Part I The National Criminal Intelligence Service

The Service Authority

F851 The Service Authority for the National Criminal Intelligence Service.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Functions

F852 General functions of the NCIS Service Authority and NCIS.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F853 Objectives.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F854 Service plans.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F855 Annual reports.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Director General and other members

F856 Appointment of Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F857 Removal of Director General by the Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F858 Deputy Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F859 Members of NCIS.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F859A Removal of certain members appointed under section 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Functions of Director General

F8510 General function of Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8511 Reports by Director General to the Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8512 Responsibility for co-ordination of police and Security Service activities.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Service Authority’s officers and employees

F8513 Officers and employees.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8514 Appointment of clerk.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8515 Appointment of persons not employed by the NCIS Service Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Financial provisions

F8516NCIS service fund.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8516A Budget statement

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8517 Grants from the Secretary of State

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8517A Provision supplemental to section 17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8518. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8518A Financing by the Scottish Ministers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8519 Charges.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8520 Acceptance of gifts and loans.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8521 Pensions and gratuities.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8521A Accounts

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General provisions

F8522 Collaboration agreements.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8523 Aid by and for NCIS.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8524 Provision of special services.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Central supervision and direction

F8525 General duty of the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8526 Setting of objectives.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8527 Setting of performance targets.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8528 Codes of practice.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8528A Codes of practice for Director General of NCIS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8529 Removal of Director General etc.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8530 Power to give directions to NCIS Service Authority

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8531 Reports from NCIS Service Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8531A Power to give directions as to action plans

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8531B Procedure for giving directions by the Secretary of State

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8531C Procedure for giving directions by the Scottish Ministers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8532 Reports from Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8533 Criminal statistics.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8534 Inquiries.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8534A Regulations for NCIS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8535 Regulations as to standard of equipment.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8536 Common services.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discipline and complaints

F8537 Discipline regulations.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8538 Appeals.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8539 Complaints.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8540 Information as to the manner of dealing with complaints etc.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miscellaneous

F8541 Arrangements for consultation.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8542 Liability for wrongful acts of constables etc.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8543 Causing disaffection.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8544 Orders governing NCIS Service Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General

F8545 Orders and regulations.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8546 Interpretation of Part I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C1Part II The National Crime Squad

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1

Pt. II (ss. 47-90): Power to continue conferred (11.5.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 109(2)(c)(i), 138

The Service Authority

F8547 The Service Authority for the National Crime Squad.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Functions

F8548 General functions of the NCS Service Authority and the National Crime Squad.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8549 Objectives.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8550 Service plans.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8551 Annual reports.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Director General and other members

F8552 Appointment of Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8553 Removal of Director General by the Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8554 Deputy Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8555 Members of the National Crime Squad.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8555A Removal of certain members appointed under section 55

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Functions of Director General

F8556 General function of Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8557 Reports by Director General to the Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Service Authority’s officers and employees

F8558 Officers and employees.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8559 Appointment of clerk.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8560 Appointment of persons not employed by the NCS Service Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Financial provisions

F8561NCS service fund.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8561A Budget statement

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8562 Grants from the Secretary of State

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8562A Provision supplemental to section 62

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8563 Initial financing of NCS Service Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8564 Charges.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8565 Acceptance of gifts and loans.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8566 Pensions and gratuities.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8566A Accounts

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8567 Revenue accounts and capital finance.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8568 Financial administration.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Special services

F8569 Provision of special services.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Central supervision and direction

F8570 General duty of Secretary of State.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8571 Setting of objectives.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8572 Setting of performance targets.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8573 Codes of practice.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8573A Codes of practice for Director General of NCS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8574 Removal of Director General etc.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8575 Power to give directions to NCS Service Authority

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8576 Reports from NCS Service Authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8576A Power to give directions as to action plans

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8576B Procedure for giving directions under sections 75 and 76A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8577 Reports from Director General.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8578 Criminal statistics.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8579 Inquiries.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8579A Regulations for NCS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8580 Regulations as to standard of equipment.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8580A Regulation of procedures and practices

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discipline and complaints

F8581 Discipline regulations.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8582 Appeals.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8583 Complaints.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8584 Information as to the manner of dealing with complaints etc.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miscellaneous

F8585 Arrangements for consultation.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8586 Liability for wrongful acts of constables etc.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8587 Causing disaffection.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I188 Application to NCS Service Authority of local authority enactments.

Schedule 6 (which amends local authority enactments applying to police authorities so as to apply those enactments in a similar way to the NCS Service Authority) shall have effect.

General

F9289 Orders and regulations.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9390 Interpretation of Part II.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C7C8C11 Part III Authorisation of Action in Respect of Property

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C7

Pt. 3 (ss. 91-108) amended (S.) (29.9.2000) by 2000 asp 11, s. 24(2)(b) (with s. 30); S.S.I. 2000/341, art. 2

C8

Pt. 3: power to apply (with modifications) conferred (1.10.2002) by Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30), s. 19(2)(b); S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(b)(v)

The Commissioners

I291 The Commissioners.

1

The Prime Minister F1after consultation with the Scottish Ministers, shall appoint for the purposes of this Part—

a

a Chief Commissioner, and

b

such number of other Commissioners as the Prime Minister thinks fit.

2

The persons appointed under subsection (1) shall be persons who hold or have held high judicial office within the meaning of the M1Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876.

C23

Subject to subsections (4) to (7), each Commissioner shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

C24

Each Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of three years.

C25

A person who ceases to be a Commissioner (otherwise than under subsection (7)) may be reappointed under this section.

C2F26

Subject to subsection (7), a Commissioner shall not be removed from office before the end of the term for which he is appointed unless–

a

a resolution approving his removal has been passed by each House of Parliament; and

b

a resolution approving his removal has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.

7

A Commissioner may be removed from office by the Prime Minister if after his appointment—

a

a bankruptcy order is made against him or his estate is sequestrated or he makes a composition or arrangement with, or grants a trust deed for, his creditors;

b

a disqualification order under the M2Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 or Part II of the M3Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or an order under section 429(2)(b) of the M4Insolvency Act 1986 (failure to pay under county court administration order), is made against him F3or his disqualification undertaking is accepted under section 7 or 8 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986F76or under the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002; or

c

he is convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man of an offence and has passed on him a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not).

C28

The Secretary of State shall pay to each Commissioner F4, other than a commissioner carrying out functions as mentioned in subsection (8A), such allowances as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

F58A

The Scottish Ministers shall pay to any Commissioner who carries out his functions under this Part wholly or mainly in Scotland such allowances as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

9

The Secretary of State shall, after consultation with the Chief Commissioner F6and subject to the approval of the Treasury as to numbers, provide the Commissioners F7and any Assistant Surveillance Commissioners holding office under section 63 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000F8, other than any Commissioner carrying out functions as mentioned in subsection (9A), with such staff as the Secretary of State considers necessary for the discharge of their functions.

F99A

The Scottish Ministers shall, after consultation with the Chief Commissioner, provide any Commissioner who carries out his functions under this Part wholly or mainly in Scotland with such staff as the Scottish Ministers consider necessary for the discharge of his functions.

10

The decisions of the Chief Commissioner or, subject to sections 104 and 106, any other Commissioner (including decisions as to his jurisdiction) shall not be subject to appeal or liable to be questioned in any court.

Authorisations

92 Effect of authorisation under Part III.

No entry on or interference with property or with wireless telegraphy shall be unlawful if it is authorised by an authorisation having effect under this Part.

C393 Authorisations to interfere with property etc.

1

Where subsection (2) applies, an authorising officer may authorise—

a

the taking of such action, in respect of such property in the relevant area, as he may specify,

F10ab

the taking of such action falling within subsection (1A), in respect of property outside the relevant area, as he may specify, or

b

the taking of such action in the relevant area as he may specify, in respect of wireless telegraphy.

F111A

The action falling within this subsection is action for maintaining or retrieving any equipment, apparatus or device the placing or use of which in the relevant area has been authorised under this Part or Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 or under any enactment contained in or made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament which makes provision equivalent to that made by Part II of that Act of 2000.

1B

Subsection (1) applies where the authorising officer is a F94member of the staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, customs officer F64or an officer of the Office of Fair Trading with the omission of—

a

the words “in the relevant area”, in each place where they occur; and

b

paragraph (ab).

2

This subsection applies where the authorising officer believes—

a

that it is necessary for the action specified to be taken F12for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, and

F13b

that the taking of the action is proportionate to what the action seeks to achieve.

F142A

Subsection (2) applies where the authorising officer is the Chief Constable or the Deputy Chief Constable of the F15Police Service of Northern Ireland as if the reference in subsection (2)(a) to preventing or detecting serious crime included a reference to the interests of national security.

F632AA

Where the authorising officer is the chairman of the Office of Fair Trading, the only purpose falling within subsection (2)(a) is the purpose of preventing or detecting an offence under section 188 of the Enterprise Act 2002.

2B

The matters to be taken into account in considering whether the requirements of subsection (2) are satisfied in the case of any authorisation shall include whether what it is thought necessary to achieve by the authorised action could reasonably be achieved by other means.

3

An authorising officer shall not give an authorisation under this section except on an application made—

a

if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(a) to F16(ea) or (ee), by a member of his police force,

F17aa

if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(eb) to (ed), by a member, as the case may be, of the F145Royal Navy Police, the Royal Military Police or the Royal Air Force Police;

F95b

if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(f), by a member of the staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency,

d

if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(h), by a customs officer F65, or

e

if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(i), by an officer of the Office of Fair Trading.

