Modern Slavery Act 2015
2015 c. 30 · Enacted 26 March 2015 · Extends to United Kingdom
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
- Part 1: Offences
- Offences
- 1Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour
- 2Human trafficking
- 3Meaning of exploitation
- 4Committing offence with intent to commit offence under section 2
- Penalties and sentencing
- 5Penalties
- 6Sentencing
- 7Confiscation of assets
- 8Power to make slavery and trafficking reparation orders
- 9Effect of slavery and trafficking reparation orders
- 10Slavery and trafficking reparation orders: supplementary provision
- 11Forfeiture of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
- Supplementary
- 11AEnforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority Repealed
- 12Detention of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
- 13Interpretation of Part 1
- Part 2: Prevention orders
- Slavery and trafficking prevention orders
- 14Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on sentencing
- 15Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on application
- 16Meaning of “relevant offender”
- 17Effect of slavery and trafficking prevention orders
- 18Prohibitions on foreign travel
- 19Requirement to provide name and address
- 20Variation, renewal and discharge
- 21Interim slavery and trafficking prevention orders
- 22Appeals
- Slavery and trafficking risk orders
- 23Slavery and trafficking risk orders
- 24Effect of slavery and trafficking risk orders
- 25Prohibitions on foreign travel
- 26Requirement to provide name and address
- 27Variation, renewal and discharge
- 28Interim slavery and trafficking risk orders
- 29Appeals
- Offences and supplementary provision
- 30Offences
- 30AEnforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority Repealed
- 31Cross-border enforcement
- 32Rules of court
- 33Guidance to chief officers of police etc
- 34Interpretation of Part 2
- Part 3: Maritime enforcement
- 35Enforcement powers in relation to ships: England and Wales
- 36Enforcement powers in relation to ships: Scotland
- 37Enforcement powers in relation to ships: Northern Ireland
- 38Hot pursuit of ships in United Kingdom waters Not yet in force
- 39Interpretation of Part 3
- Part 4: The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner
- 40The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner
- 41General functions of Commissioner
- 42Strategic plans and annual reports
- 43Duty to co-operate with Commissioner
- 44Restriction on exercise of functions
- Part 5: Protection of victims
- 45Defence for slavery or trafficking victims who commit an offence
- 46Special measures for witnesses in criminal proceedings
- 47Civil legal aid for victims of slavery
- 48Independent child trafficking advocates
- 49Guidance about identifying and supporting victims
- 50Regulations about identifying and supporting victims Not yet in force
- 50AIdentified potential victims etc: assistance and support
- 51Presumption about age
- 52Duty to notify Secretary of State about suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking
- 53Overseas domestic workers
- Part 6: Transparency in supply chains etc
- 54Transparency in supply chains etc
- Part 7: Miscellaneous and general
- Miscellaneous
- 54AGangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: information gateways Repealed
- 55Gangmasters Licensing Authority Repealed
- General
- 56Interpretation
- 57Consequential provision
- 58Regulations
- 59Financial provisions
- 60Extent
- 61Commencement
- 62Short title
- Schedule 1: Slavery and human trafficking offences
- Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41)
- 1Paragraph 1
- Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
- 2Paragraph 2
- Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7)
- 3Paragraph 3
- Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 (c. 19)
- 4Paragraph 4
- Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)
- 5Paragraph 5
- Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13)
- 6Paragraph 6
- Modern Slavery Act 2015 (c. 30)
- 7Paragraph 7
- Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 2 (N.I.))
