http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/52/section/187Armed Forces Act 2006An Act to make provision with respect to the armed forces; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-10-05Expert Participation2026-10-05 Part 8Sentencing Powers and Mandatory <Abbreviation Expansion="Et cetera" xml:lang="la">etc</Abbreviation> SentencesChapter 1Definition etc of Certain Sentences<Emphasis>Conditional or absolute discharge (civilians only)</Emphasis>Effect of discharge1871A conviction of an offence for which an order under section 185 discharging the offender absolutely or conditionally is made shall be deemed not to be a conviction for any purpose other than the purposes of the proceedings in which the order is made and of any subsequent proceedings which may be taken against the offender under section 186.2Where the offender was aged 18 or over at the time of his conviction of the offence in question and is subsequently dealt with under section 186 for that offence, subsection (1) ceases to apply to the conviction.3Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2), a conviction of an offence for which an order under section 185 discharging the offender absolutely or conditionally is made is in any event to be disregarded for the purposes of any enactment or instrument which—aimposes any disqualification or disability on convicted persons; orbauthorises or requires the imposition of any such disqualification or disability.4In subsection (3)—“enactment” includes an enactment contained in an Act of the Scottish Parliament, in Northern Ireland legislation or in a local Act;“instrument” means an instrument having effect by virtue of an Act or Northern Ireland legislation (and “Act” here includes an Act of the Scottish Parliament).5Subsections (1) to (4) do not affect—aany appeal, whether against conviction or otherwise;bany right of the offender to rely on his conviction in bar of any subsequent proceedings for the same offence; orcthe restoration of any property in consequence of the conviction.S. 187 in force at 28.3.2009 for specified purposes by S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059)Pt. 8 applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009 (S.I. 2009/2041), art. 1, rule 128(2)S. 187 in force at 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4S. 187(1) excluded (6.4.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 158(3)(d), 182(5) (with s. 180); S.I. 2010/816, art. 2, Sch. para. 11S. 187 excluded (31.12.2020) by European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 (c. 29), ss. 6(2)(e), 40(7); S.I. 2020/1662, reg. 2(f)S. 187 excluded (21.7.2022) by 1984 c. 42, s. 31R(6)(c) (as inserted by Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17), ss. 65, 90(6); S.I. 2022/840, regs. 1(2), 2(a) (with reg. 3))S. 187 excluded (21.7.2022) by 2003 c. 39, s. 85F(6)(c) (as inserted by Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17), ss. 66, 90(6); S.I. 2022/840, regs. 1(2), 2(b) (with reg. 3))S. 187(1) excluded (E.W.) (29.6.2026) by Crime and Policing Act 2026 (c. 20), ss. 196(2)(b), 255(3)(g)