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consent meaning

What does consent mean?
In legal practice, consent describes a person’s free, informed and voluntary agreement to a proposed act or data use. For data protection, consent is defined in legislation: under the UK GDPR and, in Ireland, the EU GDPR, it is a freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes, signified by a statement or clear affirmative action, agreeing to the processing of personal data. It cannot be inferred from silence, pre‑ticked boxes or inactivity; must be granular and documented; may need to be explicit for special-category data; and can be withdrawn at any time, as easily as it was given. In criminal law, consent is also statutory: England and Wales (Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.74) require agreement by choice with freedom and capacity; Scotland (Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009) uses ‘free agreement’; Northern Ireland (Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008) and Ireland (Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017) adopt similar formulations. In medical law, valid consent to treatment requires capacity and information about material risks and reasonable alternatives. In civil law, consent may negate torts (e.g., trespass/battery) and underpins contractual agreement; duress, undue influence or misrepresentation vitiate genuine consent.
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View the related Checklists about consent

CHECKLISTS
Property transactions: planning due diligence on use—permissions, conditions, enforcement, immunity and reporting (England and Wales)

Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) requires planning consent for any material change in the use of buildings or land. Any limitations or conditions attached to a permission must likewise be adhered to. Liability for any existing breach will transfer to the purchaser. It is therefore essential to verify that the current use of the entire property is properly authorised and that all related conditions are being complied with, or to establish whether any unauthorised use or breach has become immune from enforcement. For further information, see Practice Note: Material change of use. Is the use authorised? Confirm the permitted use of the property, or, where relevant, each planning unit, and determine whether that use is authorised by: an explicit planning permission a certificate of lawful use, or permitted development rights If the permitted use does not mirror an express planning permission, do not assume it is unlawful; it may still be authorised by...

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CHECKLISTS
Investigatory Powers Act 2016: offences, statutory defences and maximum sentences—practitioner checklist (UK)

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA 2016) revamped the legal regime regulating covert surveillance by public authorities. IPA 2016 superseded large parts of the framework previously, though not solely, contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA 2000). See Practice Note: The regulation of intelligence gathering—an introductory guide. This note outlines the offences introduced by IPA 2016. For details of general sentencing limits in a magistrates’ court, see Practice Note: Sentences imposed following conviction—General limits on magistrates’ courts powers to impose custodial sentences following conviction... Section Offence Statutory defence Maximum sentence IPA 2016, s 3 — Unlawful interception: a person, by conduct in the UK, deliberately intercepts a communication during its transmission without lawful authority. Defence: where the individual has the right to control the operation or use of the system, or had that person’s express or implied consent to carry out the interception. Maximum sentence: on summary conviction, a fine; on indictment, up to two years’ imprisonment and/or a...

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CHECKLISTS
Tenant lease surrender: comprehensive checklist and procedure covering premiums, tax, underleases, consents, releases, dilapidations and registration (England and Wales)

This Checklist highlights principal actions and considerations for a tenant weighing up surrendering its lease to its landlord. It is not comprehensive, and you should always assess whether further matters arise that require attention in your specific situation, including any fact-specific risks or obligations. This guidance proceeds on the basis that the following apply: the surrender is by express agreement and not effected by operation of law, and no immediate re-grant in favour of the tenant will follow the surrender You can read this Checklist alongside Practice Note: Lease surrenders and Checklist Surrender of lease—acting for the landlord—checklist. How to use this Checklist Although the mechanics of a lease surrender broadly resemble a sale and purchase in commercial terms (the tenant effectively sells and the landlord buys), notable distinctions remain. The opening section (Key issues) identifies the main points for review, with additional explanation provided in the Procedure table below for handling a lease surrender, in more detail for...

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FLOWCHARTS
Live telephone direct marketing decision tree (UK): PECR 2003 and UK GDPR compliance—lawful basis, TPS/CTPS, suppression lists, claims management and pensions bans, identity/transparency duties; excludes automated calls

These Flowcharts These Flowcharts offer direction on the proper method for completing the parts of a stock transfer form that address consideration, stamp duty certification, and execution. They are included within an annotated stock transfer form, which clearly sets out instructions explaining how its sections should be properly filled in...

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FLOWCHARTS
UK GDPR postal direct marketing decision tree: lawful bases, MPS screening, suppression lists, explicit consent for special category data, transparency and objection rights

This Flowchart This Flowchart helps determine the appropriate rate of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) for the transaction in question. Different SDLT rates may apply to purchases depending on the property type (residential, non-residential (commercial property), or mixed-use property). Use this Flowchart in conjunction with Practice Note: Rates of SDLT. This Flowchart proceeds on the basis that: the buyer is acquiring a single property and the purchase is not linked with any other transaction. For further detail on linked transactions, see Practice Note: SDLT chargeable consideration—Linked transactions no relief from SDLT applies to the transaction...

