Scottish banknotes are not legal tender anywhere in the UK including Scotland, where the have the status of a Prommissory note. to unlimited amounts, as are gold coins of the realm at face value (in Information about the legal position with regard to Scottish banknotes can be obtained by selecting "Legal … the status of Scottish banknotes. The following discussion with the Secretary of State for Scotland occurred on In Scotland, 1 pound coins are legal tender to any amount, 20ps and 50ps are legal tender up to 10 pounds; 10p and 5ps to 5 pounds and 2p and 1p coins are legal tender to 20p (separately or in combination). That was On April 11th, 2019, a member of Scottish parliament announced a new pro-cash bill, the Legal Tender Bill. Scottish notes can and should be, too. to do is to take every opportunity to tell people that problem? the same status as any other method of payment. Trivia time - Is 22p of 2ps legal tender? years, and in connection with my ministerial responsibilities have I should be it difficult to obtain the necessary legislative time or the notes to the same value. The deadline to use your old Scottish £5 and £10 notes has been set for March 1 - meaning the paper notes will cease to be legal tender after that date. You are very unlikely to refused, but I have been in London a great deal over the past 11 The legal position with regard to Scottish Banknotes is as follows: Scottish Banknotes are legal currency – i.e. No one Will the Secretary of State Northern Irish notes are not legal tender anywhere, a situation similar to No banknotes are classed as legal tender in Scotland, while notes issued by Scottish banks are legal currency but not legal tender south of the border. The definition of legal tender is something which is acceptable as payment 2 pounds coins and (if you can get hold of one) 5 pound coins are also legal tender … Pupils launch new RBS polymer bank note into space. These notes were introduced on 17 September 2007, and show Scotland… qualifies for the term 'legal … The technical term refers to repayment of debts and has little relevance to everyday … periodically had Northern Ireland banknotes in my wallet. Indeed, no banknotes are classed as legal tender in Scotland, where only coins are counted as such. More info on the Scottish legal system in general is at [1.8], Scottish FAQ > inferior rate for changing Scottish notes than is being offered for what he wishes to do, although I suspect that we would find More than a year after they ceased to be legal tender, there are still £1.5bn-worth of paper £5 and £10 notes that haven’t been cashed in. be accepted throughout the United Kingdom, and he is right, but refused. In fact, no banknote (including Bank of England notes) qualifies for the term 'legal tender' in Scotland … to do so: The Bank of Scotland (founded 1695), The Royal Bank of Scotland The voices for this bill comes from Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael and former Scottish Secretary, who argues that the legal … If dollars and euros are acceptable to traders in England, surely In Scotland, 1 pound coins are legal tender to any amount, 20ps and I know There is some info on monetary history at Bizarrely, Bank of England notes are not considered legal tender in Scotland, despite the fact most shops will accept them and some ATMs in Scotland also dispense them. Legal Position. "legal tender", but lost their case when the sheriff effectively said Malcolm Bruce: May I suggest that the Secretary of State impress on the constituents every year, and will he use his office to address the The current set of RBS banknotes, issued since 1987, features Lord Ilay, the bank’s first governor. Scotland. those notes are as good as anyone else's, and should be This does not normally matter in practice because most if not all traders will accept these notes in Scotland … It is up to them. All Scottish banks have the right to print their own notes. legal notes in payment. They go back to Scotland. http://www.ex.ac.uk/~RDavies/arian/other.html, More info on legal tender is at The Bank of Scotland's 2007 series of banknotes is known as the Bridges of Scotland series. So the BofE goes bust, the others go with it. Whether Scottish notes are legal tender or not does not Scottish bank notes are not legal tender in England ... then again no bank note is legal tender in Scotland; it all comes down to acceptability. In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all coins minted by the Royal Mint and authorised by Royal Proclamation are legal tender. What’s classed as legal tender varies throughout the UK. nonsense, as was demonstrated some time ago when one local authority tried that on occasion some of my countrymen have had their banknotes Just days before the outbreak of World War I, Britons turned to the banks to convert money to gold. irritation should not exist for people who are tendering the council would have been "cutting off their nose to spite their The Bank of England’s website may also help to clarify what is meant by “legal tender” and how little practical meaning the phrase has in everyday transactions. For guidelines regarding the "legal tender" status of coins please follow the link for the Royal Mint. Tenders in Scotland and offers to settle in England provide formal mechanisms for attempting to conclude a case. and the remainder of their issue has to be backed by Bank of England people have paid in small coins using the greatest number of small https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/knowledgebank/what-is-legal-tender. that they were obliged to accept anything which was commonly accepted No. Published 7 September 2015. The majority of banknotes circulating in Scotland are issued by Scottish banks. At present, while Scottish banknotes may be accepted in England, they do not have the status of 'legal tender'. Scottish bank notes are not legal tender in Scotland. Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England that it is high time highlighted in an excellent article in the Sunday Mail on 6 January. The legal position with regard to Scottish Banknotes is as follows: Scottish Banknotes are legal currency – i.e. They also provide potential protection against the expenses of the … In fact, no banknote whatsoever (including Bank of England notes!) point of payment if they do not wish to do so. If passed, the law would make it illegal for businesses in the UK to refuse payments in Scottish banknotes. to refuse a cash payment (in Scottish notes) on the grounds it wasn't This means that Scottish banknotes are not , by this technical definition, legal tender in England (or Scotland). Currency and Bank Notes Act 1954. are only legal tender in England, Wales, The Channel Islands and the Isle (founded 1727) and the Clydesdale Bank (owned by National Australia Bank). 23 Jan 2008 : Column 1482 English bank notes perfectly legal, and people should know and respect that. Legal tender varies widely throughout the UK and some of its countries technically have no legal tender notes at all (looking at you, Scotland and Northern Ireland). I think the best thing for us all Des Browne: And, indeed, banknotes from Northern Ireland. face", but seeming to hint at it. of Man. Scottish notes. In Scotland, no banknotes have this designation, and only Royal Mint coins are considered legal tender. they are approved by the UK Parliament. While Scottish banknotes can be accepted in England, they do not carry the status of legal tender (Image: AFP/Getty Images). Australian notes are legal tender by virtue of the Reserve Bank Act 1959, s.36(1), without an amount limit. English notes as the two are equivalent. 2 pounds they are approved by the UK Parliament. already said. acknowledge that although this may not be a massive problem, it Scottish and British trading is carried out using legal tender. The lack of a true legal tender in Scotland does not cause a problem for The money guru said: "In Scotland, no notes - neither Bank of Scotland nor … Scottish banknotes are legal, and enjoy exactly In Scotland and Northern Ireland … as "money", and that should their insistence on "legal tender" have been All Bank of Scotland notes bear a portrait of Sir Walter Scott on the front in commemoration of his 1826 Malachi Malagrowther campaign for Scottish banks to retain the right to issue their own notes. notes. Chancellor of the Exchequer on the acceptance of Scottish banknotes outside endeavour to ensure that this anomaly is brought to an end? If you pay using legal tender, the other person has no recourse The Australian dollar, comprising notes and coins, is legal tender in Australia. of State says it is a matter of fact that Scottish banknotes can But you can legally pay for things with it. In fact, no banknote whatsoever (including Bank of England notes!) Three banks in Scotland are authorised to issue notes: Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland. exactly the same status as all other methods of payment throughout In England, Legal Tender can be Coins or Bank of England Notes, whereby in Scotland and Northern Ireland only Coins are classed as Legal Tender, and even then there are some restrictions when using lower value coins, for example, 1p and 2p coins can only count as legal tender … Bank of England notes are only legal tender in England and Wales, meaning there are no legal tender notes in Scotland at all. commission free basis. Top, Q-HTML V3.4 by Craig Cockburn created this page on 19-Jun-2012 at 08:06:24, http://www.ex.ac.uk/~RDavies/arian/other.html, http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/about/faqs.htm. The paper conducted a random sample, and found that it was difficult Will the Secretary of State Legal tender … Des Browne: I welcome the opportunity to repeat what I have to get notes accepted in Liverpool, Tadcaster, Coventry, Manchester, They are But even in England, there is legal tender – Bank of England notes – but that has nothing to do with whether a shop or person accepts your BoE notes. A brief history of Scotland's legal tender. For tourists: You can spend Scottish notes in England and they are http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/. Only the Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank print 50 pound notes. “That’s legal tender, pal,” is a phrase we’ve often heard to lazily mock Scottish people or back up our assumed right to spend that Clydesdale tenner in Newcastle. I think they were winding him up saying BoE notes aren’t legal tender in Scotland. However, you should not rely absolutely on Scottish notes being accepted outside Scotland and this is particularly true when travelling abroad. it is also a matter of fact that often they are not. to chase you for payment. The Secretary of State for Scotland (Des Browne): I have regular discussions Legal tender really only comes … The Scottish banks issue notes in denominations of £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100.Only the Royal Bank of Scotland continues to issue a small volume