- 8Paragraph 8
- Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (asp 12)
- 8AParagraph 8A
- Ancillary offences
- 9Paragraph 9
- Schedule 2: Enforcement powers in relation to ships
- Part 1: England and Wales
- Introductory
- 1Paragraph 1
- Power to stop, board, divert and detain
- 2Paragraph 2
- Power to search and obtain information
- 3Paragraph 3
- Power of arrest and seizure
- 4Paragraph 4
- Code of practice
- 5Paragraph 5
- Assistants
- 6Paragraph 6
- Reasonable force
- 7Paragraph 7
- Evidence of authority
- 8Paragraph 8
- Protection of constables and enforcement officers
- 9Paragraph 9
- Offences
- 10Paragraph 10
- Part 2: Scotland
- Introductory
- 11Paragraph 11
- Power to stop, board, divert and detain
- 12Paragraph 12
- Power to search and obtain information
- 13Paragraph 13
- Power of arrest and seizure
- 14Paragraph 14
- Assistants
- 15Paragraph 15
- Reasonable force
- 16Paragraph 16
- Evidence of authority
- 17Paragraph 17
- Offences
- 18Paragraph 18
- Part 3: Northern Ireland
- Introductory
- 19Paragraph 19
- Power to stop, board, divert and detain
- 20Paragraph 20
- Power to search and obtain information
- 21Paragraph 21
- Power of arrest and seizure
- 22Paragraph 22
- Code of practice
- 23Paragraph 23
- Assistants
- 24Paragraph 24
- Reasonable force
- 25Paragraph 25
- Evidence of authority
- 26Paragraph 26
- Protection of constables and enforcement officers
- 27Paragraph 27
- Offences
- 28Paragraph 28
- Schedule 3: Public authorities under a duty to co-operate with the Commissioner
- Law enforcement and border security
- Local government
- Health bodies
- ... Repealed
- Northern Irish public authority
- Schedule 4: Offences to which defence in section 45 does not apply
- Common law offences
- 1Paragraph 1
- 2Paragraph 2
- 3Paragraph 3
- 4Paragraph 4
- 5Paragraph 5
- 6Paragraph 6
- Offences against the Person Act 1861 (c. 100)
- 7Paragraph 7
- Explosive Substances Act 1883 (c. 3)
- 8Paragraph 8
- Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 (c. 34)
- 9Paragraph 9
- Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)
- 10Paragraph 10
- Public Order Act 1936 (1 Edw. 8 & 1 Geo. 6 c. 6)
- 11Paragraph 11
- Infanticide Act 1938 (c. 36)
- 12Paragraph 12
- Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
- 13Paragraph 13
- Theft Act 1968 (c. 60)
- 14Paragraph 14
- Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48)
- 15Paragraph 15
- Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77)
- 16Paragraph 16
- Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2)
- 17Paragraph 17
- Taking of Hostages Act 1982 (c. 28)
- 18Paragraph 18
- Aviation Security Act 1982 (c. 36)
- 19Paragraph 19
- Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)
- 20Paragraph 20
- Child Abduction Act 1984 (c. 37)
- 21Paragraph 21
- Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64)
- 22Paragraph 22
- Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)
- 23Paragraph 23
- Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52)
- 24Paragraph 24
- Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
- 25Paragraph 25
- Channel Tunnel (Security) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/570)
- 26Paragraph 26
- Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (c. 40)
- 27Paragraph 27
- Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37)
- 28Paragraph 28
- Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)
- 29Paragraph 29
- International Criminal Court Act 2001 (c. 17)
- 30Paragraph 30
- Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (c. 24)
- 31Paragraph 31
- Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (c. 31)
- 32Paragraph 32
- Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
- 33Paragraph 33
- Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28)
- 34Paragraph 34
- Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11)
- 35Paragraph 35
- Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c.28)
- 35ZAParagraph 35ZA
- Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (c. 23)
- 35ZBParagraph 35ZB
- Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (c. 6)
- 35ZCParagraph 35ZC
- Serious Crime Act 2015
- 35AParagraph 35A
- Modern Slavery Act 2015 (c. 30)
- 36Paragraph 36
- 36AParagraph 36A
- Health and Care Act 2022
- 36BParagraph 36B
- National Security Act 2023
- 36CParagraph 36C
- Ancillary offences
- 37Paragraph 37
- Schedule 4A: Information gateways: specified persons Repealed
- Authorities with functions in connection with the labour market etc Repealed
- Law enforcement and border security Repealed
- Local government Repealed
- Health bodies Repealed
- Other Repealed
- Schedule 5: Minor and consequential amendments
- Part 1: Amendments relating to offences
- Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)
- 1Paragraph 1
- Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77)
- 2Paragraph 2
- Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)
- 3Paragraph 3
- Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 (c. 34)
- 4Paragraph 4
- Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
- 5Paragraph 5
- Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 (c. 19)
- 6Paragraph 6
- Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27)
- 7Paragraph 7
- Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)
- 8Paragraph 8
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9)
- 9Paragraph 9
- Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10)
- 10Paragraph 10
- Part 2: Amendments relating to slavery and trafficking reparation orders
- Administration of Justice Act 1970 (c. 31)
- 11Paragraph 11
- Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)
- 12Paragraph 12
- Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 (c. 27)
- 13Paragraph 13
- Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6)
- 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
- Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)
- 15Paragraph 15
- 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
- 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
- 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
- 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
- 20Paragraph 20 Not yet in force
- 21Paragraph 21
- 22Paragraph 22
- Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)
- 23Paragraph 23
- Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
- 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
- 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
- Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43)
- 26Paragraph 26
- Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 (c. 3)
- 27Paragraph 27