GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018: Key legislation governing how personal information must be handled, including data retention periods and candidate rights regarding their personal data in recruitment communications

Equality Act 2010: Ensures the rejection letter avoids any discriminatory language, references to protected characteristics, and maintains a neutral, professional tone

Employment Rights Act 1996: Governs aspects of feedback provision in recruitment communications, ensuring it's factual and non-discriminatory, and requires proper maintenance of recruitment decision records

Defamation Act 2013: Requires careful consideration to avoid potentially defamatory statements and ensures any statements made in the rejection letter are truthful

Best Practice Guidelines: Professional standards including maintaining courtesy, avoiding uncertain promises about future opportunities, proper record-keeping, and clear communication about the recruitment process conclusion