Section 20 — Direct discrimination in the regulation of services

This version in force from 2020-12-31

Snapshot: 2026-08-24

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .

(1) A regulatory requirement that directly discriminates against a service provider is of no effect in relation to that service provider.

(2) A regulatory requirement directly discriminates against a service provider if—

(a) it has, or would have, the effect of treating the service provider less favourably than other service providers, and

(b) the reason for that less favourable treatment is the service provider's relevant connection, or lack of relevant connection, to a part of the United Kingdom.

(3) A regulatory requirement is not to be taken to directly discriminate against a service provider to the extent the requirement can reasonably be justified as a response to a public health emergency.

(4) For the purposes of this section, a service provider has a relevant connection to a part of the United Kingdom if the service provider—

(a) has a registered office, place of business or residence in that part,

(b) provides services from that part, or