20SOCA is not to be regarded—
(a)as the servant or agent of the Crown, or
(b)as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown;
and SOCA’s property is not to be regarded as property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.
21(1)In connection with exercising its functions SOCA may (subject to the provisions of this Act)—
(a)enter into contracts and other agreements (whether legally binding or not);
(b)acquire and dispose of property (including land);
(c)borrow money; and
(d)do such other things as SOCA thinks necessary or expedient.
(2)The power conferred by sub-paragraph (1)(b) includes accepting—
(a)gifts of money, and
(b)gifts or loans of other property,
on such terms as SOCA considers appropriate (which may include terms providing for the commercial sponsorship of any of SOCA’s activities).
(3)But SOCA may exercise the power conferred by sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (c) only with the consent of the Secretary of State.
(4)Such consent may be given—
(a)with respect to a particular case or with respect to a class of cases;
(b)subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.