OpenLegislation

Modern Slavery Act 2015 in Wales

2015 c. 30 · Enacted 26 March 2015 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 16 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 50ArestrictedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 23(2)
s. 50A(5A)insertedIllegal Migration Act 2023 s. 28(1)
Sch. 4 para. 33words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 11 para. 11
Sch. 4 para. 23substitutedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 28(3)
Sch. 4 para. 36DinsertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 48(6)
Sch. 4 para. 36Dwords insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 68(12)
Sch. 4 para. 33words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 72(4)
Sch. 4 para. 35AsubstitutedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 75(6)
Sch. 4 para. 36Dwords insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 80(6)
Sch. 4 para. 7words omittedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 134(2)(a)
Sch. 4 para. 7words omittedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 134(2)(b)
Sch. 4 para. 7words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 134(2)(c)
Sch. 4 para. 36Dwords insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 136(6)
Sch. 4 para. 33words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 13 para. 22
Sch. 4 para. 36Dwords insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 95(3)
Sch. 4 para. 33words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 82(7)

An Act to make provision about slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and about human trafficking, including provision for the protection of victims; to make provision for an Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner; and for connected purposes.

[26th March 2015]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 1: Offences
  2. Offences
  3. 1Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour
  4. 2Human trafficking
  5. 3Meaning of exploitation
  6. 4Committing offence with intent to commit offence under section 2
  7. Penalties and sentencing
  8. 5Penalties
  9. 6Sentencing
  10. 7Confiscation of assets
  11. 8Power to make slavery and trafficking reparation orders
  12. 9Effect of slavery and trafficking reparation orders
  13. 10Slavery and trafficking reparation orders: supplementary provision
  14. 11Forfeiture of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
  15. Supplementary
  16. 11AEnforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority Repealed
  17. 12Detention of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
  18. 13Interpretation of Part 1
  19. Part 2: Prevention orders
  20. Slavery and trafficking prevention orders
  21. 14Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on sentencing
  22. 15Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on application
  23. 16Meaning of “relevant offender”
  24. 17Effect of slavery and trafficking prevention orders
  25. 18Prohibitions on foreign travel
  26. 19Requirement to provide name and address
  27. 20Variation, renewal and discharge
  28. 21Interim slavery and trafficking prevention orders
  29. 22Appeals
  30. Slavery and trafficking risk orders
  31. 23Slavery and trafficking risk orders
  32. 24Effect of slavery and trafficking risk orders
  33. 25Prohibitions on foreign travel
  34. 26Requirement to provide name and address
  35. 27Variation, renewal and discharge
  36. 28Interim slavery and trafficking risk orders
  37. 29Appeals
  38. Offences and supplementary provision
  39. 30Offences
  40. 30AEnforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority Repealed
  41. 31Cross-border enforcement
  42. 32Rules of court
  43. 33Guidance to chief officers of police etc
  44. 34Interpretation of Part 2
  45. Part 3: Maritime enforcement
  46. 35Enforcement powers in relation to ships: England and Wales
  47. 38Hot pursuit of ships in United Kingdom waters Not yet in force
  48. 39Interpretation of Part 3
  49. Part 4: The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner
  50. 40The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner
  51. 41General functions of Commissioner
  52. 42Strategic plans and annual reports
  53. 43Duty to co-operate with Commissioner
  54. 44Restriction on exercise of functions
  55. Part 5: Protection of victims
  56. 45Defence for slavery or trafficking victims who commit an offence
  57. 46Special measures for witnesses in criminal proceedings
  58. 47Civil legal aid for victims of slavery
  59. 48Independent child trafficking advocates
  60. 49Guidance about identifying and supporting victims
  61. 50Regulations about identifying and supporting victims Not yet in force
  62. 50AIdentified potential victims etc: assistance and support
  63. 51Presumption about age
  64. 52Duty to notify Secretary of State about suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking
  65. 53Overseas domestic workers
  66. Part 6: Transparency in supply chains etc
  67. 54Transparency in supply chains etc
  68. Part 7: Miscellaneous and general
  69. Miscellaneous
  70. 54AGangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: information gateways Repealed
  71. 55Gangmasters Licensing Authority Repealed
  72. General
  73. 56Interpretation
  74. 57Consequential provision
  75. 58Regulations
  76. 59Financial provisions
  77. 60Extent
  78. 61Commencement
  79. 62Short title
  80. Schedule 1: Slavery and human trafficking offences
  81. Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41)
  82. 1Paragraph 1
  83. Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
  84. 2Paragraph 2
  85. Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7)
  86. 3Paragraph 3
  87. Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 (c. 19)
  88. 4Paragraph 4
  89. Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)
  90. 5Paragraph 5
  91. Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13)
  92. 6Paragraph 6
  93. Modern Slavery Act 2015 (c. 30)
  94. 7Paragraph 7
  95. Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 2 (N.I.))
  96. 8Paragraph 8
  97. Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (asp 12)
  98. 8AParagraph 8A
  99. Ancillary offences
  100. 9Paragraph 9
  101. Schedule 2: Enforcement powers in relation to ships
  102. Part 1: England and Wales
  103. Introductory
  104. 1Paragraph 1
  105. Power to stop, board, divert and detain
  106. 2Paragraph 2
  107. Power to search and obtain information
  108. 3Paragraph 3
  109. Power of arrest and seizure
  110. 4Paragraph 4
  111. Code of practice
  112. 5Paragraph 5
  113. Assistants
  114. 6Paragraph 6
  115. Reasonable force
  116. 7Paragraph 7
  117. Evidence of authority
  118. 8Paragraph 8
  119. Protection of constables and enforcement officers
  120. 9Paragraph 9
  121. Offences