F136f

if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(j), by a police member of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency appointed in accordance with paragraph 7 of schedule 2 to the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10).

4

For the purposes of subsection (2), conduct which constitutes one or more offences shall be regarded as serious crime if, and only if,—

a

it involves the use of violence, results in substantial financial gain or is conduct by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose, or

b

the offence or one of the offences is an offence for which a person who has attained the age of twenty-one and has no previous convictions could reasonably be expected to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more,

and, where the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(h), it relates to an assigned matter within the meaning of section 1(1) of the M5Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

5

In this section “authorising officer” means—

a

the chief constable of a police force maintained under section 2 of the M6Police Act 1996 (maintenance of police forces for areas in England and Wales except London);

b

the Commissioner, or an Assistant Commissioner, of Police of the Metropolis;

c

the Commissioner of Police for the City of London;

d

the chief constable of a police force maintained under or by virtue of section 1 of the M7Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (maintenance of police forces for areas in Scotland);

e

the Chief Constable or a Deputy Chief Constable of the F15Police Service of Northern Ireland;

F18ea

the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police;

eb

the Provost Marshal of the F146Royal Navy Police;

ec

the Provost Marshal of the Royal Military Police;

ed

the Provost Marshal of the Royal Air Force Police;

ee

the Chief Constable of the F74British Transport Police;

F96f

the Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, or any member of the staff of that Agency who is designated for the purposes of this paragraph by that Director General;

h

F19any customs officer designated by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purposes of this paragraph F66; or

i

the chairman of the Office of Fair Trading.

F137j

the Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.

6

In this section “relevant area”—

a

in relation to a person within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (5), means the area in England and Wales for which his police force is maintained;

b

in relation to a person within paragraph (d) of that subsection means the area in Scotland for which his police force is maintained;

c

in relation to a person within paragraph (e) of that subsection, means Northern Ireland;

F20ca

in relation to a person within paragraph (ea), means any place where, under section 2 of the M8Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987, the members of the Ministry of Defence Police have the powers and privileges of a constable;

cb

in relation to a person within paragraph (ee), means the United Kingdom;

F138cc

in relation to the Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, means Scotland,

F97d

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F98e

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F21f

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and in each case includes the adjacent United Kingdom waters.

F226A

For the purposes of any authorisation by a person within paragraph (eb), (ec) or (ed) of subsection (5) property is in the relevant area or action in respect of wireless telegraphy is taken in the relevant area if, as the case may be—

a

the property is owned, occupied, in the possession of or being used by a person subject to service discipline; or

b

the action is taken in relation to the use of wireless telegraphy by such a person.

6B

For the purposes of this section a person is subject to service discipline—

a

in relation to the Royal Navy Regulating Branch, if he is subject to the M9Naval Discipline Act 1957 or is a civilian to whom Parts I and II of that Act for the time being apply by virtue of section 118 of that Act ;

b

in relation to the Royal Military Police, if he is subject to military law or is a civilian to whom Part II of the M10Army Act 1955 for the time being applies by virtue of section 209 of that Act; and

c

in relation to the Royal Air Force Police, if he is subject to air-force law or is a civilian to whom Part II of the M11Air Force Act 1955 for the time being applies by virtue of section 209 of that Act.

7

The powers conferred by, or by virtue of, this section are additional to any other powers which a person has as a constable either at common law or under or by virtue of any other enactment and are not to be taken to affect any of those other powers.

C4C1494 Authorisations given in absence of authorising officer.

1

Subsection (2) applies where it is not reasonably practicable for an authorising officer to consider an application for an authorisation under section 93 and—

a

if the authorising officer is within paragraph (b) F99 , (e) or (f) of section 93(5), it is also not reasonably practicable for the application to be considered by any of the other persons within the paragraph concerned; F23. . . F101or

b

if the authorising officer is within paragraph (a), (c) F102or (d) of section 93(5), it is also not reasonably practicable for the application to be considered by his designated deputy F103 ...

F103c

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Where this subsection applies, the powers conferred on the authorising officer by section 93 may, in an urgent case, be exercised—

a

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (a) or (d) of subsection (5) of that section, by a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in his force;

b

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (b) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of commander in the metropolitan police force;

c

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (c) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of commander in the City of London police force;

d

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (e) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in the F24Police Service of Northern Ireland;

F25da

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (ea) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of deputy or assistant chief constable in the Ministry of Defence Police;

db

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (eb) of that subsection, by a person holding the position of assistant Provost Marshal in the F147Royal Navy Police;

dc

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (ec) or (ed) of that subsection, by a person holding the position of deputy Provost Marshal in the Royal Military Police or, as the case may be, in the Royal Air Force Police;

dd

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (ee) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of deputy or assistant chief constable in the F75British Transport Police;

F100e

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (f) of that subsection, by a person designated for the purposes of this section by the Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency;

f

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (h) of that subsection, by a customs officer designated by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for the purposes of this section.

F67g

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (i) of that subsection, by an officer of the Office of Fair Trading designated by it for the purposes of this section.

F140h

where the authorising officer is within paragraph (j) of that subsection, by a person mentioned in subsection (5).

F1043

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

In subsection (1), “designated deputy”—

F132a

in the case of an authorising officer within paragraph (a) of section 93(5), means—

i

the person who is the appropriate deputy chief constable for the purposes of section 12A(1) of the Police Act 1996, or

ii

the person holding the rank of assistant chief constable designated to act under section 12A(2) of that Act;

F141aa

in the case of an authorising officer within paragraph (d) of section 93(5), means the person holding the rank of—

i

deputy chief constable and, where there is more than one person in a police force who holds that rank, who is designated as the officer having the powers and duties conferred on a deputy chief constable by section 5A(1) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967; or

ii

assistant chief constable who is designated to act under section 5A(2) of that Act;

b

in the case of an authorising officer within paragraph (c) of section 93(5), means the person authorised to act F26. . . under section 25 of the M12City of London Police Act 1839; F27. . .

F105c

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

d

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1395

The person referred to in subsection (2)(h) is—

a

the chief constable whose relevant area (within the meaning of section 93(6)(b)) is the area to which the application for authorisation relates; or

b

his designated deputy (within the meaning of subsection (4)(aa)); or

c

where it is not reasonably practicable for the chief constable or his designated deputy to consider the application, a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in the chief constable's police force.

95 Authorisations: form and duration etc.

1

An authorisation shall be in writing, except that in an urgent case an authorisation (other than one given by virtue of section 94) may be given orally.

2

An authorisation shall, unless renewed under subsection (3), cease to have effect—

a

if given orally or by virtue of section 94, at the end of the period of 72 hours beginning with the time when it took effect;

b

in any other case, at the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which it took effect.

3

If at any time before an authorisation would cease to have effect the authorising officer who gave the authorisation, or in whose absence it was given, considers it necessary for the authorisation to continue to have effect for the purpose for which it was issued, he may, in writing, renew it for a period of three months beginning with the day on which it would cease to have effect.

4

A person shall cancel an authorisation given by him if satisfied that F28the authorisation is one in relation to which the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 93(2) are no longer satisfied.

5

An authorising officer shall cancel an authorisation given in his absence if satisfied that F28the authorisation is one in relation to which the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 93(2) are no longer satisfied.

6

If the authorising officer who gave the authorisation is within paragraph (b) F29, (e) F106or (f) of section 93(5), the power conferred on that person by subsections (3) and (4) above shall also be exercisable by each of the other persons within the paragraph concerned.

7

Nothing in this section shall prevent a designated deputy from exercising the powers conferred on an authorising officer within paragraph (a), (c) F107F142or (d)F142(d) or (j) of section 93(5) by subsections (3), (4) and (5) above.

I396 Notification of authorisations etc.

1

Where a person gives, renews or cancels an authorisation, he shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable and in accordance with arrangements made by the Chief Commissioner, give notice in writing that he has done so to a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b).

2

Subject to subsection (3), a notice under this section shall specify such matters as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

3

A notice under this section of the giving or renewal of an authorisation shall specify—

a

whether section 97 applies to the authorisation or renewal, and

b

where that section does not apply by virtue of subsection (3) of that section, the grounds on which the case is believed to be one of urgency.

4

Where a notice is given to a Commissioner under this section, he shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, scrutinise the notice.

5

An order under subsection (2) shall be made by statutory instrument.

6

A statutory instrument which contains an order under subsection (2) shall not be made unless a draft has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I3

S. 96 wholly in force at 22.2.1999; s. 96 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 135; s. 96 in force for certain purposes at 1.9.1997 by S.I. 1997/1930, art. 2(with art. 2(3)); s. 96 in force at 22.2.1999 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1999/151, art. 2

Authorisations requiring approval

97 Authorisations requiring approval.

1

An authorisation to which this section applies shall not take effect until—

a

it has been approved in accordance with this section by a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b), and

b

the person who gave the authorisation has been notified under subsection (4).

2

Subject to subsection (3), this section applies to an authorisation if, at the time it is given, the person who gives it believes—

a

that any of the property specified in the authorisation—

i

is used wholly or mainly as a dwelling or as a bedroom in a hotel, or

ii

constitutes office premises, or

b

that the action authorised by it is likely to result in any person acquiring knowledge of—

i

matters subject to legal privilege,

ii

confidential personal information, or

iii

confidential journalistic material.

3

This section does not apply to an authorisation where the person who gives it believes that the case is one of urgency.

4

Where a Commissioner receives a notice under section 96 which specifies that this section applies to the authorisation, he shall as soon as is reasonably practicable—

a

decide whether to approve the authorisation or refuse approval, and

b

give written notice of his decision to the person who gave the authorisation.

