Periods after which convictions become spent reduced

Implementation date: 10 March 2014

Sections 139 and 141 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 reduce the period of time after completing their sentence that some offenders will be required to declare their conviction to prospective employers in England and Wales. However, the new rehabilitation periods will start from the point an offender completes his or her sentence, rather than at the date of conviction. The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Commencement No.9, Saving Provision and Specification of Commencement Date) Order 2014 brings the relevant sections of the Act into force.