{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/health-and-safety-at-work-etc-act-1974/section-38",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/health-and-safety-at-work-etc-act-1974/section-38.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1974/37",
  "legislation_title": "Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/health-and-safety-at-work-etc-act-1974",
  "path": "section/38",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "38",
  "heading": "Restrictions on institution of proceedings in England and Wales.",
  "text": "Proceedings for an offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions shall not, in England and Wales, be instituted except by an inspector , the Environment Agency or the Natural Resources Body for Wales or by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in s. 38 inserted (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(7) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 38 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 113 (with Sch. 7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "S. 38 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10S. 38 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9S. 38 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10Ss. 18(6)(7)(b), 19-22, 23(1)(2)(5), 24-26, 33(1)(e)-(h)(o)(2)(2A)(3)(4)(e), 34(3)-(5), 35, 36(1)(2), 37-39, 42 applied (with modifications) (9.1.1995) by S.I. 1994/3260, reg. 17(3)(5)S. 38: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(i), 5 (with s. 3(5))Ss. 18-27, 33(1)(e)-(i)(n)(o)(2)-(4), 34(2)-(6), 36(1), 37-42, 46 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (16.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/772, reg. 17Ss. 19-28, 33-35, 38, 39, 41, 42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)Ss. 19-28, 33-35, 38, 39, 41, 42 applied (with modifications) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)Ss. 16-26, 33-42, 47 applied (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 26(1)(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C2",
      "text": "S. 38 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)S. 38 applied (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 20(3) (with s. 9(1)(2), Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)(2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C3",
      "text": "Ss. 35-39 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C4",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 20(1)(d) (with reg. 20(2)(3))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C5",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (19.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2892, reg. 16(1)Ss. 33-42 applied (20.9.2001) by S.I. 2001/2975, reg. 19(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C6",
      "text": "S. 38 applied (with modifications) (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1999/2001, reg. 24(1), Sch. 8 para. 1(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C7",
      "text": "Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2127, arts. 4(1), 5(1)(2), 6(1), 7(1), 8(1), 10 (with art. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(2)(4))Ss. 33-42 applied (E.W.S.) (24.7.2002) by S.I. 2002/1689, reg. 14(1)(b)Ss. 33-42 applied (16.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1166, reg. 31 (with art. 37)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C8",
      "text": "S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (22.3.2003 for certain purposes and 22.9.2003 otherwise) by S.I. 2003/403, regs. 1(2), 23(2)(a)(3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C9",
      "text": "S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (3.5.2004) by S.I. 2004/129, reg. 23(3)(e); s. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (9.6.2004) by S.I. 2004/1309, reg. 17; s. 38 applied (E.W.S.) (22.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/928, reg. 4(2)(3)(5)(6); s. 38 applied (2.4.2006) by S.I. 2006/397, reg. 34(3)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C10",
      "text": "Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The Channel Tunnel (Safety) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3531), art. 4(2)(3)(h) (subject to art. 4(4)-(6) and with art. 7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C11",
      "text": "Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (temp.) (5.8.2009) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2127), arts. 8A, 8B (as inserted by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(3))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C12",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (12.8.2009 with application in accordance with reg. 3 of the amending S.I.) by The Major Accident Off-Site Emergency Plan (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1927), reg. 9(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C13",
      "text": "Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (6.4.2010) by The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/432), reg. 6(2)(3)(g)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C14",
      "text": "Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (6.4.2010) by The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/724), regs. 1(2), 38(2)(3)(g)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C15",
      "text": "S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (4.7.2010 for certain purposes and otherwise 4.7.2013) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1554), regs. 1, 18, 37(1), Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C16",
      "text": "Ss. 1-59 applied by S.I. 2001/2127 art. 8A 8B (as inserted (E.W.S.) (6.4.2011) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/745), arts. 1(1), 3(2))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C17",
      "text": "Ss. 37-41 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(g) (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C18",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.9.2013) by The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1506), regs. 2(1), 8(1) (with reg. 3(4), (5), 8(2)-(7), 31, 32, 33(1))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C19",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (1.3.2014) by The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1506), regs. 2(4), 19 (with reg. 3(4)(5)313233(1))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C20",
      "text": "S. 38 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.10.2014) by The Explosives Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1638), reg. 1(1), Sch. 12 paras. 2, 3"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C21",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (1.10.2014) by The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1663), regs. 1, 30(2)(a) (with reg. 3(1)(2))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C22",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.6.2015) by The Biocidal Products and Chemicals (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1506), regs. 2(2), 17(1) (with regs. 3(4)(5), 31, 32, 33(1))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C23",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.6.2015) by The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/483), regs. 1(1), 27(1)(d) (with regs. 3(2), 27(3))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C24",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(8)(d) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C25",
      "text": "Ss. 33-42 applied (19.7.2015) by The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/398), regs. 1, 36(1)(d) (with reg. 4(2), Sch. 14)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C26",
      "text": "S. 38 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2014/1638, Sch. 12 paras. 5-7 (as substituted (E.W.S.) (20.4.2016) by The Explosives Regulations 2014 (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/315), reg. 1, Sch. 1 (with regs. 2(1), 15))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C27",
      "text": "Ss. 34-42 applied (with modifications) (30.7.2018) by The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/816), regs. 1, 21(1)-(3) (with reg. 4)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/section/38",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:43:47.162415+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."
}