5

A Commissioner shall approve an authorisation if, and only if, he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2).

6

Where a Commissioner refuses to approve an authorisation, he shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, make a report of his findings to the authorising officer who gave it or in whose absence it was given F30. . ..

F316A

The reference in subsection (6) to the authorising officer who gave the authorisation or in whose absence it was given shall be construed, in the case of an authorisation given by or in the absence of a person within paragraph (b) F108or (e) of section 93(5), as a reference to the Commissioner of Police F109or, as the case may be, Chief Constable mentioned in the paragraph concerned.

F1106B

The reference in subsection (6) to the authorising officer who gave the authorisation or in whose absence it was given shall be construed—

a

in the case of an authorisation given by a person within paragraph (f) of section 93(5), as a reference to that person, and

b

in the case of an authorisation given in the absence of such a person, as a reference to a member of the staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency who is designated for the purposes of this section by the Director General of that Agency.

7

This section shall apply in relation to a renewal of an authorisation as it applies in relation to an authorisation (the references in subsection (2)(a) and (b) to the authorisation being construed as references to the authorisation renewed).

8

In this section—

  • office premises” has the meaning given in section 1(2) of the M13Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963;

  • hotel” means premises used for the reception of guests who desire to sleep in the premises.

98 Matters subject to legal privilege.

1

Subject to subsection (5) below, in section 97 “matters subject to legal privilege” means matters to which subsection (2), (3) or (4) below applies.

2

This subsection applies to communications between a professional legal adviser and—

a

his client, or

b

any person representing his client,

which are made in connection with the giving of legal advice to the client.

3

This subsection applies to communications—

a

between a professional legal adviser and his client or any person representing his client, or

b

between a professional legal adviser or his client or any such representative and any other person,

which are made in connection with or in contemplation of legal proceedings and for the purposes of such proceedings.

4

This subsection applies to items enclosed with or referred to in communications of the kind mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) and made—

a

in connection with the giving of legal advice, or

b

in connection with or in contemplation of legal proceedings and for the purposes of such proceedings.

5

For the purposes of section 97—

a

communications and items are not matters subject to legal privilege when they are in the possession of a person who is not entitled to possession of them, and

b

communications and items held, or oral communications made, with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose are not matters subject to legal privilege.

99 Confidential personal information.

1

In section 97 “confidential personal information” means—

a

personal information which a person has acquired or created in the course of any trade, business, profession or other occupation or for the purposes of any paid or unpaid office, and which he holds in confidence, and

b

communications as a result of which personal information—

i

is acquired or created as mentioned in paragraph (a), and

ii

is held in confidence.

2

For the purposes of this section “personal information” means information concerning an individual (whether living or dead) who can be identified from it and relating—

a

to his physical or mental health, or

b

to spiritual counselling or assistance given or to be given to him.

3

A person holds information in confidence for the purposes of this section if he holds it subject—

a

to an express or implied undertaking to hold it in confidence, or

b

to a restriction on disclosure or an obligation of secrecy contained in any enactment (including an enactment contained in an Act passed after this Act).

100 Confidential journalistic material.

1

In section 97 “confidential journalistic material” means—

a

material acquired or created for the purposes of journalism which—

i

is in the possession of persons who acquired or created it for those purposes,

ii

is held subject to an undertaking, restriction or obligation of the kind mentioned in section 99(3), and

iii

has been continuously held (by one or more persons) subject to such an undertaking, restriction or obligation since it was first acquired or created for the purposes of journalism, and

b

communications as a result of which information is acquired for the purposes of journalism and held as mentioned in paragraph (a)(ii).

2

For the purposes of subsection (1), a person who receives material, or acquires information, from someone who intends that the recipient shall use it for the purposes of journalism is to be taken to have acquired it for those purposes.

Code of Practice

F32101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Complaints etc.

F33102. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

103 Quashing of authorisations etc.

1

Where, at any time, a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b) is satisfied that, at the time an authorisation was given or renewed, there were no reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2), he may quash the authorisation or, as the case may be, renewal.

2

Where, in the case of an authorisation or renewal to which section 97 does not apply, a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b) is at any time satisfied that, at the time the authorisation was given or, as the case may be, renewed,—

a

there were reasonable grounds for believing any of the matters specified in subsection (2) of section 97, and

b

there were no reasonable grounds for believing the case to be one of urgency for the purposes of subsection (3) of that section,

he may quash the authorisation or, as the case may be, renewal.

3

Where a Commissioner quashes an authorisation or renewal under subsection (1) or (2), he may order the destruction of any records relating to information obtained by virtue of the authorisation (or, in the case of a renewal, relating wholly or partly to information so obtained after the renewal) other than records required for pending criminal or civil proceedings.

4

If a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b) is satisfied that, at any time after an authorisation was given or, in the case of an authorisation renewed under section 95, after it was renewed, there were no reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2), he may cancel the authorisation.

5

Where—

a

an authorisation has ceased to have effect (otherwise than by virtue of subsection (1) or (2)), and

b

a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b) is satisfied that, at any time during the period of the authorisation, there were no reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2),

he may order the destruction of any records relating, wholly or partly, to information which was obtained by virtue of the authorisation after that time (other than records required for pending criminal or civil proceedings).

6

Where a Commissioner exercises his powers under subsection (1), (2) or (4), he shall, if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, order that the authorisation shall be effective, for such period as he shall specify, so far as it authorises the taking of action to retrieve anything left on property in accordance with the authorisation.

7

Where a Commissioner exercises a power conferred by this section, he shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, make a report of his findings—

a

to the authorising officer who gave the authorisation or in whose absence it was given, and

b

to the Chief Commissioner;

F34and subsection (6A) of section 97 shall apply for the purposes of this subsection as it applies for the purposes of subsection (6) of that section.

8

Where—

a

a decision is made under subsection (1) or (2) and an order for the destruction of records is made under subsection (3), or

b

a decision to order the destruction of records is made under subsection (5),

the order shall not become operative until the period for appealing against the decision has expired and, where an appeal is made, a decision dismissing it has been made by the Chief Commissioner.

9

A Commissioner may exercise any of the powers conferred by this section notwithstanding any approval given under section 97.

Appeals

104 Appeals by authorising officers.

1

An authorising officer who gives an authorisation, or in whose absence it is given, may, within the prescribed period, appeal to the Chief Commissioner against—

a

any refusal to approve the authorisation or any renewal of it under section 97;

b

any decision to quash the authorisation, or any renewal of it, under subsection (1) of section 103;

c

any decision to quash the authorisation, or any renewal of it, under subsection (2) of that section;

d

any decision to cancel the authorisation under subsection (4) of that section;

e

any decision to order the destruction of records under subsection (5) of that section;

f

any refusal to make an order under subsection (6) of that section;

F35g

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

In subsection (1), “the prescribed period” means the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the refusal, decision or, as the case may be, determination appealed against is reported to the authorising officer.

3

In determining an appeal within subsection (1)(a), the Chief Commissioner shall, if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2), allow the appeal and direct the Commissioner to approve the authorisation or renewal under that section.

4

In determining—

a

an appeal within subsection (1)(b), F36. . .

b

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the Chief Commissioner shall allow the appeal unless he is satisfied that, at the time the authorisation was given or, as the case may be, renewed there were no reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2).

5

In determining—

a

an appeal within subsection (1)(c), F36. . .

b

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the Chief Commissioner shall allow the appeal unless he is satisfied as mentioned in section 103(2).

6

In determining—

a

an appeal within subsection (1)(d) or (e), F36. . .

b

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the Chief Commissioner shall allow the appeal unless he is satisfied that at the time to which the decision relates there were no reasonable grounds for believing the matters specified in section 93(2).

7

In determining an appeal within subsection (1)(f), the Chief Commissioner shall allow the appeal and order that the authorisation shall be effective to the extent mentioned in section 103(6), for such period as he shall specify, if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for making such an order.

8

Where an appeal is allowed under this section, the Chief Commissioner shall—

a

in the case of an appeal within subsection (1)(b) or (c), also quash any order made by the Commissioner to destroy records relating to information obtained by virtue of the authorisation concerned, F37. . .

b

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

105 Appeals by authorising officers: supplementary.

1

Where the Chief Commissioner determines an appeal under section 104—

a

he shall give notice of his determination—

i

to the authorising officer concerned, F38and

ii

to the Commissioner against whose refusal, decision or determination the appeal was made, F39. . .

iii

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b

if he dismisses the appeal, he shall make a report of his findings—

i

to the authorising officer concerned,

ii

to the Commissioner against whose refusal, decision or determination the appeal was made, and

iii

under section 107(2), to the Prime Minister C5and the Scottish Ministers.

2

Subject to subsection (1)(b), the Chief Commissioner shall not give any reasons for a determination under section 104.

3

Nothing in section 104 shall prevent a designated deputy from exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1) of that section on an authorising officer within paragraph (a), (c) F111or (d) of section 93(5).

F40106. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General

107 Supplementary provisions relating to Commissioners.

1

The Chief Commissioner shall keep under review the performance of functions under this Part.

2

The Chief Commissioner shall make an annual report on F41the matters with which he is concerned to the Prime Minister F42and to the Scottish Ministers and may at any time report to him F42or them (as the case may require) on F41anything relating to any of those matters.

C63

The Prime Minister shall lay before each House of Parliament a copy of each annual report made by the Chief Commissioner under subsection (2) together with a statement as to whether any matter has been excluded from that copy in pursuance of subsection (4) below.

