Legislation

Reforms sentencing for murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct (whole-life orders), introduces multi-agency public protection arrangemen

Places the Victims' Code on a statutory footing, creates duties to review compliance, and establishes the role of an independent public advo

Reformed Companies House powers, introduced a "failure to prevent fraud" corporate offence, expanded crypto-asset seizure and confiscation p

Imposes duties on online service providers to protect users from illegal and harmful content. Creates new criminal offences including cyberf

Created new protest-related offences: locking on, tunnelling, obstruction of major transport works, interference with key national infrastru

Established the Register of Overseas Entities for UK property ownership. Reformed unexplained wealth orders and strengthened sanctions enfor

Major criminal justice reform act. Increases sentences for serious violent and sexual offenders, creates duties on authorities to prevent se

Increased maximum sentences for terrorism offences, introduced a minimum 14-year sentence for serious terrorism, tightened release provision

Placed the power to authorise criminal conduct by covert human intelligence sources (undercover agents and informants) on a statutory footin

A landmark Act that established a statutory definition of domestic abuse encompassing physical, emotional, controlling, coercive, and econom

Consolidation Act bringing together sentencing procedural provisions from multiple statutes.

An Act that strengthened the law on offensive weapons and knife crime by banning certain weapons outright (corrosive substances, rapid-fire

Introduced stalking protection orders, which can be applied for by police to protect persons from risks associated with stalking. Orders can

Introduced unexplained wealth orders (UWOs), expanded forfeiture powers to cover bank accounts, and created corporate offences of failure to

A wide-ranging Act that made significant changes to police governance and accountability, amended the mental health detention provisions (re

Reforms police complaints and discipline, extends PCC powers, places the College of Policing on statutory footing, reforms pre-charge bail,

A comprehensive Act consolidating and expanding the legislative framework for investigatory powers used by police, intelligence agencies, an

The Act that introduced a blanket ban on the production, supply, and import of psychoactive substances (so-called "legal highs"), subject to

Replaced the Riot (Damages) Act 1886. Provides a statutory compensation scheme for property owners and insurers who suffer riot damage. Clai

Introduced the Prevent duty on specified authorities, temporary exclusion orders, and strengthened terrorism prevention and investigation me

Created new offences including revenge pornography (sharing private sexual images) and juror research. Introduced the secure college concept

The Act that consolidated and strengthened the law on modern slavery, trafficking, and forced labour in England and Wales.

Strengthened powers to tackle serious and organised crime. Created the offence of participating in activities of an organised crime group (s

A comprehensive Act that reformed the tools available to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), replacing six previous orders (ASBOs, ASBIs, et

Established the National Crime Agency (NCA). Introduced deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs).

Reformed legal aid availability for criminal proceedings. Introduced changes to remand and bail, knife possession mandatory sentencing, and

Provides for the destruction of DNA profiles and fingerprints, regulates CCTV and surveillance camera use, creates a code of practice for su

Created Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to replace police authorities. Also reformed licensing, planning, and the regulation of protes

Replaced control orders with terrorism prevention and investigation measures (TPIMs). Sets out the conditions for imposing TPIMs, the availa

Created a modern, consolidated framework for bribery offences.

The statute that consolidated and harmonised discrimination law in Great Britain, replacing previous Acts covering race, sex, disability, ag

Reformed the law of murder partial defences (loss of control replacing provocation, updated diminished responsibility). Created the Sentenci

Wide-ranging policing reforms including injunctions to prevent gang-related violence, provisions on sex establishment licensing, and amendme

Provides for post-charge questioning, DNA and fingerprint retention for terrorism offences, notification requirements for convicted terroris

Introduced the youth rehabilitation order. Clarified the law on self-defence (reasonable force).

Creates the offence of corporate manslaughter where the way an organisation manages or organises its activities causes a death and amounts t

Amended the Mental Health Act 1983: broadened the definition of mental disorder, introduced supervised community treatment (community treatm

Created the offences of encouraging or assisting crime (replacing common law incitement).

The principal animal welfare statute. Creates offences of causing unnecessary suffering, mutilation, tail docking, poisoning, animal fightin

Replaced deception offences with a general offence of fraud committed by false representation, by failing to disclose information, or by abu

Amended computer misuse offences (increasing penalties), reformed extradition, and introduced National Policing Improvement Agency.

