http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/section/39/2020-08-13Terrorism Act 2000 An Act to make provision about terrorism; and to make temporary provision for Northern Ireland about the prosecution and punishment of certain offences, the preservation of peace and the maintenance of order.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-08-01Expert Participation2020-08-13 Part IV Terrorist Investigations Information and evidence Disclosure of information, &c.391Subsection (2) applies where a person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a constable is conducting or proposes to conduct a terrorist investigation.2The person commits an offence if he—adiscloses to another anything which is likely to prejudice the investigation, orbinterferes with material which is likely to be relevant to the investigation.3Subsection (4) applies where a person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a disclosure has been or will be made under any of sections 19 to 21Bor 38B.4The person commits an offence if he—adiscloses to another anything which is likely to prejudice an investigation resulting from the disclosure under that section, orbinterferes with material which is likely to be relevant to an investigation resulting from the disclosure under that section.5It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (2) or (4) to prove—athat he did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the disclosure or interference was likely to affect a terrorist investigation, orbthat he had a reasonable excuse for the disclosure or interference.6Subsections (2) and (4) do not apply to a disclosure which is made by a professional legal adviser—ato his client or to his client’s representative in connection with the provision of legal advice by the adviser to the client and not with a view to furthering a criminal purpose, orbto any person for the purpose of actual or contemplated legal proceedings and not with a view to furthering a criminal purpose.6ASubsections (2) and (4) do not apply if—athe disclosure is of a matter within section 21D(2) or (3)(a) (terrorist property: tipping off), andbthe information on which the disclosure is based came to the person in the course of a business in the regulated sector.7A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—aon conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, to a fine or to both, orbon summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.8For the purposes of this section—aa reference to conducting a terrorist investigation includes a reference to taking part in the conduct of, or assisting, a terrorist investigation, andba person interferes with material if he falsifies it, conceals it, destroys it or disposes of it, or if he causes or permits another to do any of those things.9The reference in subsection (6A) to a business in the regulated sector is to be construed in accordance with Schedule 3A.S. 39 applied (19.2.2001) by S.I. 2001/192, reg. 3Word in s. 39(3) substituted (26.12.2007) by The Terrorism Act 2000 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3398), reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 6(2)Words in s. 39(3) inserted (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 117(3)S. 39(6A) inserted (26.12.2007) by The Terrorism Act 2000 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3398), reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 6(3)S. 39(9) inserted (26.12.2007) by The Terrorism Act 2000 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3398), reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 6(4)