Search Legislation

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, CHAPTER 4 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 20 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Part 5 Chapter 4:

  • specified provision(s) amendment to earlier commencing SI 2012/2234 art. 13 by S.I. 2014/831 art. 2(2)
  • specified provision(s) transitional provisions and savings for commencing S.I. 2013/1814 by S.I. 2013/1813 art. 2-9

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

CHAPTER 4E+WDisregarding certain convictions for buggery etc.[F1: England and Wales]

Textual Amendments

F1Words in Pt. 5 Ch. 4 heading inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 168(3), 183(4)(5)(e); S.R. 2018/128, art. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. 5 Ch. 4: power to amend conferred (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 166, 183(1)(5)(e) (with s. 167)

GeneralE+W

92Power of Secretary of State to disregard convictions or cautionsE+W

(1)A person who has been convicted of, or cautioned for, an offence [F2 in circumstances where the conduct constituting the offence was sexual activity between persons of the same sex] may apply to the Secretary of State for the conviction or caution to become a disregarded conviction or caution.

(2)A conviction or caution becomes a disregarded conviction or caution when conditions A and B are met.

(3)Condition A is that the Secretary of State decides that it appears that—

(a)[F3any] other person involved in the [F4sexual activity] was aged 16 or over, F5...

[F6(b)the offence has been repealed or, in the case of an offence at common law, abolished by enactment (whether or not it has been re-enacted or replaced), and

(c)the sexual activity would not, if occurring in the same circumstances at the point of decision, constitute an offence.]

(4)Condition B is that—

(a)the Secretary of State has given notice of the decision to the applicant under section 94(4)(b), and

(b)the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the notice was given has ended.

(5)Sections 95 to 98 explain the effect of a conviction or caution becoming a disregarded conviction or caution.

[F7(6)Except in relation to service disciplinary proceedings, this section applies only in relation to persons convicted or cautioned in England and Wales.]

[F8(7)In this section “sexual activity” includes—

(a)any physical or affectionate activity which is of a type characteristic of people involved in an intimate personal relationship, and

(b)conduct intended to lead to sexual activity.]

Textual Amendments

F7S. 92(6) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 28.6.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 168(4), 183(4)(5)(e); S.R. 2018/128, art. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 92: power to amend conferred (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 166, 183(1)(5)(e) (with s. 167)

Commencement Information

I1S. 92 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(c)

93Applications to the Secretary of StateE+W

(1)An application under section 92 must be in writing.

(2)It must state—

(a)the name, address and date of birth of the applicant,

(b)the name and address of the applicant at the time of the conviction or caution,

(c)so far as known to the applicant, the time when and the place where the conviction was made or the caution given and, for a conviction, the case number, and

(d)such other information as the Secretary of State may require.

(3)It may include representations by the applicant or written evidence about [F9

(a)whether a conviction or caution is of a kind mentioned in section 92(1);

(b)the matters mentioned in condition A in that section.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2S. 93 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(d)

94Procedure for decisions by the Secretary of StateE+W

(1)In considering [F10whether a conviction or caution is of a kind mentioned in section 92(1) or] whether to make a decision of the kind mentioned in condition A in [F11that section], the Secretary of State must, in particular, consider—

(a)any representations or evidence included in the application, and

(b)any available record of the investigation of the offence and of any proceedings relating to it that the Secretary of State considers to be relevant.

(2)The Secretary of State may not hold an oral hearing for the purpose of deciding [F12whether a conviction or caution is of a kind mentioned in section 92(1) or] whether to make a decision of the kind mentioned in condition A in [F13that section].

[F14(2A)If the Secretary of State refuses an application on the basis that the caution or conviction is not of a kind mentioned in section 92(1), the Secretary of State must—

(a)record the decision in writing, and

(b)give notice of it to the applicant.]

(3)Subsection (4) applies if the Secretary of State—

(a)decides that it appears as mentioned in condition A in section 92, or

(b)makes a different decision in relation to the matters mentioned in that condition.