F433A

The Scottish Ministers shall lay before the Scottish Parliament a copy of each annual report made by the Chief Commissioner under subsection (2), together with a statement as to whether any matter has been excluded from that copy in pursuance of subsection (4) below.

4

The Prime Minister may exclude a matter from the copy of a report as laid before each House of Parliament, if it appears to him, after consultation with the Chief Commissioner F44and the Scottish Ministers, that the publication of that matter in the report would be prejudicial to F45any of the purposes for which authorisations may be given or granted under this Part of this Act or Part II of the Regualtion of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 or under any enactment contained in or made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament which makes provision equivalent to that made by Part II of that Act of 2000 or to the discharge of—

a

the functions of any police authority,

b

the functions of the F112Serious Organised Crime Agency, or

F143ba

the functions of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency;

c

the duties of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.

5

Any person having functions under this Part, and any person taking action in relation to which an authorisation was given, shall comply with any request of a Commissioner for documents or information required by him for the purpose of enabling him to discharge his functions.

F465A

It shall be the duty of—

a

every person by whom, or on whose application, there has been given or granted any authorisation the function of giving or granting which is subject to review by the Chief Commissioner,

b

every person who has engaged in conduct with the authority of such an authorisation,

c

every person who holds or has held any office, rank or position with the same public authority as a person falling within paragraph (a),

d

every person who holds or has held any office, rank or position with any public authority for whose benefit (within the meaning of Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000) activities which are or may be subject to any such review have been or may be carried out, and

e

every person to whom a notice under section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (notices imposing a disclosure requirement in respect of information protected by a key) has been given in relation to any information obtained by conduct to which such an authorisation relates,

to disclose or provide to the Chief Commissioner all such documents and information as he may require for the purpose of enabling him to carry out his functions.

5B

It shall be the duty of every Commissioner to give the tribunal established under section 65 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 all such assistance (including his opinion as to any issue falling to be determined by that tribunal) as that tribunal may require—

a

in connection with the investigation of any matter by that tribunal; or

b

otherwise for the purposes of that tribunal’s consideration or determination of any matter.

5C

In this section “public authority” means any public authority within the meaning of section 6 of the M14Human Rights Act 1998 (acts of public authorities) other than a court or tribunal.

F476

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

108 Interpretation of Part III.

1

In this Part—

  • F48Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis” includes the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis;

  • authorisation” means an authorisation under section 93;

  • authorising officer” has the meaning given by section 93(5);

  • criminal proceedings” includes—

    1. a

      proceedings in the United Kingdom or elsewhere before a court-martial constituted under the M15Army Act 1955, the M16Air Force Act 1955 or the M17Naval Discipline Act 1957 F49. . . ,

    2. b

      proceedings before the Courts-Martial Appeal Court, and

    3. c

      proceedings before a Standing Civilian Court;

  • customs officer” means an officer commissioned by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under section 6(3) of the M18Customs and Excise Management Act 1979;

  • designated deputy” has the meaning given in section 94(4);

  • United Kingdom waters” has the meaning given in section 30(5) of the M19Police Act 1996; and

  • wireless telegraphy” has the same meaning as in F134the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 and, in relation to wireless telegraphy, “interfere” has the same meaning as in that Act.

2

Where, under this Part, notice of any matter is required to be given in writing, the notice may be transmitted by electronic means.

3

For the purposes of this Part, an authorisation (or renewal) given—

a

by the designated deputy of an authorising officer, or

b

by a person on whom an authorising officer’s powers are conferred by section 94,

shall be treated as an authorisation (or renewal) given in the absence of the authorising officer concerned; and references to the authorising officer in whose absence an authorisation (or renewal) was given shall be construed accordingly.

Part IV Police Information Technology Organisation

F135109 Police Information Technology Organisation.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F135110 Relationship between the Organisation and the Secretary of State.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F135111 Interpretation of Part IV.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C10C12 Part V Certificates of Criminal Records, &c.

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C10

Pt. 5 (ss. 112-127) explained (prosp) by 1998 c. 29, s. 56(4)

C12

Pt. 5 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (E.W.) (7.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 163(4), 178(2)

I4112 Criminal conviction certificates.

1

The Secretary of State shall issue a criminal conviction certificate to any individual who—

a

makes an application F179in the prescribed F73 manner and form, and

b

F79pays any fee that is payable in relation to the application under regulations made by the Secretary of State.

F79pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee

2

A criminal conviction certificate is a certificate which—

a

gives the prescribed details of every conviction of the applicant which is recorded in central records, or

b

states that there is no such conviction.

3

In this section—

  • central records” means such records of convictions held for the use of police forces generally as may be prescribed;

  • conviction” means a conviction within the meaning of the M20Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, other than a spent conviction.

4

Where an applicant has received a criminal conviction certificate, the Secretary of State may refuse to issue another certificate to that applicant during such period as may be prescribed.

F127113 Criminal record certificates.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

113AF149Criminal record certificates

1

The Secretary of State must issue a criminal record certificate to any individual who—

a

makes an application F180in the prescribed manner and form, and

b

pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee.

2

The application must—

a

be countersigned by a registered person, and

b

be accompanied by a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required for the purposes of an exempted question.

3

A criminal record certificate is a certificate which—

a

gives the prescribed details of every relevant matter relating to the applicant which is recorded in central records, or

b

states that there is no such matter.

4

The Secretary of State must send a copy of a criminal record certificate to the registered person who countersigned the application.

5

The Secretary of State may treat an application under this section as an application under section 113B if—

a

in his opinion the certificate is required for a purpose prescribed under subsection (2) of that section,

b

the registered person provides him with the statement required by that subsection, and

c

the applicant consents and pays to the Secretary of State the amount (if any) by which the fee payable in relation to an application under that section exceeds the fee paid in relation to the application under this section.

6

In this section—

  • central records” means such records of convictions and cautions held for the use of police forces generally as may be prescribed;

  • exempted question” means a question in relation to which section 4(2)(a) or (b) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (effect of rehabilitation) has been excluded by an order of the Secretary of State under section 4(4) of that Act;

  • relevant matter” means—

    1. a

      a conviction within the meaning of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, including a spent conviction, and

    2. b

      a caution.

113BEnhanced criminal record certificates

1

The Secretary of State must issue an enhanced criminal record certificate to any individual who—

a

makes an application F182in the prescribed manner and form, and

b

pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee.

2

The application must—

a

be countersigned by a registered person, and

b

be accompanied by a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required for a prescribed purpose.

3

An enhanced criminal record certificate is a certificate which—

a

gives the prescribed details of every relevant matter relating to the applicant which is recorded in central records and any information provided in accordance with subsection (4), or

b

states that there is no such matter or information.

4

Before issuing an enhanced criminal record certificate the Secretary of State must request the chief officer of every relevant police force to provide any information which, in the chief officer's opinion—

a

might be relevant for the purpose described in the statement under subsection (2), and

b

ought to be included in the certificate.

5

The Secretary of State must also request the chief officer of every relevant police force to provide any information which, in the chief officer's opinion—

a

might be relevant for the purpose described in the statement under subsection (2),

b

ought not to be included in the certificate, in the interests of the prevention or detection of crime, and

c

can, without harming those interests, be disclosed to the registered person.

F1835A

The Scottish Ministers must pay to such body as may be prescribed such fee as they think appropriate for information received from the chief officer of a body mentioned in subsection (10)(j) to (m) as a result of a request under subsection (4) or (5).

6

The Secretary of State must send to the registered person who countersigned the application—

a

a copy of the enhanced criminal record certificate, and

b

any information provided in accordance with subsection (5).

7

The Secretary of State may treat an application under this section as an application under section 113A if in his opinion the certificate is not required for a purpose prescribed under subsection (2).

8

If by virtue of subsection (7) the Secretary of State treats an application under this section as an application under section 113A, he must refund to the applicant the amount (if any) by which the fee paid in relation to the application under this section exceeds the fee payable in relation to an application under section 113A.

9

In this section—

  • central records”, “exempted question”, and “relevant matter” have the same meaning as in section 113A;

  • relevant police force”, in relation to an application under this section, means a police force which is a relevant police force in relation to that application under regulations made by the Secretary of State.

10

For the purposes of this section references to a police force include any of the following—

F148a

the Royal Navy Police;

c

the Royal Military Police;

d

the Royal Air Force Police;

e

the Ministry of Defence Police;

f

the National Criminal Intelligence Service;

g

the National Crime Squad;

h

the British Transport Police;

i

the Civil Nuclear Constabulary;

j

the States of Jersey Police Force;

k

the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey;

l

the Isle of Man Constabulary;

m

a body with functions in any country or territory outside the British Islands which correspond to those of a police force in any part of the United Kingdom,

and any reference to the chief officer of a police force includes the person responsible for the direction of a body mentioned in this subsection.

11

For the purposes of this section each of the following must be treated as if it were a police force—

a

the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to any one of the Commissioners);

b

the Serious Organised Crime Agency (and for this purpose a reference to the chief officer of a police force must be taken to be a reference to the Director General of the Agency);

c

such other department or body as is prescribed (and regulations may prescribe in relation to the department or body the person to whom a reference to the chief officer is to be taken to be).

113CCriminal record certificates: suitability relating to children

1

If an application under section 113A or 113B is accompanied by a children's suitability statement the criminal record certificate or enhanced criminal record certificate (as the case may be) must also state—

a

whether the applicant is included in a specified children's list;

b

if he is included in such a list, such details of his inclusion as may be prescribed;

c

whether he is subject to a specified children's direction;

d

if he is subject to such a direction, the grounds on which it was given and such details as may be prescribed of the circumstances in which it was given.

