- Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (Diwygiedig)
- Gwreiddiol (Fel y'i Deddfwyd)
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 1-7 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 1-7 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 1-7 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 1-7 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 1-7 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 1-7 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 1-7 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
Textual Amendments
F2S. 8 repealed by Mental Health Act 1959 (c. 72), Sch. 8 Pt. I
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1s. 12 amended by Sexual Offences Act 1967 (c. 60), ss. 1, 2, 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 13 amended as to mode of trial by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 1 para. 23(b)
C3s. 13 amended by Sexual Offences Act 1967 (c. 60), ss. 1, 2, 4 (3), 7, 9 (2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 9-17 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
Textual Amendments
F4S. 18 repealed by Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46), s. 11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F5Ss. 19-32 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
It is an offence for a person to keep a brothel, or to manage, or act or assist in the management of, a brothel.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4s. 33 extended by Sexual Offences Act 1967 (c. 60), s. 6
(1)It is an offence for a person to keep, or to manage, or act or assist in the management of, a brothel to which people resort for practices involving prostitution (whether or not also for other practices).
(2)In this section “prostitution” has the meaning given by section 51(2) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.]
Textual Amendments
F6S. 33A inserted (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), ss. 55(2), 141; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
It is an offence for the lessor or landlord of any premises or his agent to let the whole or part of the premises with the knowledge that it is to be used, in whole or in part, as a brothel, or, where the whole or part of the premises is used as a brothel, to be wilfully a party to that use continuing.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5s. 34 extended by Sexual Offences Act 1967 (c. 60), s. 6
(1)It is an offence for the tenant or occupier, or person in charge, of any premises knowingly to permit the whole or part of the premises to be used as a brothel.
(2)Where the tenant or occupier of any premises is convicted F7... of knowingly permitting the whole or part of the premises to be used as a brothel, the First Schedule to this Act shall apply to enlarge the rights of the lessor or landlord with respect to the assignment or determination of the lease or other contract under which the premises are held by the person convicted.
(3)Where the tenant or occupier of any premises is so convicted, F8... and either—
(a)the lessor or landlord, after having the conviction brought to his notice, fails or failed to exercise his statutory rights in relation to the lease or contract under which the premises are or were held by the person convicted; or
(b)The lessor or landlord, after exercising his statutory rights so as to determine that lease or contract, grants or granted a new lease or enters or entered into a new contract of tenancy of the premises to, with or for the benefit of the same person, without having all reasonable provisions to prevent the recurrence of the offence inserted in the new lease or contract;
then, if subsequently an offence under this section is committed in respect of the premises during the subsistence of the lease or contract referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection or (where paragraph (b) applies) during the subsistence of the new lease or contract, the lessor or landlord shall be deemed to be a party to that offence unless he shows that he took all reasonable steps to prevent the recurrence of the offence.
References in this subsection to the statutory rights of a lessor or landlord refer to his rights under the First Schedule to this Act F8....
Textual Amendments
F7Words in s. 35(2) repealed (21.7.2008) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2008 (c. 12), Sch. 1 Pt. 3
F8Words in s. 35(3) repealed (21.7.2008) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2008 (c. 12), Sch. 1 Pt. 3
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6s. 35 extended by Sexual Offences Act 1967 (c. 60), s. 6
It is an offence for the tenant or occupier of any premises knowingly to permit the whole or part of the premises to be used for the purposes of habitual prostitution. [F9(whether any prostitute involved is male or female)]
Textual Amendments
F9Words in s. 36 inserted (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 1 para. 1; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
(1)The Second Schedule to this Act shall have effect, subject to and in accordance with the following provisions of this section, with respect to the prosecution and punishment of the offences listed in the first column of the Schedule, being the offences under this Act and attempts to commit certain of those offences.
(2)The second column in the Schedule shows, for any offence, if it may be prosecuted on indictment or summarily, or either, . . . F10 and what special restrictions (if any) there are on the commencement of a prosecution.
(3)The third column in the Schedule shows, for any offence, the punishments which may be imposed on conviction on indictment or on summary conviction, a reference to a period giving the maximum term of imprisonment and a reference to a sum of money the maximum fine.
(4)The fourth column in the Schedule contains provisions which are either supplementary to those in the second or third column or enable a person charged on indictment with the offence specified in the first column to be found guilty of another offence if the jury are not satisfied that he is guilty of the offence charged or of an attempt to commit it, but are satisfied that he is guilty of the other offence.
(5)A provision in the fourth column of the Schedule enabling the jury to find the accused guilty of an offence specified in that provision authorises them, if not satisfied that he is guilty of the offence so specified, to find him guilty of any other offence of which they could find him guilty if he had been indicted for the offence so specified.
(6)Where in the Schedule there is used a phrase descriptive of an offence or group of offences followed by a reference to a section by its number only, the reference is to a section of this Act, and the phrase shall be taken as referring to any offence under the section mentioned.
