{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978.json",
  "id": "ukpga/1978/37",
  "title": "Protection of Children Act 1978",
  "short_title": "Protection of Children Act 1978",
  "long_title": "An Act to prevent the exploitation of children by making indecent photographs of them; and to penalise the distribution, showing and advertisement of such indecent photographs.",
  "citation": "1978 c. 37",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "1978",
  "number": "37",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1978-07-20",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2023-10-26",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 2,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/introduction",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Indecent photographs of children.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-1",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1A",
      "heading": "Marriage and other relationships",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-1A",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1B",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1B",
      "heading": "Exception for criminal proceedings, investigations etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-1B",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Evidence.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-2",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Offences by corporations.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-3",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Entry, search and seizure.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-4",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Forfeiture.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-5",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Punishments.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-6",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Interpretation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-7",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Similar provision for Northern Ireland.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-8",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Short title, extent and commencement.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/section-9",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Forfeiture of indecent photographs of children",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/application-of-schedule",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Application of Schedule",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/1",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/application-of-schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/possession-pending-forfeiture",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Possession pending forfeiture",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/2",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/possession-pending-forfeiture"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/the-relevant-officer",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "The relevant officer",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/3",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/the-relevant-officer"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/notice-of-intended-forfeiture",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Notice of intended forfeiture",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/4",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-4",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/notice-of-intended-forfeiture"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/notice-of-claim",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Notice of claim",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/5",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-5",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/notice-of-claim"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/6",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-6",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/notice-of-claim"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/automatic-forfeiture-in-a-case-where-no-claim-is-made",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Automatic forfeiture in a case where no claim is made",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/7",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-7",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/automatic-forfeiture-in-a-case-where-no-claim-is-made"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/decision-whether-to-take-court-proceedings-to-condemn-property-as-forfeited",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Decision whether to take court proceedings to condemn property as forfeited",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/8",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-8",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/decision-whether-to-take-court-proceedings-to-condemn-property-as-forfeited"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/return-of-property-if-no-forfeiture-proceedings",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Return of property if no forfeiture proceedings",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/9",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-9",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/return-of-property-if-no-forfeiture-proceedings"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/forfeiture-proceedings",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Forfeiture proceedings",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/10",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-10",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/forfeiture-proceedings"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/supplementary-orders",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Supplementary orders",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/11",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/supplementary-orders"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/supplementary-provision-about-forfeiture-proceedings",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Supplementary provision about forfeiture proceedings",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/12",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-12",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/supplementary-provision-about-forfeiture-proceedings"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/13",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/supplementary-provision-about-forfeiture-proceedings"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/14",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-14",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/supplementary-provision-about-forfeiture-proceedings"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/effect-of-forfeiture",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Effect of forfeiture",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/15",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-15",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/effect-of-forfeiture"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/disposal-of-property-which-is-not-returned",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Disposal of property which is not returned",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/16",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-16",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/disposal-of-property-which-is-not-returned"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/17",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-17",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/disposal-of-property-which-is-not-returned"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/provisions-as-to-proof",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Provisions as to proof",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/18",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-18",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/provisions-as-to-proof"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/19",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "19",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-19",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/provisions-as-to-proof"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/saving-for-owners-rights",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Saving for owner's rights",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/20",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "20",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-20",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/saving-for-owners-rights"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/crossheading/interpretation",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Interpretation",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/21",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "21",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/schedule/paragraph-21",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/crossheading/interpretation"
    }
  ],
  "has_text": true,
  "pdfs": [
    {
      "title": "Printed copy",
      "main": true,
      "language": null,
      "date": "2025-03-20",
      "size": 408053,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/pdf/ukpga_19780037_en.pdf",
      "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/37/pdfs/ukpga_19780037_en.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "applied",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 7(4)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/1997/39",
      "affecting_title": "Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act 1997",
      "affecting_provisions": "s. 2(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "applied",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 7(7)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/1997/39",
      "affecting_title": "Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act 1997",
      "affecting_provisions": "s. 2(1)"
    }
  ],
  "made_under": [],
  "changes_made_to": 38,
  "changes_made_to_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/changes.json",
  "changes_made_by": 0,
  "changes_made_by_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/changes/by-it.json",
  "instruments_made_under": 0,
  "instruments_made_under_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/protection-of-children-act-1978/instruments.json",
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/37",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:21:48.620806+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."
}