The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 No. 488

Statutory Instruments

2021 No. 488

Sanctions

The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021

Approved by both Houses of Parliament

Made

23rd April 2021

Laid before Parliament

at 11.00 a.m. on 26th April 2021

Coming into force

at noon on 26th April 2021

The Secretary of State M1 , in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1(1)(c) and (3)(b), 3(1)(a) and (d)(i), 4, 9(2)(a), 10(2)(a) and (c), (3) and (4), 11(2) to (9), 15(2)(a) and (b), (3), (4)(b), (5) and (6), 16, 17(2) to (5) and (8), 21(1), 54(1) and (2), and 62(4) and (5) of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 M2 , and having decided, upon consideration of the matters set out in section 2(2) of that Act, that it is appropriate to do so, makes the following Regulations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Regulations extended (Isle of Man) (with modifications) (29.4.2021) by The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions (Isle of Man) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/526), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.

C2 Regulations extended (British overseas territories) (with modifications) (29.4.2021) by The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions (Overseas Territories) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/525), arts. 1(1), 2, Schs. 1, 2

Marginal Citations

M1 The power to make regulations under Part 1 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (c.13) is conferred on an “appropriate Minister”. Section 1(9)(a) of that Act defines an “appropriate Minister” as including the Secretary of State.

M2 2018 c.13.

PART 1 U.K. General

Citation and commencement U.K.

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021.

(2) These Regulations come into force at noon on 26thApril 2021.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 1 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Interpretation U.K.

2.  In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018;

“arrangement” includes any agreement, understanding, scheme, transaction or series of transactions, whether or not legally enforceable (but see paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 for the meaning of that term in that Schedule);

“conduct” includes acts and omissions;

“document” includes information recorded in any form and, in relation to information recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to its production include producing a copy of the information in legible form;

“Treasury licence” means a licence under regulation 21(1);

“United Kingdom person” has the same meaning as in section 21 of the Act.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 2 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Application of prohibitions and requirements outside the United Kingdom U.K.

3.—(1) A United Kingdom person may contravene a relevant prohibition by conduct wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom.

(2) Any person may contravene a relevant prohibition by conduct in the territorial sea.

(3) In this regulation, a “relevant prohibition” means any prohibition imposed by—

(a) regulation 9(2) (confidential information),

(b) Part 3 (Finance), or

(c) a condition of a Treasury licence.

(4) A United Kingdom person may comply, or fail to comply, with a relevant requirement by conduct wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom.

(5) Any person may comply, or fail to comply, with a relevant requirement by conduct in the territorial sea.

(6) In this regulation, a “relevant requirement” means any requirement imposed—

(a) by or under Part 6 (Information and records), or by reason of a request made under a power conferred by that Part, or

(b) by a condition of a Treasury licence.

(7) Nothing in this regulation is to be taken to prevent a relevant prohibition or a relevant requirement from applying to conduct (by any person) in the United Kingdom.

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 3 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Purposes U.K.

4.—(1) The purposes of the regulations contained in this instrument are to prevent and combat serious corruption.

(2) In paragraph (1), “corruption” means—

(a) bribery; or

(b) misappropriation of property.

(3) In paragraph (2)—

• “bribery” occurs where—

  (a)

  a person directly or indirectly offers, promises or gives a financial or other advantage to a foreign public official, and where—

  (i)

  the person intends to induce that official or another foreign public official to perform improperly a public function, or

  (ii)

  the person intends to reward that official or another foreign public official for improperly performing a public function, or

  (iii)

  the person knows or believes that the acceptance of the advantage by that official would constitute improperly performing a public function; or

  (b)

  a foreign public official directly or indirectly requests, agrees to receive or accepts a financial or other advantage, and where—

  (i)

  that official intends, in consequence, that the official or another foreign public official should improperly perform a public function, or

  (ii)

  the advantage is a reward for that official or another foreign public official improperly performing a public function, or

  (iii)

  that official knows or believes that the request for, agreement to receive or acceptance of the advantage by the official would constitute improperly performing a public function; or

  (c)

  in anticipation of or in consequence of requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a financial or other advantage, a foreign public official, or another person at that official's request or with their assent or acquiescence, improperly performs a public function;

• “misappropriation of property” occurs where a foreign public official—

  (a)

  has been entrusted with property, or has a role in the grant or allocation of property, by virtue of their position, and

  (b)

  improperly diverts, grants or allocates that property for the benefit of the official or for the benefit of another person.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)—

(a) it does not matter whether the advantage is (or is to be) for the benefit of the foreign public official or another person;

(b) references to a foreign public official performing a public function include—

(i) any act or omission in connection with a public function;

(ii) any omission to exercise the official's public functions; and

(iii) any use of the official's position as a foreign public official even if it is not within the official's authority.

(5) In this regulation—

“foreign public official” means an individual who—

(a)

holds an executive, legislative, administrative or judicial position of any kind in a relevant country,

(b)

holds a position in a public agency or public enterprise or in any entity which provides a public service in or on behalf of a relevant country,

(c)

otherwise carries out functions of a public nature in or on behalf of a relevant country, or

(d)

carries out functions in or on behalf of an international organisation;

“property” includes funds, economic resources, a pecuniary advantage or other thing of value, and includes contracts to provide goods or services, any licence, permission or other authorisation, or any legal document or instrument evidencing or purporting to evidence interests in property;

“public function” means—

(a)

any function or activity of a public nature in or on behalf of a relevant country, including—

(i)

provision of any public service in or on behalf of a relevant country, or

(ii)

any function or activity in or on behalf of a public agency or public enterprise of a relevant country, or

(b)

any function or activity in or on behalf of an international organisation;

“relevant country” means a country other than the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the British overseas territories.

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 4 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

PART 2 U.K. Designation of persons

Power to designate persons U.K.

5.—(1) The Secretary of State may designate persons by name for the purposes of any of the following—

(a) regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.);

(b) regulation 17 (immigration).

(2) The Secretary of State may designate different persons for the purposes of different provisions mentioned in paragraph (1).

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 5 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Designation criteria U.K.

6.—(1) The Secretary of State may not designate a person under regulation 5 unless the Secretary of State—

(a) has reasonable grounds to suspect that that person is an involved person, and

(b) considers that the designation of that person is appropriate, having regard to—

(i) the purposes stated in regulation 4, and

(ii) the likely significant effects of the designation on that person (as they appear to the Secretary of State to be on the basis of the information that the Secretary of State has).

(2) In this regulation an “involved person” means a person who—

(a) is or has been involved in serious corruption,

(b) is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by a person who is or has been so involved,

(c) is acting on behalf of or at the direction of a person who is or has been so involved, or

(d) is a member of, or associated with, a person who is or has been so involved.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation a person is involved in serious corruption if—

(a) the person is responsible for or engages in serious corruption;

(b) the person facilitates or provides support for serious corruption;

(c) the person profits financially or obtains any other benefit from serious corruption;

(d) the person conceals or disguises, or facilitates the concealment or disguise of—

(i) serious corruption, or

(ii) any profit or proceeds from serious corruption;

(e) the person transfers or converts, or facilitates the transfer or conversion of, any profit or proceeds from serious corruption;

(f) the person is responsible for the investigation or prosecution of serious corruption and intentionally or recklessly fails to fulfil that responsibility, or

(g) the person uses threats, intimidation or physical force to interfere in, or otherwise interferes in, any law enforcement or judicial process in connection with serious corruption;

(h) the person contravenes, or assists with the contravention of, any provision of Part 3 of these Regulations.

