Compensation Act 2006

Compensation Act 2006[1]
Long titleAn Act to specify certain factors that may be taken into account by a court determining a claim in negligence or breach of statutory duty; to make provision about damages for mesothelioma; and to make provision for the regulation of claims management services.
Citation2006 c 29
Introduced byBaroness Ashton Department of Constitutional Affairs, 2 November 2005
Territorial extent England and Wales, but sections 3 and 16(3) to (6) also extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.[2]
Dates
Royal assent26 July 2006
Commencementfrom 26 July 2006, s.3 retrospective
Repealed
Other legislation
Amended by
Repealed by
Relates to
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through Parliament
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended

The Compensation Act 2006 (c 29) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, introduced in response to concerns about a growing compensation culture but conversely to ensure that the public received dependable service from claims management companies. In introducing the Bill, Baroness Ashton said that it was intended "to tackle perceptions that can lead to a disproportionate fear of litigation and risk averse behaviour; to find ways to discourage and resist bad claims; and to improve the system for those with a valid claim for compensation."[3]

The Act brought in specific changes to the law of liability and damages in negligence and breach of statutory duty. It further introduced a scheme of regulation for claims management companies.

  1. ^ The citation of this Act by this short title is authorised by section 18 of this Act.
  2. ^ The Compensation Act 2006, section 17
  3. ^ Baroness Ashton (2005). "Written ministerial statement - House of Lords" (PDF). Department of Constitutional Affairs. Retrieved 20 March 2008.