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Can A Shop Refuse Legal Tender?

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nailit | 19:12 Sat 03rd Jul 2021 | Law
31 Answers
Have been given £80 in 4 old £20 notes.
I know that they are still legal tender until 30 September.
My local corner shop was a bit reluctant to accept one, although eventually did when I pointed out that they were still acceptable.

Just wondered if a business can refuse legal tender
(Also had an incident years ago involving Scottish notes, just want to clarify the law RE: money)
Thanks.
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As other have indicated, a trader is entitled to refuse any type of payment (unless, in some bizarre way, he manages to discriminate against them on the grounds of their race, gender, religion, etc, by doing so). The term 'legal tender' only comes into play when, for example, someone is trying to sue another for non-payment of debt. If the debtor has offered...
19:56 Sat 03rd Jul 2021
Also
"
It is an interesting fact that there is no legal right to demand change from a payment. Part of the service shops offer is to return change to customers who do not have the correct legal tender amount; they are not, however, obliged to. "

https://www.rradar.com/post/the-coinage-act-1971-and-legal-tender
"So are £20 notes being replaced with coins?"

Bank of England £20 notes are legal tender
in the UK outwith Scotland.
They're also not legal tender in Ulster.
No Piggy, the paper ones are being phased out gradually, we have the new polymer ones.
They must be similar to aussie or kiwi notes, as theyve been plastic coated for years.
There are also limits on how much you can pay with certain denominations:

https://www.royalmint.com/aboutus/policies-and-guidelines/legal-tender-guidelines/
They dont go out of circulation until September 2022 so you have plenty of time to spend them.

Just as well as i have loads!
All Bank of England currency notes contain a declaration, signed by the governor of the Bank of England, "I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of xxx pounds". Even after the expiry date they can be exchanged at a bank.
***//and Scottish notes aren't legal tender in Scotland//
Really??***

Really. They are "legal currency" in that they have been approved for use by the UK Parliament, but they are not legal tender (which is explained above).
Prior to its withdrawal, the only legal tender banknote in Scotland was the Bank of England one-pound note.
Question Author
Well, thats been an education in currency.
Thanks all.
(Only enquired about a £20 note)
Thanks for all replies.

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