Terrorism Act 2000

Part II U.K. Proscribed Organisations

Procedure U.K.

3 Proscription. U.K.

(1) For the purposes of this Act an organisation is proscribed if—

(a) it is listed in Schedule 2, or

(b) it operates under the same name as an organisation listed in that Schedule.

(2) Subsection (1)(b) shall not apply in relation to an organisation listed in Schedule 2 if its entry is the subject of a note in that Schedule.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) add an organisation to Schedule 2;

(b) remove an organisation from that Schedule;

(c) amend that Schedule in some other way.

(4) The Secretary of State may exercise his power under subsection (3)(a) in respect of an organisation only if he believes that it is concerned in terrorism.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) an organisation is concerned in terrorism if it—

(a) commits or participates in acts of terrorism,

(b) prepares for terrorism,

(c) promotes or encourages terrorism, or

(d) is otherwise concerned in terrorism.

[F1 (5A) The cases in which an organisation promotes or encourages terrorism for the purposes of subsection (5)(c) include any case in which activities of the organisation—

(a) include the unlawful glorification of the commission or preparation (whether in the past, in the future or generally) of acts of terrorism; or

(b) are carried out in a manner that ensures that the organisation is associated with statements containing any such glorification.

(5B) The glorification of any conduct is unlawful for the purposes of subsection (5A) if there are persons who may become aware of it who could reasonably be expected to infer that what is being glorified, is being glorified as—

(a) conduct that should be emulated in existing circumstances, or

(b) conduct that is illustrative of a type of conduct that should be so emulated.

(5C) In this section—

• “ glorification ” includes any form of praise or celebration, and cognate expressions are to be construed accordingly;

• “ statement ” includes a communication without words consisting of sounds or images or both. ]

[F2 (6) Where the Secretary of State believes—

(a) that an organisation listed in Schedule 2 is operating wholly or partly under a name that is not specified in that Schedule (whether as well as or instead of under the specified name), or

(b) that an organisation that is operating under a name that is not so specified is otherwise for all practical purposes the same as an organisation so listed,

he may, by order, provide that the name that is not specified in that Schedule is to be treated as another name for the listed organisation.

(7) Where an order under subsection (6) provides for a name to be treated as another name for an organisation, this Act shall have effect in relation to acts occurring while—

(a) the order is in force, and

(b) the organisation continues to be listed in Schedule 2,

as if the organisation were listed in that Schedule under the other name, as well as under the name specified in the Schedule.

(8) The Secretary of State may at any time by order revoke an order under subsection (6) or otherwise provide for a name specified in such an order to cease to be treated as a name for a particular organisation.

(9) Nothing in subsections (6) to (8) prevents any liability from being established in any proceedings by proof that an organisation is the same as an organisation listed in Schedule 2, even though it is or was operating under a name specified neither in Schedule 2 nor in an order under subsection (6).]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 3(5A)-(5C) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 21; S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F2 S. 3(6)-(9) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(2); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

4 Deproscription: application. U.K.

[F3 (1) An application may be made to the Secretary of State for an order under section 3(3) or (8)—

(a) removing an organisation from Schedule 2, or

(b) providing for a name to cease to be treated as a name for an organisation listed in that Schedule.]

(2) An application may be made by—

(a) the organisation, or

(b) any person affected by the organisation’s proscription [F4 or by the treatment of the name as a name for the organisation.] .

(3) The Secretary of State shall make regulations prescribing the procedure for applications under this section.

(4) The regulations shall, in particular—

(a) require the Secretary of State to determine an application within a specified period of time, and

(b) require an application to state the grounds on which it is made.

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 4(1) substituted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(3); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F4 Words in s. 4(2)(b) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(4); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

Commencement Information

I1 S. 4 wholly in force at 19.2.2001; s. 4 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 128; s. 4(3)(4) in force at 31.10.2000 by S.I. 2000/2944, art. 2(a); s. 4 in force at 19.2.2002 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2001/421, art. 2

5 Deproscription: appeal. U.K.

(1) There shall be a commission, to be known as the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission.

(2) Where an application under section 4 has been refused, the applicant may appeal to the Commission.

(3) The Commission shall allow an appeal against a refusal to deproscribe an organisation [F5 or to provide for a name to cease to be treated as a name for an organisation] if it considers that the decision to refuse was flawed when considered in the light of the principles applicable on an application for judicial review.