(4) Nothing in any sub-paragraph of paragraph (3) is to be taken to limit the meaning of any of the other sub-paragraphs of that paragraph.

(5) Any reference in this regulation to being involved in serious corruption includes being so involved wherever any actions constituting the involvement take place.

(6) In this regulation, “corruption” has the meaning given by regulation 4(2).

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 6 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Meaning of “owned or controlled directly or indirectly” U.K.

7.—(1) A person who is not an individual (“C”) is “owned or controlled directly or indirectly” by another person (“P”) if either of the following two conditions is met (or both are met).

(2) The first condition is that P—

(a) holds directly or indirectly more than 50% of the shares in C,

(b) holds directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting rights in C, or

(c) holds the right directly or indirectly to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of C.

(3) Schedule 1 contains provision applying for the purpose of interpreting paragraph (2).

(4) The second condition is that it is reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances, to expect that P would (if P chose to) be able, in most cases or in significant respects, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly, to achieve the result that affairs of C are conducted in accordance with P's wishes.

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 7 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Notification and publicity where designation power used U.K.

8.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where the Secretary of State—

(a) has made a designation under regulation 5, or

(b) has by virtue of section 22 of the Act varied or revoked a designation made under that regulation.

(2) The Secretary of State—

(a) must without delay take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform the designated person of the designation, variation or revocation, and

(b) must take steps to publicise the designation, variation or revocation.

(3) The information given under paragraph (2)(a) where a designation is made must include a statement of reasons.

(4) In this regulation a “statement of reasons”, in relation to a designation, means a brief statement of the matters that the Secretary of State knows, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, in relation to the designated person which have led the Secretary of State to make the designation.

(5) Matters that would otherwise be required by paragraph (4) to be included in a statement of reasons may be excluded from it where the Secretary of State considers that they should be excluded—

(a) in the interests of national security or international relations,

(b) for reasons connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, or

(c) in the interests of justice.

(6) The steps taken under paragraph (2)(b) must—

(a) unless one or more of the restricted publicity conditions is met, be steps to publicise generally—

(i) the designation, variation or revocation, and

(ii) in the case of a designation, the statement of reasons;

(b) if one or more of those conditions is met, be steps to inform only such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate of the designation, variation or revocation and (in the case of a designation) of the contents of the statement of reasons.

(7) The “restricted publicity conditions” are as follows—

(a) the designation is of a person believed by the Secretary of State to be an individual under the age of 18;

(b) the Secretary of State considers that disclosure of the designation, variation or revocation should be restricted—

(i) in the interests of national security or international relations,

(ii) for reasons connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, or

(iii) in the interests of justice.

(8) Paragraph (9) applies if—

(a) when a designation is made, one or more of the restricted publicity conditions is met, but

(b) at any time when the designation has effect, it becomes the case that none of the restricted publicity conditions is met.

(9) The Secretary of State must—

(a) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform the designated person that none of the restricted publicity conditions is now met, and

(b) take steps to publicise generally the designation and the statement of reasons relating to it.

Commencement Information

I8 Reg. 8 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Confidential information in certain cases where designation power used U.K.

9.—(1) Where the Secretary of State in accordance with regulation 8(6)(b) informs only certain persons of a designation, variation or revocation and (in the case of a designation) of the contents of the statement of reasons, the Secretary of State may specify that any of that information is to be treated as confidential.

(2) A person (“P”) who—

(a) is provided with information that is to be treated as confidential in accordance with paragraph (1), or

(b) otherwise obtains such information,

must not, subject to paragraph (3), disclose it if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that the information is to be treated as confidential.

(3) The prohibition in paragraph (2) does not apply to any disclosure made by P with lawful authority.

(4) For this purpose information is disclosed with lawful authority only if and to the extent that—

(a) the disclosure is by, or is authorised by, the Secretary of State,

(b) the disclosure is by or with the consent of the person who is or was the subject of the designation,

(c) the disclosure is necessary to give effect to a requirement imposed under or by virtue of these Regulations or any other enactment, or

(d) the disclosure is required, under rules of court, tribunal rules or a court or tribunal order, for the purposes of legal proceedings of any description.

(5) This regulation does not prevent the disclosure of information that is already, or has previously been, available to the public from other sources.

(6) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (2) commits an offence.

(7) The High Court (in Scotland, the Court of Session) may, on the application of—

(a) the person who is the subject of the information, or

(b) the Secretary of State,

grant an injunction (in Scotland, an interdict) to prevent a breach of the prohibition in paragraph (2).

(8) In paragraph (4)(c), “enactment” has the meaning given by section 54(6) of the Act.

Commencement Information

I9 Reg. 9 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

PART 3 U.K. Finance

Meaning of “designated person” in Part 3 U.K.

10.  In this Part a “ designated person” means a person who is designated under regulation 5 (power to designate persons) for the purposes of regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.).

Commencement Information

I10 Reg. 10 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Asset-freeze in relation to designated persons U.K.

11.—(1) A person (“P”) must not deal with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is dealing with such funds or economic resources.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 5 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1) a person “deals with” funds if the person—

(a) uses, alters, moves, transfers or allows access to the funds,

(b) deals with the funds in any other way that would result in any change in volume, amount, location, ownership, possession, character or destination, or

(c) makes any other change, including portfolio management, that would enable use of the funds.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1) a person “deals with” economic resources if the person—

(a) exchanges the economic resources for funds, goods or services, or

(b) uses the economic resources in exchange for funds, goods or services (whether by pledging them as security or otherwise).

(6) The reference in paragraph (1) to funds or economic resources that are “owned, held or controlled” by a person includes, in particular, a reference to—

(a) funds or economic resources in which the person has any legal or equitable interest, regardless of whether the interest is held jointly with any other person and regardless of whether any other person holds an interest in the funds or economic resources;

(b) any tangible property (other than real property), or bearer security, that is comprised in funds or economic resources and is in the possession of the person.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (1) funds or economic resources are to be treated as owned, held or controlled by a designated person if they are owned, held or controlled by a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

(8) For the avoidance of doubt, the reference in paragraph (1) to a designated person includes P if P is a designated person.

Commencement Information

I11 Reg. 11 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Making funds available to designated persons U.K.

12.—(1) A person (“P”) must not make funds available directly or indirectly to a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is making the funds so available.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 5 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) The reference in paragraph (1) to making funds available indirectly to a designated person includes, in particular, a reference to making them available to a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

Commencement Information

I12 Reg. 12 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Making funds available for benefit of designated persons U.K.

13.—(1) A person (“P”) must not make funds available to any person for the benefit of a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is making the funds so available.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 5 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) funds are made available for the benefit of a designated person only if that person thereby obtains, or is able to obtain, a significant financial benefit, and

(b) “financial benefit” includes the discharge (or partial discharge) of a financial obligation for which the designated person is wholly or partly responsible.

Commencement Information

I13 Reg. 13 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Making economic resources available to designated persons U.K.

