Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Consumer definition

What does Consumer mean? A consumer is, in practice, an individual who acquires goods, services or digital content for personal use, not for the purposes of a trade, business, craft or profession. The precise meaning is statutory and context‑specific. England & Wales and Scotland: The Consumer Rights Act 2015, s2(3), defines a consumer as an individual acting for purposes wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession (capturing mixed‑purpose purchases where the business purpose is not predominant). The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 instead asks whether a party “deals as consumer”, a distinct test relevant to exclusion and limitation clauses. The Sale of...

In-app purchases: UK consumer protection, advertising, online safety and best practice (CPUTR to DMCCA transition, CCR digital content, CMA/ASA/CAP guidance)

Published by a LexisNexis TMT expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note discusses the key legal and commercial issues relevant to in-app purchases and Consumer protection.

It explores the context and key terms, outlines the present consumer protection regime covering in-app purchases, and also considers forthcoming changes, relevant non-binding industry guidance, and practical best practice suggestions for developers. Mobile applications now permeate daily life, mirroring the widespread adoption of smartphones, tablets and other portable computing devices. As usage has expanded, developers have increasingly sought to generate income from substantial user communities. Paying for content or functionality within apps—rather than, or alongside, paying for the app itself—has become the norm. However, developers have been criticised for not ensuring that in-app purchasing is sufficiently transparent or easy for consumers to understand and control.

This Practice Note:

Reviews the background and terminology from a UK consumer law perspective
Sets out the current UK consumer protection framework for in-app purchases and anticipated developments
Identifies non-binding industry guidance that may apply to in-app purchases and provides best practice tips for developers

For a general background to the app development environment...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Sophie Stoneham

Bird & Bird

I enjoy helping consumer-facing brands launch and operate e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, online shops, websites and other applications. I often work on complex international projects where clients are looking to set-up, operate and comply with local laws and regulations globally. My areas of expertise include advising on regulatory compliance issues, particularly in the field of consumer law and marketing, user journeys and customer purchase journeys. I also assist clients with various types of terms and conditions, notices, subscription contracts, EULAs, commercial contracts, influencer contracts, product/service launches and advertising campaigns.I also spent six months working in the Consumer Enforcement Team at the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. In addition to my specialism in business-to-consumer matters, I assist clients with business-to-business transactions. In particular, I have worked on franchise agreements, distribution agreements and other service contracts.I have a keen interest in video gaming, and enjoy working with...

Robert Turner

Bird & Bird

As a Partner in our Commercial Group, I advise clients on complex, cross-border commercial transactions, with particular expertise advising sports and consumer brand clients.I have extensive experience advising on commercial transactions in the Sports sector, acting both for sports rights-holders and sponsors / licensees in relation to sponsorship agreements, licensing arrangements, wagering rights agreements, media rights agreements, agency agreements and hosting agreements. I have acted on many of the highest value commercial deals in the football industry, including advising on the majority of the current shirt sponsorship agreements for the Big 5 Premier League Clubs. I also advise sports clients on their licensing arrangements, both in relation to physical and digital merchandise and wagering rights agreements.My other main area of focus is advising consumer brands when they sell to, or otherwise interact with, consumers. I Co-Head our...

Web page updated on 29/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...