UKA company contract says I must use arbitration not courts. Is this enforceable?
Yes, arbitration clauses are generally enforceable in the UK — but not if you're a consumer and the clause is unfair or prevents you from going to court for statutory rights.
What the Law Says
The enforceability of an arbitration clause depends on who you are — a consumer or a business — and whether the clause is fair and transparent.
In business-to-consumer contracts, arbitration clauses are subject to strict fairness rules under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If the clause deprives you of your legal rights or makes it excessively difficult to enforce them, it may be unenforceable.
The law treats terms that exclude or restrict the consumer’s right to go to court as potentially unfair — especially where they force disputes into private arbitration without clear benefit or consent.
Statutory TextA term which has the object or effect of excluding or restricting the consumer’s right to take legal action or exercise any other legal remedy, including the right to pursue a claim through the courts, is unfair.
— Consumer Rights Act 2015, s. 62 — Unfair terms in consumer contracts
What to Do
Check if you’re a ‘consumer’ (i.e., acting outside your trade/business)
Review the arbitration clause: is it prominent, plain language, and fair?
Ask whether it stops you from enforcing statutory rights (e.g., faulty goods, misrepresentation)
If unsure, seek advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor — courts can rule the clause unenforceable if unfair
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.