14.—(1) A person (“P”) must not make economic resources available directly or indirectly to a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect—

(a) that P is making the economic resources so available, and

(b) that the designated person would be likely to exchange the economic resources for, or use them in exchange for, funds, goods or services.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 5 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) The reference in paragraph (1) to making economic resources available indirectly to a designated person includes, in particular, a reference to making them available to a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

Commencement Information

I14 Reg. 14 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Making economic resources available for benefit of designated persons U.K.

15.—(1) A person (“P”) must not make economic resources available to any person for the benefit of a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is making the economic resources so available.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 5 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)—

(a) economic resources are made available for the benefit of a designated person only if that person thereby obtains, or is able to obtain, a significant financial benefit, and

(b) “financial benefit” includes the discharge (or partial discharge) of a financial obligation for which the designated person is wholly or partly responsible.

Commencement Information

I15 Reg. 15 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Circumventing etc. prohibitions U.K.

16.—(1) A person must not intentionally participate in activities knowing that the object or effect of them is (whether directly or indirectly)—

(a) to circumvent any of the prohibitions in regulations 11 to 15, or

(b) to enable or facilitate the contravention of any such prohibition.

(2) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

Commencement Information

I16 Reg. 16 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

PART 4 U.K. Immigration

Immigration U.K.

17.  A person who is designated under regulation 5 for the purposes of this regulation is an excluded person for the purposes of section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971 M3 .

Commencement Information

I17 Reg. 17 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M3 1971 c. 77. Section 8B was inserted by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (c.33), section 8 and amended by the Immigration Act 2016 (c.19), section 76; and the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, section 59 and Schedule 3, Part 1.

PART 5 U.K. Exceptions and licences

Finance: exceptions from prohibitions U.K.

18.—(1) The prohibition in regulation 11 (asset-freeze in relation to designated persons) is not contravened by an independent person (“P”) transferring to another person a legal or equitable interest in funds or economic resources where, immediately before the transfer, the interest—

(a) is held by P, and

(b) is not held jointly with the designated person.

(2) In paragraph (1) “independent person” means a person who—

(a) is not the designated person, and

(b) is not owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

(3) The prohibitions in regulations 11 to 13 (asset-freeze in relation to, and making funds available to, or for the benefit of, designated persons) are not contravened by a relevant institution crediting a frozen account with interest or other earnings due on the account.

(4) The prohibitions in regulations 12 and 13 (making funds available to, or for the benefit of, designated persons) are not contravened by a relevant institution crediting a frozen account where it receives funds transferred to that institution for crediting to that account.

(5) The prohibitions in regulations 12 and 13 are not contravened by the transfer of funds to a relevant institution for crediting to an account held or controlled (directly or indirectly) by a designated person, where those funds are transferred in discharge (or partial discharge) of an obligation which arose before the date on which the person became a designated person.

(6) The prohibitions in regulations 11 to 13 are not contravened in relation to a designated person (“P”) by a transfer of funds from account A to account B, where—

(a) account A is with a relevant institution which carries on an excluded activity within the meaning of section 142D of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 M4 ,

(b) account B is with a ring-fenced body within the meaning of section 142A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 M5 , and

(c) accounts A and B are held or controlled (directly or indirectly) by P.

(7) In this regulation—

“designated person” has the same meaning as it has in Part 3 (Finance);

“frozen account” means an account with a relevant institution which is held or controlled (directly or indirectly) by a designated person;

“relevant institution” means a person that has permission under Part 4A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 M6 (Permission to carry on regulated activities).

(8) The definition of “relevant institution” in paragraph (7) is to be read with section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 M7 , any relevant order under that section M8 and Schedule 2 to that Act M9 .

Commencement Information

I18 Reg. 18 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M4 2000 c.8. Section 142D was inserted by the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c.33), section 4(1).

M5 Section 142A was inserted by section 4(1) of the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c.33), section 4(1).

M6 Part 4A was inserted by the Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), section 11(2); and most recently amended by S.I. 2019/632.

M7 Section 22 was amended by the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c.10), section 27(4); the Financial Services Act 2012 (c.21), section 7(1); and S.I. 2018/135.

M8 S.I. 2001/544, as most recently amended by S.I. 2018/1149; S.I. 2018/1403; S.I. 2019/632; S.I. 2019/660; S.I. 2019/679; S.I. 2019/710; S.I. 2019/1361; S.I. 2020/117; and S.I. 2020/480.

M9 Schedule 2 was amended by the Regulation of Financial Services (Land Transactions) Act 2005 (c.24), section 1; the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008 (c.31), section 15 and Schedule 2, paragraph 1; the Financial Services Act 2012 (c.21), sections 7(2) to (5) and 8; the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c.10), section 27(13); and S.I. 2013/1881; S.I. 2018/135; and S.I. 2019/632.

Finance: exception for authorised conduct in a relevant country U.K.

19.—(1) Where a person's conduct in a relevant country would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene a prohibition in any of regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.) (“the relevant prohibition”), the relevant prohibition is not contravened if the conduct is authorised by a licence or other authorisation which is issued—

(a) under the law of the relevant country; and

(b) for the purpose of disapplying a prohibition in that jurisdiction which corresponds to the relevant prohibition.

(2) In this regulation, “relevant country” means—

(a) any of the Channel Islands;

(b) the Isle of Man;

(c) any British overseas territory.

Commencement Information

I19 Reg. 19 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Exception for acts done for purposes of national security or prevention of serious crime U.K.

20.—(1) Where an act would, in the absence of this paragraph, be prohibited by regulation 9(2) (confidentiality) or any prohibition in Part 3 (Finance), that prohibition does not apply to the act if the act is one which a responsible officer has determined would be in the interests of—

(a) national security, or

(b) the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

(2) Where, in the absence of this paragraph, a thing would be required to be done under or by virtue of a provision of Part 6 (Information and records), that requirement does not apply if a responsible officer has determined that not doing the thing in question would be in the interests of—

(a) national security, or

(b) the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

(3) In this regulation “responsible officer” means a person in the service of the Crown or holding office under the Crown, acting in the course of that person's duty.

Commencement Information

I20 Reg. 20 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Treasury licences U.K.

21.—(1) The prohibitions in regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc) do not apply to anything done under the authority of a licence issued by the Treasury under this paragraph.

(2) A licence—

(a) must specify the acts authorised by it;

(b) may be general or may authorise acts by a particular person or persons of a particular description;

(c) may—

(i) contain conditions;

(ii) be of indefinite duration or a defined duration.

(3) The Treasury may issue a licence which authorises acts by a particular person only where the Treasury consider that it is appropriate to issue the licence for a purpose set out in Schedule 2.

(4) Where the Treasury issue a licence, the Treasury may vary, revoke or suspend it at any time.

(5) Where the Treasury issue, vary, revoke or suspend a licence which authorises acts by a particular person, the Treasury must give written notice to that person of the issue, variation, revocation or suspension of the licence.

(6) Where the Treasury issue, vary, revoke or suspend a licence which is general or which authorises acts by persons of a particular description, the Treasury must take such steps as the Treasury consider appropriate to publicise the issue, variation, revocation or suspension of the licence.

Commencement Information

I21 Reg. 21 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Finance: licensing offences U.K.

