Modern Slavery Act 2015

PART 1 E+W Offences

Offences E+W

1 Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour E+W

(1) A person commits an offence if—

(a) the person holds another person in slavery or servitude and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is held in slavery or servitude, or

(b) the person requires another person to perform forced or compulsory labour and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is being required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

(2) In subsection (1) the references to holding a person in slavery or servitude or requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour are to be construed in accordance with Article 4 of the Human Rights Convention.

(3) In determining whether a person is being held in slavery or servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour, regard may be had to all the circumstances.

(4) For example, regard may be had—

(a) to any of the person's personal circumstances (such as the person being a child, the person's family relationships, and any mental or physical illness) which may make the person more vulnerable than other persons;

(b) to any work or services provided by the person, including work or services provided in circumstances which constitute exploitation within section 3(3) to (6).

(5) The consent of a person (whether an adult or a child) to any of the acts alleged to constitute holding the person in slavery or servitude, or requiring the person to perform forced or compulsory labour, does not preclude a determination that the person is being held in slavery or servitude, or required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 1 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a) (with regs. 5, 7, 8)

2 Human trafficking E+W

(1) A person commits an offence if the person arranges or facilitates the travel of another person (“V”) with a view to V being exploited.

(2) It is irrelevant whether V consents to the travel (whether V is an adult or a child).

(3) A person may in particular arrange or facilitate V's travel by recruiting V, transporting or transferring V, harbouring or receiving V, or transferring or exchanging control over V.

(4) A person arranges or facilitates V's travel with a view to V being exploited only if—

(a) the person intends to exploit V (in any part of the world) during or after the travel, or

(b) the person knows or ought to know that another person is likely to exploit V (in any part of the world) during or after the travel.

(5) “Travel” means—

(a) arriving in, or entering, any country,

(b) departing from any country,

(c) travelling within any country.

(6) A person who is a UK national commits an offence under this section regardless of—

(a) where the arranging or facilitating takes place, or

(b) where the travel takes place.

(7) A person who is not a UK national commits an offence under this section if—

(a) any part of the arranging or facilitating takes place in the United Kingdom, or

(b) the travel consists of arrival in or entry into, departure from, or travel within, the United Kingdom.

Commencement Information

I2 S. 2 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a) (with regs. 6-8)

3 Meaning of exploitation E+W

(1) For the purposes of section 2 a person is exploited only if one or more of the following subsections apply in relation to the person.

Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour

(2) The person is the victim of behaviour—

(a) which involves the commission of an offence under section 1, or

(b) which would involve the commission of an offence under that section if it took place in England and Wales.

Sexual exploitation

(3) Something is done to or in respect of the person—

(a) which involves the commission of an offence under—

(i) section 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children), or

(ii) Part 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (sexual offences), as it has effect in England and Wales, or

(b) which would involve the commission of such an offence if it were done in England and Wales.

Removal of organs etc

(4) The person is encouraged, required or expected to do anything—

(a) which involves the commission, by him or her or another person, of an offence under section 32 or 33 of the Human Tissue Act 2004 (prohibition of commercial dealings in organs and restrictions on use of live donors) as it has effect in England and Wales, or

(b) which would involve the commission of such an offence, by him or her or another person, if it were done in England and Wales.

Securing services etc by force, threats or deception

(5) The person is subjected to force, threats or deception designed to induce him or her—

(a) to provide services of any kind,

(b) to provide another person with benefits of any kind, or

(c) to enable another person to acquire benefits of any kind.

Securing services etc from children and vulnerable persons

(6) Another person uses or attempts to use the person for a purpose within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (5), having chosen him or her for that purpose on the grounds that—

(a) he or she is a child, is mentally or physically ill or disabled, or has a family relationship with a particular person, and

(b) an adult, or a person without the illness, disability, or family relationship, would be likely to refuse to be used for that purpose.

Commencement Information

I3 S. 3 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

4 Committing offence with intent to commit offence under section 2 E+W

A person commits an offence under this section if the person commits any offence with the intention of committing an offence under section 2 (including an offence committed by aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring an offence under that section).

Commencement Information

I4 S. 4 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

Penalties and sentencing E+W

5 Penalties E+W

(1) A person guilty of an offence under section 1 or 2 is liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for life;

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine or both.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under section 4 is liable (unless subsection (3) applies)—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years;

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine or both.

(3) Where the offence under section 4 is committed by kidnapping or false imprisonment, a person guilty of that offence is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for life.

(4) In relation to an offence committed before [F1 2 May 2022], the references in subsections (1)(b) and (2)(b) to 12 months are to be read as references to 6 months.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 5(4) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1

Commencement Information

I5 S. 5 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

6 Sentencing E+W

(1) The Criminal Justice Act 2003 is amended as follows.

(2) In Part 1 of Schedule 15 (specified offences for purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 12 - violent offences), after paragraph 63F insert—

“63G An offence under section 1 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour).

63H An offence under section 2 of that Act (human trafficking) which is not within Part 2 of this Schedule.”

(3) In Part 2 of Schedule 15 (specified offences for purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 12 - sexual offences), after paragraph 152 insert—

“152A An offence under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (human trafficking) committed with a view to exploitation that consists of or includes behaviour within section 3(3) of that Act (sexual exploitation).”

F2 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 6(4) repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

Commencement Information

I6 S. 6 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

7 Confiscation of assets E+W

(1) Schedule 2 to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (criminal lifestyle offences in England and Wales) is amended as follows.

(2) After paragraph 3 insert—

“3A “Slavery etc

“3A An offence under section 1 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour).”

(3) In paragraph 4 (people trafficking)—

(a) omit sub-paragraphs (2) and (3);

(b) at the end insert—

“(4) An offence under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (human trafficking).”

Commencement Information

I7 S. 7 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a) (with regs. 3, 8)

8 Power to make slavery and trafficking reparation orders E+W

(1) The court may make a slavery and trafficking reparation order against a person if—

(a) the person has been convicted of an offence under section 1, 2 or 4, and

(b) a confiscation order is made against the person in respect of the offence.

(2) The court may also make a slavery and trafficking reparation order against a person if—

(a) by virtue of section 28 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (defendants who abscond during proceedings) a confiscation order has been made against a person in respect of an offence under section 1, 2 or 4, and

(b) the person is later convicted of the offence.

(3) The court may make a slavery and trafficking reparation order against the person in addition to dealing with the person in any other way (subject to section 10(1)).

(4) In a case within subsection (1) the court may make a slavery and trafficking reparation order against the person even if the person has been sentenced for the offence before the confiscation order is made.

(5) In determining whether to make a slavery and trafficking reparation order against the person the court must have regard to the person's means.

(6) If the court considers that—

(a) it would be appropriate both to impose a fine and to make a slavery and trafficking reparation order, but

(b) the person has insufficient means to pay both an appropriate fine and appropriate compensation under such an order,

the court must give preference to compensation (although it may impose a fine as well).

(7) In any case in which the court has power to make a slavery and trafficking reparation order it must—

(a) consider whether to make such an order (whether or not an application for such an order is made), and

(b) if it does not make an order, give reasons.

(8) In this section—

(a) “the court” means—

(i) the Crown Court, or

(ii) any magistrates' court that has power to make a confiscation order by virtue of an order under section 97 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (confiscation orders by magistrates' courts);

(b) “confiscation order” means a confiscation order under section 6 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002;

(c) a confiscation order is made in respect of an offence if the offence is the offence (or one of the offences) concerned for the purposes of Part 2 of that Act.

Commencement Information

I8 S. 8 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

9 Effect of slavery and trafficking reparation orders E+W

(1) A slavery and trafficking reparation order is an order requiring the person against whom it is made to pay compensation to the victim of a relevant offence for any harm resulting from that offence.

(2) “Relevant offence” means—

(a) the offence under section 1, 2 or 4 of which the person is convicted;

(b) any other offence under section 1, 2 or 4 which is taken into consideration in determining the person's sentence.

(3) The amount of the compensation is to be such amount as the court considers appropriate having regard to any evidence and to any representations made by or on behalf of the person or the prosecutor, but subject to subsection (4).

(4) The amount of the compensation payable under the slavery and trafficking reparation order (or if more than one order is made in the same proceedings, the total amount of the compensation payable under those orders) must not exceed the amount the person is required to pay under the confiscation order.

(5) In determining the amount to be paid by the person under a slavery and trafficking reparation order the court must have regard to the person's means.

(6) In subsection (4) “the confiscation order” means the confiscation order within section 8(1)(b) or (2)(a) (as the case may be).

Commencement Information

I9 S. 9 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

10 Slavery and trafficking reparation orders: supplementary provision E+W

(1) A slavery and trafficking reparation order and a compensation order under [F3 Chapter 2 of Part 7 of the Sentencing Code] may not both be made in respect of the same offence.

(2) Where the court makes a slavery and trafficking reparation order as mentioned in section 8(4), for the purposes of the following provisions the person's sentence is to be regarded as imposed or made on the day on which the order is made—

(a) section 18(2) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (time limit for notice of appeal or application for leave to appeal);

(b) paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (time limit for notice of application for leave to refer a case under section 36 of that Act).

(3) [F4 Sections 141, 143 and 144 of the Sentencing Code] (appeals, review etc of compensation orders) apply to slavery and trafficking reparation orders as if—

(a) references to a compensation order were references to a slavery and trafficking reparation order;

(b) references to the court of trial were references to the court (within the meaning of section 8 above);

(c) references to injury, loss or damage were references to harm;

[F5 (d) the reference in section 143(5)(b)(iii) to a slavery and trafficking reparation order under section 8 above were to a compensation order under Chapter 2 of Part 7 of the Sentencing Code.]

F6 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) If under section 21 or 22 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 the court varies a confiscation order so as to increase the amount required to be paid under that order, it may also vary any slavery and trafficking reparation order made by virtue of the confiscation order so as to increase the amount required to be paid under the slavery and trafficking reparation order.

(5) If under section 23 or 29 of that Act the court varies a confiscation order so as to reduce the amount required to be paid under that order, it may also—

(a) vary any relevant slavery and trafficking reparation order so as to reduce the amount which remains to be paid under that order;

(b) discharge any relevant slavery and trafficking reparation order.

(6) If under section 24 [F7 or 25A] of that Act the court discharges a confiscation order, it may also discharge any relevant slavery and trafficking reparation order.

(7) For the purposes of subsections (5) and (6) a slavery and trafficking reparation order is relevant if it is made by virtue of the confiscation order and some or all of the amount required to be paid under it has not been paid.

(8) If on an appeal under section 31 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 the Court of Appeal—

(a) quashes a confiscation order, it must also quash any slavery and trafficking reparation order made by virtue of the confiscation order;

(b) varies a confiscation order, it may also vary any slavery and trafficking reparation order made by virtue of the confiscation order;

(c) makes a confiscation order, it may make any slavery and trafficking reparation order that could have been made under section 8 above by virtue of the confiscation order.

(9) If on an appeal under section 33 of that Act the Supreme Court—

(a) quashes a confiscation order, it must also quash any slavery and trafficking reparation order made by virtue of the confiscation order;

(b) varies a confiscation order, it may also vary any slavery and trafficking reparation order made by virtue of the confiscation order.

(10) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a slavery and trafficking reparation order made under section 8(1) is made by virtue of the confiscation order within section 8(1)(b);

(b) a slavery and trafficking reparation order made under section 8(2) is made by virtue of the confiscation order within section 8(2)(a).

