Anti-slavery law comes into force

Implementation date: 6 April 2010

Section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act creates an offence of holding another person in slavery or servitude, or requiring another person to perform forced or compulsory labour. A person found guilty of the offence is liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. This provision has been created to protect vulnerable people, for example those who speak little English, are unaware of their employment rights or do not know how to report what is happening to them. The Act can be viewed on the OPSI website.