22.—(1) A person (“P”) commits an offence if P knowingly or recklessly—

(a) provides information that is false in a material respect, or

(b) provides or produces a document that is not what it purports to be,

for the purpose of obtaining a Treasury licence (whether for P or anyone else).

(2) A person who purports to act under the authority of a Treasury licence but who fails to comply with any condition of the licence commits an offence.

Commencement Information

I22 Reg. 22 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Section 8B(1) to (3) of the Immigration Act 1971: directions U.K.

23.—(1) The Secretary of State may direct that, in relation to any person within regulation 17 (immigration) whose name is specified, or who is of a specified description, section 8B(1) and (2) of the Immigration Act 1971, or section 8B(3) of that Act, have effect subject to specified exceptions.

(2) A direction may contain conditions.

(3) A direction must be of a defined duration (and that duration may be expressed in any way, including, for example, being expressed in a way such that the direction ceases to have effect on, or within a specified period after, the occurrence of a specified event).

(4) The Secretary of State may vary, revoke or suspend a direction at any time.

(5) On the issue, variation, revocation or suspension of a direction, the Secretary of State may take such steps as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to publicise the issue, variation, revocation or suspension of the direction.

(6) In this regulation “specified” means specified in a direction.

Commencement Information

I23 Reg. 23 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

PART 6 U.K. Information and records

Finance: reporting obligations U.K.

24.—(1) A relevant firm must inform the Treasury as soon as practicable if—

(a) it knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a person—

(i) is a designated person, or

(ii) has committed an offence under any provision of Part 3 (Finance) or regulation 22 (finance: licensing offences), and

(b) the information or other matter on which the knowledge or cause for suspicion is based came to it in the course of carrying on its business.

(2) Where a relevant firm informs the Treasury under paragraph (1), it must state—

(a) the information or other matter on which the knowledge or suspicion is based, and

(b) any information it holds about the person by which the person can be identified.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies if—

(a) a relevant firm informs the Treasury under paragraph (1) that it knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a person is a designated person, and

(b) that person is a customer of the relevant firm.

(4) The relevant firm must also state the nature and amount or quantity of any funds or economic resources held by it for the customer at the time when it first had the knowledge or suspicion.

(5) A relevant institution must inform the Treasury without delay if that institution—

(a) credits a frozen account in accordance with regulation 18(4) (finance: exceptions from prohibitions), or

(b) transfers funds from a frozen account in accordance with regulation 18(6).

(6) A person who fails to comply with a requirement in paragraph (1), (2) or (4) commits an offence.

(7) In this regulation—

“designated person” has the same meaning as it has in Part 3 (Finance);

“frozen account” has the same meaning as it has in regulation 18;

“relevant firm” is to be read in accordance with regulation 25;

“relevant institution” has the same meaning as it has in regulation 18.

Commencement Information

I24 Reg. 24 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

“Relevant firm” U.K.

25.—(1) The following are relevant firms for the purposes of regulation 24 (finance: reporting obligations)—

(a) a person that has permission under Part 4A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Permission to carry on regulated activities);

(b) an undertaking that by way of business—

(i) operates a currency exchange office,

(ii) transmits money (or any representation of monetary value) by any means, or

(iii) cashes cheques that are made payable to customers;

(c) a firm or sole practitioner that is—

(i) a statutory auditor within the meaning of Part 42 of the Companies Act 2006 (Statutory auditors) M10 , or

(ii) a local auditor within the meaning of section 4(1) of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (general requirements for audit) M11 ;

(d) a firm or sole practitioner that provides to other persons, by way of business—

(i) accountancy services,

(ii) legal or notarial services,

(iii) advice about tax affairs, or

(iv) trust or company services within the meaning of paragraph (2);

(e) a firm or sole practitioner that carries out, or whose employees carry out, estate agency work;

(f) the holder of a casino operating licence within the meaning given by section 65(2)(a) of the Gambling Act 2005 (nature of licence) M12 ;

(g) a person engaged in the business of making, supplying, selling (including selling by auction) or exchanging—

(i) articles made from gold, silver, platinum or palladium, or

(ii) precious stones or pearls.

[F1 (h) a cryptoasset exchange provider;

(i) a custodian wallet provider.]

(2) In paragraph (1) “trust or company services” means any of the following services—

(a) forming companies or other legal persons;

(b) acting, or arranging for another person to act—

(i) as a director or secretary of a company,

(ii) as a partner of a partnership, or

(iii) in a similar capacity in relation to other legal persons;

(c) providing a registered office, business address, correspondence or administrative address or other related services for a company, partnership or any other legal person or arrangement;

(d) acting, or arranging for another person to act, as—

(i) a trustee of an express trust or similar legal arrangement, or

(ii) a nominee shareholder for a person.

(3) In paragraph (1)—

“estate agency work” is to be read in accordance with section 1 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 M13 , but as if references in that section to disposing of or acquiring an interest in land included (despite anything in section 2 of that Act) references to disposing of or acquiring an estate or interest in land outside the United Kingdom where that estate or interest is capable of being owned or held as a separate interest;

“firm” means any entity that, whether or not a legal person, is not an individual, and includes a body corporate and a partnership or other unincorporated body.

[F2 (3A) In paragraph (1), a “cryptoasset exchange provider” means a firm or sole practitioner that by way of business provides one or more of the following services, including where the firm or sole practitioner does so as creator or issuer of any of the cryptoassets involved—

(a) exchanging, or arranging or making arrangements with a view to the exchange of, cryptoassets for money or money for cryptoassets,

(b) exchanging, or arranging or making arrangements with a view to the exchange of, one cryptoasset for another, or

(c) operating a machine which utilises automated processes to exchange cryptoassets for money or money for cryptoassets.

(3B) In paragraph (1), a “custodian wallet provider” means a firm or sole practitioner that by way of business provides services to safeguard, or to safeguard and administer—

(a) cryptoassets on behalf of its customers, or

(b) private cryptographic keys on behalf of its customers in order to hold, store and transfer cryptoassets.

(3C) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) “cryptoasset” means a cryptographically secured digital representation of value or contractual rights that uses a form of distributed ledger technology and can be transferred, stored or traded electronically;

(b) “money” means—

(i) money in sterling,

(ii) money in any other currency, or

(iii) money in any other medium of exchange,

but does not include a cryptoasset; and

(c) in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (3A), “cryptoasset” includes a right to, or interest in, the cryptoasset.]

(4) Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1) are to be read with section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, any relevant order under that section and Schedule 2 to that Act.

(5) For the purposes of regulation 24(1), information or another matter comes to a relevant firm “in the course of carrying on its business” if the information or other matter comes to the firm—

(a) in the case of a relevant firm within paragraph(1)(a), in the course of carrying on an activity in respect of which the permission mentioned in that provision is required;

(b) in the case of a relevant firm within paragraph (1)(c)(i), in the course of carrying out statutory audit work within the meaning of section 1210 of the Companies Act 2006 (meaning of statutory auditor) M14 ;

(c) in the case of a relevant firm within paragraph (1)(c)(ii), in the course of carrying out an audit required by the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014;

(d) in the case of a relevant firm within paragraph (1)(f), in the course of carrying on an activity in respect of which the licence mentioned in that provision is required;

(e) in the case of a relevant firm within any other provision of paragraph (1), in the course of carrying on an activity mentioned in that provision.