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in s. 10(1) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 293(2) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F4 Words in s. 10(3) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 293(3)(a) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F5 S. 10(3)(d) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 293(3)(b) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F6 S. 10(3)(e) omitted (1.12.2020) by virtue of Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 293(3)(c) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

F7 Words in s. 10(6) inserted (17.3.2016) by The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/244), regs. 1(1), 28

Commencement Information

I10 S. 10 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

11 Forfeiture of land vehicle, ship or aircraft E+W

(1) This section applies if a person is convicted on indictment of an offence under section 2.

(2) The court may order the forfeiture of a land vehicle used or intended to be used in connection with the offence if the convicted person—

(a) owned the vehicle at the time the offence was committed,

(b) was at that time a director, secretary or manager of a company which owned the vehicle,

(c) was at that time in possession of the vehicle under a hire-purchase agreement,

(d) was at that time a director, secretary or manager of a company which was in possession of the vehicle under a hire-purchase agreement, or

(e) was driving the vehicle in the course of the commission of the offence.

(3) The court may order the forfeiture of a ship or aircraft used or intended to be used in connection with the offence if the convicted person—

(a) owned the ship or aircraft at the time the offence was committed,

(b) was at that time a director, secretary or manager of a company which owned the ship or aircraft,

(c) was at that time in possession of the ship or aircraft under a hire-purchase agreement,

(d) was at that time a director, secretary or manager of a company which was in possession of the ship or aircraft under a hire-purchase agreement,

(e) was at that time a charterer of the ship or aircraft, or

(f) committed the offence while acting as captain of the ship or aircraft.

(4) But where subsection (3)(a) or (b) does not apply to the convicted person, forfeiture of a ship or aircraft may be ordered only if subsection (5) applies or—

(a) in the case of a ship other than a hovercraft, its gross tonnage is less than 500 tons;

(b) in the case of an aircraft, the maximum weight at which it may take off in accordance with its certificate of airworthiness is less than 5,700 kilogrammes.

(5) This subsection applies where a person who, at the time the offence was committed—

(a) owned the ship or aircraft, or

(b) was a director, secretary or manager of a company which owned it,

knew or ought to have known of the intention to use it in the course of the commission of an offence under section 2.

(6) Where a person who claims to have an interest in a land vehicle, ship or aircraft applies to a court to make representations about its forfeiture, the court may not order its forfeiture without giving the person an opportunity to make representations.

Commencement Information

I11 S. 11 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

Supplementary E+W

[F8 11A Enforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may make arrangements with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority for officers of the Authority to act for the purposes of this Part in taking action in circumstances in which it appears that an offence under this Part which is a labour market offence (within the meaning of section 3 of the Immigration Act 2016) has been, is being or may be committed.

(2) For provision about the powers of such an officer who is acting for the purposes of this Part, see section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers).]

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 11A inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 9; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

12 Detention of land vehicle, ship or aircraft E+W

(1) If a person (“P”) has been arrested for an offence under section 2, a constable or senior immigration officer may detain a relevant land vehicle, ship or aircraft.

(2) A land vehicle, ship or aircraft is relevant if the constable or officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an order for its forfeiture could be made under section 11 if P were convicted of the offence.

(3) The land vehicle, ship or aircraft may be detained—

(a) until a decision is taken as to whether or not to charge P with the offence,

(b) if P has been charged, until P is acquitted, the charge against P is dismissed or the proceedings are discontinued, or

(c) if P has been charged and convicted, until the court decides whether or not to order forfeiture of the vehicle, ship or aircraft.

(4) A person (other than P) may apply to the court for the release of the land vehicle, ship or aircraft on the grounds that the person—

(a) owns the vehicle, ship or aircraft,

(b) was, immediately before the detention of the vehicle, ship or aircraft, in possession of it under a hire-purchase agreement, or

(c) is a charterer of the ship or aircraft.

(5) The court to which an application is made under subsection (4) may, if satisfactory security or surety is tendered, release the land vehicle, ship or aircraft on condition that it is made available to the court if—

(a) P is convicted, and

(b) an order for its forfeiture is made under section 11.

(6) In this section, “the court” means—

(a) if P has not been charged, or P has been charged but proceedings for the offence have not begun to be heard, a magistrates' court;

(b) if P has been charged and proceedings for the offence have begun to be heard, the court hearing the proceedings.

(7) In this section, “senior immigration officer” means an immigration officer not below the rank of chief immigration officer.

Commencement Information

I12 S. 12 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

13 Interpretation of Part 1 E+W

(1) In this Part—

• “captain” means master (of a ship) or commander (of an aircraft);

• “confiscation order” has the meaning given by section 8(8);

• “the Human Rights Convention” means the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms agreed by the Council of Europe at Rome on 4th November 1950;

• “land vehicle” means any vehicle other than a ship or aircraft;

• “ship” includes every description of vessel (including a hovercraft) used in navigation;

• “slavery and trafficking reparation order” means an order made under section 8;

• “UK national” means—

  (a)

  a British citizen,

  (b)

  a person who is a British subject by virtue of Part 4 of the British Nationality Act 1981 and who has a right of abode in the United Kingdom, or

  (c)

  a person who is a British overseas territories citizen by virtue of a connection with Gibraltar.

(2) In sections 8 and 10, references to provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 include references to those provisions as amended or otherwise modified by virtue of an order (whenever made) under section 97 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (confiscation orders by magistrates' courts).

(3) In sections 11 and 12, a reference to being an owner of a vehicle, ship or aircraft includes a reference to being any of a number of persons who jointly own it.

Commencement Information

I13 S. 13 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(a)

PART 2 E+W Prevention orders

Slavery and trafficking prevention orders E+W

14 Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on sentencing E+W

(1) A court may make a slavery and trafficking prevention order against a person (“the defendant”) where it deals with the defendant in respect of—

(a) a conviction for a slavery or human trafficking offence,

(b) a finding that the defendant is not guilty of a slavery or human trafficking offence by reason of insanity, or

(c) a finding that the defendant is under a disability and has done the act charged against the defendant in respect of a slavery or human trafficking offence.

(2) The court may make the order only if it is satisfied that—

(a) there is a risk that the defendant may commit a slavery or human trafficking offence, and

(b) it is necessary to make the order for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed such an offence.

(3) A “slavery or human trafficking offence” means an offence listed in Schedule 1.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend Schedule 1.

(5) For the purposes of this section, convictions and findings include those taking place before this section comes into force.

Commencement Information

I14 S. 14 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

15 Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on application E+W

(1) A magistrates' court may make a slavery and trafficking prevention order against a person (“the defendant”) on an application by—

(a) a chief officer of police,

(b) an immigration officer, F9 ...

(c) the Director General of the National Crime Agency (“the Director General”)[F10 , or

(d) the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.]

(2) The court may make the order only if it is satisfied that—

(a) the defendant is a relevant offender (see section 16), and

(b) since the defendant first became a relevant offender, the defendant has acted in a way which means that the condition in subsection (3) is met.

(3) The condition is that—

(a) there is a risk that the defendant may commit a slavery or human trafficking offence, and

(b) it is necessary to make the order for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed such an offence.

(4) A chief officer of police may make an application under this section only in respect of a person—

(a) who lives in the chief officer's police area, or

(b) who the chief officer believes is in that area or is intending to come to it.

(5) An application under this section is to be made by complaint, and may be made to any magistrates' court acting for a local justice area that includes—

(a) any part of a relevant police area, or

(b) any place where it is alleged that the defendant acted in a way mentioned in subsection (2)(b).

(6) Where the defendant is under 18, a reference in this section to a magistrates' court is to be taken as referring to a youth court (subject to any rules of court made under section 32).

(7) Where an immigration officer[F11 , the Director General or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority] makes an application under this section, the officer[F12 , the Director General or the Authority] must give notice of the application to the chief officer of police for a relevant police area.

(8) In this section “relevant police area” means—

(a) where the applicant is a chief officer of police, the officer's police area;

(b) where the applicant is an immigration officer[F13 , the Director General or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority], the police area where the defendant lives or a police area which the officer[F14 , the Director General or the Authority] believes the defendant is in or is intending to come to.

(9) The acts of the defendant which may be relied on for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) include acts taking place before this section comes into force.

Textual Amendments

F9 Word in s. 15(1) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 10(2)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F10 S. 15(1)(d) and preceding word inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 10(2)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F11 Words in s. 15(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 10(3)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F12 Words in s. 15(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 10(3)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F13 Words in s. 15(8)(b) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 10(4)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F14 Words in s. 15(8)(b) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 10(4)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

Commencement Information

I15 S. 15 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

16 Meaning of “relevant offender” E+W

(1) A person is a “relevant offender” for the purposes of section 15 if subsection (2) or (3) applies to the person.

(2) This subsection applies to a person if—

(a) the person has been convicted of a slavery or human trafficking offence,

(b) a court has made a finding that the person is not guilty of a slavery or human trafficking offence by reason of insanity,

(c) a court has made a finding that the person is under a disability and has done the act charged against the person in respect of a slavery or human trafficking offence, or

(d) the person has been cautioned in respect of a slavery or human trafficking offence.

(3) This subsection applies to a person if, under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom—

(a) the person has been convicted of an equivalent offence (whether or not the person has been punished for it),

(b) a court has made, in relation to an equivalent offence, a finding equivalent to a finding that the person is not guilty by reason of insanity,

(c) a court has made, in relation to an equivalent offence, a finding equivalent to a finding that the person is under a disability and has done the act charged against the person, or

(d) the person has been cautioned in respect of an equivalent offence.

(4) An “equivalent offence” means an act which—

(a) constituted an offence under the law of the country concerned, and

(b) would have constituted a slavery or human trafficking offence under the law of England and Wales if it had been done in England and Wales, or by a UK national, or as regards the United Kingdom.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) an act punishable under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom constitutes an offence under that law, however it is described in that law.

(6) On an application under section 15 where subsection (3) is alleged to apply to the defendant, the condition in subsection (4)(b) is to be taken as met unless—

(a) not later than provided by rules of court, the defendant serves on the applicant a notice which states that in the defendant's opinion the condition is not met, shows the grounds for that opinion, and requires the applicant to prove that the condition is met, or

(b) the court permits the defendant to require the applicant to prove that the condition is met without service of such a notice.

(7) References in this section to convictions, findings and cautions include those taking place before this section comes into force.

Commencement Information

I16 S. 16 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

17 Effect of slavery and trafficking prevention orders E+W

(1) A slavery and trafficking prevention order is an order prohibiting the defendant from doing anything described in the order.

(2) The only prohibitions that may be included in the order are those which the court is satisfied are necessary for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed a slavery or human trafficking offence.

(3) The order may prohibit the defendant from doing things in any part of the United Kingdom, and anywhere outside the United Kingdom.

(4) Subject to section 18(1), a prohibition contained in a slavery and trafficking prevention order has effect—

(a) for a fixed period, specified in the order, of at least 5 years, or

(b) until further order.

(5) A slavery and trafficking prevention order—

(a) may specify that some of its prohibitions have effect until further order and some for a fixed period;

(b) may specify different periods for different prohibitions.

(6) If a court makes a slavery and trafficking prevention order in relation to a person who is already subject to such an order (whether made by that court or another), the earlier order ceases to have effect.

Commencement Information

I17 S. 17 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

18 Prohibitions on foreign travel E+W

(1) A prohibition on foreign travel contained in a slavery and trafficking prevention order must be for a fixed period of not more than 5 years.

