Citation, commencement and interpretation1.

(1)

These Regulations may be cited as the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitory Provisions) Regulations 2016 and come into force on 31st May 2016.

(2)

In these Regulations “the Act” means the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.

Appointed day2.

(1)

31st May 2016 is the day appointed for the coming into force of the provisions of the Act specified in column 1 of the Schedule (the subject matter of which is described in column 2).

(2)

If a purpose is specified in column 3 of the Schedule in relation to any provision specified in column 1, that provision comes into force for that purpose only.

Transitory provision – minor and consequential modifications3.

(1)

Paragraph (2) has effect until the end of the period of 3 months beginning on the date on which paragraphs 2, 4 and 5 of the schedule to the Act come into force.

(2)

Despite the amendments made by paragraph 3 of that schedule, for the purposes of section 40A(1) of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 20042 an “exploitation offence” continues to include any of the following—

(a)

an offence under section 22 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (traffic in prostitution etc.);

(b)

an offence under section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 (trafficking people for exploitation); and

(c)

an offence under section 47 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour).

MICHAEL MATHESON
A member of the Scottish Government

St Andrew’s House,

Edinburgh