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FLOWCHARTS
Planning Permission Requirement Flowchart: A Practitioner’s Guide to Determining Whether Development Needs Consent

View or print a full-size PDF version:...

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View the related News about consent

NEWS
UK and EU commercial law weekly: UKSC no-profit fiduciary ruling, CMA consumer enforcement guidance, ECJ upholds asymmetric jurisdiction clauses, CMA tech transfer consultation, ASA pricing ruling, HMRC updates, resources

In this issue: Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Agency and distribution Consumer protection Contracts Contractual joint ventures International Daily and weekly news alerts Dates for your diary Trackers New and updated content Advertising, marketing and sponsorship ASA rulings—19 March 2025 A single complaint was made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) about Haven Leisure Ltd’s claims on holiday pricing. The ASA upheld the complaint. See: LNB News 19/03/2025 11. Agency and distribution Recovery Partners GP Ltd v Rukhadze [2025] UKSC 10 The Supreme Court dismissed the appellants’ appeal against an order to account for profits earned in breach of duty; they were employees of the respondent companies and owed fiduciary duties. The court affirmed strict adherence to the fiduciary ‘no profit’ rule, rejecting arguments for a ‘but for’ causation test and for counterfactual enquiries into whether the gains could have been authorised if consent had been sought. See: Recovery Partners GP...

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NEWS
UK and EU commercial law weekly: GDPR platform liability, SME subcontracting, FOB price claim succeeds, proposed forced labour import bans, and content updates — 15 January 2026

In this issue: E-commerce Public procurement Sale and supply of goods Supply chain Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Latest Q&A E-commerce EU GDPR obligations and platform liability (X v Russmedia) The operator of an online marketplace where a listing appeared was held to have breached its duties under the EU General Data Protection Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (EU GDPR), even though it removed the advert swiftly, in under an hour after receiving a takedown request. The court concluded it acted as a joint controller of the sensitive personal data within the advert and should, before publication, have put in place measures to: (i) detect adverts containing sensitive personal data; (ii) confirm that the advertiser is the individual whose sensitive personal data features in the advert and, if not, ensure the data subject’s explicit consent has been obtained; and (iii) implement safeguards to stop any further...

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NEWS
Amazon Ads’ EU DMA compliance: granular fee transparency, clean room campaign verification, and updated consent for personalised ads from 6 March 2024

Amazon Ads and the Digital Markets Act 31 January 2024 The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is an EU regulation that sets out a series of obligations and takes effect on 6 March 2024. In September 2023, Amazon was named a ‘gatekeeper’. Since that designation, Amazon Ads has worked collaboratively with the European Commission and is introducing changes to ensure compliance. For example, we are increasing the level of detail within our pricing reports. Currently, our advertiser and publisher customers enjoy real-time visibility of extensive pricing information. From 6 March 2024, advertisers and publishers running campaigns in the EU will be able to access...

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View the related Practice Notes about consent

PRACTICE NOTES
Parental responsibility under the Children Act 1989: definition, scope, case law and key issues (education, religion, medical consent, surnames, contact, relocation, passports, adoption, guardianship) in England and Wales

This Practice Note outlines the concept of parental responsibility for children under section 3 of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989). It describes what sits within the scope of parental responsibility and how the courts have read this concept in connection with matters such as education, religious upbringing, consent to medical treatment, changing a child’s surname, and removing a child from the jurisdiction. Definition Parental responsibility relates to the care and raising of a child until they reach adulthood. Under the ChA 1989, parental responsibility comprises all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority that, in law, a parent holds in respect of their child and the child’s property. It also embraces the rights, powers and duties that a guardian of the child’s estate (appointed before the ChA 1989 commenced) possessed in relation to the child’s property. Those rights extend to receiving or recovering, in the guardian’s own name for the child’s benefit, property of any description and wherever located to which the child is entitled to receive...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Family arbitration and court oversight in England and Wales: stays, consent orders, and challenges post-Haley for financial remedies and children under the IFLA scheme and Arbitration Acts 1996/2025