(2) A “prohibition on foreign travel” means—

(a) a prohibition on travelling to any country outside the United Kingdom named or described in the order,

(b) a prohibition on travelling to any country outside the United Kingdom other than a country named or described in the order, or

(c) a prohibition on travelling to any country outside the United Kingdom.

(3) Subsection (1) does not prevent a prohibition on foreign travel from being extended for a further period (of no more than 5 years each time) under section 20.

(4) A slavery and trafficking prevention order that contains a prohibition within subsection (2)(c) must require the defendant to surrender all of the defendant's passports at a police station specified in the order—

(a) on or before the date when the prohibition takes effect, or

(b) within a period specified in the order.

(5) Any passports surrendered must be returned as soon as reasonably practicable after the person ceases to be subject to a slavery and trafficking prevention order containing a prohibition within subsection (2)(c).

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply in relation to—

(a) a passport issued by or on behalf of the authorities of a country outside the United Kingdom if the passport has been returned to those authorities;

(b) a passport issued by or on behalf of an international organisation if the passport has been returned to that organisation.

Commencement Information

I18 S. 18 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

19 Requirement to provide name and address E+W

(1) A slavery and trafficking prevention order may (as well as imposing prohibitions on the defendant) require the defendant to comply with subsections (3) to (6).

(2) It may do so only if the court is satisfied that the requirement is necessary for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed a slavery or human trafficking offence.

(3) Before the end of the period of 3 days beginning with the day on which a slavery and trafficking prevention order requiring the defendant to comply with subsections (3) to (6) is first served the defendant must, in the way specified in the order, notify the person specified in the order of the relevant matters.

(4) The relevant matters are—

(a) the defendant's name and, where the defendant uses one or more other names, each of those names, and

(b) the defendant's home address.

(5) If while the defendant is subject to the order the defendant—

(a) uses a name which has not been notified under the order, or

(b) changes home address,

the defendant must, in the way specified in the order, notify the person specified in the order of the new name or the new home address.

(6) The notification must be given before the end of the period of 3 days beginning with the day on which the defendant uses the name or changes home address.

(7) Where the order requires the defendant to notify the Director General of the National Crime Agency[F15 , an immigration officer or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority], the Director General[F16 , the officer or the Authority] must give details of any notification to the chief officer of police for each relevant police area.

(8) “Relevant police area” means—

(a) where the defendant notifies a new name, the police area where the defendant lives;

(b) where the defendant notifies a change of home address, the police area where the defendant lives and (if different) the police area where the defendant lived before the change of home address.

Textual Amendments

F15 Words in s. 19(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 11(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F16 Words in s. 19(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 11(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

Commencement Information

I19 S. 19 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

20 Variation, renewal and discharge E+W

(1) A person within subsection (2) may apply to the appropriate court for an order varying, renewing or discharging a slavery and trafficking prevention order.

(2) The persons are—

(a) the defendant;

(b) the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant lives;

(c) a chief officer of police who believes that the defendant is in, or is intending to come to, that officer's police area;

(d) where the order was made on an application under section 15 by a chief officer of police, that officer;

(e) where the order was made on an application under section 15 by an immigration officer, an immigration officer;

(f) where the order was made on an application under section 15 by the Director General of the National Crime Agency (“the Director General”), the Director General;

[F17 (g) where the order was made on an application under section 15 by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Authority.]

(3) On the application the court, after hearing—

(a) the person making the application, and

(b) the other persons mentioned in subsection (2) (if they wish to be heard),

may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the slavery and trafficking prevention order that the court considers appropriate.

(4) An order may be renewed, or varied so as to impose additional prohibitions on the defendant or require the defendant to comply with section 19(3) to (6), only if the court is satisfied that—

(a) there is a risk that the defendant may commit a slavery or human trafficking offence, and

(b) it is necessary to renew or vary the order for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed such an offence.

(5) Any renewed or varied order—

(a) may contain only those prohibitions which the court is satisfied are necessary for that purpose,

(b) may require the defendant to comply with section 19(3) to (6) only if the court is satisfied that the requirement is necessary for that purpose.

(6) The court must not discharge an order before the end of 5 years beginning with the day on which the order was made, without the consent of—

(a) the defendant and the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(b) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, the defendant and that chief officer.

(7) Subsection (6) does not apply to an order containing a prohibition on foreign travel and no other prohibitions.

(8) An application under this section may be made—

(a) where the appropriate court is the Crown Court, in accordance with rules of court;

(b) in any other case, by complaint.

(9) Where an immigration officer[F18 , the Director General or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority] makes an application under this section, the officer[F19 , the Director General or the Authority] must give notice of the application to the chief officer of police for—

(a) the police area where the defendant lives, or

(b) a police area which the immigration officer[F19 , the Director General or the Authority] believes the defendant is in or is intending to come to.

(10) In this section “the appropriate court” means—

(a) where the Crown Court or the Court of Appeal made the slavery and trafficking prevention order, the Crown Court;

(b) where an adult magistrates' court made the order—

(i) that court,

(ii) an adult magistrates' court for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(iii) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates' court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer's police area;

(c) where a youth court made the order and the defendant is under 18—

(i) that court,

(ii) a youth court for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(iii) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any youth court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer's police area;

(d) where a youth court made the order and the defendant is 18 or over—

(i) an adult magistrates' court for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(ii) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates' court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer's police area.

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 20(2)(g) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 12(2); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F18 Words in s. 20(9) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 12(3)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F19 Words in s. 20(9) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 12(3)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

Commencement Information

I20 S. 20 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

21 Interim slavery and trafficking prevention orders E+W

(1) This section applies where an application under section 15 (“the main application”) has not been determined.

(2) An application for an interim slavery and trafficking prevention order—

(a) may be made by the complaint by which the main application is made, or

(b) if the main application has been made, may be made by the person who has made that application, by complaint to the court to which that application has been made.

(3) The court may, if it considers it just to do so, make an interim slavery and trafficking prevention order.

(4) An interim slavery and trafficking prevention order is an order which prohibits the defendant from doing anything described in the order.

(5) The order may prohibit the defendant from doing things in any part of the United Kingdom, and anywhere outside the United Kingdom.

(6) The order may (as well as imposing prohibitions on the defendant) require the defendant to comply with subsections (3) to (6) of section 19.

If it does, those subsections apply as if references to a slavery and trafficking prevention order were to an interim slavery and trafficking prevention order.

(7) The order—

(a) has effect only for a fixed period, specified in the order;

(b) ceases to have effect, if it has not already done so, on the determination of the main application.

(8) The applicant or the defendant may by complaint apply to the court that made the interim slavery and trafficking prevention order for the order to be varied, renewed or discharged.

Commencement Information

I21 S. 21 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

22 Appeals E+W

(1) A defendant may appeal against the making of a slavery and trafficking prevention order—

(a) where the order was made under section 14(1)(a), as if the order were a sentence passed on the defendant for the offence;

(b) where the order was made under section 14(1)(b) or (c), as if the defendant had been convicted of the offence and the order were a sentence passed on the defendant for the offence;

(c) where the order was made on an application under section 15, to the Crown Court.

(2) A defendant may appeal to the Crown Court against the making of an interim slavery and trafficking prevention order.

(3) A defendant may appeal against the making of an order under section 20, or the refusal to make such an order—

(a) where the application for such an order was made to the Crown Court, to the Court of Appeal;

(b) in any other case, to the Crown Court.

(4) On an appeal under subsection (1)(c), (2) or (3)(b), the Crown Court may make such orders as may be necessary to give effect to its determination of the appeal, and may also make such incidental or consequential orders as appear to it to be just.

(5) Any order made by the Crown Court on an appeal under subsection (1)(c) or (2) is for the purposes of section 20(10) or 21(8) (respectively) to be treated as if it were an order of the court from which the appeal was brought.

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to an order directing that an application be re-heard by a magistrates' court.

Commencement Information

I22 S. 22 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

Slavery and trafficking risk orders E+W

23 Slavery and trafficking risk orders E+W

(1) A magistrates' court may make a slavery and trafficking risk order against a person (“the defendant”) on an application by—

(a) a chief officer of police,

(b) an immigration officer, F20 ...

(c) the Director General of the National Crime Agency (“the Director General”)[F21 , or

(d) the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.]

(2) The court may make the order only if it is satisfied that the defendant has acted in a way which means that—

(a) there is a risk that the defendant will commit a slavery or human trafficking offence, and

(b) it is necessary to make the order for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed such an offence.

(3) A chief officer of police may make an application under this section only in respect of a person—

(a) who lives in the chief officer's police area, or

(b) who the chief officer believes is in that area or is intending to come to it.

(4) An application under this section is to be made by complaint, and may be made to any magistrates' court acting for a local justice area that includes—

(a) any part of a relevant police area, or

(b) any place where it is alleged that the person acted in a way mentioned in subsection (2).

(5) Where the defendant is under 18, a reference in this section to a magistrates' court is to be taken as referring to a youth court (subject to any rules of court made under section 32).

(6) Where an immigration officer[F22 , the Director General or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority] makes an application under this section, the officer[F23 , the Director General or the Authority] must give notice of the application to the chief officer of police for a relevant police area.

(7) “Relevant police area” means—

(a) where the applicant is a chief officer of police, the officer's police area;

(b) where the applicant is an immigration officer[F24 , the Director General or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority], the police area where the defendant lives or a police area which the officer[F25 , the Director General or the Authority] believes the defendant is in or is intending to come to.

(8) The acts of the defendant which may be relied on for the purposes of subsection (2) include acts taking place before this section comes into force.

Textual Amendments

F20 Word in s. 23(1) omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(2)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F21 S. 23(1)(d) and preceding word inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(2)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F22 Words in s. 23(6) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(3)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F23 Words in s. 23(6) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(3)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F24 Words in s. 23(7)(b) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(4)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F25 Words in s. 23(7)(b) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(4)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

Commencement Information

I23 S. 23 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

24 Effect of slavery and trafficking risk orders E+W

(1) A slavery and trafficking risk order is an order which prohibits the defendant from doing anything described in the order.

(2) The only prohibitions that may be included in the order are those which the court is satisfied are necessary for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed a slavery or human trafficking offence.

(3) The order may prohibit the defendant from doing things in any part of the United Kingdom, and anywhere outside the United Kingdom.

(4) Subject to section 25(1), a prohibition contained in a slavery and trafficking risk order has effect—

(a) for a fixed period, specified in the order, of at least 2 years, or

(b) until further order.

(5) A slavery and trafficking risk order—

(a) may specify that some of its prohibitions have effect until further order and some for a fixed period;

(b) may specify different periods for different prohibitions.

(6) Where a court makes a slavery and trafficking risk order in relation to a person who is already subject to such an order (whether made by that court or another), the earlier order ceases to have effect.

Commencement Information

I24 S. 24 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

25 Prohibitions on foreign travel E+W

(1) A prohibition on foreign travel contained in a slavery and trafficking risk order must be for a fixed period of not more than 5 years.

(2) A “prohibition on foreign travel” means—

(a) a prohibition on travelling to any country outside the United Kingdom named or described in the order,

(b) a prohibition on travelling to any country outside the United Kingdom other than a country named or described in the order, or

(c) a prohibition on travelling to any country outside the United Kingdom.

(3) Subsection (1) does not prevent a prohibition on foreign travel from being extended for a further period (of no more than 5 years each time) under section 27.

