The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2023

These Regulations bring into force sections 68, 77 and 82 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17) (“the Act”) on 5th April 2023.

Regulation 2 brings into force section 68 of the Act, which amends the definition of “personally connected” in section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9). It also brings into force section 77 of the Act, which requires the Secretary of State to issue statutory guidance to the police about the disclosure of police information by police forces for the purposes of preventing domestic abuse, and section 82 of the Act, which enables the Secretary of State to issue a code of practice relating to the processing of domestic abuse data for immigration purposes.

Regulation 3 ensures that the amendments made by section 68 of the Act only apply to controlling or coercive behaviour that occurs on or after 5th April 2023.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector or community bodies is foreseen independent of the provisions these Regulations bring into force. An impact assessment has been published in relation to the effect of the Act and copies can be obtained from the Ministry of Justice, 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ, or from this website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1007463/DA_Act_2021_Impact_Assessment.pdf