(4)The Secretary of State must—

(a)record the decision in writing, and

(b)give notice of it to the applicant.

Effect of disregardE+W

95Effect of disregard on police and other recordsE+W

(1)The Secretary of State must by notice direct the relevant data controller to delete details, contained in relevant official records, of a disregarded conviction or caution.

(2)A notice under subsection (1) may be given at any time after condition A in section 92 is met but no deletion may have effect before condition B in that section is met.

(3)Subject to that, the relevant data controller must delete the details as soon as reasonably practicable.

(4)Having done so, the relevant data controller must give notice to the person who has the disregarded conviction or caution that the details of it have been deleted.

(5)In this section—

  • delete”, in relation to such relevant official records as may be prescribed, means record with the details of the conviction or caution concerned—

    (a)

    the fact that it is a disregarded conviction or caution, and

    (b)

    the effect of it being such a conviction or caution,

  • the names database” means the names database held by the [F15Secretary of State ] for the use of constables,

  • official records” means records containing information about persons convicted of, or cautioned for, offences and kept by any court, police force, government department or local or other public authority in England and Wales for the purposes of its functions,

  • prescribed” means prescribed by order of the Secretary of State,

  • relevant data controller” means—

    (a)

    in relation to the names database, any chief officer of police of a police force in England and Wales who is a data controller in relation to the details concerned,

    (b)

    in relation to other relevant official records, such person as may be prescribed,

  • relevant official records” means—

    (a)

    the names database, and

    (b)

    such other official records as may be prescribed.

(6)An order under this section—

(a)may make different provision for different purposes,

(b)is to be made by statutory instrument which is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I4S. 95 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(f)

96Effect of disregard for disclosure and other purposesE+W

(1)A person who has a disregarded conviction or caution is to be treated for all purposes in law as if the person has not—

(a)committed the offence,

(b)been charged with, or prosecuted for, the offence,

(c)been convicted of the offence,

(d)been sentenced for the offence, or

(e)been cautioned for the offence.

(2)In particular—

(a)no evidence is to be admissible in any proceedings before a judicial authority exercising its jurisdiction or functions in England and Wales to prove that the person has done, or undergone, anything within subsection (1)(a) to (e), and

(b)the person is not, in any such proceedings, to be asked (and, if asked, is not to be required to answer) any question relating to the person's past which cannot be answered without acknowledging or referring to the conviction or caution or any circumstances ancillary to it.

(3)Where a question is put to a person, other than in such proceedings, seeking information with respect to the previous convictions, cautions, offences, conduct or circumstances of any person—

(a)the question is to be treated as not relating to any disregarded conviction or caution, or any circumstances ancillary to it (and the answer to the question may be framed accordingly), and

(b)the person questioned is not to be subjected to any liability or otherwise prejudiced in law by reason of any failure to acknowledge or disclose that conviction or caution or any circumstances ancillary to it in answering the question.

(4)Any obligation imposed on any person by any enactment or rule of law or by the provisions of any agreement or arrangement to disclose any matters to any other person is not to extend to requiring the disclosure of a disregarded conviction or caution or any circumstances ancillary to it.

(5)A disregarded conviction or caution, or any circumstances ancillary to it, is not a proper ground for—

(a)dismissing or excluding a person from any office, profession, occupation or employment, or

(b)prejudicing the person in any way in any office, profession, occupation or employment.

(6)This section is subject to section 97 but otherwise applies despite any enactment or rule of law to the contrary.

(7)See also section 98 (meaning of “proceedings before a judicial authority” and “circumstances ancillary to a conviction or caution”).

Commencement Information

I5S. 96 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(g)

97Saving for Royal pardons etc.E+W

Nothing in section 96 affects any right of Her Majesty, by virtue of Her Royal prerogative or otherwise, to grant a free pardon, to quash any conviction or sentence, or to commute any sentence.

