The Mock Auctions Act 1961 (9 & 10 Eliz. 2. c. 47) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that regulated mock auctions. It was repealed by the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1277).
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to prohibit certain practices in relation to sales purporting to be sales by auction. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 9 & 10 Eliz. 2. c. 47 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 27 July 1961 |
| Commencement | 27 August 1961 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1277) |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
Background edit
Attempts to pass an Act regulating mock auctions started in 1928, with the Mock Auctions Bill introduced by Lord Gorell. The Bill failed after it was passed to a Select Committee, which reported that existing provisions were sufficient to deal with the problem. Opponents of the Bill argued that it would be impossible to secure convictions, since victims are reluctant to come forward and highlight their gullibility.[1] The second Mock Auctions Bill was introduced to Parliament by a group of MPs including Norman Dodds, and received royal assent on 27 July 1961.[2][3]
Act edit
To avoid interfering with genuine auctions, the Act includes a complex and detailed definition of a mock auction. A mock auction is an auction featuring competitive bidding which satisfies one of three tests:
- if there is a reduction in price or repayment of the money to the highest bidder,
- if the right to bid is restricted to people who have bought other items or
- if any items are offered as gifts or given away.[4]
The punishment for running a mock auction, if convicted, was at most either a £1,000 fine, two years in prison or both.[5]
References edit
- ^ Downey (1962) p.334
- ^ "PRIVATE MEMBERS' BILLS (OBJECTIONS) 4 March 1960". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 4 March 1960. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- ^ "ROYAL ASSENT". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 27 July 1961. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- ^ Downey (1962) p.336
- ^ Downey (1962) p.335
Bibliography edit
- Downey, B.W.M. (1962). "Mock Auctions Act, 1961". Modern Law Review. 25 (3). Blackwell Publishing. ISSN 0026-7961.