2

A children's suitability statement is a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required for the purpose of considering—

a

the applicant's suitability to be employed, supplied to work, found work or given work in a position (whether paid or unpaid) within subsection (5),

b

the applicant's suitability to be a foster parent or to adopt a child,

c

the applicant's suitability to be a child's special guardian for the purposes of sections 14A and 14C of the Children Act 1989,

d

the applicant's suitability to have a child placed with him by virtue of section 70 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 or by virtue of section 5(2), (3) and (4) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, or

e

the suitability of a person living in the same household as the applicant to be a person mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) or to have a child placed with him as mentioned in paragraph (d).

3

Each of the following is a specified children's list—

a

the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999;

b

the list kept under section 1(1) of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003;

c

the list kept under Article 3 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003;

d

any list kept for the purposes of regulations under Article 70(2)(e) or 88A(2)(b) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;

e

any such other list as the Secretary of State specifies by order if he thinks that the list corresponds to a list specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) and is kept in pursuance of F86the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

4

Each of the following is a specified children's direction—

a

a direction under section 142 of the Education Act 2002;

b

anything which the Secretary of State specifies by order which he thinks corresponds to such a direction and which is done for the purposes of the law of Scotland or of Northern Ireland or of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

5

A position falls within this subsection if it is any of the following—

a

a child care position within the meaning of the Protection of Children Act 1999;

b

a child care position within the meaning of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003;

c

a child care position within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003;

d

a position, employment or further employment in which may be prohibited or restricted by regulations under Article 70(2)(e) or 88A(2)(b) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;

e

a position which involves work to which section 142 of the Education Act 2002 applies;

f

a position of such other description as may be prescribed.

6

An order under subsection (4)(b) may make such modifications of subsection (1)(d) as the Secretary of State thinks necessary or expedient in consequence of the order.

113DCriminal record certificates: suitability relating to adults

1

If an application under section 113A or 113B is accompanied by an adults' suitability statement the criminal record certificate or enhanced criminal record certificate (as the case may be) must also state—

a

whether the applicant is included in a specified adults' list;

b

if he is included in such a list, such details of his inclusion as may be prescribed.

2

An adults' suitability statement is a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required for the purpose of considering the applicant's suitability to be employed, supplied to work, found work or given work in a position (whether paid or unpaid) falling within subsection (4).

3

Each of the following is a specified adults' list—

a

the list kept under section 81 of the Care Standards Act 2000;

b

the list kept under Article 35 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003;

c

any such other list as the Secretary of State specifies by order if he thinks that the list corresponds to a list specified in paragraph (a) or (b) and is kept in pursuance of the law of Scotland or of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

4

A position falls within this subsection if it is any of the following—

a

a care position within the meaning of Part 7 of the Care Standards Act 2000;

b

a care position within the meaning of Part 3 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003;

c

a position concerned with providing a care service (as defined by section 2(1) of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001);

d

a position of such other description as may be prescribed.

113ECriminal record certificates: specified children's and adults' lists: urgent cases

1

Subsection (2) applies to an application under section 113A or 113B if—

a

it is accompanied by a children's suitability statement,

b

the registered person requests an urgent preliminary response, and

c

the applicant pays in the prescribed manner such additional fee as is prescribed in respect of the application.

2

The Secretary of State must notify the registered person—

a

if the applicant is not included in a specified children's list, of that fact;

b

if the applicant is included in such a list, of the details prescribed for the purposes of section 113C(1)(b) above;

c

if the applicant is not subject to a specified children's direction, of that fact;

d

if the applicant is subject to such a direction, of the grounds on which the direction was given and the details prescribed for the purposes of section 113C(1)(d) above.

3

Subsection (4) applies to an application under section 113A or 113B if—

a

it is accompanied by an adults' suitability statement,

b

the registered person requests an urgent preliminary response, and

c

the applicant pays in the prescribed manner such additional fee as is prescribed in respect of the application.

4

The Secretary of State must notify the registered person either—

a

that the applicant is not included in a specified adults' list, or

b

that a criminal record certificate or enhanced criminal record certificate will be issued in due course.

5

In this section—

  • criminal record certificate” has the same meaning as in section 113A;

  • enhanced criminal record certificate” has the same meaning as in section 113B;

  • “children's suitability statement” “, specified children's direction” and “specified children's list” have the same meaning as in section 113C;

  • adults' suitability statement” and “specified adults' list” have the same meaning as in section 113D.

113FCriminal record certificates: supplementary

1

References in sections 113C(2) and 113D(2) to considering the applicant's suitability to be employed, supplied to work, found work or given work in a position falling within section 113C(5) or 113D(4) include references to considering—

F144za

for the purposes of Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006 (regulation of provision of childcare in England) and regulations made under it, the applicant's suitability to look after or be in regular contact with children;

a

for the purposes of Part 10A of the Children Act 1989 (child minding and day care in England and Wales), the applicant's suitability to look after or be in regular contact with children under the age of eight;

b

for the purposes of that Part of that Act, in the case of an applicant for or holder of a certificate under section 79W of that Act, or a person prescribed under subsection (4) of that section, his suitability to look after children within the meaning of that section;

c

the applicant's suitability to be registered for child minding or providing day care under section 71 of the Children Act 1989 or Article 118 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (child minding and day care);

d

for the purposes of section 3 of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (registration of teachers with the General Teaching Council for England or the General Teaching Council for Wales) or of section 6 of the Teaching Council (Scotland) Act 1965 (registration of teachers with the General Teaching Council for Scotland), the applicant's suitability to be a teacher;

e

the applicant's suitability to be registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 (establishments and agencies);

f

the applicant's suitability to be registered under Part 4 of that Act (social care workers);

g

the applicant's suitability to be registered under Part 1 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (applications by persons seeking to provide a care service);

h

the applicant's suitability to be registered under Part 3 of that Act (social workers and other social service workers);

i

the applicant's application to have a care service, consisting of the provision of child minding or the day care of children, registered under Part 1 of that Act (care services);

j

the applicant's suitability to be registered under Part 1 of the Health and Personal Social Services Act (Northern Ireland) 2001 (social care workers);

k

the applicant's suitability to be registered under Part 3 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (regulation of establishments and agencies).

2

The power to make an order under section 113C or 113D is exercisable by statutory instrument, but no such order may be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

3

If the power mentioned in subsection (2) is exercised by the Scottish Ministers, the reference in that subsection to each House of Parliament must be construed as a reference to the Scottish Parliament.

I5114 Criminal record certificates: Crown employment.

1

The Secretary of State shall issue a criminal record certificate to any individual who—

a

makes an application under this section F181in the prescribed F80manner and form, and

b

F81pays any fee that is payable in relation to the application under regulations made by the Secretary of State.

F81pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee

2

An application under this section must be accompanied by a statement by a Minister of the Crown that the certificate is required for the purposes of an exempted question asked in the course of considering the applicant’s suitability for an appointment by or under the Crown.

3

F128Sections 113A(3) to (6) and 113C to 113F shall apply in relation to this section with any necessary modifications.

F129E2115 Enhanced criminal record certificates.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F129E3115 Enhanced criminal record certificates.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annotations:
Extent Information
E3

This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Northern Ireland only

I6116 Enhanced criminal record certificates: judicial appointments and Crown employment.

1

The Secretary of State shall issue an enhanced criminal record certificate to any individual who—

a

makes an application under this section F184in the prescribed F82manner and form, and

b

F83pays any fee that is payable in relation to the application under regulations made by the Secretary of State.

F83pays in the prescribed manner any prescribed fee

2

An application under this section must be accompanied by a statement by a Minister of the Crown, or a person nominated by a Minister of the Crown, that the certificate is required for the purposes of an exempted question asked in the course of considering the applicant’s suitability for—

a

a judicial appointment, or

b

an appointment by or under the Crown to a position F131to which subsection (3) or (4) of section 115 appliesF131of such description as may be prescribed.

3

F123Sections 113B(3) to (11) and 113C to 113F shall apply in relation to this section with any necessary modifications.

I7117 Disputes about accuracy of certificates.

1

Where an applicant for a certificate under any of sections 112 to 116 believes that the information contained in the certificate is inaccurate he may make an application F185in writing to the Secretary of State for a new certificate.

2

The Secretary of State shall consider any application under this section; and where he is of the opinion that the information in the certificate is inaccurate he shall issue a new certificate.

F1863

An application under this section may, in particular, request a review of any information contained in a certificate by virtue of section 113B(4).

4

The Scottish Ministers, on receiving such a request, must ask the chief officer of the relevant police force who provided that information to reconsider whether the chief officer still thinks that the information concerned might be relevant for the purpose in respect of which it was requested.

I8118 Evidence of identity.

1

The Secretary of State may refuse to issue a certificate under this Part, or to consider an application under section 117 F78or 120, unless the application is supported by such evidence of identity as he may require.

2

In particular, the Secretary of State may refuse to issue a certificate or consider an application unless the applicant—

a

has his fingerprints taken at such place and in such manner as may be prescribed, and

b

pays the prescribed fee to such person as may be prescribed.

F772A

For the purpose of verifying evidence of identity supplied in pursuance of subsection (1) the Secretary of State may obtain such information as he thinks is appropriate from data held—

a

by the F187United Kingdom Passport AgencyF187Identity and Passport Service;

b

by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency;

c

by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland;

d

by the Secretary of State in connection with keeping records of national insurance numbers;

e

by such other persons or for such purposes as is prescribed.