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 25(1)(h)(i) inserted (30.8.2022) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/818), regs. 1(3)(p), 17(2)(a)

F2 Reg. 25(3A)-(3C) inserted (30.8.2022) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/818), regs. 1(3)(p), 17(2)(b)

Commencement Information

I25 Reg. 25 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M10 2006 c.46.

M11 2014 c.2.

M12 2005 c.19.

M13 1979 c. 38. Section 1 was amended by the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 73), Schedule 1, paragraph 40; the Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act 1990 (c. 11), Schedule 2, paragraph 42; the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1997 (c. 11), Schedule 2, paragraph 28; the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 25), Schedule 6, paragraph 21; the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), section 70; S.I. 1991/1220; S.I. 1991/2684; S.S.I. 2000/121 and S.I. 2001/1283.

M14 Section 1210 was amended by S.I. 2008/565; S.I. 2008/1950; S.I. 2011/99; S.I. 2012/1809; S.I. 2013/3115; S.I. 2017/516; S.I. 2017/1164; and S.I. 2019/177.

Finance: powers to request information U.K.

26.—(1) The Treasury may request a designated person to provide information about—

(a) funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by or on behalf of the designated person, or

(b) any disposal of such funds or economic resources.

(2) The Treasury may request a designated person to provide such information as the Treasury may reasonably require about expenditure—

(a) by the designated person, or

(b) for the benefit of the designated person.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), expenditure for the benefit of a designated person includes expenditure on the discharge (or partial discharge) of a financial obligation for which the designated person is wholly or partly responsible.

(4) The power in paragraph (1) or (2) is exercisable only where the Treasury believe that it is necessary for the purpose of monitoring compliance with or detecting evasion of any provision of Part 3 (Finance).

(5) The Treasury may request a person acting under a Treasury licence to provide information about—

(a) funds or economic resources dealt with under the licence, or

(b) funds or economic resources made available under the licence.

(6) The Treasury may request a person to provide information within paragraph (7) if the Treasury believe that the person may be able to provide the information.

(7) Information within this paragraph is such information as the Treasury may reasonably require for the purpose of—

(a) establishing for the purposes of any provision of Part 3 (Finance)—

(i) the nature and amount or quantity of any funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by or on behalf of a designated person,

(ii) the nature and amount or quantity of any funds or economic resources made available directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of, a designated person, or

(iii) the nature of any financial transactions entered into by a designated person;

(b) monitoring compliance with or detecting evasion of—

(i) any provision of Part 3,

(ii) regulation 24 (finance: reporting obligations), or

(iii) any condition of a Treasury licence;

(c) detecting or obtaining evidence of the commission of an offence under Part 3 or regulation 22 (finance: licensing offences) or 24.

(8) The Treasury may specify the way in which, and the period within which, information is to be provided.

(9) If no such period is specified, the information which has been requested must be provided within a reasonable time.

(10) A request may include a continuing obligation to keep the Treasury informed as circumstances change, or on such regular basis as the Treasury may specify.

(11) Information requested under this regulation may relate to any period of time during which a person is, or was, a designated person.

(12) Information requested by virtue of paragraph (1)(b), (2) or (7)(a)(iii) may relate to any period before a person became a designated person (as well as, or instead of, any subsequent period).

(13) Expressions used in this regulation have the same meaning as they have in Part 3.

Commencement Information

I26 Reg. 26 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Finance: production of documents U.K.

27.—(1) A request under regulation 26 (finance: powers to request information) may include a request to produce specified documents or documents of a specified description.

(2) Where the Treasury request that documents be produced, the Treasury may—

(a) take copies of or extracts from any document so produced,

(b) request any person producing a document to give an explanation of it, and

(c) where that person is a body corporate, partnership or unincorporated body other than a partnership, request any person who is—

(i) in the case of a partnership, a present or past partner or employee of the partnership, or

(ii) in any other case, a present or past officer or employee of the body concerned,

to give such an explanation.

(3) Where the Treasury request a designated person or a person acting under a Treasury licence to produce documents, that person must—

(a) take reasonable steps to obtain the documents (if they are not already in the person's possession or control);

(b) keep the documents under the person's possession or control (except for the purpose of providing them to the Treasury or as the Treasury may otherwise permit).

(4) In this regulation “designated person” has the same meaning as it has in Part 3 (Finance).

Commencement Information

I27 Reg. 27 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Finance: information offences U.K.

28.—(1) A person commits an offence if that person—

(a) without reasonable excuse, refuses or fails within the time and in the manner specified (or, if no time has been specified, within a reasonable time) to comply with any request under regulation 26 (finance: powers to request information);

(b) knowingly or recklessly gives any information, or produces any document, which is false in a material particular in response to such a request;

(c) with intent to evade any provision of regulation 26 or 27 (finance: production of documents), destroys, mutilates, defaces, conceals or removes any document;

(d) otherwise intentionally obstructs the Treasury in the exercise of their powers under regulation 26 or 27.

(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this regulation, the court may make an order requiring that person, within such period as may be specified in the order, to comply with the request.

Commencement Information

I28 Reg. 28 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Disclosure of information U.K.

29.—(1) The Secretary of State or the Treasury may, in accordance with this regulation, disclose—

(a) any information obtained under or by virtue of Part 5 (Exceptions and licences) or this Part, or

(b) any information held in connection with—

(i) anything done under or by virtue of Part 2 (Designation of persons) or Part 3 (Finance), or

(ii) any exception or licence under Part 5 or anything done in accordance with such an exception or under the authority of such a licence.

(2) Information referred to in paragraph (1) may be disclosed for, or in connection with, any of the following purposes—

(a) any purpose stated in regulation 4;

(b) the exercise of functions under these Regulations;

(c) facilitating, monitoring or ensuring compliance with these Regulations;

(d) taking any action with a view to instituting, or otherwise for the purposes of, any proceedings in the United Kingdom—

(i) for an offence under any provision of these Regulations, or

(ii) in relation to a monetary penalty under section 146 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (breach of financial sanctions legislation) M15 ;

(e) taking any action with a view to instituting, or otherwise for the purposes of, any proceedings in any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or any British overseas territory, for an offence under a provision in any such jurisdiction that is similar to a provision of these Regulations;

(f) compliance with an international obligation M16 ;

(g) facilitating the exercise by an authority outside the United Kingdom or by an international organisation of functions which correspond to functions under these Regulations.

(3) Information referred to in paragraph (1) may be disclosed to the following persons—

(a) a police officer;

(b) any person holding or acting in any office under or in the service of—

(i) the Crown in right of the Government of the United Kingdom,

(ii) the Crown in right of the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Executive or the Welsh Government,

(iii) the States of Jersey, Guernsey or Alderney or the Chief Pleas of Sark,

(iv) the Government of the Isle of Man, or

(v) the Government of any British overseas territory;

(c) any law officer of the Crown for Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man;

(d) the Scottish Legal Aid Board;

(e) the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Bank of England, the Jersey Financial Services Commission, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission or the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority;

(f) any other regulatory body (whether or not in the United Kingdom);

(g) any organ of the United Nations;

(h) the Council of the European Union, the European Commission or the European External Action Service;

(i) the Government of any country;

(j) any other person where the Secretary of State or the Treasury (as the case may be) consider that it is appropriate to disclose the information.