(4) A slavery and trafficking risk order that contains a prohibition within subsection (2)(c) must require the defendant to surrender all of the defendant's passports at a police station specified in the order—

(a) on or before the date when the prohibition takes effect, or

(b) within a period specified in the order.

(5) Any passports surrendered must be returned as soon as reasonably practicable after the person ceases to be subject to a slavery and trafficking risk order containing a prohibition within subsection (2)(c).

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply in relation to—

(a) a passport issued by or on behalf of the authorities of a country outside the United Kingdom if the passport has been returned to those authorities;

(b) a passport issued by or on behalf of an international organisation if the passport has been returned to that organisation.

Commencement Information

I25 S. 25 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

26 Requirement to provide name and address E+W

(1) A slavery and trafficking risk order may (as well as imposing prohibitions on the defendant) require the defendant to comply with subsections (3) to (6).

(2) It may do so only if the court is satisfied that the requirement is necessary for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed a slavery or human trafficking offence.

(3) Before the end of the period of 3 days beginning with the day on which a slavery and trafficking risk order requiring the defendant to comply with subsections (3) to (6) is first served the defendant must, in the way specified in the order, notify the person specified in the order of the relevant matters.

(4) The relevant matters are—

(a) the defendant's name and, where the defendant uses one or more other names, each of those names, and

(b) the defendant's home address.

(5) If while the defendant is subject to the order the defendant—

(a) uses a name which has not been notified under the order, or

(b) changes home address,

the defendant must, in the way specified in the order, notify the person specified in the order of the new name or the new home address.

(6) The notification must be given before the end of the period of 3 days beginning with the day on which the defendant uses the name or changes home address.

(7) Where the order requires the defendant to notify the Director General of the National Crime Agency[F26 , an immigration officer or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority], the Director General[F27 , the officer or the Authority] must give details of any notification to the chief officer of police for each relevant police area.

(8) “Relevant police area” means—

(a) where the defendant notifies a new name, the police area where the defendant lives;

(b) where the defendant notifies a change of home address, the police area where the defendant lives and (if different) the police area where the defendant lived before the change of home address.

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in s. 26(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 14(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F27 Words in s. 26(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 14(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

Commencement Information

I26 S. 26 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

27 Variation, renewal and discharge E+W

(1) A person within subsection (2) may by complaint to the appropriate court apply for an order varying, renewing or discharging a slavery and trafficking risk order.

(2) The persons are—

(a) the defendant;

(b) the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant lives;

(c) a chief officer of police who believes that the defendant is in, or is intending to come to, that officer's police area;

(d) where the order was made on an application by a chief officer of police, that officer;

(e) where the order was made on an application by an immigration officer, an immigration officer;

(f) where the order was made on an application by the Director General of the National Crime Agency (“the Director General”), the Director General;

[F28 (g) where the order was made on an application by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Authority.]

(3) On the application the court, after hearing—

(a) the person making the application, and

(b) the other persons mentioned in subsection (2) (if they wish to be heard),

may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the slavery and trafficking risk order that the court considers appropriate.

(4) An order may be renewed, or varied so as to impose additional prohibitions on the defendant or require the defendant to comply with section 26(3) to (6), only if the court is satisfied that—

(a) there is a risk that the defendant may commit a slavery or human trafficking offence, and

(b) it is necessary to renew or vary the order for the purpose of protecting persons generally, or particular persons, from the physical or psychological harm which would be likely to occur if the defendant committed such an offence.

(5) Any renewed or varied order—

(a) may contain only those prohibitions which the court is satisfied are necessary for that purpose;

(b) may require the defendant to comply with section 26(3) to (6) only if the court is satisfied that the requirement is necessary for that purpose.

(6) The court must not discharge an order before the end of 2 years beginning with the day on which the order was made, without the consent of—

(a) the defendant and the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(b) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, the defendant and that chief officer.

(7) Where an immigration officer[F29 , the Director General or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority] makes an application under this section, the officer[F30 , the Director General or the Authority] must give notice of the application to the chief officer of police for—

(a) the police area where the defendant lives, or

(b) a police area which the immigration officer[F29 , the Director General or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority] believes the defendant is in or is intending to come to.

(8) In this section “the appropriate court” means—

(a) where an adult magistrates' court made the slavery and trafficking risk order—

(i) that court,

(ii) any adult magistrates' court for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(iii) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates' court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer's police area;

(b) where a youth court made the order and the defendant is under 18—

(i) that court,

(ii) a youth court for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(iii) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any youth court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer's police area;

(c) where a youth court made the order and the defendant is 18 or over—

(i) an adult magistrates' court for the area in which the defendant lives, or

(ii) where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates' court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer's police area.

Textual Amendments

F28 S. 27(2)(g) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 15(2); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F29 Words in s. 27(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 15(3)(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

F30 Words in s. 27(7) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 15(3)(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

Commencement Information

I27 S. 27 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

28 Interim slavery and trafficking risk orders E+W

(1) This section applies where an application for a slavery and trafficking risk order (“the main application”) has not been determined.

(2) An application for an interim slavery and trafficking risk order—

(a) may be made by the complaint by which the main application is made, or

(b) if the main application has been made, may be made by the person who has made that application, by complaint to the court to which that application has been made.

(3) The court may, if it considers it just to do so, make an interim slavery and trafficking risk order.

(4) An interim slavery and trafficking risk order is an order which prohibits the defendant from doing anything described in the order.

(5) The order may prohibit the defendant from doing things in any part of the United Kingdom, and anywhere outside the United Kingdom.

(6) The order may (as well as imposing prohibitions on the defendant) require the defendant to comply with subsections (3) to (6) of section 26.

If it does, those subsections apply as if references to a slavery and trafficking risk order were to an interim slavery and trafficking risk order.

(7) The order—

(a) has effect only for a fixed period, specified in the order;

(b) ceases to have effect, if it has not already done so, on the determination of the main application.

(8) The applicant or the defendant may by complaint apply to the court that made the interim slavery and trafficking risk order for the order to be varied, renewed or discharged.

Commencement Information

I28 S. 28 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

29 Appeals E+W

(1) A defendant may appeal to the Crown Court—

(a) against the making of a slavery and trafficking risk order;

(b) against the making of an interim slavery and trafficking risk order;

(c) against the making of an order under section 27, or the refusal to make such an order.

(2) The Crown Court may make such orders as may be necessary to give effect to its determination of the appeal, and may also make such incidental or consequential orders as appear to it to be just.

(3) An order made by the Crown Court on an appeal against the making of a slavery and trafficking risk order or an interim slavery and trafficking risk order is to be treated for the purposes of section 27(8) or 28(8) (respectively) as if it were an order of the court from which the appeal was brought.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to an order directing that an application be re-heard by a magistrates' court.

Commencement Information

I29 S. 29 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

Offences and supplementary provision E+W

30 Offences E+W

(1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, does anything that the person is prohibited from doing by—

(a) a slavery and trafficking prevention order,

(b) an interim slavery and trafficking prevention order,

(c) a slavery and trafficking risk order,

(d) an interim slavery and trafficking risk order,

(e) a slavery and trafficking prevention order under Schedule 3 to the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 2 (N.I.)),F31 ...

(f) an interim slavery and trafficking prevention order under that Schedule to that Act,

[F32 (g) a trafficking and exploitation prevention order under section 17 or 18 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (asp 12);

(h) an interim trafficking and exploitation prevention order under section 24 of that Act;

(i) a trafficking and exploitation risk order under section 26 of that Act; or

(j) an interim trafficking and exploitation risk order under section 30 of that Act;]

commits an offence.

(2) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the person fails to comply with a requirement imposed under—

(a) section 18(4) or 25(4) (requirement to surrender passports), or

(b) section 19(1), 21(6), 26(1) or 28(6) (requirement to provide name and address).

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

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years;

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine or both.

(4) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, it is not open to the court by or before which the person is convicted to make an order for conditional discharge in respect of the offence.

Textual Amendments

F31 Word in s. 30(1)(e) omitted (17.12.2016) by virtue of The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(2)(a)

F32 S. 30(1)(g)-(j) inserted (17.12.2016) by The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(2)(b)

Commencement Information

I30 S. 30 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

[F33 30A Enforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may make arrangements with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority for officers of the Authority to act for the purposes of this Part in taking action in circumstances in which it appears that an offence under this Part which is a labour market offence (within the meaning of section 3 of the Immigration Act 2016) has been, is being or may be committed.

(2) For provision about the powers of such an officer who is acting for the purposes of this Part, see section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE powers for labour abuse prevention officers).]

Textual Amendments

F33 S. 30A inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 16; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

31 Cross-border enforcement E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend section 30(1) so as to add to or remove from the list of orders in that section any relevant UK order.

(2) “Relevant UK order” means an order under the law of Scotland or Northern Ireland which appears to the Secretary of State to be equivalent or similar to—

(a) a slavery and trafficking prevention order,

(b) an interim slavery and trafficking prevention order,

(c) a slavery and trafficking risk order, or

(d) an interim slavery and trafficking risk order.

Commencement Information

I31 S. 31 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

32 Rules of court E+W

(1) Rules of court may provide for a youth court to give permission for an application under section 15 or 23 against a person aged 18 or over to be made to the youth court if—

(a) an application to the youth court has been made, or is to be made, under that section against a person aged under 18, and

(b) the youth court thinks that it would be in the interests of justice for the applications to be heard together.

(2) Rules of court may, in relation to a person reaching the age of 18 after proceedings against that person by virtue of this Part have begun—

(a) prescribe circumstances in which the proceedings may or must remain in the youth court;

(b) make provision for the transfer of the proceedings from the youth court to an adult magistrates' court (including provision applying sections 21 and 28 with modifications).

Commencement Information

I32 S. 32 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

33 Guidance to chief officers of police etc E+W

(1) The Secretary of State must issue guidance to chief officers of police, immigration officers[F34 , the Director General of the National Crime Agency and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority] in relation to the exercise by them of their powers under this Part.

(2) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, revise the guidance issued under subsection (1).

(3) The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued or revised under this section to be published in a way the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Textual Amendments

F34 Words in s. 33(1) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 17; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(t)

Commencement Information

I33 S. 33 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

34 Interpretation of Part 2 E+W

(1) In this Part—

• “adult magistrates court” means a magistrates' court that is not a youth court;

• “cautioned” means cautioned after the person concerned has admitted the offence;

• “interim slavery and trafficking prevention order” means an order made under section 21 (except in section 30(1)(f));

• “interim slavery and trafficking risk order” means an order made under section 28;

• “slavery or human trafficking offence” means an offence listed in Schedule 1;

• “slavery and trafficking prevention order” means an order made under section 14 or 15 (except in section 30(1)(e));

• “slavery and trafficking risk order” means an order made under section 23.

(2) In this Part “passport” means—

(a) a United Kingdom passport within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971;

(b) a passport issued by or on behalf of the authorities of a country outside the United Kingdom, or by or on behalf of an international organisation;

(c) a document that can be used (in some or all circumstances) instead of a passport.

(3) In this Part a reference to a conviction includes a conviction for an offence in respect of which an order for conditional discharge is made, despite—

(a) [F35 section 82(2) of the Sentencing Code] (conviction with conditional discharge deemed not to be a conviction);

(b) article 6(1) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/3160 (N.I. 24)) (equivalent provision for Northern Ireland).

(4) Subsection (3) applies only to convictions after this Part comes into force.

(5) In this Part a reference to a conviction includes a finding of a court in summary proceedings that the accused did the act charged, where the court makes an order under—

(a) section 37(3) of the Mental Health Act 1983,

(b) section 58(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, or

(c) article 44(4) of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/595 (N.I. 4)),

(hospital and guardianship orders).

(6) In relation to an offence under the law of Scotland, a reference in this Part to a person being found not guilty by reason of insanity is to be treated as a reference to a person being acquitted by reason of the special defence in section 51A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.

(7) In this Part, a reference to a finding that a person is under a disability and has done the act charged against the person in respect of an offence includes a finding that a person is insane or unfit to be tried and has done the act charged against the person in respect of an offence.

(8) Section 127 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (time limits) does not apply to a complaint under any provision of this Part.

(9) A person's age is to be treated for the purposes of this Part as being that which it appears to the court to be after considering any available evidence.

Textual Amendments

F35 Words in s. 34(3)(a) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 294 (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

Commencement Information

I34 S. 34 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(b)

PART 3 E+W Maritime enforcement

35 Enforcement powers in relation to ships: England and Wales E+W

(1) An English and Welsh constable or an enforcement officer may exercise the powers set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 (“Part 1 powers”) in relation to—

(a) a United Kingdom ship in England and Wales waters, foreign waters or international waters,

(b) a ship without nationality in England and Wales waters or international waters,

(c) a foreign ship in England and Wales waters, or

(d) a ship, registered under the law of a relevant territory, in England and Wales waters.

(2) But Part 1 powers may be exercised only—

(a) for the purpose of preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting an offence under section 1 or 2, and

(b) in accordance with the rest of this section.

(3) The authority of the Secretary of State is required before an English and Welsh constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 1 powers in relation to a United Kingdom ship in foreign waters.

(4) Authority for the purposes of subsection (3) may be given only if the State or relevant territory in whose waters the powers would be exercised consents to the exercise of the powers.

(5) The authority of the Secretary of State is required before an English and Welsh constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 1 powers in relation to a foreign ship, or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, within the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom.

(6) Authority for the purposes of subsection (5) may be given in relation to a foreign ship only if—

(a) the home state has requested the assistance of the United Kingdom for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a),

(b) the home state has authorised the United Kingdom to act for that purpose, or

(c) the Convention otherwise permits the exercise of Part 1 powers in relation to the ship.

(7) In giving authority for the purposes of subsection (5) in relation to a foreign ship the Secretary of State must give effect to any conditions or limitations that the home state imposes as part of a request or authorisation of the kind mentioned in subsection (6)(a) or (b) (if the authority is given as a result of that request or authorisation).

Commencement Information

I35 S. 35 in force at 8.8.2016 by S.I. 2016/740, reg. 2(a)

36 Enforcement powers in relation to ships: Scotland S

(1) A Scottish constable or an enforcement officer may exercise the powers set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (“Part 2 powers”) in relation to—

(a) a United Kingdom ship in Scotland waters, foreign waters or international waters,

(b) a ship without nationality in Scotland waters or international waters,

(c) a foreign ship in Scotland waters, or

(d) a ship, registered under the law of a relevant territory, in Scotland waters.

(2) But Part 2 powers may be exercised only—

(a) for the purpose of preventing, detecting or investigating a listed offence, and

(b) in accordance with the rest of this section.

(3) The authority of the Secretary of State is required before a Scottish constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 2 powers in relation to a United Kingdom ship in foreign waters.

(4) Authority for the purposes of subsection (3) may be given only if the State or relevant territory in whose waters the powers would be exercised consents to the exercise of the powers.

(5) The authority of the Secretary of State is required before a Scottish constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 2 powers in relation to a foreign ship, or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, within the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom.

(6) Authority for the purposes of subsection (5) may be given in relation to a foreign ship only if—

(a) the home state has requested the assistance of the United Kingdom for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a),

(b) the home state has authorised the United Kingdom to act for that purpose, or

(c) the Convention otherwise permits the exercise of Part 2 powers in relation to the ship.

(7) In giving authority for the purposes of subsection (5) in relation to a foreign ship the Secretary of State must give effect to any conditions or limitations that the home state imposes as part of a request or authorisation of the kind mentioned in subsection (6)(a) or (b) (if the authority is given as a result of that request or authorisation).

(8) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), “listed offence” means an offence under—

[F36 (a) section 1 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (asp 12) (offence of human trafficking);]

[F36 (b) section 4 of that Act (slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour).]

Textual Amendments

F36 S. 36(8)(a)(b) substituted for s. 36(8)(a)-(c) (17.12.2016) by The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(3) (with art. 4(4))

Commencement Information

I36 S. 36 in force at 8.8.2016 by S.I. 2016/740, reg. 2(b)

37 Enforcement powers in relation to ships: Northern Ireland N.I.

(1) A Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer may exercise the powers set out in Part 3 of Schedule 2 (“Part 3 powers”) in relation to—

(a) a United Kingdom ship in Northern Ireland waters, foreign waters or international waters,

(b) a ship without nationality in Northern Ireland waters or international waters,

(c) a foreign ship in Northern Ireland waters, or

(d) a ship, registered under the law of a relevant territory, in Northern Ireland waters.

(2) But Part 3 powers may be exercised only—

(a) for the purpose of preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting a listed offence, and

(b) in accordance with the rest of this section.

(3) The authority of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is required before an enforcement officer may exercise any Part 3 powers.

(4) The authority of the Secretary of State is required before a Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 3 powers in relation to a United Kingdom ship in foreign waters.

(5) Authority for the purposes of subsection (4) may be given only if the State or relevant territory in whose waters the powers would be exercised consents to the exercise of the powers.

(6) The authority of the Secretary of State is required before a Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 3 powers in relation to a foreign ship, or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, within the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom.

(7) Authority for the purposes of subsection (6) may be given in relation to a foreign ship only if—

(a) the home state has requested the assistance of the United Kingdom for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a),

(b) the home state has authorised the United Kingdom to act for that purpose, or

(c) the Convention otherwise permits the exercise of Part 3 powers in relation to the ship.

(8) In giving authority for the purposes of subsection (6) in relation to a foreign ship the Secretary of State must give effect to any conditions or limitations that the home state imposes as part of a request or authorisation of the kind mentioned in subsection (7)(a) or (b) (if the authority is given as a result of that request or authorisation).

(9) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), “listed offence” means an offence under—

(a) section 1 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 2 (N.I.)) (slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour);

(b) section 2 of that Act (human trafficking).

Commencement Information

I37 S. 37 in force at 8.8.2016 by S.I. 2016/740, reg. 2(c)

Prospective

38 Hot pursuit of ships in United Kingdom waters E+W

(1) An English and Welsh constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 1 powers in relation to a ship in Scotland waters or in Northern Ireland waters if—

(a) the ship is pursued there,

(b) immediately before the pursuit of the ship, the ship was in relevant waters, and

(c) the condition in subsection (10) is met.

(2) Part 1 powers may be exercised under subsection (1) only—

(a) for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of section 35, and

(b) (if relevant) in accordance with subsections (5) to (7) of that section.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), “relevant waters” are—

(a) in the case of a United Kingdom ship or a ship without nationality, England and Wales waters or international waters;

(b) in the case of a foreign ship or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, England and Wales waters.

(4) A Scottish constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 2 powers in relation to a ship in England and Wales waters or in Northern Ireland waters if—

(a) the ship is pursued there,

(b) immediately before the pursuit of the ship, the ship was in relevant waters, and

(c) the condition in subsection (10) is met.

(5) Part 2 powers may be exercised under subsection (4) only—

(a) for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of section 36, and

(b) (if relevant) in accordance with subsections (5) to (7) of that section.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), “relevant waters” are—

(a) in the case of a United Kingdom ship or a ship without nationality, Scotland waters or international waters;

(b) in the case of a foreign ship or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, Scotland waters.

(7) A Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer may exercise Part 3 powers in relation to a ship in England and Wales waters or in Scotland waters if—

(a) the ship is pursued there,

(b) immediately before the pursuit of the ship, the ship was in relevant waters, and

(c) the condition in subsection (10) is met.

(8) Part 3 powers may be exercised under subsection (7) only—

(a) for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of section 37, and

(b) (if relevant) in accordance with subsections (6) to (8) of that section.

(9) For the purposes of subsection (7)(b), “relevant waters” are—

(a) in the case of a United Kingdom ship or a ship without nationality, Northern Ireland waters or international waters;

(b) in the case of a foreign ship or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, Northern Ireland waters.

(10) The condition referred to in subsection (1)(c), (4)(c) and (7)(c) is that—

(a) before the pursuit of the ship, a signal is given for it to stop, and

(b) the pursuit of the ship is not interrupted.

(11) The signal referred to in subsection (10)(a) must be given in such a way as to be audible or visible from the ship.

(12) For the purposes of subsection (10)(b), pursuit is not interrupted by reason only of the fact that—

(a) the method of carrying out the pursuit, or

(b) the identity of the ship or aircraft carrying out the pursuit,

changes during the course of the pursuit.

(13) Nothing in this Part affects any right of hot pursuit that a constable or an enforcement officer may have under international law.

39 Interpretation of Part 3 E+W

(1) In this Part—

• “the Convention” means the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (Cmnd 8941) and any modifications of that Convention agreed after the passing of this Act that have entered into force in relation to the United Kingdom;

• “enforcement officer” means—

  (a)

  a designated customs official, within the meaning of Part 1 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (see section 14(6) of that Act),

  (b)

  a person who is a commissioned officer of any of Her Majesty's ships, or

  (c)

  a person in command or charge of any aircraft or hovercraft of the Royal Navy, the Army or the Royal Air Force;

• “England and Wales waters” means the sea and other waters within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to England and Wales;

• “English and Welsh constable” means only a person who is—

  (a)

  a member of a police force in England and Wales,

  (b)

  a member of the British Transport Police Force,

  (c)

  a port constable, within the meaning of section 7 of the Marine Navigation Act 2013, or a person appointed to act as a constable under provision made by virtue of section 16 of the Harbours Act 1964, or

  (d)

  a National Crime Agency officer having the powers and privileges of a constable in England and Wales under the Crime and Courts Act 2013;

• “foreign ship” means a ship which—

  (a)

  is registered in a State other than the United Kingdom, or

  (b)

  is not so registered but is entitled to fly the flag of a State other than the United Kingdom;

• “foreign waters” means the sea and other waters within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to any relevant territory or State other than the United Kingdom;

• “home state”, in relation to a foreign ship, means—

  (a)

  the State in which the ship is registered, or

  (b)

  the State whose flag the ship is otherwise entitled to fly;

• “international waters” means waters beyond the territorial sea of the United Kingdom or of any other State or relevant territory;

• “Northern Ireland constable” means a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland or the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve;

• “Northern Ireland waters” means the sea and other waters within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to Northern Ireland;

• “Part 1 powers” means the powers set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2;

• “Part 2 powers” means the powers set out in Part 2 of that Schedule;

• “Part 3 powers” means the powers set out in Part 3 of that Schedule;

• “relevant territory” means—

  (a)

  the Isle of Man;

  (b)

  any of the Channel Islands;

  (c)

  a British overseas territory;

• “Scottish constable” means only a person who is—

  (a)

  a constable, within the meaning of section 99 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), or

  (b)

  a National Crime Agency officer having the powers and privileges of a constable in Scotland under the Crime and Courts Act 2013;

• “Scotland waters” means the sea and other waters within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to Scotland;

• “ship” includes every description of vessel (including a hovercraft) used in navigation;

• “ship without nationality” means a ship which—

  (a)

  is not registered in, or otherwise entitled to fly the flag of, any State or relevant territory, or

  (b)

  sails under the flags of two or more States or relevant territories, or under the flags of a State and relevant territory, using them according to convenience;

• “United Kingdom ship” means a ship which—

  (a)

  is registered under Part 2 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995,

  (b)

  is a Government ship within the meaning of that Act,

  (c)

  is not registered in any State or relevant territory but is wholly owned by persons each of whom has a United Kingdom connection, or

  (d)

  is registered under an Order in Council under section 1 of the Hovercraft Act 1968.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of “United Kingdom ship” in subsection (1), a person has a “United Kingdom connection” if the person is—

(a) a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen or a British Overseas citizen,

(b) an individual who is habitually resident in the United Kingdom, or

(c) a body corporate which is established under the law of a part of the United Kingdom and has its principal place of business in the United Kingdom.