F1882B

The Scottish Ministers may require an applicant to have fingerprints taken under subsection (2) only if they are not satisfied by other evidence provided under subsection (1) as to the applicant's identity.

F1893

Regulations dealing with the taking of fingerprints may make provision requiring their destruction in specified circumstances and by specified persons.

F1893

The Scottish Ministers must arrange the destruction of any fingerprints taken in pursuance of subsection (2) as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been used for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1).

4

Regulations prescribing a fee for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) shall make provision for a refund in cases of an application under section 117 where a new certificate is issued.

I9119 Sources of information.

1

Any person who holds records of convictions or cautions for the use of police forces generally shall make those records available to the Secretary of State F68for the purposes of an application F69(whether for a certificate or for registration) under this Part.F68for the purpose of enabling him to carry out his functions under this Part in relation to—

a

any application for a certificate or for registration; or

b

the determination of whether a person should continue to be a registered person.

F501A

Any person who keeps a list mentioned in F130section 113C(3) or 113D(3) above shall make the contents of that list available to the Secretary of State for the purpose of enabling him to carry out his functions under this Part in relation to—

a

any application for a certificate or for registration; or

b

the determination of whether a person should continue to be a registered person.

2

Where the chief officer of a police force receives a request under section F124113B or 116 he shall comply with it as soon as practicable.

3

The Secretary of State shall pay to the appropriate police authority, F51... F84the precribed feeF84such fee as he thinks appropriate for information provided in accordance with F70subsection (2)F70section 120A(4) or subsection (2) of this section.

4

Any person who holds records of fingerprints for the use of police forces generally shall make those records available to the Secretary of State F68for the purposes of an application under this Part.F68for the purpose of enabling him to carry out his functions under this Part in relation to—

a

any application for a certificate or for registration; or

b

the determination of whether a person should continue to be a registered person.

5

No proceedings shall lie against the Secretary of State by reason of an inaccuracy in the information made available or provided to him in accordance with this section.

F1226

For the purposes of this section references to a police force include any body mentioned in subsections (10)(a) to (i) and (11) of section 113B and references to a chief officer must be construed accordingly.

7

In the case of such a body the reference in subsection (3) to the appropriate police authority must be construed as a reference to such body as is prescribed.

119AF88Further sources of information: Scotland

1

Any person who holds, in Scotland, records of convictions for the use of police forces generally shall make those records available to the Scottish Ministers for the purpose of enabling them to carry out their functions under this Part in relation to the determination of whether a person should continue to be a person registered under section 120.

2

Where a person holds records of convictions or cautions for the use of police forces generally (but is not required by subsection (1) or section 119(1) to make those records available to the Scottish Ministers) the Scottish Ministers may request that person to make those records available to them; and they may also request that information kept F113in a list mentioned in section 113C(3) or 113D(3) be made so available.

3

In subsection (1), “person” does not include—

a

a public body; or

b

a holder of a public office,

unless that person is a Scottish public authority (as defined in section 126(1) of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46)).

4

This section is without prejudice to section 119; and subsection (5) of that section shall apply in relation to records made available in accordance with this section as it does in relation to information made available in accordance with that section.

C9I10I21120 Registered persons.

1

For the purposes of this Part a registered person is a person who is listed in a register to be maintained by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Part.

F1662

Subject to regulations under section 120ZA and 120AA and to section 120A the Secretary of State shall include in the register any person who—

a

applies to him in writing to be registered,

b

satisfies the conditions in subsections (4) to (6), and

c

has not in the period of two years ending with the date of the application been removed from the register under section 120A or 120AA.

F1673

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

A person applying for registration under this section must be—

a

a body corporate or unincorporate,

b

a person appointed to an office by virtue of any enactment, or

c

an individual who employs others in the course of a business.

5

A body applying for registration under this section must satisfy the Secretary of State that it—

a

is likely to ask exempted questions, or

b

is likely to countersign applications under section F152113A or 113B at the request of bodies or individuals asking exempted questions.

6

A person, other than a body, applying for registration under this section must satisfy the Secretary of State that he is likely to ask exempted questions.

7

In this section “exempted question” has the same meaning as in section F153113A.

E1I11120 Registered persons.

1

For the purposes of this Part a registered person is a person who is listed in a register to be maintained by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Part.

2

Subject to F89section 120A and regulations under subsection (3), the Secretary of State shall include in the register any person who applies to him F178... to be registered and satisfies the conditions in subsections (4) to (6).

3

The Secretary of State may make regulations about the maintenance of the register; and regulations may, in particular, provide for—

a

the information to be included in the register,

F90aa

the nomination by—

i

a body corporate or unincorporate; or

ii

a person appointed to an office by virtue of an enactment,

whether that body or person is registered or applying to be registered, of an individual to act for it or, as the case may be, him in relation to the countersigning of applications under this Part;

ab

the refusal by the Scottish Ministers, on such grounds as may be specified in or determined under the regulations, to accept or to continue to accept any nomination made by virtue of this subsection;

ac

as to the period which must elapse before any person refused registration or removed from the register may apply to be included in the register;

b

the removal from the register of persons who are, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, no longer likely to wish to countersign applications under section F151113A or 113B, and

c

the payment of fees.

4

A person applying for registration under this section must be—

a

a body corporate or unincorporate,

b

a person appointed to an office by virtue of any enactment, or

c

an individual who employs others in the course of a business.

5

A body applying for registration under this section must satisfy the Secretary of State that it—

a

is likely to ask exempted questions, or

b

is likely to countersign applications under section F152113A or 113B at the request of bodies or individuals asking exempted questions.

6

A person, other than a body, applying for registration under this section must satisfy the Secretary of State that he is likely to ask exempted questions.

7

In this section “exempted question” has the same meaning as in section F153113A.

I25120ZAF170Regulations about registration

1

The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about registration.

2

Regulations under this section may in particular make provision for—

a

the payment of fees,

b

the information to be included in the register,

c

the registration of any person to be subject to conditions,

d

the nomination by—

i

a body corporate or unincorporate, or

ii

a person appointed to an office by virtue of any enactment,

of the individuals authorised to act for it or, as the case may be, him in relation to the countersigning of applications under this Part, and

e

the refusal by the Secretary of State, on such grounds as may be specified in or determined under the regulations, to accept or to continue to accept the nomination of a person as so authorised.

3

The provision which may be made by virtue of subsection (2)(c) includes provision—

a

for the registration or continued registration of any person to be subject to prescribed conditions or, if the regulations so provide, such conditions as the Secretary of State thinks fit, and

b

for the Secretary of State to vary or revoke those conditions.

4

The conditions imposed by virtue of subsection (2)(c) may in particular include conditions—

a

requiring a registered person, before he countersigns an application at an individual’s request, to verify the identity of that individual in the prescribed manner,

b

requiring an application under section F125113A or 113B to be transmitted by electronic means to the Secretary of State by the registered person who countersigns it, and

c

requiring a registered person to comply with any code of practice for the time being in force under section 122.

I22120AE4F52 Refusal and cancellation of registration F168on grounds related to disclosure

1

The Secretary of State may refuse to include a person in the register maintained for the purposes of this Part if it appears to him that the registration of that person is likely to make it possible for information to become available to an individual who, in the Secretary of State’s opinion, is not a suitable person to have access to that information.

2

The Secretary of State may remove a person from the register if it appears to the Secretary of State—

a

that the registration of that person is likely to make it possible for information to become available to an individual who, in the Secretary of State’s opinion, is not a suitable person to have access to that information; or

b

that the registration of that person has resulted in information becoming known to such an individual.

C133

In determining for the purposes of this section whether an individual is a suitable person to have access to any information, the Secretary of State may have regard, in particular, to—

a

any information relating to that person which concerns a relevant matter;

b

whether that person is included in any list mentioned in F165section 113C(3) or 113D(3); and

c

any information provided to the Secretary of State under subsection (4).

4

It shall be the duty of the chief officer of any police force to comply, as soon as practicable after receiving it, with any request by the Secretary of State to provide the Secretary of State with information which—

a

is available to the chief officer;

b

relates to—

i

an applicant for registration;

ii

a registered person; or

iii

an individual who is likely to have access to information in consequence of the countersigning of applications by a particular applicant for registration or by a particular registered person;

and

c

concerns a matter which the Secretary of State has notified to the chief officer to be a matter which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, is relevant to the determination of the suitability of individuals for having access to the information that may be provided in consequence of the countersigning of applications under this Part.

5

In this section “relevant matter” has the same meaning as in section F154113A.

F1746

For the purposes of this section references to a police force include any body mentioned in subsections (10)(a) to (i) and (11) of section 113B and references to a chief officer must be construed accordingly.

120AE6F87Refusal and cancellation of registration: Scotland

1

The Scottish Ministers may refuse to include a person in, or may remove a person from, a register maintained under section 120 for the purposes of this Part if it appears to them that the registration of that person is likely to make it possible for information to become available to an individual who, in their opinion, is not a suitable person to have access to that information.

2

The Scottish Ministers may also remove a person from any such register if it appears to them that the registration of that person has resulted in information becoming known to such an individual.