(4) Information referred to in paragraph (1) may be disclosed to any person with the consent of a person who, in their own right, is entitled to the information.

(5) In paragraph (4) “in their own right” means not merely in the capacity as a servant or agent of another person.

(6) In paragraph (1)(b) the reference to information includes information obtained at a time when any provision of these Regulations is not in force.

Commencement Information

I29 Reg. 29 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M15 2017 c.3.

M16 Section 1(8) of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 defines an “international obligation” as an obligation of the United Kingdom created or arising by or under any international agreement.

[F3 Finance: disclosure to the Treasury U.K.

29A.— (1) A relevant public authority may disclose information to the Treasury if the disclosure is made for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Treasury to discharge any of its functions in connection with sanctions.

(2) In this regulation—

“relevant public authority” means—

(a)

any person holding or acting in any office under or in the service of—

(i)

the Crown in right of the Government of the United Kingdom,

(ii)

the Crown in right of the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Executive or the Welsh Government,

(b)

any local authority,

(c)

any police officer,

(d)

the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Bank of England or any other regulatory body in the United Kingdom, or

(e)

any other person exercising functions of a public nature;

“local authority” means—

(a)

in relation to England—

(i)

a county council,

(ii)

a district council,

(iii)

a London Borough council,

(iv)

the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority,

(v)

the Council of the Isles of Scilly, or

(vi)

an eligible parish council within the meaning of section 1(2) of the Local Government Act 2000,

(b)

in relation to Wales, a county council, a county borough council or a community council,

(c)

in relation to Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, or

(d)

in relation to Northern Ireland, a district council.]

Textual Amendments

F3 Reg. 29A inserted (9.8.2022) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/818), regs. 1(2), 17(3)

Part 6: supplementary U.K.

30.—(1) A disclosure of information under regulation 29 (disclosure of information) [F4 or 29A (finance: disclosure to the Treasury)] does not breach any restriction on such disclosure imposed by statute or otherwise.

(2) But nothing in [F5 those regulations] authorises a disclosure that—

(a) contravenes the data protection legislation, or

(b) is prohibited by any of Parts 1 to 7 or Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 M17 .

(3) Nothing in this Part is to be read as requiring a person who has acted or is acting as counsel or solicitor for any person to disclose any privileged information in their possession in that capacity.

(4) [F6 Regulations 29 and 29A do] not limit the circumstances in which information may be disclosed apart from [F7 those regulations].

(5) Nothing in this Part limits any conditions which may be contained in a Treasury licence.

(6) In this regulation—

“the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act) M18 ;

“privileged information” means information with respect to which a claim to legal professional privilege (in Scotland, to confidentiality of communications) could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in reg. 30(1) inserted (9.8.2022) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/818), regs. 1(2), 17(4)(a)

F5 Words in reg. 30(2) substituted (9.8.2022) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/818), regs. 1(2), 17(4)(b)

F6 Words in reg. 30(4) substituted (9.8.2022) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/818), regs. 1(2), 17(4)(c)(i)

F7 Words in reg. 30(4) substituted (9.8.2022) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/818), regs. 1(2), 17(4)(c)(ii)

Commencement Information

I30 Reg. 30 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M17 2016 c.25. Amendments have been made by the Policing and Crime Act 2017, Schedule 9, paragraph 74; the Data Protection Act 2018 (c.12), Schedule 19, paragraphs 198-203; the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3) Schedule 4, paragraph 33; the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, section 59(4), Schedule 3, paragraph 7; the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Act 2019 (c. 5) section 16; S.I. 2018/378; S.I. 2018/652; S.I. 2018/905; S.I. 2018/1123; S.I. 2019/419; S.I. 2019/742; S.I. 2019/939 and S.I. 2020/661. Saving provisions are made by S.I. 2017/859.

M18 2018 c.12. There are amendments to this Act that are not relevant to these Regulations.

PART 7 U.K. Enforcement

Penalties for offences U.K.

31.—(1) A person who commits an offence under any provision of Part 3 (Finance) or regulation 22 (finance: licensing offences) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine (or both);

(b) on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(c) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(d) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or a fine (or both).

(2) A person who commits an offence under regulation 9(6) (confidentiality) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine (or both);

(b) on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(c) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(d) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).

(3) A person who commits an offence under regulation 24(6) or 28 (information offences in connection with Part 3) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine (or both);

(b) on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both);

(c) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both).

(4) In relation to an offence committed before [F8 2nd May 2022], the reference in each of paragraphs (1)(a) and (2)(a) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to 6 months.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in reg. 31(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(2), Sch. Pt. 2

Commencement Information

I31 Reg. 31 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Liability of officers of bodies corporate etc. U.K.

32.—(1) Where an offence under these Regulations, committed by a body corporate—

(a) is committed with the consent or connivance of any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, or

(b) is attributable to any neglect on the part of any such person,

that person as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) In paragraph (1) “director”, in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate.

(3) Paragraph (1) also applies in relation to a body that is not a body corporate, with the substitution for the reference to a director of the body of a reference—

(a) in the case of a partnership, to a partner;

(b) in the case of an unincorporated body other than a partnership—

(i) where the body's affairs are managed by its members, to a member of the body;

(ii) in any other case, to a member of the governing body.

Commencement Information

I32 Reg. 32 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Jurisdiction to try offences U.K.

33.—(1) Wherever an offence under these Regulations is committed (whether in the United Kingdom or outside the United Kingdom)—

(a) proceedings for the offence may be taken at any place in the United Kingdom, and

(b) the offence may for all incidental purposes be treated as having been committed at any such place.

(2) In the application of paragraph (1) to Scotland, where an offence is committed outside the United Kingdom any such proceedings against a person may be taken—

(a) in any sheriff court district in which the person is apprehended or is in custody, or

(b) in such sheriff court district as the Lord Advocate may determine.

(3) In paragraph (2) “sheriff court district” is to be read in accordance with the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (see section 307(1) of that Act) M19 .

Commencement Information

I33 Reg. 33 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M19 1995 c.46.

Procedure for offences by unincorporated bodies U.K.

34.—(1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply if it is alleged that an offence under these Regulations has been committed by an unincorporated body (as opposed to by a member of the body).

(2) Proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland for such an offence must be brought against the body in its own name.

(3) For the purposes of proceedings for such an offence brought against an unincorporated body—

(a) rules of court relating to the service of documents have effect as if the body were a body corporate;

(b) the following provisions apply as they apply in relation to a body corporate—

(i) section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 M20 and Schedule 3 to the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 M21 ;

(ii) section 18 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 M22 and Article 166 of, and Schedule 4 to, the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 M23 .

(4) A fine imposed on an unincorporated body on its conviction of an offence under these Regulations is to be paid out of the funds of the body.

Commencement Information

I34 Reg. 34 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M20 1925 c.86. Section 33 was amended by the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c.14), section 1(1) and Schedule 1, Part 17. Other amendments have been made to section 33 that are not relevant to these Regulations.

M21 1980 c.43. Amendments have been made to Schedule 3 that are not relevant to these Regulations.

M22 1945 c. 15 (N.I.).

M23 S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26).

Time limit for proceedings for summary offences U.K.

35.—(1) Proceedings for an offence under these Regulations which is triable only summarily may be brought within the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to justify the proceedings comes to the prosecutor's knowledge.

