UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018: Primary legislation governing how personal data must be collected, processed, stored, and protected during the background check process.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974: Regulates the disclosure of criminal convictions, including provisions about spent convictions and exceptions for certain types of employment.

Equality Act 2010: Ensures the background check process doesn't discriminate based on protected characteristics and maintains fair treatment in recruitment.

Employment Rights Act 1996: Provides the general framework for employment relationships and is relevant for conditional job offers.

Human Rights Act 1998: Particularly Article 8 (right to privacy), ensures background checks are proportionate and necessary.

Police Act 1997: Regulates criminal record checks and is particularly relevant if DBS checks are required.

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000: Relevant for background checks in financial sector roles, including specific requirements for regulated positions.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006: Essential legislation when conducting background checks for roles involving work with vulnerable people.

Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006: Governs right to work checks as part of the pre-employment verification process.