This Practice Note clearly explains the courts’ function within the context of family arbitration. In matters concerning families, any arbitration normally proceeds under the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (IFLA) scheme. The courts continue to have overall jurisdiction over any family arbitration award or determination and will endorse the award or determination provided it falls within recognised limits, thereby fully respecting the parties’ autonomy. For further practical guidance on, among other things, the conduct of arbitration in family cases, the principal advantages of arbitration, the scope of the IFLA scheme and the arbitrator’s powers, please see Practice Note: Family arbitration—introduction. Acting on Law Commission proposals to reform the Arbitration Act 1996 (AA 1996) and to bring in measures to bolster arbitrator immunity, enhance overall case efficiency and clarify the court’s powers, a draft Bill reflecting those recommendations was formally laid before Parliament and subsequently obtained Royal Assent on 25 February 2025. Accordingly, the Arbitration Act 2025 (AA 2025) modifies AA 1996 from 1 August 2025 by virtue of the Arbitration...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Traffic Regulation Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: authorities, procedure, notices, consents and challenges (England and Wales)

This Practice Note identifies the traffic authorities empowered to manage highway traffic across the highway network under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA 1984), and outlines a traffic authority’s obligations in relation to road traffic. It sets out how that duty is discharged by making Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) pursuant to the RTRA 1984, and the situations where approval from the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers is required, where necessary and appropriate, before an Order is made. What is a Traffic Regulation Order? A TRO is a formal order or byelaw issued by a traffic authority specifying the type and scope of traffic restrictions within a particular locality...

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PRECEDENTS
Settlement agreement precedent (Scotland) for civil court or arbitration disputes, including release, agreement not to sue, confidentiality and joint minute

This Agreement is dated [ date ] Parties [ insert name of the pursuer ], a company registered in Scotland (no [ insert company number ]), whose [ registered office OR principal place of business ] is at [ insert address ] (the Pursuer) [ and ] [ ; ] [ insert name of defender ], a company registered in Scotland (no [ insert company number ]), whose [ registered office OR principal place of business ] is at [ insert address ] (the Defender). Each being a Party and, together, the Parties. Whereas (A) [ Insert details of the background to the dispute eg ‘The Parties entered into a contract for the supply of certain goods etc ]. (B) A dispute has emerged between the Parties regarding [ insert details of the dispute ] (the Dispute). (C) [ Proceedings were raised by the Pursuer against the Defender on [ date ] by way of [ Summons OR...

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PRECEDENTS
No-fault divorce under the DDSA 2020: client guide to procedure, timings, joint applications and costs (England and Wales)

This document offers general guidance on divorce procedure. Your family solicitor can provide advice tailored to your circumstances. Specific advice will depend on your circumstances, and your family solicitor can provide this. No fault divorce The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (DDSA 2020) substantially reshaped divorce law, aiming to lower acrimony by bringing in the commonly called ‘no fault divorce’. The legislation removes the need to attribute fault when initiating proceedings, rather than apportion blame at the outset. It entirely dispenses with attributing blame at the commencement of divorce proceedings. Historically, to obtain a divorce in England and Wales, the applicant had to demonstrate that the marriage had irretrievably broken down, which required proving one of five facts. Three rested on fault—adultery, unreasonable behaviour, and desertion—while two depended on a qualifying period of separation: two years with consent, or five years without consent...

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PRECEDENTS
Offshore trust precedent: Deed to exclude a beneficiary or class and declare an Excluded Person (with Appointor consent)

This Deed is executed on [ date ] Parties 1 [ insert name ] of [ insert address ] together with [ insert name ] of [ insert address ] (the Trustees ) and 2 [ insert name ] of [ insert address ] (the Appointor ) Background (A) This Deed supplements: (i) a trust (the Trust ) dated [ insert date ] and constituted by [ insert name ] and [ insert name ] and [ insert name ] (the Trust Deed ) and (ii) those deeds and events set out in [ the ] the Schedule. (B) The Trustees are currently the trustees of the Trust. (C) The Appointor is the present Appointor of the Trust...

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View the related Q&As about consent

Q&As
UK GDPR: Legitimate interests or consent for using employees’ birth dates (day/month) for birthday greetings?

In any specific context, a controller handling personal data or information must assess if the processing activity complies with what is now the applicable Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018)...

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Q&As
Section 38 agreement: termination and bond release pre-commencement

Section 38 agreements These agreements fall under section 38 of the Highways Act 1980; refer to Practice Note: Highways—adoption agreements. There is no statutory route by which agreements can be ended or ‘cancelled’. However, a section 38 agreement may, in principle, be altered by a deed of variation, but this requires consent of all parties to the original agreement...

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Q&As
Post-18 tertiary education after lapsed child maintenance order: para 2(3) Sch 1 CA 1989; child or PWC?

The young person is now past 18, has finished secondary schooling and is moving on to higher education. The prior maintenance arrangement has now ceased, and the child intends to seek financial provision under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989) by making their application. Under ChA 1989, Sch 1, a parent, guardian, or special guardian of a child, or any person in whose favour a residence order is in force with respect of a child, may apply for a range of orders for the benefit of a child as provided under Sch 1...

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