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UK Act of Parliament
2015
United Kingdom
Modern Slavery Act 2015
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
14 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides across 2 topics · 2 journeys
Penalty landscape
3 of 14 obligations carry imprisonment (5 years). 6 carry different penalties and 5 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 10
Plus 4 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
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Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
2 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Offences
Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour
7 years imprisonment- Hold a person in slavery or forced labour Any Person
Human trafficking
life imprisonment imprisonment- Arrange/facilitate travel for exploitation (human trafficking) Any Person
Committing offence with intent to commit offence under section 2
10 years imprisonment- Aid or abet a modern slavery offence Any Person
Penalties
life imprisonment imprisonment- Commit modern slavery offence Any Person
Effect of slavery and trafficking reparation orders
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Courts must determine appropriate compensation for modern slavery victims Tribunal / Court
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Meaning of exploitation
Sentencing
Confiscation of assets
Power to make slavery and trafficking reparation orders
Slavery and trafficking reparation orders: supplementary provision
Forfeiture of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
Enforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority
Detention of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
Interpretation of Part 1
Part 2 — Prevention orders
Requirement to provide name and address
- Notify authorities of your name and address under a prevention order Any Person
Requirement to provide name and address
5 years imprisonment- Notify authorities of your name and address if under a risk order Any Person
Variation, renewal and discharge
5 years imprisonment- Apply to vary, renew or cancel a slavery and trafficking risk order Any Person
Offences
5 years imprisonment- Breach slavery or trafficking prevention/risk order Any Person
Browse 18 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on sentencing
Slavery and trafficking prevention orders on application
Meaning of “relevant offender”
Effect of slavery and trafficking prevention orders
Prohibitions on foreign travel
Variation, renewal and discharge
Interim slavery and trafficking prevention orders
Appeals
Slavery and trafficking risk orders
Effect of slavery and trafficking risk orders
Prohibitions on foreign travel
Interim slavery and trafficking risk orders
Appeals
Enforcement by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority
Cross-border enforcement
Rules of court
Guidance to chief officers of police etc
Interpretation of Part 2
Part 3 — Maritime enforcement
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 4 — The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner
Restriction on exercise of functions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Anti-Slavery Commissioner must not interfere in individual cases Statutory regulator
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 5 — Protection of victims
Presumption about age
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Public authorities must treat suspected young trafficking victims as under 18 Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Defence for slavery or trafficking victims who commit an offence
Special measures for witnesses in criminal proceedings
Civil legal aid for victims of slavery
Independent child trafficking advocates
Guidance about identifying and supporting victims
Regulations about identifying and supporting victims
Identified potential victims etc: assistance and support
Duty to notify Secretary of State about suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking
Overseas domestic workers
Part 6 — Transparency in supply chains etc
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 7 — Miscellaneous and general
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: information gateways
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Interpretation
Consequential provision
Regulations
Financial provisions
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Schedules
Slavery and human trafficking offences
7 years imprisonment- Commit modern slavery or human trafficking offences Any Person
Enforcement powers in relation to ships
Unlimited fine- Obstruct constable or give false information during ship investigation Any Person
Public authorities under a duty to co-operate with the Commissioner
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Public authorities must cooperate with the Anti-Slavery Commissioner Statutory regulator
Browse 3 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Offences to which defence in section 45 does not apply
Information gateways: specified persons
Minor and consequential amendments
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Business support helpline (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Modern slavery training resources (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK modern slavery statement guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Fair Work Agency
PrimaryUnified labour market enforcement body for Great Britain. Takes over National Minimum Wage enforcement from HMRC, enforces statutory sick pay and holiday …
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Statutory body responsible for enforcing equality and non-discrimination laws. Provides guidance on the Equality Act 2010, conducts inquiries, and can take enforcement …
Government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. Administers UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), issues sponsor licences for employers hiring …
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Browse legislation
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.