wales or, if you are resident in another part of the United Kingdom, in the courts of the relevant jurisdiction. If you are a business user, the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms.
10. CONTACT US
10.1 If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:
[Company Name]
Address: [Company Address], [Company City], [Company County], [Company Postcode]
Email: [Company Email]
What Is a Terms of Service (UK)?
A Terms of Service in the United Kingdom sets the service levels, data-handling duties, fees, and liability terms under which the technology or platform is supplied, and takes its legal force from the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It defines the service scope, SLA, pricing, data-protection duties, and liability allocation between provider and customer.
The primary legislative framework governing Terms of Service for UK businesses includes the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015), the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (UCTA), and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Each of these statutes imposes specific obligations on businesses that offer goods or services to consumers in the United Kingdom.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is the most significant piece of consumer protection legislation. Part 2 (sections 62-69) establishes the fairness test for contract terms: a term is unfair and therefore not binding on the consumer if it causes a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations to the detriment of the consumer, contrary to the requirement of good faith. The Act also contains a grey list (Schedule 2) of terms that may be regarded as unfair, and a blacklist of terms that are automatically unfair regardless of circumstances.
The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, retained in UK law after Brexit, require information society service providers to make specific information available to users, including the identity of the provider, geographic address, registration details, and VAT number. These requirements apply to any business that provides services by electronic means at the individual request of a recipient.
The legal framework governing the Terms of Service (UK) in United Kingdom draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Parties executing a Terms of Service (UK) in United Kingdom should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a Terms of Service (UK)?
Terms of Service are essential for any business that operates a website, mobile application, or online platform in the United Kingdom. They establish the legal framework governing the relationship between the business and its users, define acceptable use of the service, protect the business's intellectual property rights, and limit liability to the extent permitted by law.
You need Terms of Service if you operate an e-commerce website or online marketplace where consumers purchase goods or services. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require you to provide specific pre-contract information to consumers before they are bound by a distance contract, including the main characteristics of the goods or services, the total price inclusive of taxes, delivery costs, the arrangements for payment and delivery, the existence of the 14-day right to cancel, and the conditions for exercising that right. Your Terms of Service should incorporate all of this mandatory information.
You need Terms of Service if you operate a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, subscription service, or any digital service that users access through a website or application. The terms should define the scope of the service, the subscription model, payment terms, and the conditions under which access may be suspended or terminated. For SaaS businesses, the terms should also address data ownership, service level commitments, and the procedures for data export or deletion upon termination.
If your website allows users to create accounts, submit content, interact with other users, or access community features, Terms of Service are essential for establishing acceptable use policies and the consequences of violation. User-generated content platforms face particular risks related to copyright infringement, defamation, and illegal content, and strong Terms of Service provide a contractual basis for content moderation and account termination.
Even if your website is purely informational and does not sell goods or services, Terms of Service are advisable to protect your intellectual property rights, disclaim liability for the accuracy of information provided, and establish the governing law and jurisdiction for any disputes. The Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002 apply to all information society services, not just commercial transactions.
What to Include in Your Terms of Service (UK)
A well-drafted Terms of Service document for use in England and Wales must contain several essential elements that reflect both English common law requirements and the specific obligations imposed by UK consumer protection legislation.
Company identification is a mandatory starting point. The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 require you to provide your company name, geographic address, email address, Companies House registration number (if applicable), VAT number (if registered), and details of any relevant trade register or professional body. Failure to provide this information is a criminal offence under Regulation 13.
The service description should clearly define what the service is, how it works, and any limitations on availability. For consumer contracts, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require you to provide the main characteristics of the service to the extent appropriate to the medium of communication.
Pricing and payment terms must be transparent and prominent. For consumer contracts, prices must be stated inclusive of VAT and all mandatory charges. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides that the price term is exempt from the fairness assessment only if it is transparent and prominent (Section 64). Hidden fees or ambiguous pricing structures are likely to be found unfair.
The 14-day cancellation right is a mandatory provision for consumer distance contracts under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. You must inform consumers of this right before the contract is concluded. If you fail to provide this information, the cancellation period is automatically extended by up to 12 months. The template of the model cancellation form must be provided as required by Schedule 3 of the Regulations.
Limitation of liability clauses must comply with both UCTA 1977 and CRA 2015. Liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence can never be excluded. Other exclusions and limitations must satisfy the reasonableness test under UCTA and the fairness test under CRA 2015. It is standard practice to include an uncapped carve-out for certain types of liability (fraud, death, personal injury) and a capped limitation for all other liability.