Commencement Information

I6S. 97 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(h)

98Section 96: supplementaryE+W

(1)In section 96 “proceedings before a judicial authority” includes (in addition to proceedings before any of the ordinary courts of law) proceedings before any tribunal, body or person having power—

(a)by virtue of any enactment, law, custom or practice,

(b)under the rules governing any association, institution, profession, occupation or employment, or

(c)under any provision of an agreement providing for arbitration with respect to questions arising under that agreement,

to determine any question affecting the rights, privileges, obligations or liabilities of any person, or to receive evidence affecting the determination of any such question.

(2)For the purposes of section 96, circumstances ancillary to a conviction are any circumstances of—

(a)the offence which was the subject of the conviction;

(b)the conduct constituting the offence;

(c)any process or proceedings preliminary to the conviction;

(d)any sentence imposed in respect of the conviction;

(e)any proceedings (whether by way of appeal or otherwise) for reviewing the conviction or any such sentence;

(f)anything done in pursuance of, or undergone in compliance with, any such sentence.

(3)For the purposes of section 96, circumstances ancillary to a caution are any circumstances of—

(a)the offence which was the subject of the caution;

(b)the conduct constituting the offence;

(c)any process preliminary to the caution (including consideration by any person of how to deal with the offence and the procedure for giving the caution);

(d)any proceedings for the offence which take place before the caution is given;

(e)anything which happens after the caution is given for the purpose of bringing any such proceedings to an end;

(f)any judicial review proceedings relating to the caution;

(g)in the case of a warning under section 65 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (reprimands and warnings for persons aged under 18), anything done in pursuance of, or undergone in compliance with, a requirement to participate in a rehabilitation programme under section 66(2) of that Act.

Commencement Information

I7S. 98 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(i)

Appeals and other supplementary provisionE+W

99Appeal against refusal to disregard convictions or cautionsE+W

(1)The applicant may appeal to the High Court if—

(a)the Secretary of State [F16refuses an application on the basis mentioned in section 94(2A) or] makes a decision of the kind mentioned in section 94(3)(b), and

(b)the High Court gives permission for an appeal against the decision.

(2)On such an appeal, the High Court must make its decision only on the basis of the evidence that was available to the Secretary of State.

(3)If the High Court decides [F17

(a)that the conviction or caution is of a kind mentioned in section 92(1), it must make an order to that effect;

(b)that it appears as mentioned in condition A of that section, it must make an order to that effect.]

(4)Otherwise it must dismiss the appeal.

(5)A conviction or caution to which an order under subsection (3) [F18(b)] relates becomes a disregarded conviction or caution when the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the order was made has ended.

(6)There is no appeal from a decision of the High Court under this section.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I8S. 99 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(j)

100AdvisersE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may appoint persons to advise whether, in any case referred to them by the [F19Secretary of State—

(a)the caution or conviction is of a kind mentioned in section 92(1), or]

[F20(b)]the Secretary of State should decide as mentioned in condition A in [F21that section].

(2)The Secretary of State may disclose to a person so appointed such information (including anything within section 94(1)(a) or (b)) as the Secretary of State considers relevant to the provision of such advice.

(3)The Secretary of State may pay expenses and allowances to a person so appointed.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I9S. 100 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(k)

101Interpretation: Chapter 4E+W

(1)In this Chapter—

  • caution” means—

    (a)

    a caution given to a person in England and Wales in respect of an offence which, at the time the caution is given, that person has admitted, or

    (b)

    a reprimand or warning given under section 65 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (reprimands and warnings for persons aged under 18),

  • conviction” includes—

    (a)

    a finding that a person is guilty of an offence in respect of conduct which was the subject of service disciplinary proceedings [F22(including anything that under section 376(1) and (2) of the Armed Forces Act 2006 is to be treated as a conviction for the purposes of that Act)],

    (b)

    a conviction in respect of which an order has been made discharging the person concerned absolutely or conditionally, and

