{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981.json",
  "id": "ukpga/1981/45",
  "title": "Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981",
  "short_title": "Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981",
  "long_title": "An Act to make fresh provision for England and Wales and Northern Ireland with respect to forgery and kindred offences; to make fresh provision for Great Britain and Northern Ireland with respect to the counterfeiting of notes and coins and kindred offences; to amend the penalties for offences under section 63 of the Post Office Act 1953; and for connected purposes.",
  "citation": "1981 c. 45",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "1981",
  "number": "45",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1981-07-27",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2020-01-13",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 3,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/introduction",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "part/I",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "I",
      "heading": "Forgery and Kindred Offences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "part/I/crossheading/offences",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Offences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "The offence of forgery.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "The offence of copying a false instrument.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "The offence of using a false instrument.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "The offence of using a copy of a false instrument.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-4",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Offences relating to money orders, share certificates, passports, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-5",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/I/crossheading/penalties-etc",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Penalties etc.",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Penalties for offences under Part I.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-6",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/penalties-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Powers of search, forfeiture, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-7",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/penalties-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/I/crossheading/interpretation-of-part-i",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Interpretation of Part I",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Meaning of “instrument”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-8",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/interpretation-of-part-i"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Meaning of “false” and “making”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-9",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/interpretation-of-part-i"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/10",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Meaning of “prejudice” and “induce”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-10",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/interpretation-of-part-i"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/I/crossheading/miscellaneous",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Miscellaneous",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/ll",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "ll",
      "heading": "Amendments of Mental Health Acts.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-ll",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/miscellaneous"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Amendments of Road Traffic Act and Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-12",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/miscellaneous"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Abolition of offence of forgery at common law.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I/crossheading/miscellaneous"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/II",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "II",
      "heading": "Counterfeiting and Kindred Offences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "part/II/crossheading/offences",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Offences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Offences of counterfeiting notes and coins.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-14",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Offences of passing etc. counterfeit notes and coins.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-15",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/16",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Offences involving the custody or control of counterfeit notes and coins.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-16",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/17",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": "Offences involving the making or custody or control of counterfeiting materials and implements.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-17",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/18",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": "The offence of reproducing British currency notes.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-18",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/19",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "19",
      "heading": "Offences of making etc. imitation British coins.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-19",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/II/crossheading/prohibition-of-importation-and-exportation-of-counterfeits",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Prohibition of importation and exportation of counterfeits",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/20",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "20",
      "heading": "Prohibition of importation of counterfeit notes and coins.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-20",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/prohibition-of-importation-and-exportation-of-counterfeits"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/21",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "21",
      "heading": "Prohibition of exportation of counterfeit notes and coins.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-21",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/prohibition-of-importation-and-exportation-of-counterfeits"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/II/crossheading/penalties-etc",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Penalties etc.",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/22",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "22",
      "heading": "Penalties for offences under Part II.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-22",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/penalties-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/23",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "23",
      "heading": "Penalties for offences under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 relating to counterfeits.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-23",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/penalties-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/24",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "24",
      "heading": "Powers of search, forfeiture, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-24",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/penalties-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/25",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "25",
      "heading": "Directors’ etc. liability.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-25",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/penalties-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/26",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "26",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-26",
      "extent": "S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/penalties-etc"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/II/crossheading/interpretation-of-part-ii",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Interpretation of Part II",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/27",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "27",
      "heading": "Meaning of “currency note” and “protected coin”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-27",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/interpretation-of-part-ii"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/28",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "28",
      "heading": "Meaning of “counterfeit”.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-28",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II/crossheading/interpretation-of-part-ii"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/III",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "III",
      "heading": "Miscellaneous and General",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "part/III/crossheading/miscellaneous",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Miscellaneous",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/29",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "29",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-29",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/III/crossheading/miscellaneous"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/30",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "30",
      "heading": "Repeals",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-30",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/III/crossheading/extent",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Extent",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/31",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "31",
      "heading": "Scotland.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-31",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III/crossheading/extent"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/32",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "32",
      "heading": "Northern Ireland.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-32",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III/crossheading/extent"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/III/crossheading/commencement-and-short-title",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Commencement and short title",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/33",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "33",
      "heading": "Commencement.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-33",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III/crossheading/commencement-and-short-title"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/34",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "34",
      "heading": "Citation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/section-34",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III/crossheading/commencement-and-short-title"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Repeals",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/part/I",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "I",
      "heading": "General Repeals Consequential on Part I",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/schedule/part-I",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/part/II",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "II",
      "heading": "General Repeals Consequential on Part II",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/schedule/part-II",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/part/III",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "III",
      "heading": "Northern Ireland Legislation—Repeals Consequential on Parts I and II",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/schedule/part-III",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "repealed",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 23(1)(b)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2003/44",
      "affecting_title": "Criminal Justice Act 2003",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 37 Pt. 7"
    },
    {
      "type": "repealed",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 23(2)(b)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2003/44",
      "affecting_title": "Criminal Justice Act 2003",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 37 Pt. 7"
    },
    {
      "type": "repealed",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 23(3)(b)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2003/44",
      "affecting_title": "Criminal Justice Act 2003",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 37 Pt. 7"
    }
  ],
  "made_under": [],
  "changes_made_to": 20,
  "changes_made_to_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/changes.json",
  "changes_made_by": 0,
  "changes_made_by_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/changes/by-it.json",
  "instruments_made_under": 1,
  "instruments_made_under_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/forgery-and-counterfeiting-act-1981/instruments.json",
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/45",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:13:55.287243+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}