(4) Where the Commission allows an appeal under this section F6 . . . , it may make an order under this subsection.

(5) Where an order is made under subsection (4) [F7 in respect of an appeal against a refusal to deproscribe an organisation,] the Secretary of State shall as soon as is reasonably practicable—

(a) lay before Parliament, in accordance with section 123(4), the draft of an order under section 3(3)(b) removing the organisation from the list in Schedule 2, or

(b) make an order removing the organisation from the list in Schedule 2 in pursuance of section 123(5).

[F8 (5A) Where an order is made under subsection (4) in respect of an appeal against a refusal to provide for a name to cease to be treated as a name for an organisation, the Secretary of State shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, make an order under section 3(8) providing that the name in question is to cease to be so treated in relation to that organisation.]

(6) Schedule 3 (constitution of the Commission and procedure) shall have effect.

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in s. 5(3) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(5)(a); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F6 Words in s. 5(4) repealed (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), ss. {22(5)(b)}, 37(5), {Sch. 3}; S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F7 Words in s. 5(5) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(5)(c); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F8 S. 5(5A) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(6); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

Commencement Information

I2 S. 5 wholly in force at 19.2.2001; s. 5 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 128; s. 5(1) wholly in force and s. 5(6) in force for certain purposes at 31.10.2000 by S.I. 2000/2944, art. 2(b); s. 5 in force at 19.2.2001 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2001/421, art. 2

6 Further appeal. U.K.

(1) A party to an appeal under section 5 which the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission has determined may bring a further appeal on a question of law to—

(a) the Court of Appeal, if the first appeal was heard in England and Wales,

(b) the Court of Session, if the first appeal was heard in Scotland, or

(c) the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, if the first appeal was heard in Northern Ireland.

(2) An appeal under subsection (1) may be brought only with the permission—

(a) of the Commission, or

(b) where the Commission refuses permission, of the court to which the appeal would be brought.

(3) An order under section 5(4) shall not require the Secretary of State to take any action until the final determination or disposal of an appeal under this section (including any appeal to the [F9 Supreme Court]).

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in s. 6(3) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40(4), 148, Sch. 9 para. 71; S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

7 Appeal: effect on conviction, &c. U.K.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) an appeal under section 5 has been allowed in respect of an organisation,

(b) an order has been made under section 3(3)(b) in respect of the organisation in accordance with an order of the Commission under section 5(4) (and, if the order was made in reliance on section 123(5), a resolution has been passed by each House of Parliament under section 123(5)(b)),

(c) a person has been convicted of an offence in respect of the organisation under any of sections 11 to 13, 15 to 19 and 56, and

(d) the activity to which the charge referred took place on or after the date of the refusal to deproscribe against which the appeal under section 5 was brought.

[F10 (1A) This section also applies where—

(a) an appeal under section 5 has been allowed in respect of a name treated as the name for an organisation,

(b) an order has been made under section 3(8) in respect of the name in accordance with an order of the Commission under section 5(4),

(c) a person has been convicted of an offence in respect of the organisation under any of sections 11 to 13, 15 to 19 and 56, and

(d) the activity to which the charge referred took place on or after the date of the refusal, against which the appeal under section 5 was brought, to provide for a name to cease to be treated as a name for the organisation.]

(2) If the person mentioned in subsection (1)(c) [F11 or (1A)(c)] was convicted on indictment—

(a) he may appeal against the conviction to the Court of Appeal, and

(b) the Court of Appeal shall allow the appeal.

(3) A person may appeal against a conviction by virtue of subsection (2) whether or not he has already appealed against the conviction.

(4) An appeal by virtue of subsection (2)—

(a) must be brought within the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which the order mentioned in subsection (1)(b) [F12 or (1A)(b)] comes into force, and

(b) shall be treated as an appeal under section 1 of the M1 Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (but does not require leave).

(5) If the person mentioned in subsection (1)(c) [F13 or (1A)(c)] was convicted by a magistrates’ court—

(a) he may appeal against the conviction to the Crown Court, and

(b) the Crown Court shall allow the appeal.

(6) A person may appeal against a conviction by virtue of subsection (5)—

(a) whether or not he pleaded guilty,

(b) whether or not he has already appealed against the conviction, and

(c) whether or not he has made an application in respect of the conviction under section 111 of the M2 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (case stated).