(7)Nothing in this section or in the Second Schedule to this Act shall exclude the application to any of the offences referred to in the first column of the Schedule—
(a)[F11of [F12section 24 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980] (which relates] to the summary trial of young offenders for indictable offences); or
(b)of [F13subsection (5) of section 121 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980] (which limits the punishment which may be imposed by a magistrates’ court sitting in an occasional courthouse); or
(c)of any enactment or rule of law restricting a court’s power to imprison; or
(d)of any enactment or rule of law authorising an offender to be dealt with in a way not authorised by the enactments specially relating to his offence; or
(e)of any enactment or rule of law authorising a jury to find a person guilty of an offence other than that with which he is charged.
Textual Amendments
F10Words repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c. 23), Sch. 11 Pt. IV
F11Words substituted by Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (c. 54), Sch. 5 para. 27
F12Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 7 para. 17(a)
F13Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 7 para. 17(b)
Textual Amendments
F14S. 38 repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4)(7), Sch. 12 para. 15, Sch.15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1) and 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
Textual Amendments
F15Ss. 12(2)(3), 15(4)(5), 16(2)(3), 39, repealed by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), s. 119(2), Sch. 7 Pt. V
Textual Amendments
F16S. 40 repealed by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), s. 119(2), Sch. 7 Pt. I
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C7s. 46 amended by Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 (c. 82), s. 7 (2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
F18S. 46A inserted (14.10.1991 by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4), Sch. 12 para.17 (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17Ss. 41-47 repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), s. 141, Sch. 6 para. 11(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
The enactments mentioned in the first column of the Third Schedule to this Act shall be amended as shown in the second column of that Schedule.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C8The text of s. 48 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
Textual Amendments
F19S. 49 repealed by Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 1976 (c. 67), Sch. 2
(1)In Northern Ireland, a conviction under section thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five or thirty-six of this Act shall be taken into account under section three of the M1Criminal Law Amendment Act (Northern Ireland) 1923, in the same way as a conviction under section thirteen of the M2Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885.
(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F20
Textual Amendments
Marginal Citations
Textual Amendments
F21S. 51 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt. XI
(1)Nothing in this Act shall affect any previous enactment in its operation in relation to offences under any such enactment committed or partly committed before the commencement of this Act, or in relation to anything done before that commencement under the authority or for the purposes of any such enactment:
F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)Subject to the provisions of this Act, and in particular to those of the Third Schedule, any reference in any document to an enactment repealed by this Act shall be construed as referring, or as including a reference, to the corresponding provision of this Act, so far as may be necessary to prevent this Act altering the substantial effect of the document.
(3)Without prejudice to the last foregoing subsection any reference in any document to an offence under an enactment repealed by this Act, if it referred, or included a reference, to an attempt to commit an offence under such an enactment, shall be construed as referring, or as including a reference, to an attempt to commit the corresponding offence under this Act, so far as may be necessary to prevent this Act altering the substantial effect of the document.
(4)The inclusion in this Act of any express saving or amendment shall not be taken as prejudicing the operation of section thirty-eight of the M3Interpretation Act 1889 (which relates to the effect of repeals).
Textual Amendments
F22Words in s. 52(1) repealed (21.7.2008) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2008 (c. 12), Sch. 1 Pt. 3
Marginal Citations
Except in so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to any other enactment shall be taken as referring to that enactment as amended by any subsequent enactment, including this Act.
(1)This Act shall not extend to Scotland, F23. . ..
(2)This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland, except section fifty F23. . ..
Textual Amendments
F23Words in s. 54(1)(2) repealed (5.11.1993) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I Gp. 1
This Act may be cited as the Sexual Offences Act 1956.
This Act shall come into force on the first day of January, nineteen hundred and fifty-seven.
Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (diwygiedig):Y fersiwn ddiweddaraf sydd ar gael o’r ddeddfwriaeth yn cynnwys newidiadau a wnaed gan ddeddfwriaeth ddilynol ac wedi eu gweithredu gan ein tîm golygyddol. Gellir gweld y newidiadau nad ydym wedi eu gweithredu i’r testun eto yn yr ardal ‘Newidiadau i Ddeddfwriaeth’.
Gwreiddiol (Fel y’i Deddfwyd neu y’i Gwnaed): Mae'r wreiddiol fersiwn y ddeddfwriaeth fel ag yr oedd pan gafodd ei deddfu neu eu gwneud. Ni wnaed unrhyw newidiadau i’r testun.
Rhychwant ddaearyddol: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Dangos Llinell Amser Newidiadau: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Gallwch wneud defnydd o ddogfennau atodol hanfodol a gwybodaeth ar gyfer yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth o’r tab hwn. Yn ddibynnol ar yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth sydd i’w gweld, gallai hyn gynnwys:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Defnyddiwch y ddewislen hon i agor dogfennau hanfodol sy’n cyd-fynd â’r ddeddfwriaeth a gwybodaeth am yr eitem hon o ddeddfwriaeth. Gan ddibynnu ar yr eitem o ddeddfwriaeth sy’n cael ei gweld gall hyn gynnwys:
liciwch ‘Gweld Mwy’ neu ddewis ‘Rhagor o Adnoddau’ am wybodaeth ychwanegol gan gynnwys