Commencement Information

I38 S. 39 in force at 8.8.2016 by S.I. 2016/740, reg. 2(d)

PART 4 E+W The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner

40 The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner E+W

(1) The Secretary of State must, after consulting the Scottish Ministers and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland, appoint a person as the Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner (in this Part “the Commissioner”).

(2) The Commissioner is to hold office in accordance with the terms of the Commissioner's appointment.

(3) The Secretary of State may pay in respect of the Commissioner any expenses, remuneration or allowances that the Secretary of State may determine.

(4) The Secretary of State—

(a) must before the beginning of each financial year specify a maximum sum which the Commissioner may spend that year,

(b) may permit that to be exceeded for a specified purpose, and

(c) subject to paragraphs (a) and (b), must defray the Commissioner's expenditure for each financial year.

(5) In this Part, “financial year” means—

(a) the period beginning with the day on which the first Commissioner takes office and ending with the following 31 March, and

(b) each successive period of 12 months.

(6) The Commissioner may appoint staff.

(7) In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (offices disqualifying for membership: other disqualifying offices) at the appropriate place insert— “ Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner ”.

(8) In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (offices disqualifying for membership: other disqualifying offices) at the appropriate place insert—

““Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner”.

(9) In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (other public bodies and offices: general) at the appropriate place insert— “ The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner ”.

Commencement Information

I39 S. 40 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(c)

41 General functions of Commissioner E+W

(1) The Commissioner must encourage good practice in—

(a) the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of slavery and human trafficking offences;

(b) the identification of victims of those offences.

(2) For the purposes of this section a slavery and human trafficking offence is an offence under—

(a) section 1, 2 or 4 of this Act,

(b) section 1, 2 or 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 2 (N.I.)) (equivalent offences in Northern Ireland),

[F37 (c) section 1 or 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (asp 12) (equivalent offences in Scotland).]

(3) The things that the Commissioner may do in pursuance of subsection (1) include—

(a) making reports on any permitted matter to the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland;

(b) making recommendations to any public authority about the exercise of its functions;

(c) undertaking or supporting (financially or otherwise) the carrying out of research;

(d) providing information, education or training;

(e) consulting public authorities (including the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses), voluntary organisations and other persons;

(f) co-operating with or working jointly with public authorities (including the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses), voluntary organisations and other persons, in the United Kingdom or internationally.

(4) The matters to which the Commissioner may have regard in pursuance of subsection (1) include the provision of assistance and support to victims of slavery and human trafficking offences.

(5) In subsection (3)(a) “permitted matter” means a matter which—

(a) the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland have asked the Commissioner to report on, or

(b) the current strategic plan, approved by the Secretary of State under section 42(6), states is a matter the Commissioner proposes to report on.

(6) The Commissioner must (after ascertaining whether the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers, the Lord Advocate or the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland wish to exercise the powers conferred by subsections (7) to (10)) publish each report made under subsection (3)(a).

(7) The Secretary of State may direct the Commissioner to omit from any report before publication any material whose publication the Secretary of State thinks—

(a) would be against the interests of national security,

(b) might jeopardise the safety of any person in England and Wales, or

(c) might prejudice the investigation or prosecution of an offence under the law of England and Wales.

(8) The Scottish Ministers may direct the Commissioner to omit from any report before publication any material whose publication the Scottish Ministers think—

(a) might jeopardise the safety of any person in Scotland, or

(b) might prejudice the investigation of an offence under the law of Scotland.

(9) The Lord Advocate may direct the Commissioner to omit from any report before publication any material whose publication the Lord Advocate thinks might prejudice the prosecution of an offence under the law of Scotland.

(10) The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may direct the Commissioner to omit from any report before publication any material whose publication the department thinks—

(a) might jeopardise the safety of any person in Northern Ireland, or

(b) might prejudice the investigation or prosecution of an offence under the law of Northern Ireland.

(11) If the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland lay before Parliament, the Scottish Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly a report made by the Commissioner under subsection (3)(a), they must lay the report as it is published by the Commissioner under subsection (6).

Textual Amendments

F37 S. 41(2)(c) substituted for s. 41(c)-(e) (17.12.2016) by The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(4)

Commencement Information

I40 S. 41 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(c) (with regs. 6, 8)

42 Strategic plans and annual reports E+W

(1) The Commissioner must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Commissioner's appointment, prepare a strategic plan and submit it to the Secretary of State for approval.

(2) The Commissioner must, before the end of the period to which a strategic plan relates (“the current period”), prepare a strategic plan for a period immediately following the current period and submit it to the Secretary of State for approval.

(3) The Commissioner may at any time prepare a revised strategic plan and submit it to the Secretary of State for approval.

(4) A strategic plan is a plan setting out how the Commissioner proposes to exercise the Commissioner's functions in the period to which the plan relates, which must be not less than one year and not more than three years.

(5) A strategic plan must in particular—

(a) state the Commissioner's objectives and priorities for the period to which the plan relates;

(b) state any matters on which the Commissioner proposes to report under section 41(3)(a) during that period;

(c) state any other activities the Commissioner proposes to undertake during that period in the exercise of the Commissioner's functions.

(6) The Secretary of State may approve a strategic plan either without modifications or with modifications agreed with the Commissioner.

(7) The Secretary of State must—

(a) before approving a strategic plan, consult the Scottish Ministers and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland, and

(b) after approving a strategic plan, send a copy of the plan to the Scottish Ministers and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.

(8) As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year the Commissioner must submit to the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland an annual report on the exercise of the Commissioner's functions during the year.

(9) An annual report must include—

(a) an assessment of the extent to which the Commissioner's objectives and priorities have been met in that year;

(b) a statement of the matters on which the Commissioner has reported under section 41(3)(a) during the year;

(c) a statement of the other activities the Commissioner has undertaken during the year in the exercise of the Commissioner's functions.

(10) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament—

(a) any strategic plan the Secretary of State approves, and

(b) any annual report the Secretary of State receives,

and must do so as soon as reasonably practicable after approving the plan or receiving the report.

(11) The Scottish Ministers must lay before the Scottish Parliament—

(a) any strategic plan the Secretary of State approves, and

(b) any annual report they receive,

and must do so as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the plan or the report.

(12) The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland must lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly—

(a) any strategic plan the Secretary of State approves, and

(b) any annual report it receives,

and must do so as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the plan or the report.

(13) An annual report laid under any of subsections (10) to (12) must not contain material removed from the report under any of subsections (14) to (17).

(14) The Secretary of State may remove from an annual report any material whose publication the Secretary of State thinks—

(a) would be against the interests of national security,

(b) might jeopardise the safety of any person in England and Wales, or

(c) might prejudice the investigation or prosecution of an offence under the law of England and Wales.

(15) The Scottish Ministers may remove from an annual report any material whose publication the Scottish Ministers think—

(a) might jeopardise the safety of any person in Scotland, or

(b) might prejudice the investigation of an offence under the law of Scotland.

(16) The Lord Advocate may remove from an annual report any material whose publication the Lord Advocate thinks might prejudice the prosecution of an offence under the law of Scotland.

(17) The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may remove from an annual report any material whose publication the department thinks—

(a) might jeopardise the safety of any person in Northern Ireland, or

(b) might prejudice the investigation or prosecution of an offence under the law of Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I41 S. 42 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(c)

43 Duty to co-operate with Commissioner E+W

(1) The Commissioner may request a specified public authority to co-operate with the Commissioner in any way that the Commissioner considers necessary for the purposes of the Commissioner's functions.

(2) A specified public authority must so far as reasonably practicable comply with a request made to it under this section.

(3) A public authority which discloses information to the Commissioner in pursuance of subsection (2) does not breach any obligation of confidence owed by the public authority in relation to that information; but this does not apply in relation to patient information.

(4) “Patient information” means information (however recorded) which—

(a) relates to the physical or mental health or condition of an individual, to the diagnosis of an individual's condition or to an individual's care or treatment, or is to any extent derived directly or indirectly from such information, and

(b) identifies the individual or enables the individual to be identified (either by itself or in combination with other information).

(5) Except as provided by subsection (3), subsection (2) does not require or authorise any disclosure of information which contravenes a restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(6) In this section “specified public authority” means a public authority listed in Schedule 3.

(7) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations amend that Schedule so as to—

(a) add or remove a public authority having only functions which are exercisable in or as regards Scotland (a “Scottish public authority”);

(b) amend an entry relating to a Scottish public authority.

(8) The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may by regulations amend that Schedule so as to—

(a) add or remove a public authority having only functions which are exercisable in or as regards Northern Ireland (a “Northern Irish public authority”);

(b) amend an entry relating to a Northern Irish public authority.

(9) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend that Schedule so as to—

(a) add or remove a public authority which is not a Scottish public authority or a Northern Irish public authority;

(b) amend an entry relating to a public authority which is not a Scottish public authority or a Northern Irish public authority.

(10) Regulations under subsection (7), (8) or (9) which add a public authority to Schedule 3 may contain provision modifying the application of this section in relation to that authority.

Commencement Information

I42 S. 43 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(c)

44 Restriction on exercise of functions E+W

(1) The Commissioner must not exercise any function in relation to an individual case.

(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent the Commissioner considering individual cases and drawing conclusions about them for the purpose of, or in the context of, considering a general issue.

Commencement Information

I43 S. 44 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(c)

PART 5 E+W Protection of victims

45 Defence for slavery or trafficking victims who commit an offence E+W+S

(1) A person is not guilty of an offence if—

(a) the person is aged 18 or over when the person does the act which constitutes the offence,

(b) the person does that act because the person is compelled to do it,

(c) the compulsion is attributable to slavery or to relevant exploitation, and

(d) a reasonable person in the same situation as the person and having the person's relevant characteristics would have no realistic alternative to doing that act.

(2) A person may be compelled to do something by another person or by the person's circumstances.

(3) Compulsion is attributable to slavery or to relevant exploitation only if—

(a) it is, or is part of, conduct which constitutes an offence under section 1 or conduct which constitutes relevant exploitation, or

(b) it is a direct consequence of a person being, or having been, a victim of slavery or a victim of relevant exploitation.

(4) A person is not guilty of an offence if—

(a) the person is under the age of 18 when the person does the act which constitutes the offence,

(b) the person does that act as a direct consequence of the person being, or having been, a victim of slavery or a victim of relevant exploitation, and

(c) a reasonable person in the same situation as the person and having the person's relevant characteristics would do that act.

(5) For the purposes of this section—

• “relevant characteristics” means age, sex and any physical or mental illness or disability;

• “relevant exploitation” is exploitation (within the meaning of section 3) that is attributable to the exploited person being, or having been, a victim of human trafficking.