3

In determining, for the purposes of this section, whether an individual is a suitable person to have access to information, the Scottish Ministers may have regard, in particular, to—

a

any information relating to the individual which concerns a relevant matter (“relevant matter” having the same meaning as in section F119113A);

b

whether that person is included in any list mentioned in section F120113C(3) or 113D(3);

c

any information provided to them under subsection (4);

d

any information provided to them by the chief officer of a police force in England and Wales or Northern Ireland in response to a request by them for such information as is available to that officer, relates to any such matter as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and concerns such matter as is mentioned in paragraph (c) of that subsection;

e

anything which has been done—

i

under subsection (1) or (2) or section 122(3); or

ii

in England and Wales or Northern Ireland under the provisions of this Act which apply in England and Wales or Northern Ireland and correspond to subsection (1) or (2),

and any information on the basis of which that thing was done.

4

A chief constable of a police force in Scotland shall comply, as soon as practicable after receiving it, with any request by the Scottish Ministers to provide them with information which—

a

is available to him;

b

relates to—

i

an applicant for registration under section 120;

ii

a person so registered;

iii

an individual who is likely to have access to information in consequence of the countersigning of applications by a particular applicant for such registration or by a particular person so registered; and

c

concerns a matter which they have notified the chief constable is a matter which in their opinion is relevant to the determination of the suitability of individuals for having access to information which may be provided by virtue of this Part.

5

The Scottish Ministers shall pay to a police authority F118such fee as they consider appropriate.

F1756

For the purposes of this section references to a police force include any body mentioned in subsections (10)(a) to (i) and (11) of section 113B and references to a chief officer must be construed accordingly.

F1217

In the case of such a body the reference in subsection (5) to a police authority must be construed as a reference to such body as is prescribed.

I23120AAF169Refusal, cancellation or suspension of registration on other grounds

1

Regulations may make provision enabling the Secretary of State in prescribed cases to refuse to register a person who, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, is likely to countersign fewer applications under this Part in any period of twelve months than a prescribed minimum number.

2

Subsection (3) applies where a registered person—

a

is, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, no longer likely to wish to countersign applications under this Part,

b

has, in any period of twelve months during which he was registered, countersigned fewer applications under this Part than the minimum number specified in respect of him by regulations under subsection (1), or

c

has failed to comply with any condition of his registration.

3

Subject to section 120AB, the Secretary of State may—

a

suspend that person’s registration for such period not exceeding 6 months as the Secretary of State thinks fit, or

b

remove that person from the register.

I24120ABProcedure for cancellation or suspension under section 120AA

1

Before cancelling or suspending a person’s registration by virtue of section 120AA, the Secretary of State must send him written notice of his intention to do so.

2

Every such notice must—

a

give the Secretary of State’s reasons for proposing to cancel or suspend the registration, and

b

inform the person concerned of his right under subsection (3) to make representations.

3

A person who receives such a notice may, within 21 days of service, make representations in writing to the Secretary of State as to why the registration should not be cancelled or suspended.

4

After considering such representations, the Secretary of State must give the registered person written notice—

a

that at the end of a further period of six weeks beginning with the date of service, the person’s registration will be cancelled or suspended, or

b

that he does not propose to take any further action.

5

If no representations are received within the period mentioned in subsection (3) the Secretary of State may cancel or suspend the person’s registration at the end of the period mentioned in that subsection.

6

Subsection (1) does not prevent the Secretary of State from imposing on the registered person a lesser sanction than that specified in the notice under that subsection.

7

Any notice under this section that is required to be given in writing may be given by being transmitted electronically.

8

This section does not apply where—

a

the Secretary of State is satisfied, in the case of a registered person other than a body, that the person has died or is incapable, by reason of physical or mental impairment, of countersigning applications under this Part, or

b

the registered person has requested to be removed from the register.

9

The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (4)(a) by substituting for the period there specified, such other period as may be specified in the regulations.

I12121 Performance by constables on central service in Scotland of functions under this Part.

F190In Scotland a constable engaged on central service (within the meaning of section 38 of the M21Police (Scotland) Act 1967) may perform functions under this Part (other than functions F126 in relation to the making of regulations or orders) on behalf of the Secretary of State; and without prejudice to the application of subsection (5) of section 119 in respect of any other person performing functions on behalf of the Secretary of State, that subsection shall apply in respect of any constable performing functions by virtue of this section as the subsection applies in respect of the Secretary of State.

I13I26122 Code of practice.

1

The Secretary of State shall publish, and may from time to time revise, a code of practice in connection with the use of information provided to F72, or the discharge of any function by, registered persons under this Part.

2

The Secretary of State shall lay before Parliament the code of practice under this section as soon as practicable after publication and after revision.

3

The Secretary of State may refuse to issue a certificate under section F155113A or 113B if he believes that the registered person who countersigned the application—

a

has failed to comply with the code of practice under this section, or

b

countersigned at the request of a body which, or individual who, has failed to comply with the code of practice.

F714

Where the Scottish Ministers have reason to believe that—

a

a registered person; or

b

a body or individual at whose request a registered person has countersigned or is likely to countersign an application under section F156113A or 113B,

has failed to comply with the code of practice, they may remove the registered person from the register or impose conditions on him as respects his continuing to be listed in the register

I27122AF171Delegation of functions of Secretary of State

1

The Secretary of State may, to such extent and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, delegate any relevant function of his under this Part to such person as he may determine.

2

A function is relevant for the purposes of subsection (1) if it does not consist of a power—

a

to make regulations, or

b

to publish or revise a code of practice or to lay any such code before Parliament.

3

A delegation under subsection (1) may be varied or revoked at any time.

122BF177Delegation of functions of Scottish Ministers

1

The Scottish Ministers may, to such extent and subject to such conditions as they think appropriate, delegate any of their functions under this Part (other than excepted functions) to such person as they may determine.

2

An excepted function is a function—

a

relating to the making of regulations or orders;

b

relating to the publishing or revising of a code of practice;

c

relating to the laying of a code of practice before the Scottish Parliament;

d

relating to the determination of an appropriate fee under section 113B(5A) or 119(3); or

e

under section 125A.

3

A delegation under subsection (1) may be varied or revoked at any time.

4

No proceedings are competent against a person performing functions delegated under this section by reason of an inaccuracy in the information made available or provided to the person in accordance with section 119.

I14I28123 Offences: falsification, &c.

1

A person commits an offence if, with intent to deceive, he—

a

makes a false certificate under this Part,

b

alters a certificate under this Part,

c

uses a certificate under this Part which relates to another person in a way which suggests that it relates to himself, or

d

allows a certificate under this Part which relates to him to be used by another person in a way which suggests that it relates to that other person.

2

A person commits an offence if he knowingly makes a false statement for the purpose of obtaining, or enabling another person to obtain, a certificate under this Part.

3

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.

I15I29124 Offences: disclosure.

1

A member, officer or employee of a body registered under section 120 commits an offence if he discloses information provided following an application under section F157113A or 113B unless he discloses it, in the course of his duties,—

a

to another member, officer or employee of the registered body,

b

to a member, officer or employee of a body at the request of which the registered body countersigned the application, or

c

to an individual at whose request the registered body countersigned the relevant application.

2

Where information is provided under section F158113A or 113B following an application countersigned at the request of a body which is not registered under section 120, a member, officer or employee of the body commits an offence if he discloses the information unless he discloses it, in the course of his duties, to another member, officer or employee of that body.

3

Where information is provided under section F159113A or 113B following an application countersigned by or at the request of an individual—

a

the individual commits an offence if he discloses the information unless he discloses it to an employee of his for the purpose of the employee’s duties, and

b

an employee of the individual commits an offence if he discloses the information unless he discloses it, in the course of his duties, to another employee of the individual.

4

Where information provided under section F160113A or 113B is disclosed to a person and the disclosure—

a

is an offence under this section, or

b

would be an offence under this section but for subsection (5) or (6)(a), (d), (e) or (f),

the person to whom the information is disclosed commits an offence (subject to subsections (5) and (6)) if he discloses it to any other person.

5

Subsections (1) to (4) do not apply to a disclosure of information provided in accordance with section F162113B(5) which is made with the written consent of the chief officer who provided the information.

6

Subsections (1) to (4) do not apply to a disclosure of information contained in a certificate under section F161113A or 113B which is made—

a

with the written consent of the applicant for the certificate, or

b

to a government department, or

c

to a person appointed to an office by virtue of any enactment, or

d

in accordance with an obligation to provide information under or by virtue of any enactment, or

e

for the purposes of answering an exempted question (within the meaning of section F163113A) of a kind specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, or

f

for some other purpose specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

7

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or to both.

I30124AE5F172Further offences: disclosure of information obtained in connection with delegated function

1

Any person who is engaged in the discharge of functions conferred by this Part on the Secretary of State commits an offence if he discloses information which has been obtained by him in connection with those functions and which relates to a particular person unless he discloses the information, in the course of his duties,—

a

to another person engaged in the discharge of those functions,

b

to the chief officer of a police force in connection with a request under this Part to provide information to the Secretary of State, or

c

to an applicant or registered person who is entitled under this Part to the information disclosed to him.

2

Where information is disclosed to a person and the disclosure—

a

is an offence under subsection (1), or

b

would be an offence under subsection (1) but for subsection (3)(a), (d) or (e),

the person to whom the information is disclosed commits an offence if he discloses it to any other person.

3

Subsection (1) does not apply to a disclosure of information which is made—

a

with the written consent of the person to whom the information relates,

b

to a government department,

c

to a person appointed to an office by virtue of any enactment,

d

in accordance with an obligation to provide information under or by virtue of any enactment, or

e

for some other purpose specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

4

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or to both.

5

In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the reference in subsection (4) to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to 6 months.

F1736

For the purposes of this section the reference to a police force includes any body mentioned in subsections (10)(a) to (i) and (11) of section 113B and the reference to a chief officer must be construed accordingly.

