Statute of Frauds 1677: Fundamental legislation requiring guarantees to be in writing and signed by the guarantor or their authorized representative
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999: Governs how third parties may enforce terms of the guarantee and their rights under the agreement
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: Key legislation applicable when the guarantee is provided in connection with regulated financial activities
Consumer Credit Act 1974: Crucial legislation when the guarantee relates to a consumer credit agreement, especially if the guarantor is an individual
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977: Controls unreasonable exclusion clauses in business-to-business contracts and limits the extent to which liability can be excluded
Consumer Rights Act 2015: Applies when the guarantor is acting as a consumer and controls unfair terms in consumer contracts
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001: Secondary legislation determining whether the guarantee falls within regulated activities requiring authorization
Common Law Principles: Essential legal principles including consideration, contractual construction, misrepresentation, undue influence, and discharge of guarantees
Companies Act 2006: Corporate law framework governing company guarantors, including issues of corporate capacity, authority, and requirements for execution of documents