The governing law clause should specify the laws of England and Wales. For consumer contracts, you must also include a statement that the consumer will benefit from any mandatory provisions of the law of their country of residence, as required by Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 593/2008 (Rome I) as retained in UK law.
Additional compliance elements for a Terms of Service (UK) used in United Kingdom include: Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for United Kingdom-compliant documentation.
Sources & Citations
Statutory citations link to official government sources.
- Regulation (EC) No 593/2008EU official
- Rome IEU official
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Terms of Service (UK) (United Kingdom) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/contracts/terms-of-service-uk
"Terms of Service (UK) (United Kingdom)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/contracts/terms-of-service-uk.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Terms of Service (UK) (United Kingdom)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/contracts/terms-of-service-uk}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Consumer Rights Act 2015}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Terms of Service are legally enforceable as a contract under English common law, provided the basic requirements of contract formation are satisfied: offer, acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations, and certainty of terms. For online services, acceptance typically occurs through a click-wrap mechanism (where the user actively clicks a button to accept the terms) or, less reliably, a browse-wrap mechanism (where continued use of the website constitutes acceptance). English courts generally prefer click-wrap agreements because they provide clearer evidence that the user was aware of and consented to the terms. The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 require that terms must be made available in a way that allows the recipient to store and reproduce them. Importantly, any terms that apply to consumers must comply with the fairness test under Part 2 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (sections 62-69), which provides that a term is unfair if it causes a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations to the detriment of the consumer.
The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, which implemented the EU Consumer Rights Directive in the UK, give consumers the right to cancel a distance contract (including online purchases) within 14 days without giving any reason. For service contracts, the 14-day cancellation period begins on the day the contract is entered into. For goods, it begins on the day the consumer receives the goods. If the consumer has not been properly informed of the cancellation right, the cancellation period is automatically extended by up to 12 months. The trader must refund the consumer within 14 days of receiving the cancellation notice. If the consumer has requested that performance of the service begin during the cancellation period, the consumer must pay for the service provided up to the point of cancellation. There are exceptions, including for digital content that has been downloaded with the consumer's prior express consent, bespoke or personalised goods, and sealed goods that have been unsealed after delivery for hygiene reasons.
The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 require information society service providers (which includes most businesses operating a website) to make certain information easily, directly, and permanently accessible to service recipients. Under Regulation 6, this information includes: the name of the service provider; the geographic address at which the service provider is established; contact details including an email address; if the service provider is registered in a trade or similar register, the name of that register and the registration number; if the activity is subject to an authorisation scheme, the details of the relevant supervisory authority; if the service provider is a member of a professional body, the professional title and the member state in which it was granted; the VAT identification number if the provider is registered for VAT; and where prices are referred to, clear and unambiguous indication of whether the prices are inclusive of tax and delivery costs. These requirements were retained in UK law following the UK's departure from the European Union.
You can include limitation of liability clauses in your Terms of Service, but they are subject to significant legal constraints under English law. The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (UCTA) provides that liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence cannot be excluded or restricted under any circumstances (Section 2(1)). Other liability for negligence can only be excluded to the extent that the term satisfies the requirement of reasonableness (Section 2(2)). For consumer contracts, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015) provides additional protection: under Section 62, a term is unfair if it causes a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations to the detriment of the consumer, contrary to the requirement of good faith. Schedule 2 of the CRA 2015 contains a grey list of terms that may be regarded as unfair, including terms that inappropriately exclude or limit the trader's liability in the event of death or personal injury, or that inappropriately exclude or limit the consumer's rights in the event of total or partial non-performance by the trader. If a term is found to be unfair, it is not binding on the consumer.
Under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015, traders who sell goods or services to consumers in the UK must inform consumers about any relevant ADR entity that they are willing to use, or state that they are not willing to use ADR. This requirement applies regardless of whether the trader is obliged to participate in ADR or voluntarily agrees to do so. The information must be provided on the trader's website and in the general terms and conditions. While the UK Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform requirement lapsed following Brexit (the EU ODR Regulation no longer applies in the UK), the ADR information requirement under the 2015 Regulations remains in force. Certified ADR bodies in the UK include the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), the Ombudsman Services, and various sector-specific schemes. Failure to comply with the ADR information requirements can result in enforcement action by local trading standards authorities.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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