# The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2026

Draft 2026, ISBN 9780348284058

This Order amends the description of the weapon sometimes known as a “ninja sword” which is a prohibited weapon listed at paragraph 1(u) of the Schedule to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 (S.I. 1988/2019).

Made under: Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Section 141)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/draft-criminal-justice-act-1988-offensive-weapons-amendment-england-and-wales-order-2026/pdf/ukdsi_9780348284058_en.pdf; UK Draft Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/draft-criminal-justice-act-1988-offensive-weapons-amendment-england-and-wales-order-2026/pdf/ukdsiem_9780348284058_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

This draft Statutory Instrument has been made in consequence of a defect in S.I. 2025/681. It supersedes the draft of the same title which was laid before Parliament and published on 4th of June 2026 (ISBN 978-0-348-28394-5). It is being issued free of charge to all known recipients of that draft Statutory Instrument and of S.I. 2025/681.
Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 141(11E) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33), for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament.
CRIMINAL LAW, ENGLAND AND WALES
Made
Coming into force
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 141(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
In accordance with section 141(11E) of that Act, a draft of the instrument was laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

## 1 Citation, commencement and extent

(1) This Order may be cited as the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2026.
(2) This Order comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.
(3) This Order extends to England and Wales.

## 2 Amendment of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988

(1) The Schedule to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 (descriptions of weapons to which section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies) is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 1B(3)(b)(ii) (secondary straight cutting edge)—
(a) for “5%” substitute “105%”;
(b) omit “or shorter”.

## Signature

Name
Minister of State
Date
Home Office

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the description of the weapon sometimes known as a “ninja sword” which is a prohibited weapon listed at paragraph 1(u) of the Schedule to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 (S.I. 1988/2019).
Article 2(2) amends the description of the secondary straight cutting edge so that its length is no more than 105% longer than the width of the blade immediately after the handle as illustrated in the diagram below.
Illustration
A full Impact Assessment has not been prepared as this amendment makes a minor correction to the legal description of a ninja sword and aligns the legislation with the policy intent. Although the revised legal definition amends the description in the original instrument, it does not change any of the impacts assessed in the original 2025 Impact Assessment, and therefore assessed impacts remain unchanged.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2026/9780348284058 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-criminal-justice-act-1988-offensive-weapons-amendment-england-and-wales-order-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.