Created offences of encouragement of terrorism, dissemination of terrorist publications, preparation of terrorist acts, and training for ter

Introduced drinking banning orders, restrictions on off-licence sales, mandatory minimum sentences for firearms offences, and powers to deal

Provides the legal framework for acting and making decisions on behalf of adults who lack mental capacity.

An Act that established the Serious Organised Crime Agency (since replaced by the NCA), amended PACE to change the classification of offence

Established the Children's Commissioner for England and local safeguarding children boards.

Provided additional powers to deal with anti-social behaviour including closure of premises used for drugs, dispersal of groups, parenting c

Section 127 creates the offence of sending by means of a public electronic communications network a message that is grossly offensive, indec

A comprehensive Act reforming many aspects of the criminal justice system, including evidence law, sentencing, and bail.

The comprehensive statute consolidating and reforming the law on sexual offences in England and Wales.

A significant reform Act that established the Independent Police Complaints Commission (now the IOPC), introduced police community support o

The principal statute for confiscation and recovery of criminal proceeds.

Established the National Probation Service and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass). Introduced disqualifica

Consolidated sentencing law prior to the Sentencing Act 2020. Covered community sentences, custodial sentences, fines, discharges, and ancil

The Act that regulated covert surveillance, undercover policing, and the interception of communications by public authorities, before the mo

The primary counter-terrorism statute in the United Kingdom, consolidating and extending earlier anti-terrorism legislation.

Provides special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses: screens, live-link evidence, video-recorded evidence-in-chief, intermedi

A landmark Act that introduced the anti-social behaviour order (ASBO, since replaced), established youth offending teams, created racially a

The Act that incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Introduced mandatory minimum sentences for certain repeat offenders: life for a second serious offence, seven years for a third Class A drug

Completed the handgun ban begun by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 by prohibiting small-calibre (.22) handguns.

Enacted after the Dunblane massacre. Prohibited the private ownership of most handguns (large-calibre). Completed by the Firearms (Amendment

Restricts the sale, marketing, and hiring of combat knives and certain other knives. Provides for knife amnesty surrenders and offences rela

Established the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad (predecessors of the NCA). Part III authorises police in

The Act that created the criminal offences of harassment and stalking and provided civil remedies including the restraining order.

Governs the disclosure regime in criminal proceedings. Sets out the duties of the investigator, prosecutor, and defence in relation to unuse

Establishes the structure of police forces and police authorities in England and Wales.

Established the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to investigate possible miscarriages of justice and refer cases back to the Court of

A wide-ranging Act that introduced adverse inference from silence, expanded police powers, created the section 60 suspicion-free stop and se

Provides for the recovery of the proceeds of drug trafficking, confiscation orders, and related enforcement powers. Largely superseded by PO

Introduced the "just deserts" sentencing framework based on offence seriousness. Largely replaced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003, but some

Prohibits certain types of fighting dogs (pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro).

The principal statute making it a criminal offence to access computer material without authorisation, to access computer material with inten

Provides for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, service of overseas process, transfer of prisoners, and the enforcement of oversea

Governs waste management, statutory nuisances, contaminated land, and litter. Creates criminal offences for unauthorised waste disposal, fly

Creates offences relating to food safety: rendering food injurious to health, selling food not of the nature/substance/quality demanded, and

The primary child welfare legislation. Establishes the paramountcy principle, care and supervision orders, child assessment orders, emergenc

Creates offences for the unauthorised disclosure of official information by Crown servants and government contractors.

Wide-ranging criminal justice statute covering unduly lenient sentence referrals (s.36), offensive weapon offences (s.139-141), compensation

Section 139 creates the offence of having a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place. Section 139A extends this to school premise

Enacted after the Hungerford massacre. Prohibited semi-automatic and pump-action centre-fire rifles, burst-fire weapons, and certain shotgun

Creates the offence of sending letters, electronic communications, or articles conveying an indecent or grossly offensive message, a threat,

The principal statute governing road traffic offences in Great Britain.

Governs the prosecution and punishment of road traffic offences.

Restricts the sale, letting on hire, and possession of crossbows by persons under 18. Provides powers of search and seizure.

The principal statute governing public order offences in England and Wales and police powers to regulate processions and assemblies.

Established the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as the principal prosecuting authority for England and Wales. Sets out the duty to prosecute

The foundational statute governing police powers and the rights of suspects and detainees in England and Wales.

