Explanatory Notes

Serious Crime Act 2015

2015 CHAPTER 9

3rd March 2015

Commencement

394.Sections 80 (prevention or restriction of use of communications devices by prisoners etc), 81 (preparation and training abroad for terrorism) (and the associated consequential provisions in paragraph 74 of Schedule 4), 82 (approval of draft Decisions under Article 352 of TFEU relating to serious crime), 83 (codes of practice about investigatory powers: journalistic sources), 85(2) to (7) and 86 to 89 (general) of the Act come into force on Royal Assent. Sections 70 to 72, which make amendments to the 2003 Act and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005 come into force two months after Royal Assent. All other provisions will be brought into force by means of commencement regulations made by the Secretary of State or, in the case of the provisions in sections 15 to 22 and 38(3) (and certain consequential amendments in Schedule 4), by the Scottish Ministers, or, in the case of the provisions in Chapter 3 of Part 1 (and certain consequential amendments in Schedule 4), by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice. The Scottish Ministers and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice are required to consult the Secretary of State before bringing provisions of the Act into force. There is a reciprocal requirement on the Secretary of State to consult the Scottish Ministers and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice before bringing provisions into force in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively which relate, at least in part, to devolved matters. Such consultation may take place prior to Royal Assent (subsection (8) of section 80).