  122. 10Paragraph 10
  123. Part 2: Scotland
  124. Introductory
  125. 11Paragraph 11
  126. Power to stop, board, divert and detain
  127. 12Paragraph 12
  128. Power to search and obtain information
  129. 13Paragraph 13
  130. Power of arrest and seizure
  131. 14Paragraph 14
  132. Assistants
  133. 15Paragraph 15
  134. Reasonable force
  135. 16Paragraph 16
  136. Evidence of authority
  137. 17Paragraph 17
  138. Offences
  139. 18Paragraph 18
  140. Part 3: Northern Ireland
  141. Introductory
  142. 19Paragraph 19
  143. Power to stop, board, divert and detain
  144. 20Paragraph 20
  145. Power to search and obtain information
  146. 21Paragraph 21
  147. Power of arrest and seizure
  148. 22Paragraph 22
  149. Code of practice
  150. 23Paragraph 23
  151. Assistants
  152. 24Paragraph 24
  153. Reasonable force
  154. 25Paragraph 25
  155. Evidence of authority
  156. 26Paragraph 26
  157. Protection of constables and enforcement officers
  158. 27Paragraph 27
  159. Offences
  160. 28Paragraph 28
  161. Schedule 3: Public authorities under a duty to co-operate with the Commissioner
  162. Law enforcement and border security
  163. Local government
  164. Health bodies
  165. ... Repealed
  166. Schedule 4: Offences to which defence in section 45 does not apply
  167. Common law offences
  168. 1Paragraph 1
  169. 2Paragraph 2
  170. 3Paragraph 3
  171. 4Paragraph 4
  172. 5Paragraph 5
  173. 6Paragraph 6
  174. Offences against the Person Act 1861 (c. 100)
  175. 7Paragraph 7
  176. Explosive Substances Act 1883 (c. 3)
  177. 8Paragraph 8
  178. Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 (c. 34)
  179. 9Paragraph 9
  180. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)
  181. 10Paragraph 10
  182. Public Order Act 1936 (1 Edw. 8 & 1 Geo. 6 c. 6)
  183. 11Paragraph 11
  184. Infanticide Act 1938 (c. 36)
  185. 12Paragraph 12
  186. Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
  187. 13Paragraph 13
  188. Theft Act 1968 (c. 60)
  189. 14Paragraph 14
  190. Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48)
  191. 15Paragraph 15
  192. Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77)
  193. 16Paragraph 16
  194. Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2)
  195. 17Paragraph 17
  196. Taking of Hostages Act 1982 (c. 28)
  197. 18Paragraph 18
  198. Aviation Security Act 1982 (c. 36)
  199. 19Paragraph 19
  200. Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)
  201. 20Paragraph 20
  202. Child Abduction Act 1984 (c. 37)
  203. 21Paragraph 21
  204. Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64)
  205. 22Paragraph 22
  206. Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)
  207. 23Paragraph 23
  208. Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52)
  209. 24Paragraph 24
  210. Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
  211. 25Paragraph 25
  212. Channel Tunnel (Security) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/570)
  213. 26Paragraph 26
  214. Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (c. 40)
  215. 27Paragraph 27
  216. Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37)
  217. 28Paragraph 28
  218. Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)
  219. 29Paragraph 29
  220. International Criminal Court Act 2001 (c. 17)
  221. 30Paragraph 30
  222. Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (c. 24)
  223. 31Paragraph 31
  224. Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (c. 31)
  225. 32Paragraph 32
  226. Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
  227. 33Paragraph 33
  228. Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28)
  229. 34Paragraph 34
  230. Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11)
  231. 35Paragraph 35
  232. Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c.28)
  233. 35ZAParagraph 35ZA
  234. Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (c. 23)
  235. 35ZBParagraph 35ZB
  236. Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (c. 6)
  237. 35ZCParagraph 35ZC
  238. Serious Crime Act 2015
  239. 35AParagraph 35A
  240. Modern Slavery Act 2015 (c. 30)
  241. 36Paragraph 36
  242. 36AParagraph 36A
  243. Health and Care Act 2022
  244. 36BParagraph 36B
  245. National Security Act 2023
  246. 36CParagraph 36C
  247. Ancillary offences
  248. 37Paragraph 37
  249. Schedule 4A: Information gateways: specified persons Repealed
  250. Authorities with functions in connection with the labour market etc Repealed
  251. Law enforcement and border security Repealed
  252. Local government Repealed
  253. Health bodies Repealed
  254. Other Repealed
  255. Schedule 5: Minor and consequential amendments
  256. Part 1: Amendments relating to offences
  257. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)
  258. 1Paragraph 1
  259. Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77)
  260. 2Paragraph 2
  261. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)
  262. 3Paragraph 3
  263. Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 (c. 34)
  264. 4Paragraph 4
  265. Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
  266. 5Paragraph 5
  267. Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 (c. 19)
  268. 6Paragraph 6
  269. Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27)
  270. 7Paragraph 7
  271. Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)
  272. 8Paragraph 8
  273. Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9)
  274. 9Paragraph 9
  275. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10)
  276. 10Paragraph 10
  277. Part 2: Amendments relating to slavery and trafficking reparation orders
  278. Administration of Justice Act 1970 (c. 31)
  279. 11Paragraph 11
  280. Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)
  281. 12Paragraph 12
  282. Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 (c. 27)
  283. 13Paragraph 13
  284. Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)
  285. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  286. Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)
  287. 15Paragraph 15
  288. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  289. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  290. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  291. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  292. 20Paragraph 20 Not yet in force
  293. 21Paragraph 21
  294. 22Paragraph 22
  295. Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)
  296. 23Paragraph 23
  297. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  298. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  299. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  300. Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43)
  301. 26Paragraph 26
  302. Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 (c. 3)
  303. 27Paragraph 27