(6) In this section references to an act include an omission.

(7) Subsections (1) and (4) do not apply to an offence listed in Schedule 4.

(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend Schedule 4.

Commencement Information

I44 S. 45 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(d)

46 Special measures for witnesses in criminal proceedings E+W+S

(1) The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 17(4) (witnesses eligible for assistance on grounds of fear or distress about testifying) for “section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004” substitute “ section 1 or 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ”.

(3) In section 25(4)(a) (offences where court may direct evidence to be given in private) for “section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004” substitute “ section 1 or 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ”.

(4) In section 33(6)(d) (offences where certain witnesses presumed to be under 18) for “section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004” substitute “ section 1 or 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ”.

Commencement Information

I45 S. 46 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(e) (with regs. 3, 6, 8)

47 Civil legal aid for victims of slavery E+W+S

(1) Schedule 1 to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (availability of civil legal services) is amended as follows.

(2) In Part 1 (services), after paragraph 32 insert—

“32A “Victims of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour

(1) Civil legal services provided to an individual in relation to an application by the individual for leave to enter, or to remain in, the United Kingdom where—

(a) there has been a conclusive determination that the individual is a victim of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour, or

(b) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the individual is such a victim and there has not been a conclusive determination that the individual is not such a victim.

(2) Civil legal services provided in relation to a claim under employment law arising in connection with the conduct by virtue of which an individual who is a victim of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour is such a victim, but only where—

(a) the services are provided to the individual, or

(b) the individual has died and the services are provided to the individual's personal representative.

(3) Civil legal services provided in relation to a claim for damages arising in connection with the conduct by virtue of which an individual who is a victim of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour is such a victim, but only where—

(a) the services are provided to the individual, or

(b) the individual has died and the services are provided to the individual's personal representative.

Exclusions

(4) Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to the exclusions in Parts 2 and 3 of this Schedule.

(5) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) are subject to—

(a) the exclusions in Part 2 of this Schedule, with the exception of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of that Part, and

(b) the exclusion in Part 3 of this Schedule.

Definitions

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) there are reasonable grounds to believe that an individual is a victim of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour if a competent authority has determined that there are such grounds.

(7) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) there is a conclusive determination that an individual is or is not a victim of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour when a competent authority concludes that the individual is or is not such a victim.

(8) For the purposes of this paragraph “slavery”, “servitude” and “forced or compulsory labour” have the same meaning as they have for the purposes of article 4 of the Human Rights Convention.

(9) The “Human Rights Convention” means the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, agreed by the Council of Europe at Rome on 4 November 1950, as it has effect for the time being in relation to the United Kingdom.

(10) The definitions of “competent authority”, “employment”, “employment law” and “personal representative” in paragraph 32(8) also apply for the purposes of this paragraph.”

(3) In Part 3 (advocacy: exclusion and exceptions), in paragraph 13 for “or 32(1)” substitute “ , 32(1) or 32A(1) ”.

Commencement Information

I46 S. 47 in force at 31.7.2015 by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(f)

48 Independent child trafficking advocates E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State must make such arrangements as the Secretary of State considers reasonable to enable persons (“independent child trafficking advocates”) to be available to represent and support children who there are reasonable grounds to believe may be victims of human trafficking.

(2) In making arrangements under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must have regard to the principle that, so far as practicable, a child should be represented and supported by someone who is independent of any person who will be responsible for making decisions about the child.

(3) The arrangements may include provision for payments to be made to, or in relation to, persons carrying out functions in accordance with the arrangements.

(4) A person appointed as an independent child trafficking advocate for a child must promote the child's well-being and act in the child's best interests.

(5) The advocate may (where appropriate) assist the child to obtain legal or other advice, assistance and representation, including (where necessary) by appointing and instructing legal representatives to act on the child's behalf.

(6) The Secretary of State must make regulations about independent child trafficking advocates, and the regulations must in particular make provision—

(a) about the circumstances in which, and any conditions subject to which, a person may act as an independent child trafficking advocate;

(b) for the appointment of a person as an independent child trafficking advocate to be subject to approval in accordance with the regulations;

(c) requiring an independent child trafficking advocate to be appointed for a child as soon as reasonably practicable, where there are reasonable grounds to believe a child may be a victim of human trafficking;

(d) about the functions of independent child trafficking advocates;

(e) requiring public authorities which provide services or take decisions in relation to a child for whom an independent child trafficking advocate has been appointed to—

(i) recognise, and pay due regard to, the advocate's functions, and

(ii) provide the advocate with access to such information relating to the child as will enable the advocate to carry out those functions effectively (so far as the authority may do so without contravening a restriction on disclosure of the information).

(7) The Secretary of State must, no later than 9 months after the day on which this Act is passed, lay before Parliament a report on the steps the Secretary of State proposes to take in relation to the powers conferred by this section.

Commencement Information

I47 S. 48 partly in force; s. 48(7) in force at 26.5.2015, see s. 61(2)

49 Guidance about identifying and supporting victims E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State must issue guidance to such public authorities and other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate about—

(a) the sorts of things which indicate that a person may be a victim of slavery or human trafficking;

(b) arrangements for providing assistance and support to persons who there are reasonable grounds to believe may be victims of slavery or human trafficking;

(c) arrangements for determining whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person may be a victim of slavery or human trafficking.

(2) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, revise the guidance issued under subsection (1).

(3) The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued or revised under this section to be published in a way the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(4) If the Secretary of State makes regulations under section 50, the references in subsection (1) to “arrangements” include arrangements under the regulations.

Commencement Information

I48 S. 49 in force at 15.10.2015 by S.I. 2015/1690, reg. 2(a)

Prospective

50 Regulations about identifying and supporting victims E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations providing for assistance and support to be provided to persons—

(a) who there are reasonable grounds to believe [F38 are] victims of slavery or human trafficking;

(b) who are victims of slavery or human trafficking.

(2) The Secretary of State may make regulations providing for public authorities to determine (for the purposes of regulations under subsection (1) or other purposes specified in the regulations) whether—

(a) there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person [F39 is] a victim of slavery or human trafficking;

(b) a person is a victim of slavery or human trafficking.

(3) Regulations under subsection (2) may in particular make provision about the public authorities who may make such determinations, and the criteria and procedure for doing so.

[F40 (4) If regulations under subsection (2) make provision for determining whether a person is a victim of slavery or human trafficking (as mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection), they must provide that the determination is to be made on the balance of probabilities.]

Textual Amendments

F38 Word in s. 50(1)(a) substituted (30.1.2023) by Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (c. 36), ss. 60(5)(a), 87(1); S.I. 2023/33, reg. 3(a)

F39 Word in s. 50(2)(a) substituted (30.1.2023) by Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (c. 36), ss. 60(5)(b), 87(1); S.I. 2023/33, reg. 3(a)

F40 S. 50(4) inserted (30.1.2023) by Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (c. 36), ss. 60(5)(c), 87(1); S.I. 2023/33, reg. 3(a)

51 Presumption about age E+W+S

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a public authority with functions under relevant arrangements has reasonable grounds to believe that a person may be a victim of human trafficking, and

(b) the authority is not certain of the person's age but has reasonable grounds to believe that the person may be under 18.

(2) Until an assessment of the person's age is carried out by a local authority or the person's age is otherwise determined, the public authority must assume for the purposes of its functions under relevant arrangements that the person is under 18.

(3) “Relevant arrangements” means arrangements for providing assistance and support to persons who are, or who there are reasonable grounds to believe may be, victims of human trafficking, as set out in—

(a) guidance issued under section 49(1)(b);

(b) any regulations made under section 50(1).

(4) “Local authority” has the same meaning as in the Children Act 1989 (see section 105 of that Act).

Commencement Information

I49 S. 51 in force at 15.10.2015 by S.I. 2015/1690, reg. 2(b)

52 Duty to notify Secretary of State about suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking E+W+S

(1) If a public authority to which this section applies has reasonable grounds to believe that a person may be a victim of slavery or human trafficking it must notify—

(a) the Secretary of State, or

(b) if regulations made by the Secretary of State require it to notify a public authority other than the Secretary of State, that public authority.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the information to be included in a notification.

(3) Regulations under subsection (2) must provide that a notification relating to a person aged 18 or over may not include information that—

(a) identifies the person, or

(b) enables the person to be identified (either by itself or in combination with other information),

unless the person consents to the inclusion of the information.

(4) Regulations under subsection (2)—

(a) may provide that a public authority which includes information in a notification in accordance with the regulations does not breach any obligation of confidence owed by the public authority in relation to that information;

(b) may not require or authorise the inclusion of information which contravenes any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(5) This section applies to—

(a) a chief officer of police for a police area,

(b) the chief constable of the British Transport Police Force,

(c) the National Crime Agency,

(d) a county council,

(e) a county borough council,

(f) a district council,

(g) a London borough council,

(h) the Greater London Authority,

(i) the Common Council of the City of London,

(j) the Council of the Isles of Scilly,

(k) the [F41 Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority].

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (5) so as to—

(a) add or remove a public authority;

(b) amend the entry for a public authority.

Textual Amendments

F41 Words in s. 52(5)(k) substituted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 29; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)

Commencement Information

I50 S. 52 in force at 1.11.2015 by S.I. 2015/1690, reg. 3

53 Overseas domestic workers E+W

(1) Immigration rules must make provision for leave to remain in the United Kingdom to be granted to an overseas domestic worker—

(a) who has been determined to be a victim of slavery or human trafficking, and

(b) in relation to whom such other requirements are met as may be provided for by the rules.

(2) Immigration rules must make provision as to the conditions on which such leave is to be granted, and must in particular provide—

(a) that the leave is to be for the purpose of working as a domestic worker in a private household;

(b) for a person who has such leave to be able to change employer (subject to paragraph (a)).

(3) Immigration rules may specify a maximum period for which a person may have leave to remain in the United Kingdom by virtue of subsection (1).

If they do so, the specified maximum period must not be less than 6 months.

(4) For the purposes of this section an overseas domestic worker has been determined to be a victim of slavery or human trafficking if a public authority has determined that he or she is such a victim—

(a) under regulations made under section 50(2)(b), or

(b) where no such regulations apply, under arrangements identified in the immigration rules.

(5) The Secretary of State must issue guidance to persons having functions under the Immigration Acts about the exercise of those functions in relation to an overseas domestic worker who may be a victim of slavery or human trafficking.

(6) The guidance must provide for a period during which no enforcement action should be taken against such an overseas domestic worker in respect of his or her—

(a) remaining in the United Kingdom beyond the time limited by his or her leave to enter or remain, or

(b) breaching a condition of that leave relating to his or her employment,

if he or she did so because of the matters relied on as slavery or human trafficking.

(7) In this section—

• “enforcement action” has the meaning given by section 24A of the Immigration Act 1971;

• “immigration rules” has the same meaning as in that Act;

• “overseas domestic worker” means a person who, under the immigration rules, has (or last had) leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as—

  (a)

  a domestic worker in a private household, or

  (b)

  a private servant in a diplomatic household.

Commencement Information

I51 S. 53 in force at 15.10.2015 by S.I. 2015/1690, reg. 2(c)

PART 6 E+W Transparency in supply chains etc

54 Transparency in supply chains etc E+W

(1) A commercial organisation within subsection (2) must prepare a slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year of the organisation.

