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UK Act of Parliament
2018
United Kingdom
Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
At a glance
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 3
Plus 6 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.
Export controlled goods and dual-use items
- 12 steps
Grow your tech business
- 1 step
Run a tech business
- 2 steps
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
3 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 — Sanctions regulations
Designation of a person by name under a designation power
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ministers must provide reasons and meet specific criteria for sanctions Crown / Minister / Government department
Designation of persons by description under a designation power
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister must follow specific procedures when designating groups for sanctions Crown / Minister / Government department
Persons named by or under UN Security Council Resolutions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must designate UN-named persons in UK sanctions regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Enforcement
10 years imprisonment- Breach of UK sanctions or circumvention of controls Any Person
Enforcement: monetary penalties
Unlimited fine- Breach of sanctions or anti-money laundering requirements Any Person
Procedure for requests to ... appropriate Minister
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ministers must decide on sanctions requests as soon as possible Crown / Minister / Government department
Guidance about regulations under section 1
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister must issue guidance on new sanctions regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 43 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power to make sanctions regulations
Additional requirements for regulations for a purpose within section 1(2)
Financial sanctions
Director disqualification sanctions
Immigration sanctions
Trade sanctions
Aircraft sanctions
Shipping sanctions
Other sanctions for purposes of UN obligations
“Designated persons”
Designation powers: general
“Specified ships”
Exceptions and licences
Information
Report in respect of offences in regulations
Enforcement: goods etc on ships
Goods etc on ships: non-UK conduct
Extra-territorial application
Power to vary or revoke designation made under regulations
Right to request variation or revocation of designation
Periodic review of certain designations
Right of UN-named person to request review
Power to revoke specification of ship made under regulations
Right to request revocation of specification of ship
Periodic review where ships are specified
UN-designated ship: right to request review
Review by appropriate Minister of regulations under section 1
Independent review of regulations with counter-terrorism purpose
Periodic reports on exercise of power to make regulations under section 1
Temporary powers in relation to EU sanctions lists
Directions under section 34: further provision
Rights of person on EU sanctions list
Rights of UN-named person on EU sanctions list
Court review of decisions
Court reviews: further provision
Rules of court
Procedure for dealing with goods etc seized from ships
Suspension of prohibitions and requirements
Protection for acts done for purposes of compliance
Revocation and amendment of regulations under section 1
Report where regulations for a purpose within section 1(2) are amended
Power to amend Part 1 so as to authorise additional sanctions
Power to make provision relating to certain appeals
Part 2 — Anti-money laundering
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 3 — General
Duties to lay certain reports before Parliament: further provision
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ministers must lay reports and explanatory statements before Parliament Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Crown application
Saving for prerogative powers
Regulations: general
Parliamentary procedure for regulations
Regulations under section 1: transitory provision
Retained EU rights
Consequential amendments and repeals
Meaning of “funds”, “economic resources” and “freeze”
Meaning of “financial services” and “financial products”
Interpretation
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Schedules
Money laundering and terrorist financing etc
2 years imprisonment- Breach of money laundering or terrorist financing regulations Any Person
Browse 2 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Consequential amendments
Trade sanctions
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Financial sanctions guidance for HVDs and AMPs (opens in a new tab) Publication
- SRA sanctions guidance for solicitors (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- FCA sanctions guidance (opens in a new tab) from FCA Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
FCA
PrimaryFinancial Conduct Authority
Regulation of financial services firms and markets. Supervises banks, insurers, investment firms, payment services, and cryptoasset businesses. Issues authorisations and enforces conduct …
Export Control Joint Unit
Administers the UK export licensing system for military and dual-use goods, software, and technology. Part of the Department for Business and Trade. …
Solicitors Regulation Authority
Regulates solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. Sets standards, authorises firms, investigates misconduct, and can impose sanctions including fines and …
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Regulators
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