124AE7Review of certain decisions as to registration

1

Where the Scottish Ministers decide to refuse to include a person in the register maintained for the purposes of this Part or, other than by virtue of section 120(3)(b), to remove him from that register they shall notify him in writing of that decision and of their reason for so deciding and shall send a copy of that notification to the Secretary of State.

2

If the person considers that the information upon which the decision was based may have been inaccurate he may, by written notice to the Scottish Ministers setting out his reason for so considering, require them to review the decision; and they shall notify him in writing of the results of their review and of any consequential change in the decision and shall send a copy of—

a

the notice; and

b

the notification,

to the Secretary of State.

3

Any notification given by the Scottish Ministers under subsection (1) or (2) shall include information as to the provisions of any regulations made under section 120(3)(ac).

4

The Scottish Ministers may, for the purposes of this section, make regulations as to procedure; and such regulations may, in particular, make provision in relation to—

a

information to be included in any notification under subsection (1) or (2); and

b

the period within which—

i

a requirement may be made under subsection (2); or

ii

a decision under subsection (1) is to be implemented.

Annotations:
Extent Information
E7

This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only

124BF91Scottish annotated list of certificated persons

1

The Scottish Ministers shall maintain an annotated list for the purposes of this Part and shall include in that list all persons to whom a criminal record certificate, or as the case may be an enhanced criminal record certificate, has been issued under any of sections 113 to 116 of this Act.

2

The Scottish Ministers may make regulations about the maintenance of the list; and such regulations may, in particular, provide for—

a

the information to be included in the list;

b

the details to be provided, for the purposes of this section, by persons applying to be issued a criminal record certificate or enhanced criminal record certificate or countersigning any such application;

c

the procedure to be followed as respects the exercise of such discretion as is afforded them by subsection (3).

3

The Scottish Ministers may, as respects a person included in the list, if they are satisfied that it is appropriate to do so, notify the registered person who countersigned his application for the certificate in question (or on whose behalf that application was countersigned) or whomever else made the requisite statement which accompanied that application, about any relevant matter relating to the listed person (“relevant matter” having the same meaning as in section 113(5)) of which they become aware after issuing that certificate.

4

The Scottish Ministers are not to be satisfied as is mentioned in subsection (3) unless they are satisfied that the exempted question for the purpose of which the certificate was required remains relevant for the person to whom notification would, under that subsection, be given.

5

Regulations under paragraph (c) of subsection (2)—

a

shall provide for there to be an opportunity for a listed person to make representations as respects whether the Scottish Ministers should be satisfied as is mentioned in subsection (3) and require them to have regard to those representations before giving notification under that subsection; and

b

may require the person who would receive that notification (not being a person who is a Minister of the Crown) to provide them with such information as is in his possession and to which it would be appropriate for them to have regard as respects the exercise of the discretion mentioned in that paragraph.

I16I31125 Regulations.

1

Anything authorised or required by any provision of this Part to be prescribed shall be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

2

Regulations under this Part shall be made by statutory instrument.

F1143

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

A statutory instrument F115... shall be subject to annulment pursuant to a resolution of either House of Parliament.

5

Regulations under this Part may make different provision for different cases.

F1646

If the power mentioned in subsection (1) is exercised by the Scottish Ministers, the reference in F133subsection (3)F133subsection (4) to each House of Parliament must be construed as a reference to the Scottish Parliament.

125AF176Form of applications

1

It is for the Scottish Ministers to determine the form and manner in which applications must be made for the purposes of sections 112(1)(a), 113A(1)(a), 113B(1)(a), 114(1)(a), 116(1)(a), 117(1), and 120(2).

2

The Scottish Ministers may, in particular, determine that such applications may be made in electronic form (and may be signed or countersigned electronically).

3

The Scottish Ministers need not consider any such application unless it is made in the form and manner determined by them (or in a form and manner as close to that as circumstances permit).

I17I32126 Interpretation of Part V.

1

In this Part—

  • caution” means a caution given to a person in England and Wales or Northern Ireland in respect of an offence which, at the time when the caution is given, he has admitted;

  • certificate” means any one or more documents issued in response to a particular application;

  • chief officer” means—

    1. i

      a chief officer of police of a police force in England and Wales,

    2. ii

      a chief constable of a police force in Scotland, and

    3. iii

      the Chief Constable of the F53Police Service of Northern Ireland;

  • government department” includes a Northern Ireland department;

  • Minister of the Crown” includes a Northern Ireland department;

  • police authority” means—

    1. i

      a police authority for an area in Great Britain or a joint police board (within the meaning of the M22Police (Scotland) Act 1967), and

    2. ii

      the F54Northern Ireland Policing Board;

  • police force” means—

    1. i

      a police force in Great Britain, and

    2. ii

      the F53Police Service of Northern Ireland and the F53Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve;

  • prescribed” shall be construed in accordance with section 125(1).

2

In the application of this Part to Northern Ireland, a reference to the M23Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, or to a provision of that Act, shall be construed as a reference to the M24Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 or, as the case may be, to the corresponding provision of that order.

F1503

In the application of this Part to Scotland references to the Secretary of State must be construed as references to the Scottish Ministers.

4

Subsection (3) does not apply to section 118(2A)(d) or 124A(1) and (2).

I18I33127 Saving: disclosure of information and records.

Nothing in sections 112 to 119 shall be taken to prejudice any power which exists apart from this Act to disclose information or to make records available.

Part VI Miscellaneous

Amendments of Police Act 1996

128 Regulations for special constables and police cadets.

1

In section 51 of the M25Police Act 1996 (regulations for special constables), after subsection (3) there shall be inserted—

3A

In relation to any matter as to which provision may be made by regulations under this section, the regulations may—

a

authorise or require provision to be made by, or confer discretionary powers on, the Secretary of State, police authorities, chief officers of police or other persons, or

b

authorise or require the delegation by any person of functions conferred on that person by or under the regulations.

2

In section 52 of that Act (regulations for police cadets) after subsection (1) there shall be inserted—

1A

In relation to any matter as to which provision may be made by regulations under this section, the regulations may—

a

authorise or require provision to be made by, or confer discretionary powers on, the Secretary of State, police authorities, chief officers of police or other persons, or

b

authorise or require the delegation by any person of functions conferred on that person by or under the regulations.

I19129 Change of name or description of certain police areas.

In Schedule 1 to the Police Act 1996 (police areas for England and Wales except London)—

a

in the entry in the first column for “Humberside” there shall be substituted “ Humber ”;

b

in the entry in the second column opposite the name of the Dyfed Powys police area for “Cardiganshire” there shall be substituted “ Ceredigion ”;

c

for the entry in that column opposite the name of the North Wales police area there shall be substituted—

The counties of the Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Flintshire and the county boroughs of Conwy and Wrexham.

d

in the entry in that column opposite the name of the South Wales police area for “Neath and Port Talbot” there shall be substituted “ Neath Port Talbot ”.

Amendments of Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970

F55130. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F56131. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F57132. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rehabilitation of Offenders

133 Rehabilitation of Offenders.

The following provisions (which restrict the effect of the M26Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the M27Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978) shall cease to have effect—

a

section 189 of, and Schedule 14 to, the M28Financial Services Act 1986;

b

section 95 of the M29Banking Act 1987;

c

section 39 of the M30Osteopaths Act 1993;

d

section 19 of the M31National Lottery etc. Act 1993;

e

section 40 of the M32Chiropractors Act 1994.

Part VII General

F58133A Meaning of “prevention” and “detection”.

Section 81(5) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (meaning of “prevention” and “detection”) shall apply for the purposes of this Act as it applies for the purposes of the provisions of that Act not contained in Chapter I of Part I.

I20134 Amendments and repeals.

1

Schedule 9 (minor and consequential amendments) shall have effect.

2

The enactments mentioned in Schedule 10 are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

P1135 Commencement.

P21

The preceding provisions of this Act shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint.

2

An order under this section may—

a

appoint different days for different purposes or different areas, and

b

make transitional provision and savings (including provision modifying this Act).

3

An order under this section may, in relation to Part I, II or IV make provision—

a

for the transfer and apportionment of property and for the transfer, apportionment and creation of rights and liabilities;

b

for the transfer of members of police forces in Great Britain, members of the F59Police Service of Northern Ireland and other persons;

c

for the Secretary of State, or any other person nominated by or in accordance with the order, to determine any matter requiring determination under or in consequence of the order;

d

as to the payment of fees charged, or expenses incurred, by any person nominated to determine any matter by virtue of paragraph (c).

4

Any day appointed by an order under this section for the coming into force of section 93, 94 or 95 of this Act shall not be earlier than the day on which a code of practice issued under section 101 comes into operation.

5

A statutory instrument containing provisions made by virtue of subsection (2)(b) or (3) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

136 Police: co-operation on implementation.

It shall be the duty of police authorities for areas in Great Britain, and the F60Northern Ireland Policing Board, and their staff to co-operate with each other, and generally to exercise their functions, so as to facilitate the implementation of Parts I and II of this Act and any transfer of property or staff made by an order under section 135.

137 Extent.

1

Subject to subsections (2) to (4), this Act extends throughout the United Kingdom.

2

The following provisions of this Act extend to England and Wales only—

a

Part II;

F116b

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F117c

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F61d

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

e

sections 128 and 129.

F623

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

The amendments in Schedules 6 and 9, and the repeals in Schedule 10, have the same extent as the enactments to which they refer.

138 Short title.

This Act may be cited as the Police Act 1997.