Provides for traffic regulation orders, speed limits, one-way streets, parking controls, and pedestrian crossings. Powers to restrict or pro

The principal statute governing the compulsory detention and treatment of persons with mental disorder in England and Wales.

Defines strict liability contempt of court: publications which create a substantial risk of serious prejudice to active proceedings.

Defines the law of criminal attempts: an act done with intent to commit an indictable offence which is more than merely preparatory to the c

Defines offences of forgery (making false instruments), copying false instruments, using false instruments, and counterfeiting currency.

Protects wild birds, animals, and plants. Creates offences of killing/injuring protected species, disturbing nesting sites, and trading in p

Governs the jurisdiction and powers of magistrates' courts. Covers summary trial procedure, committal proceedings, sentencing powers (maximu

Provides rules for the interpretation of all Acts of Parliament. Defines key terms used across criminal law statutes and sets out principles

Makes it an offence to take, distribute, show, or possess indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children. Foundation for child sexua

Supplements the Theft Act 1968. Covers obtaining services by deception, evasion of liability, and making off without payment.

Created the statutory offence of conspiracy. Covers offences of entering and remaining on property and related matters.

The foundational statute establishing the general right to bail for defendants in criminal proceedings in England and Wales and setting out

First introduced anonymity for complainants in rape cases. Redefined the mens rea of rape. Largely superseded by the Sexual Offences Act 200

The principal workplace health and safety statute. Creates duties on employers, employees, and the self-employed.

Provides that after specified rehabilitation periods, criminal convictions become "spent" and need not be disclosed in most circumstances. S

The statute creating the main criminal damage offences in England and Wales, replacing the Malicious Damage Act 1861.

The principal statute controlling the possession, supply, production, and import of controlled drugs in the United Kingdom.

Governs appeals from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

The principal statute regulating the possession, purchase, sale, and transfer of firearms and ammunition in Great Britain.

The primary statute defining theft and related property offences in England and Wales, replacing the Larceny Act 1916.

Introduced suspended sentences and parole. Contains the statutory definition of the mens rea of criminal intent (s.8). Provides for majority

Abolished the distinction between felonies and misdemeanours. Provides the power to use reasonable force in the prevention of crime and effe

Provided for the admissibility of documentary evidence in criminal proceedings. Allowed business records to be admitted as evidence subject

Governs the procedures where the accused is found to be under a disability (unfit to plead) or not guilty by reason of insanity. Sets out th

Creates the offence of publishing an obscene article. Defines obscenity as material whose effect tends to deprave and corrupt those likely t

Provides partial defences to murder: diminished responsibility and loss of control (formerly provocation). Also covers suicide pacts.

Historical sexual offences statute, largely repealed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Some provisions remain in force for offences committed

Creates the offence of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Key daily policing st

Governs the management of prisons and the treatment of prisoners.

Provides that where a woman causes the death of her child under 12 months while the balance of her mind is disturbed, the offence is infanti

Sets the age of criminal responsibility at 10. Provides for the welfare of children in court proceedings, restrictions on reporting, cruelty

Governs the form and content of indictments in the Crown Court. Provides rules on joinder and severance of counts and defendants. Still in f

Creates the offence of spying: approaching, entering, or inspecting a prohibited place for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests o

Creates the offence of perjury: wilfully making a false statement material to judicial proceedings while under oath. Also covers false statu

Made the accused a competent witness for the defence in all criminal cases. Historical significance as it first allowed defendants to give e

Historical statute that raised the age of consent to 16 and strengthened protections against sexual exploitation. Largely repealed but of si

Creates offences relating to explosive substances: causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property (s.2), a

Provides that persons who aid, abet, counsel, or procure the commission of an indictable offence are liable to be tried and punished as prin

The principal statute for non-fatal offences against the person: ABH (s.47), GBH/wounding with intent (s.18), unlawful wounding/GBH (s.20),

Historical statute creating offences including being found on enclosed premises for an unlawful purpose and begging. Largely repealed but so

One of the earliest evidence statutes still partially in force.

Historical statute providing protection to constables acting in execution of their duty. One of the oldest policing statutes still partially

The statutory instrument that brings into force the revised PACE Codes of Practice (Codes A to H). The Codes are periodically revised to ref

The procedural rules governing criminal cases in magistrates' courts, the Crown Court, and the Court of Appeal.

The statutory instrument that governs misconduct proceedings against police officers in England and Wales.

Detailed regulations under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 setting out the schedules of controlled drugs, authorised activities, record-keeping