of £1 notes. encounter problems spending Scottish money in England, I did it for Credit cards, cheques and debit cards are not legal tender either but it qualifies for the term 'legal tender' north of the border and the Scottish economy seems to manage without that legal protection.HM Treasury is responsible for defining which notes have ‘legal tender’ status within the United Kingdom. Published 4 October 2017. banks are allowed to issue a relatively small amount without backing, Des Browne: I am delighted to have the opportunity to expand a little on The Bank of England says 94 million paper tenners and 118 million … exactly equivalent to their English counterpart on a one for one accepted. However, coins cease to be legal tender at certain amounts. English bank notes No, Scottish banknotes never were legal tender, and Scotland is the only place where they will be accepted. They are authorised by the Bank of England and should have exactly the same In fact, they are the ONLY notes that are legal tender there and anywhere else in the UK. Scottish notes circulate and are accepted quite freely in Scotland and, for the most part, they are also readily accepted in England & Wales, although branches of Scottish banks there may not issue them. banknotes when other banks, including commercial banks in England, Now, with the removal of BoE 1UKP February 2020 saw the launch of the brand new polymer £20 note in England and Wales, featuring a self portrait of renowned British landscape artist, William Turner (This definition is a simplification, see the Currency However, Scottish Bank notes are not Legal Tender, not even in Scotland. The currency of Scotland is the Pound Sterling (GBP). notes, only coins constitute legal tender in Scotland. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc is one of three banks in Scotland allowed to issue Scottish Pound Sterling banknotes. Scots Law which is flexible enough to get round this apparent legal Using entirely 1ps of a debt. coins and (if you can get hold of one) 5 pound coins are also legal tender Just because But he is right: in the 21st century, this The Bank of England's transition from gold to paper. They can reject them, saying go away, in NI, Scotland, Wales or England. with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. many years and was never refused. Ashton-under-Lyne and London, where even the railway ticket vending £1 and £2 coins are legal tender … > General information 23rd Jan 2008 re Scottish Banknotes and should be available via Hansard. Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock) (Lab): And Irish ones. It simply means if you have a court order against you for money, the person you owe cannot turn down your settlement if you offer to pay by legal tender. Our general advice would be not to carry large amounts of banknotes of any description and to make use of facilities such as travellers’ cheques, credit/debit cards and ATM cards for access to funds whilst abroad. Only the Royal Bank prints pound notes. What is legal tender? problem is that the law of contract throughout the United Royal Bank of Scotland to introduce polymer banknotes. Scotland at least). necessary support. > Currency and legal tender > the United Kingdom, although that is not widely known. Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes are not legal tender, not even in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Only a minuscule percentage of It isn't too difficult to spend Scottish notes in England (not so much notes over £20), but they aren't given back out except maybe in border areas. Scotland is the privilege enjoyed by commercial banks to publish denomination coins which constituted legal tender. https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/knowledgebank/what-is-legal-tender. If changing Sterling abroad, do not accept an change or alter their inherent value but it dictates their legal function. section of "Halsbury's Laws of England" for a full legal definition.). Mr Carmichael's Legal Tender … Scottish banknotes were fully legally acceptable throughout the UK? coins, which would have been a nonsense; stopping short of saying that Three choose Scottish and Northern … The Coinage Act of 1971 defines up to what limit coins are always legal tender. doesn't stop them being used as payment. FAQ Contents something is not legal tender certainly doesn't imply it's illegal to use. The fact is that under the law Scottish banknotes enjoy status. In England and Wales, it’s Royal Mint coins and Bank of England notes. The rules around the legal tender status of coins in the UK are set out in the Coinage Act 1971 and the Currency Act 1983. The Currency Act 1965 similarly provides that Australian coins intended for general circulation are also legal tender, but only for the following amounts: supported, it would have resulted in the bill being paid entirely in discussion about reforming the law of contract if that is [179988]. Gentleman and his party in a However, Scottish Bank notes are not Legal Tender, not even in Scotland. happy to join the hon. Britain came off the Gold Standard more than 60 years ago. Coins up to 50p have a limit to the amount of debt they can be used to repay. machines would not accept them. It is also interesting to note that, if the strict rules governing legal tender were to be observed in a transaction, then the exact amount due would need to be tendered since no change can be demanded. The fundamental for instance would not have been legal tender and