(2) A commercial organisation is within this subsection if it—

(a) supplies goods or services, and

(b) has a total turnover of not less than an amount prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), an organisation's total turnover is to be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(4) A slavery and human trafficking statement for a financial year is—

(a) a statement of the steps the organisation has taken during the financial year to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place—

(i) in any of its supply chains, and

(ii) in any part of its own business, or

(b) a statement that the organisation has taken no such steps.

(5) An organisation's slavery and human trafficking statement may include information about—

(a) the organisation's structure, its business and its supply chains;

(b) its policies in relation to slavery and human trafficking;

(c) its due diligence processes in relation to slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains;

(d) the parts of its business and supply chains where there is a risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place, and the steps it has taken to assess and manage that risk;

(e) its effectiveness in ensuring that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in its business or supply chains, measured against such performance indicators as it considers appropriate;

(f) the training about slavery and human trafficking available to its staff.

(6) A slavery and human trafficking statement—

(a) if the organisation is a body corporate other than a limited liability partnership, must be approved by the board of directors (or equivalent management body) and signed by a director (or equivalent);

(b) if the organisation is a limited liability partnership, must be approved by the members and signed by a designated member;

(c) if the organisation is a limited partnership registered under the Limited Partnerships Act 1907, must be signed by a general partner;

(d) if the organisation is any other kind of partnership, must be signed by a partner.

(7) If the organisation has a website, it must—

(a) publish the slavery and human trafficking statement on that website, and

(b) include a link to the slavery and human trafficking statement in a prominent place on that website's homepage.

(8) If the organisation does not have a website, it must provide a copy of the slavery and human trafficking statement to anyone who makes a written request for one, and must do so before the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the day on which the request is received.

(9) The Secretary of State—

(a) may issue guidance about the duties imposed on commercial organisations by this section;

(b) must publish any such guidance in a way the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(10) The guidance may in particular include further provision about the kind of information which may be included in a slavery and human trafficking statement.

(11) The duties imposed on commercial organisations by this section are enforceable by the Secretary of State bringing civil proceedings in the High Court for an injunction or, in Scotland, for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988.

(12) For the purposes of this section—

• “commercial organisation” means—

  (a)

  a body corporate (wherever incorporated) which carries on a business, or part of a business, in any part of the United Kingdom, or

  (b)

  a partnership (wherever formed) which carries on a business, or part of a business, in any part of the United Kingdom,

  and for this purpose “business” includes a trade or profession;

• “partnership” means—

  (a)

  a partnership within the Partnership Act 1890,

  (b)

  a limited partnership registered under the Limited Partnerships Act 1907, or

  (c)

  a firm, or an entity of a similar character, formed under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom;

• “slavery and human trafficking” means—

  (a)

  conduct which constitutes an offence under any of the following—

  (i)

  section 1, 2 or 4 of this Act,

  (ii)

  section 1, 2 or 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 2 (N.I.)) (equivalent offences in Northern Ireland),

  (iii)

  [F42 section 1 or 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (asp 12) (equivalent offences in Scotland), or]

  (b)

  conduct which would constitute an offence in a part of the United Kingdom under any of those provisions if the conduct took place in that part of the United Kingdom.

Textual Amendments

F42 Words in s. 54(12) substituted (17.12.2016) by The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1031), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(5)

Commencement Information

I52 S. 54 in force at 29.10.2015 by S.I. 2015/1816, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

PART 7 E+W Miscellaneous and general

Miscellaneous E+W

[F43 54A Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: information gateways E+W

(1) A specified person may disclose information to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (the “Authority”) or a relevant officer if the disclosure is made for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act.

(2) Information obtained by the Authority or a relevant officer in connection with the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act may be used by the Authority or the officer in connection with the exercise of any other such function of the Authority or the officer.

(3) The Authority or a relevant officer may disclose to a specified person information obtained in connection with the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act if the disclosure is made for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the specified person.

(4) A disclosure of information which is authorised by this section does not breach—

(a) an obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(5) But nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure which—

(a) contravenes [F44 the data protection legislation], or

(b) is prohibited by Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

(6) This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be disclosed apart from this section.

(7) “Specified person” means a person specified in Schedule 4A (information gateways: specified persons).

(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend Schedule 4A.

(9) In this section[F45 —

• “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);]

• “relevant officer” means an officer of the Authority who is acting for the purposes of Part 1 or 2 of this Act (see sections 11A and 30A).]

Textual Amendments

F43 S. 54A inserted (E.W.) (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 30; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)

F44 Words in s. 54A(5)(a) substituted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 191(2) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

F45 Words in s. 54A(9) inserted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 191(3) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

F46 55 Gangmasters Licensing Authority E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F46 S. 55 omitted (12.7.2016) by virtue of Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 31; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)

General E+W

56 Interpretation E+W

(1) For the purposes of this Act a person is a victim of slavery if he or she is a victim of—

(a) conduct which constitutes an offence under section 1, or

(b) conduct which would have constituted an offence under that section if that section had been in force when the conduct occurred.

(2) For the purposes of this Act a person is a victim of human trafficking if he or she is the victim of—

(a) conduct which constitutes an offence under section 2, or would constitute an offence under that section if the person responsible for the conduct were a UK national, or

(b) conduct which would have been within paragraph (a) if section 2 had been in force when the conduct occurred.

(3) In this Act—

• “child” means a person under the age of 18;

• “country” includes territory or other part of the world;

• “immigration officer” means a person appointed as an immigration officer under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971;

• “public authority” means any public authority within the meaning of section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, other than a court or tribunal;

• “UK national” has the meaning given by section 13.

57 Consequential provision E+W

(1) Schedule 5 contains minor and consequential amendments.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make whatever provision the Secretary of State thinks appropriate in consequence of this Act.

(3) The provision which may be made by regulations under subsection (2) includes provision amending, repealing or revoking any provision of an Act or subordinate legislation (including an Act passed or subordinate legislation made in the same session as this Act).

Commencement Information

I53 S. 57 partly in force; s. 57(2)(3) in force at Royal Assent, see s. 61(3)

I54 S. 57(1) in force at 31.7.2015 for specified purposes by S.I. 2015/1476, reg. 2(j)

58 Regulations E+W

(1) Any power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this Act is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Secretary of State under this Act is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, unless—

(a) it contains only regulations under section 61 (commencement), or

(b) it contains regulations to which subsection (4) applies.

(3) A statutory instrument containing regulations to which subsection (4) applies may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(4) This section applies to—

(a) regulations under section 14(4) (power to amend Schedule 1);

(b) regulations under section 31(1) (power to amend section 30);

(c) regulations under section 43(9) which remove a public authority from Schedule 3, other than in consequence of the authority having ceased to exist;

(d) regulations under section 43(9) which contain the provision mentioned in section 43(10) (power to modify section 43);

(e) regulations under section 45(8) (power to amend Schedule 4);

(f) regulations under section 48(6) (independent child trafficking advocates);

(g) regulations under section 50 (identifying and supporting victims);

(h) regulations under section 52(6) which remove a public authority from section 52(5), other than in consequence of the authority having ceased to exist;

(i) regulations under section 54(2) (minimum turnover for application of section 54);

(j) the first regulations under section 54(3) (definition of turnover for purposes of section 54);

[F47 (ja) regulations under section 54A(8) (power to amend Schedule 4A);]

(k) regulations under section 57(2) (consequential provision) which amend, or repeal any provision of, an Act.

(5) Regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under section 43(7)—

(a) are subject to the affirmative procedure if they contain—

(i) provision removing a public authority from Schedule 3, other than in consequence of the authority having ceased to exist, or

(ii) the provision mentioned in section 43(10) (power to modify section 43);

(b) otherwise, are subject to the negative procedure.

(6) The power of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland to make regulations under section 43(8) is exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12)).

(7) Regulations made by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland under section 43(8) are subject to negative resolution (within the meaning of section 41(6) of the Interpretation (Northern Ireland) Act 1954 (c. 33 (N.I.))), unless they are regulations to which subsection (9) applies.

(8) The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland may not make regulations to which subsection (9) applies unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(9) This subsection applies to regulations under section 43(8) which contain—

(a) provision removing a public authority from Schedule 3, other than in consequence of the authority having ceased to exist, or

(b) the provision mentioned in section 43(10) (power to modify section 43).

(10) Regulations made under this Act may—

(a) make different provision for different purposes;

(b) include saving, transitional, transitory, supplementary or consequential provision.

(11) This section (apart from subsection (10)) does not apply to regulations under paragraph 5 of Schedule 2.

Textual Amendments

F47 S. 58(4)(ja) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 32; S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)

59 Financial provisions E+W

There is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament—

(a) any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of this Act by the Secretary of State;

(b) any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided.

60 Extent U.K.

(1) Parts 1, 2 and 5 (except for section 53) [F48 and section 54A, and Schedule 4A, in Part 7] extend to England and Wales only, subject to subsection (4).

(2) Part 3 extends as follows—

(a) section 35 extends to England and Wales only;

(b) section 36 extends to Scotland only;

(c) section 37 extends to Northern Ireland only;

(d) sections 38 and 39, and Schedule 2, extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(3) Part 4, section 53 in Part 5 and Parts 6 and 7 [F49 (except for section 54A and Schedule 4A)] extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, subject to subsections (4) and (5).

(4) An amendment or repeal made by this Act has the same extent as the provision amended or repealed.

(5) But the amendments and repeals made by the following provisions of Schedule 5 extend to England and Wales only—

(a) paragraph 2,

(b) paragraph 5(2),

(c) paragraph 6,

(d) paragraph 8,

(e) paragraph 21.

(6) Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for any of the provisions of this Act to extend, with or without modifications, to any of the Channel Islands or to the Isle of Man.

Textual Amendments

F48 Words in s. 60(1) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 33(a); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)

F49 Words in s. 60(3) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), s. 94(1), Sch. 3 para. 33(b); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(u)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 60(6) power to extend (with modifications) (Channel Islands or Isle of Man) any amendments or repeals made to this Act by 2016 c. 19, to which this section relates (12.5.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), ss. 94(5), 95(6)(7)(j)

C2 S. 60(6) power extended (28.4.2022) by Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (c. 36), ss. 86(5)(6)(m), 87(3)(c)

61 Commencement E+W

(1) This Act comes into force on whatever day or days the Secretary of State appoints by regulations, subject to subsections (2) and (3).

(2) Section 48(7) comes into force at the end of the period of 2 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

(3) This Part, other than section 57(1) and Schedule 5, comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(4) Before making regulations bringing into force any of the provisions of Part 3, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the Scottish Ministers, so far as the provisions extend to Scotland;

(b) the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland, so far as the provisions extend to Northern Ireland.

(5) The Secretary of State may not make regulations under subsection (1) bringing into force section 48(1) to (6) (or any part of it) before the end of the period of 9 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

(6) After the end of that period—

(a) if a resolution is passed by each House of Parliament that section 48(1) to (6) (or any part of it) should come into force, the Secretary of State must make regulations under subsection (1) bringing into force that section (or that part of it);

(b) the Secretary of State may not make regulations under subsection (1) bringing into force section 48(1) to (6) (or any part of it) unless required to do so by paragraph (a).

(7) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (6)(a) must bring into force section 48(1) to (6) (or the part of it specified in the resolutions) before the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which the resolutions are passed (or, if they are passed on different days, the day on which the later of them is passed).

(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations make whatever saving, transitory or transitional provision the Secretary of State thinks appropriate in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.

62 Short title E+W

This Act may be cited as the Modern Slavery Act 2015.