Which legislation restricts the use of exclusion clauses in commercial contracts?

The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 is specifically designed to regulate and restrict the use of exclusion clauses in contracts. This Act addresses situations where one party may attempt to limit their liability or exclude responsibility for breaches of contract or negligence through such clauses. It aims to ensure fairness in contractual dealings, particularly in situations where there is a disparity of bargaining power between the parties involved.

Under this legislation, an exclusion clause cannot be enforced unless it meets the requirement of being deemed reasonable. Factors that influence this assessment of reasonableness include the nature of the contract, the circumstances surrounding the agreement, and the ability of the parties to negotiate terms.

Other options, while relevant to contract law, do not focus specifically on the regulation of exclusion clauses. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 deals primarily with consumer protections, including unfair terms in consumer contracts but is distinct from the broader application of the Unfair Contract Terms Act. The Contract Act 1967 serves as a general framework for contracts, and the Sale of Goods Act 1979 primarily governs the sale of goods and associated rights and obligations, rather than exclusion clauses specifically. Thus, the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 stands out as the key legislation in this regard.