(2) But such proceedings may not be brought by virtue of paragraph (1) more than 3 years after the commission of the offence.

(3) A certificate signed by the prosecutor as to the date on which the evidence in question came to the prosecutor's knowledge is conclusive evidence of the date on which it did so; and a certificate to that effect and purporting to be so signed is to be treated as being so signed unless the contrary is proved.

(4) In relation to proceedings in Scotland—

(a) section 136(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (date of commencement of summary proceedings) applies for the purposes of this regulation as it applies for the purposes of that section, and

(b) references in this regulation to the prosecutor are to be treated as references to the Lord Advocate.

Commencement Information

I35 Reg. 35 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Application of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 U.K.

36.  Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (investigatory powers) M24 applies to any offence under Part 3 (Finance) or regulation 22 (finance: licensing offences).

Commencement Information

I36 Reg. 36 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M24 2005 c. 15. Chapter 1 of Part 2 has been amended by the Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), section 33(3) and (4); the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), sections 26(2) and 30(2) and Schedules 3 and 5; the Bribery Act 2010 (c. 23), section 17(2) and Schedule 1; the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 asp 13, section 203 and Schedule 7, paragraph 77; the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), section 15 and Schedule 8, paragraphs 157 and 159; the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), section 51(1); the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, section 59(4) and Schedule 3, paragraph 4; S.I. 2006/1629; and S.I. 2014/834.

PART 8 U.K. Supplementary and final provision

Notices U.K.

37.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to a notice required by regulation 21 (Treasury licences: written notice) to be given to a person.

(2) The notice may be given to an individual—

(a) by delivering it to the individual,

(b) by sending it to the individual by post addressed to the individual at his or her usual or last-known place of residence or business, or

(c) by leaving it for the individual at that place.

(3) The notice may be given to a person other than an individual—

(a) by sending it by post to the proper officer of the body at its principal office, or

(b) by addressing it to the proper officer of the body and leaving it at that office.

(4) The notice may be given to the person by other means, including by electronic means, with the person's consent.

(5) In this regulation, the reference in paragraph (3) to a “principal office”—

(a) in relation to a registered company, is to be read as a reference to the company's registered office;

(b) in relation to a body incorporated or constituted under the law of a country other than the United Kingdom, includes a reference to the body's principal office in the United Kingdom (if any).

(6) In this regulation—

• “proper officer”—

  (a)

  in relation to a body other than a partnership, means the secretary or other executive officer charged with the conduct of the body's general affairs, and

  (b)

  in relation to a partnership, means a partner or a person who has the control or management of the partnership business;

• “registered company” means a company registered under the enactments relating to companies for the time being in force in the United Kingdom.

Commencement Information

I37 Reg. 37 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Revocations U.K.

38.  The Misappropriation (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 M25 are revoked.

Commencement Information

I38 Reg. 38 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M25 S.I. 2020/1468.

Dominic Raab

Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

SCHEDULES

Regulation 7(3)

SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Rules for interpretation of regulation 7(2)

Application of Schedule U.K.

1.—(1) The rules set out in the following paragraphs of this Schedule apply for the purpose of interpreting regulation 7(2).

(2) They also apply for the purpose of interpreting this Schedule.

Commencement Information

I39 Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Joint interests U.K.

2.  If two or more persons each hold a share or right jointly, each of them is treated as holding that share or right.

Commencement Information

I40 Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Joint arrangements U.K.

3.—(1) If shares or rights held by a person and shares or rights held by another person are the subject of a joint arrangement between those persons, each of them is treated as holding the combined shares or rights of both of them.

(2) A “joint arrangement” is an arrangement between the holders of shares or rights that they will exercise all or substantially all the rights conferred by their respective shares or rights jointly in a way that is pre-determined by the arrangement.

(3) “Arrangement” has the meaning given by paragraph 12.

Commencement Information

I41 Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Calculating shareholdings U.K.

4.—(1) In relation to a person who has a share capital, a reference to holding “more than 50% of the shares” in that person is to holding shares comprised in the issued share capital of that person of a nominal value exceeding (in aggregate) 50% of that share capital.

(2) In relation to a person who does not have a share capital—

(a) a reference to holding shares in that person is to holding a right or rights to share in the capital or, as the case may be, profits of that person;

(b) a reference to holding “more than 50% of the shares” in that person is to holding a right or rights to share in more than 50% of the capital or, as the case may be, profits of that person.

Commencement Information

I42 Sch. 1 para. 4 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Voting rights U.K.

5.—(1) A reference to the voting rights in a person is to the rights conferred on shareholders in respect of their shares (or, in the case of a person not having a share capital, on members) to vote at general meetings of the person on all or substantially all matters.

(2) In relation to a person that does not have general meetings at which matters are decided by the exercise of voting rights—

(a) a reference to holding voting rights in the person is to be read as a reference to holding rights in relation to the person that are equivalent to those of a person entitled to exercise voting rights in a company;

(b) a reference to holding “more than 50% of the voting rights” in the person is to be read as a reference to holding the right under the constitution of the person to block changes to the overall policy of the person or to the terms of its constitution.

Commencement Information

I43 Sch. 1 para. 5 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

6.  In applying regulation 7(2) and this Schedule, the voting rights in a person are to be reduced by any rights held by the person itself. U.K.

Commencement Information

I44 Sch. 1 para. 6 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Rights to appoint or remove members of the board U.K.

7.  A reference to the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of a person is to the right to appoint or remove directors holding a majority of the voting rights at meetings of the board on all or substantially all matters.

Commencement Information

I45 Sch. 1 para. 7 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

8.  A reference to a board of directors, in the case of a person who does not have such a board, is to be read as a reference to the equivalent management body of that person. U.K.

Commencement Information

I46 Sch. 1 para. 8 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Shares or rights held “indirectly” U.K.

9.—(1) A person holds a share “indirectly” if the person has a majority stake in another person and that other person—

(a) holds the share in question, or

(b) is part of a chain of persons—

(i) each of whom (other than the last) has a majority stake in the person immediately below it in the chain, and

(ii) the last of whom holds the share.

(2) A person holds a right “indirectly” if the person has a majority stake in another person and that other person—

(a) holds that right, or

(b) is part of a chain of persons—

(i) each of whom (other than the last) has a majority stake in the person immediately below it in the chain, and

(ii) the last of whom holds that right.

(3) For these purposes, a person (“A”) has a “majority stake” in another person (“B”) if—

(a) A holds a majority of the voting rights in B,

(b) A is a member of B and has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of B,

(c) A is a member of B and controls alone, pursuant to an agreement with other shareholders or members, a majority of the voting rights in B, or

(d) A has the right to exercise, or actually exercises, dominant influence or control over B.

(4) In the application of this paragraph to the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors, a person (“A”) is to be treated as having the right to appoint a director if—

(a) any person's appointment as director follows necessarily from that person's appointment as director of A, or

(b) the directorship is held by A itself.

Commencement Information

I47 Sch. 1 para. 9 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Shares held by nominees U.K.

10.  A share held by a person as nominee for another is to be treated as held by the other (and not by the nominee).

Commencement Information

I48 Sch. 1 para. 10 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Rights treated as held by person who controls their exercise U.K.