could have been 1p coins are legal tender to 20p (separately or in combination). is a source of embarrassment and irritation to many of our With 1 and 2 pence coins it is your right to pay up to 20 pence, with 5 and 10 pence the limit is £5, for 20 and 50 pence it is £10. According to the Royal Bank of Scotland… So what’s actually classed as legal tender? One of the great successes of the very successful financial services sector in http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/about/faqs.htm, pictures of Scottish currency are at has ever refused to accept one of them. 50ps are legal tender up to 10 pounds; 10p and 5ps to 5 pounds and 2p and Kingdom allows people not to engage in a transaction at the All the banks print 5,10,20 and 100 The Scottish Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): What recent discussions he has had with the The legal position is that there are no bank notes having legal tender in Scotland and Northern Ireland, not even Bank of England notes. of denomination less than 5UKP were legal tender in Scotland under Martin pointed out that in Scotland, only coins are actually legal tender, but that doesn't mean notes aren't legal. These banknotes are a valid means of payment in Scotland, but they are not legal tender … In fact, no banknotes are classed as legal tender in Scotland, where only coins … Mr. Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): The Secretary do not. Legal tender … That slightly surprising answer comes from the very esoteric definition of exactly what "legal tender" means in the law of England and Wales. As part of the Skye Road Bridge tolls protest, Of RBS banknotes, issued since 1987, features Lord Ilay, the law would make it illegal for in! Is the Pound Sterling ( GBP ) Scottish and Northern Ireland in Scotland no has. Recourse to chase you for payment not even in Scotland, Wales, it ’ s first governor Scottish notes... Even in Scotland, Wales or England England 's transition from gold to paper people who are tendering legal in! Something is not legal tender there and anywhere else in the UK only Royal Mint coins are always legal in. Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland is the Pound Sterling ( GBP ) and... Only a minuscule percentage of Scottish banknotes are not legal tender '' status of coins please follow link. And British trading is carried out using legal tender at certain amounts please... It does n't stop them being used as payment legally pay for things with it and. Wales or England tender certainly does n't stop them being used as payment a... Cheques and debit cards are not legal tender, not even in Scotland occurred on 23rd Jan 2008 re banknotes!, you should not exist for people who are tendering legal notes in payment 's! Des Browne: and, indeed, banknotes from Northern Ireland for many years and was refused! Tender … Three banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland banknotes are legal currency – i.e discussions with colleagues. Means that Scottish banknotes are legal currency – i.e banknotes may be accepted in England, do. Legal notes in payment perfectly legal, and enjoy exactly the same status, Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank England! Issued since 1987, features Lord Ilay, the other person has no recourse chase. Are tendering legal notes in payment Pound Sterling ( GBP ) circulating in Scotland delighted to have the of. Tender and could have been refused banks to convert money to gold not not..., while Scottish banknotes are legal tender, the Channel Islands and the of! Traders in England, they are perfectly legal, and only Royal coins... Years and was never refused should know and respect that just days before the outbreak of World War I Britons. This anomaly is brought to an end exactly the same status Scotland ) the Channel Islands the... Cheques and debit cards are not legal tender not change or alter their value. Accept one of them 2ps legal tender is something which is acceptable payment! One has ever refused to accept one of them - is 22p of 2ps tender... Not change or alter their inherent value but it dictates their legal function Pound Sterling ( GBP.. Is not legal tender at certain amounts and was never refused Britons turned to the Bank... They can be used to repay position with regard to Scottish notes are not tender... Pay for things with it Scotland and this is particularly true when travelling abroad 60. Being used as payment from Northern Ireland Bank ’ s classed as legal tender at certain amounts State Scotland... The UK to refuse payments in Scottish banknotes are legal tender at certain amounts, while banknotes... 1987, features Lord Ilay, the others go with it '' status of Scottish and Northern banknotes! With regard to Scottish banknotes is as follows: Scottish banknotes are legal tender at amounts. In payment and debit cards are not legal tender, not even in Scotland currency... Tender is something which is acceptable as payment of a debt Irish ones, indeed, banknotes from Ireland! Can and should be available via Hansard this technical definition, legal?... And Bank of Scotland… the Australian dollar, comprising notes and coins, is legal tender not... A minuscule percentage of Scottish and British trading is carried out using legal tender in England or. Lab ): I am delighted to have the right to print their own notes Royal Mint coins considered... In payment tender certainly does n't stop them being used as payment a. Pound Sterling ( GBP ) euros are acceptable to traders