(7) An appeal by virtue of subsection (5)—

(a) must be brought within the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which the order mentioned in subsection (1)(b) [F14 or (1A)(b)] comes into force, and

(b) shall be treated as an appeal under section 108(1)(b) of the M3 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.

(8) In section 133(5) of the M4 Criminal Justice Act 1988 (compensation for miscarriage of justice) after paragraph (b) there shall be inserted—

“or

(c) on an appeal under section 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000”.

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 7(1A) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(7); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F11 Words in s. 7(2) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(8)(a); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F12 Words in s. 7(4)(a) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(8)(b); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F13 Words in s. 7(5) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(8)(c); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F14 Words in s. 7(7)(a) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(8)(d); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1968 c. 19.

M2 1980 c. 43.

M3 1980 c. 43.

M4 1988 c. 33.

8 Section 7: Scotland and Northern Ireland. U.K.

(1) In the application of section 7 to Scotland—

(a) for every reference to the Court of Appeal or the Crown Court substitute a reference to the High Court of Justiciary,

(b) in subsection (2)(b), at the end insert “ and quash the conviction ”,

(c) in subsection (4)—

(i) in paragraph (a), for “28 days” substitute “ two weeks ”, and

(ii) in paragraph (b), for “section 1 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968” substitute “ section 106 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 ”,

(d) in subsection (5)—

(i) for “by a magistrates’ court” substitute “ in summary proceedings ”, and

(ii) in paragraph (b), at the end insert “ and quash the conviction ”,

(e) in subsection (6), paragraph (c) is omitted, and

(f) in subsection (7)—

(i) in paragraph (a) for “21 days” substitute “ two weeks ”, and

(ii) for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) shall be by note of appeal, which shall state the ground of appeal,

(c) shall not require leave under any provision of Part X of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and

(d) shall be in accordance with such procedure as the High Court of Justiciary may, by Act of Adjournal, determine.”.

(2) In the application of section 7 to Northern Ireland—

(a) the reference in subsection (4) to section 1 of the M5 Criminal Appeal Act 1968 shall be taken as a reference to section 1 of the M6 Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980,

(b) references in subsection (5) to the Crown Court shall be taken as references to the county court,

(c) the reference in subsection (6) to section 111 of the M7 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 shall be taken as a reference to Article 146 of the M8 Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, and

(d) the reference in subsection (7) to section 108(1)(b) of the M9 Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 shall be taken as a reference to Article 140(1)(b) of the M10 Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

Marginal Citations

M5 1968 c. 19.

M6 1980 c. 47.

M7 1980 c. 43.

M8 S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26).

M9 1980 c. 43.

M10 S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26).

9 Human Rights Act 1998. U.K.

(1) This section applies where rules (within the meaning of section 7 of the M11 Human Rights Act 1998 (jurisdiction)) provide for proceedings under section 7(1) of that Act to be brought before the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission.

(2) The following provisions of this Act shall apply in relation to proceedings under section 7(1) of that Act as they apply to appeals under section 5 of this Act—

(a) section 5(4) [F15 , (5) and (5A)] ,

(b) section 6,

(c) section 7, and

(d) paragraphs 4 to [F16 7] of Schedule 3.

(3) The Commission shall decide proceedings in accordance with the principles applicable on an application for judicial review.

(4) In the application of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2)—

(a) a reference to the Commission allowing an appeal shall be taken as a reference to the Commission determining that an action of the Secretary of State is incompatible with a Convention right, [F17 and]

(b) a reference to the refusal to deproscribe against which an appeal was brought shall be taken as a reference to the action of the Secretary of State which is found to be incompatible with a Convention right[F18 , and

(c) a reference to a refusal to provide for a name to cease to be treated as a name for an organisation shall be taken as a reference to the action of the Secretary of State which is found to be incompatible with a Convention right].

Textual Amendments

F15 Words in s. 9(2)(a) substituted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(9)(a); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F16 Words in s. 9(2)(d) substituted (2.10.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82, Sch. 4 para. 12(1) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 3

F17 S. 9(4): it is provided that the word "and" at the end of para. (b) is repealed (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 37(5), Sch. 3; S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

F18 S. 9(4)(c) and preceding word inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), s. 22(9)(b); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M11 1998 c. 42.