11.—(1) Where a person controls a right, the right is to be treated as held by that person (and not by the person who in fact holds the right, unless that person also controls it).

(2) A person “controls” a right if, by virtue of any arrangement between that person and others, the right is exercisable only—

(a) by that person,

(b) in accordance with that person's directions or instructions, or

(c) with that person's consent or concurrence.

Commencement Information

I49 Sch. 1 para. 11 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

12.  “ Arrangement” includes— U.K.

(a) any scheme, agreement or understanding, whether or not it is legally enforceable, and

(b) any convention, custom or practice of any kind.

Commencement Information

I50 Sch. 1 para. 12 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Rights exercisable only in certain circumstances etc. U.K.

13.—(1) Rights that are exercisable only in certain circumstances are to be taken into account only—

(a) when the circumstances have arisen, and for so long as they continue to obtain, or

(b) when the circumstances are within the control of the person having the rights.

(2) But rights that are exercisable by an administrator or by creditors while a person is subject to relevant insolvency proceedings are not to be taken into account while the person is subject to those proceedings.

(3) “Relevant insolvency proceedings” means—

(a) administration within the meaning of the Insolvency Act 1986 M26 ,

(b) administration within the meaning of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 M27 , or

(c) proceedings under the insolvency law of another country during which a person's assets and affairs are subject to the control or supervision of a third party or creditor.

(4) Rights that are normally exercisable but are temporarily incapable of exercise are to continue to be taken into account.

Commencement Information

I51 Sch. 1 para. 13 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M26 1986 c.45.

M27 S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19).

Rights attached to shares held by way of security U.K.

14.  Rights attached to shares held by way of security provided by a person are to be treated for the purposes of this Schedule as held by that person—

(a) where apart from the right to exercise them for the purpose of preserving the value of the security, or of realising it, the rights are exercisable only in accordance with that person's instructions, and

(b) where the shares are held in connection with the granting of loans as part of normal business activities and apart from the right to exercise them for the purpose of preserving the value of the security, or of realising it, the rights are exercisable only in that person's interests.

Commencement Information

I52 Sch. 1 para. 14 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Regulation 21(3)

SCHEDULE 2 U.K. Treasury licences: purposes

Interpretation U.K.

1.  In this Schedule—

“designated person” has the same meaning as it has in Part 3 (Finance);

“frozen funds or economic resources” means funds or economic resources frozen by virtue of regulation 11, and any reference to a person's frozen funds or economic resources is to funds or economic resources frozen as a consequence of the designation of that person for the purpose of that regulation.

Commencement Information

I53 Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Basic needs U.K.

2.—(1) To enable the basic needs of a designated person, or (in the case of an individual) any dependent family member of such a person, to be met.

(2) In the case of an individual, in sub-paragraph (1) “basic needs” includes—

(a) medical needs;

(b) needs for—

(i) food;

(ii) payment of insurance premiums;

(iii) payment of tax;

(iv) rent or mortgage payments;

(v) utility payments.

(3) In the case of a person other than an individual, in sub-paragraph (1) “basic needs” includes needs for—

(a) payment of insurance premiums;

(b) payment of reasonable fees for the provision of property management services;

(c) payment of remuneration, allowances or pensions of employees;

(d) payment of tax;

(e) rent or mortgage payments;

(f) utility payments.

(4) In sub-paragraph (1)—

“dependent” means financially dependent;

“family member” includes—

(a)

the wife or husband of the designated person;

(b)

the civil partner of the designated person;

(c)

any parent or other ascendant of the designated person;

(d)

any child or other descendant of the designated person;

(e)

any person who is a brother or sister of the designated person, or a child or other descendant of such a person.

Commencement Information

I54 Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Legal services U.K.

3.  To enable the payment of—

(a) reasonable professional fees for the provision of legal services, or

(b) reasonable expenses associated with the provision of legal services.

Commencement Information

I55 Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Maintenance of frozen funds and economic resources U.K.

4.  To enable the payment of—

(a) reasonable fees, or

(b) reasonable service charges,

arising from the routine holding or maintenance of frozen funds or economic resources.

Commencement Information

I56 Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Extraordinary expenses U.K.

5.  To enable an extraordinary expense of a designated person to be met.

Commencement Information

I57 Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Pre-existing judicial decisions etc. U.K.

6.  To enable, by the use of a designated person's frozen funds or economic resources, the implementation or satisfaction (in whole or in part) of a judicial, administrative or arbitral decision or lien, provided that—

(a) the funds or economic resources so used are the subject of the decision or lien,

(b) the decision or lien—

(i) was made or established before the date on which the person became a designated person, and

(ii) is enforceable in the United Kingdom, and

(c) the use of the frozen funds or economic resources does not directly or indirectly benefit any other designated person.

Commencement Information

I58 Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Extraordinary situation U.K.

7.  To enable anything to be done to deal with an extraordinary situation.

Commencement Information

I59 Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Prior obligations U.K.

8.  To enable, by the use of a designated person's frozen funds or economic resources, the satisfaction of an obligation of that person (whether arising under a contract, other agreement or otherwise), provided that—

(a) the obligation arose before the date on which the person became a designated person, and

(b) no payments are made to another designated person, whether directly or indirectly.

Commencement Information

I60 Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Diplomatic missions etc. U.K.

9.—(1) To enable anything to be done in order that the functions of a diplomatic mission or consular post, or of an international organisation enjoying immunities in accordance with international law, may be carried out.

(2) In this paragraph—

“consular post” has the same meaning as in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations done at Vienna on 24 April 1963 M28 , and any reference to the functions of a consular post is to be read in accordance with that Convention;

“diplomatic mission” and any reference to the functions of a diplomatic mission are to be read in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations done at Vienna on 18 April 1961 M29 .

Commencement Information

I61 Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Marginal Citations

M28 United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 596, p. 261.

M29 United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 500, p. 95.

Humanitarian assistance activity U.K.

10.—(1) To enable anything to be done in connection with the performance of any humanitarian assistance activity.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1), “humanitarian assistance activity” includes the work of international and non-governmental organisations carrying out relief activities for the benefit of the civilian population of a country.

Commencement Information

I62 Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 26.4.2021 at noon, see reg. 1(2)

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations are made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (c.13) to establish a sanctions regime for the purpose of preventing and combatting serious corruption.

The Regulations confer a power on the Secretary of State to designate persons who are, or have been, involved in serious corruption. Designated persons may be excluded from the United Kingdom and may be made subject to financial sanctions, including having their funds or economic resources frozen.

The Regulations provide for certain exceptions to this sanctions regime (for example to allow for frozen accounts to be credited with interest or other earnings and to allow acts done for the purpose of national security or the prevention of serious crime). The Regulations also confer powers on the Treasury to issue licences in respect of activities that would otherwise be prohibited under the Regulations. Schedule 2 sets out the purposes under which the Treasury will issue such licences.

The Regulations prescribe powers for the provision and sharing of information to enable the effective implementation and enforcement of the sanctions regime. The Regulations make it a criminal offence to contravene, or circumvent, any of the prohibitions in these Regulations and prescribe the mode of trial and penalties that apply to such offences.

The Regulations also revoke the Misappropriation (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. Instead a de minimis assessment has been prepared as this instrument is likely to entail some costs for businesses, but the net impact is estimated to be below £5 million per year.