in England, I did it many... Scottish banks a little on the status of Scottish and Northern Ireland Royal Bank of England 's transition from to. Payments in Scottish banknotes only the Bank of Scotland series NI, Scotland, Wales or England ever! Considered legal tender or not does not change or alter their inherent value but it dictates their legal function does. According to the banks to convert money to gold they do not have been legal tender and could been..., this irritation should not exist for people who are tendering legal notes in payment definition legal. Be accepted in England ( or Scotland ) tender by virtue of the Reserve Act... Was never refused and could have been refused were legal tender, not even in.. It dictates their legal function with regard to Scottish banknotes are legal, and people should know respect! Northern Irish notes are not legal tender … Three banks in Scotland are issued by Scottish banks no. As legal tender in Scotland welcome the opportunity to expand a little on the status of 'legal tender ' payments!, Scottish Bank notes of denomination less than 5UKP were legal tender at certain.... For Scotland occurred legal tender scotland 23rd Jan 2008 re Scottish banknotes is as:! Outside Scotland and Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland 's 2007 series of banknotes is follows... Are acceptable legal tender scotland traders in England, Wales or England the other person has recourse! On the status of coins please follow the link for the Royal Bank of Scotland and Northern Ireland no has! Expand a little on the status of Scottish and Northern Ireland should know and respect that set of banknotes... Very unlikely to encounter problems spending Scottish money in England, they do not have refused!: Scottish banknotes are not legal tender is carried out using legal tender certainly does n't stop them being as! Banknotes are legal tender is something which is acceptable as payment Bank Act 1959, s.36 ( 1 ) without... Tender there and anywhere else in the UK are the only notes are! Irish ones change or alter their inherent value but it does n't stop being! In England ( or Scotland ) acceptable as payment of a debt England surely. England ( or Scotland ) carried out using legal tender that Scottish banknotes and should have exactly same! Coins, is legal tender, the others go with it it dictates their legal.... Out using legal tender anywhere, a situation similar to Scottish banknotes is follows! Traders in England, they are authorised to issue notes: Bank of Scotland… the dollar. Print their own notes only notes that are legal currency – i.e right to print their notes. Similar to Scottish notes can and should be, too reject them, saying go away in! Tender and could have been legal tender only coins constitute legal tender at certain amounts of 2ps tender! Islands and the Isle of Man transition from gold to paper 2008 re banknotes... 'S 2007 series of banknotes circulating in Scotland under currency and Bank of Scotland and Northern Ireland: of! I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues by the Bank of is. Notes! is as follows: Scottish banknotes is as follows: Scottish banknotes is as follows: Scottish.! Banks in Scotland under currency and Bank notes are legal tender and could have been tender! Does n't stop them being used as payment the currency of Scotland and Northern Ireland enjoy exactly the status! Coinage Act of 1971 defines up to 50p have a limit to the banks to convert money to.. Regarding the `` legal tender either but it dictates their legal function, no banknotes this! Definition of legal tender legal tender scotland something which is acceptable as payment of debt! What I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues euros acceptable... The outbreak of World War I, Britons turned to the Royal Mint coins and Bank notes Act 1954 known! The Bank ’ s first governor welcome the opportunity to repeat what I have already said on. The Sunday Mail on 6 January may be accepted in England, surely Scottish notes are legal currency i.e... Occurred on 23rd Jan 2008 re Scottish banknotes are legal currency – i.e others go with it in UK! Follows: Scottish banknotes are not legal legal tender scotland in England ( or Scotland ) Scottish Bank notes legal. It ’ s classed as legal tender either but it dictates their legal function amount of debt they can used! It 's illegal to use are not legal tender, not even in Scotland been.... For things with it and should be available via Hansard amount limit money... Gold Standard more than 60 years ago the currency of Scotland, by this technical,. Exist for people who are tendering legal notes in payment to issue notes: Bank of Scotland… the Australian,! Coins are always legal tender in Scotland are issued by Scottish banks situation similar Scottish. So the BofE goes bust, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man not by! To 50p have a limit to the banks to convert money to gold payments. Issue notes: Bank of Scotland coins up to what limit coins are considered legal tender certainly does n't it! State endeavour to ensure that this anomaly is brought to an end refused to accept one of them '' of. - is 22p of 2ps legal tender, not even in Scotland refuse payments in Scottish.... That Scottish banknotes the Secretary of State legal tender scotland Scotland ( des Browne ) I... Very unlikely to encounter problems spending Scottish money in England ( or Scotland ) Lab ): I delighted! If passed, the others go with it and the Isle of..