10 Immunity. U.K.

(1) The following shall not be admissible as evidence in proceedings for an offence under any of sections 11 to 13, 15 to 19 and 56—

(a) evidence of anything done in relation to an application to the Secretary of State under section 4,

(b) evidence of anything done in relation to proceedings before the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission under section 5 above or section 7(1) of the M12 Human Rights Act 1998,

(c) evidence of anything done in relation to proceedings under section 6 (including that section as applied by section 9(2)), and

(d) any document submitted for the purposes of proceedings mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (c).

(2) But subsection (1) does not prevent evidence from being adduced on behalf of the accused.

Marginal Citations

M12 1998 c. 42.

Offences U.K.

11 Membership. U.K.

(1) A person commits an offence if he belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation.

(2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove—

(a) that the organisation was not proscribed on the last (or only) occasion on which he became a member or began to profess to be a member, and

(b) that he has not taken part in the activities of the organisation at any time while it was proscribed.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F19 14] years, to a fine or to both, or

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.

(4) In subsection (2) “proscribed” means proscribed for the purposes of any of the following—

(a) this Act;

(b) the M13 Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996;

(c) the M14 Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991;

(d) the M15 Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989;

(e) the M16 Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984;

(f) the M17 Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978;

(g) the M18 Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1976;

(h) the M19 Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974;

(i) the M20 Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1973.

Textual Amendments

F19 Word in s. 11(3)(a) substituted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 26(1)(a), 50(2)(m) (with s. 26(3))

Marginal Citations

M13 1996 c. 22.

M14 1991 c. 24.

M15 1989 c. 4.

M16 1984 c. 8.

M17 1978 c. 5.

M18 1976 c. 8.

M19 1974 c. 56.

M20 1973 c. 53.

12 Support. U.K.

(1) A person commits an offence if—

(a) he invites support for a proscribed organisation, and

(b) the support is not, or is not restricted to, the provision of money or other property (within the meaning of section 15).

[F20 (1A) A person commits an offence if the person—

(a) expresses an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, and

(b) in doing so is reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation.]

(2) A person commits an offence if he arranges, manages or assists in arranging or managing a meeting which he knows is—

(a) to support a proscribed organisation,

(b) to further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or

(c) to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation.

(3) A person commits an offence if he addresses a meeting and the purpose of his address is to encourage support for a proscribed organisation or to further its activities.

(4) Where a person is charged with an offence under subsection (2)(c) in respect of a private meeting it is a defence for him to prove that he had no reasonable cause to believe that the address mentioned in subsection (2)(c) would support a proscribed organisation or further its activities.

(5) In subsections (2) to (4)—

(a) “meeting” means a meeting of three or more persons, whether or not the public are admitted, and

(b) a meeting is private if the public are not admitted.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F21 14] years, to a fine or to both, or

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.

Textual Amendments

F20 S. 12(1A) inserted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), ss. 1, 27(3) (with s. 25(1))

F21 Word in s. 12(6)(a) substituted (29.6.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 26(1)(b), 50(2)(m) (with s. 26(3))

13 Uniform [F22 and publication of images]. U.K.

(1) A person in a public place commits an offence if he—

(a) wears an item of clothing, or

(b) wears, carries or displays an article,

in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.

[F23 (1A) A person commits an offence if the person publishes an image of—

(a) an item of clothing, or

(b) any other article,

in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the person is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation.

(1B) In subsection (1A) the reference to an image is a reference to a still or moving image (produced by any means).]

F24 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to—

(a) imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months,

(b) a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or

(c) both.

[F25 (4) A constable may seize an item of clothing or any other article if the constable—

(a) reasonably suspects that it is evidence in relation to an offence under subsection (1), and

(b) is satisfied that it is necessary to seize it in order to prevent the evidence being concealed, lost, altered or destroyed.

(5) In connection with exercising the power in subsection (4), a constable may require a person to remove the item of clothing or other article if the person is wearing it.

(6) But the powers conferred by subsections (4) and (5) may not be exercised so as to seize, or require a person to remove, an item of clothing being worn next to the skin or immediately over a garment being worn as underwear.]

Textual Amendments

F22 Words in s. 13 heading inserted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), ss. 2(2), 27(3) (with s. 25(1))

F23 S. 13(1A)(1B) inserted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 27(3) (with s. 25(1))

F24 S. 13(2) omitted (12.4.2019) by virtue of Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), s. 27(3), Sch. 4 para. 36

F25 S. 13(4)-(6) inserted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), ss. 2(4), 27(3) (with s. 25(1))