    (c)

    a finding in any criminal proceedings (including a finding linked with a finding of insanity) that a person has committed an offence or done the act or made the omission charged,

  • “disregarded caution” is a caution which has become a disregarded caution by virtue of this Chapter,

  • “disregarded conviction” is a conviction which has become a disregarded conviction by virtue of this Chapter,

  • document” includes information recorded in any form and, in relation to information recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to its provision or production include providing or producing a copy of the information in legible form,

  • [F23enactment” includes an enactment contained in subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978),]

  • information” includes documents,

  • notice” means notice in writing,

  • official records” has the meaning given by section 95(5),

  • sentence” includes—

    (a)

    any punishment awarded, and

    (b)

    any order made by virtue of Schedule 5A to the Army Act 1955, Schedule 5A to the Air Force Act 1955 or Schedule 4A to the Naval Discipline Act 1957,

    in respect of a finding that a person is guilty of an offence in respect of conduct which was the subject of service disciplinary proceedings, [F24 (including anything that under section 376(1) and (3) of the Armed Forces Act 2006 is to be treated as a sentence for the purposes of that Act),]

  • service disciplinary proceedings” means any proceedings (whether in England and Wales or elsewhere)—

    (a)

    under the Naval Discipline Act 1866, the Army Act 1881, the Air Force Act 1917, the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 or the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (whether before a court-martial or before any other court or person authorised under the enactment concerned to award a punishment in respect of an offence), F25...

    (b)

    before a Standing Civilian Court established under the Armed Forces Act 1976 [F26, or

    (c)

    in respect of a service offence (whether or not before a court but excepting proceedings before a civilian court within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006);

    and for the purposes of paragraph (c) “service offence” means a service offence within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006, or an SDA offence within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (SI 2009/1059).]

(2)Paragraph (b) of the definition of “conviction” applies despite the following (which deem a conviction of a person discharged not to be a conviction)—

(a)section 14 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, and

(b)section 187 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 or any corresponding earlier enactment.

F27(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F28(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)In this Chapter a reference to an offence includes [F29a reference to an inchoate or ancillary offence relating to the offence.]

(6)In the case of an attempt, conspiracy [F30, incitement, encouraging or assisting], the references in this Chapter to the conduct constituting the offence are references to the conduct to which the attempt, conspiracy [F31, incitement, encouraging or assisting] related (whether or not that conduct occurred).

[F32(6A)For the purposes of section 92, an inchoate or ancillary offence is to be treated as repealed or abolished to the extent that the offence to which it relates is repealed or abolished.

(6B)A reference to an inchoate or ancillary offence in relation to an offence is a reference to an offence of—

(a)attempting, conspiracy or incitement to commit the offence,

(b)encouraging or assisting the commission of the offence, or

(c)aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of the offence.

(6C)For the purposes of section 92, an offence under an enactment mentioned in subsection (6D) is to be treated as repealed to the extent that the conduct constituting the offence under the enactment—

(a)was punishable by reference to an offence under the law of England and Wales which has been repealed or abolished, or

(b)if the conduct was not punishable by the law of England and Wales, was punishable by reference to equivalent conduct constituting an offence under the law of England and Wales which has been repealed or abolished.

(6D)The enactments are—

(a)section 45 of the Naval Discipline Act 1866,

(b)section 41 of the Army Act 1881,

(c)section 41 of the Air Force Act 1917,

(d)section 70 of the Army Act 1955,

(e)section 70 of the Air Force Act 1955,

(f)section 42 of the Naval Discipline Act 1957, and

(g)section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.]

(7)For the purposes of subsections [F33(5), (6) and (6B)] an attempt to commit an offence includes conduct which—

(a)consisted of frequenting with intent to commit the offence any river, canal, street, highway, place of public resort or other location mentioned in section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 (as it then had effect) in connection with frequenting by suspected persons or reputed thiefs, and

(b)was itself an offence under that section.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I10S. 101 in force at 1.10.2012 by S.I. 2012/2234, art. 3(l)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources