Sexual offences

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Sexual Offences Act 2003

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (SOA 2003) came into force on the 1 May 2004. It repealed almost all of the existing statute law in relation to sexual offences.

The SOA 2003 removed the element of consent from many offences, so that only the act itself and the age of the complainant has to be proved. These offences include those in which the complainant is:

  1. •

    a child under 16 (including under 13)

  2. •

    a child under 18 having sexual relations with persons in a position of trust

  3. •

    a child under 18 involved with family members over 18

  4. •

    a person with a mental disorder impeding choice

  5. •

    a person with a mental disorder who are induced threatened or deceived, and

  6. •

    a person with a mental disorder who have sexual relations with care workers.

The offences where consent must be proved are rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity (SOA 2003, ss 1–4).

There are three main provisions in the SOA 2003 relating to consent:

  1. •

    the statutory definition of consent

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Corporate Crime News

Sentencing Council introduces new ancillary orders and careless driving guidelines

The Sentencing Council has introduced new guidance on ancillary orders and revised careless driving sentencing guidelines, effective 1 July 2025. The changes include guidance for six ancillary orders, now accessible within relevant sentencing guidelines and extended to Crown Court users. The careless driving guideline has been updated to align culpability factors with death and serious injury by careless driving offences and harm factors with dangerous driving guidelines. The amendments follow the Council's 2024 miscellaneous amendments consultation and aim to provide more consistent sentencing guidance.

FCA Jessica Rusu's speech outlines AI-driven vision for 2025–2030 strategy

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a speech delivered by its chief data, information and intelligence officer, Jessica Rusu, at the AI and Digital Innovation Summit during City Week 2025, outlining how the FCA plans to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to deliver its 2025–2030 strategic priorities. Rusu emphasised that innovation is central to all four pillars of the FCA’s strategy: improving consumer outcomes, reducing financial crime, enhancing regulatory efficiency, and supporting growth. She highlighted the FCA’s commitment to fostering a pro-innovation regulatory environment through initiatives such as the Supercharged Sandbox and AI Live Testing, which are designed to support safe experimentation and deployment of AI in financial services.

Insolvency Service reports 11-year director ban for BBL fraud

The Insolvency Service has reported the disqualification of building contractor Tahir Haq from serving as a company director for 11 years, accompanied by mandated compensation payments totalling £58,963 (including interest and costs). Haq obtained a £50,000 bounce back loan (BBL) for Integral Maintenance Team Ltd by overstating his company's turnover by £200,000, despite the company being entitled to only around £3,000. The disqualification, effective from 1 July 2025, prohibits Haq from promoting, forming, or managing any company without prior court approval.

Environmental enforcement round-up—1 July 2025

A round-up of the latest environmental enforcement, including Erith Contractors Ltd donating to South East Wales Rivers Trust as part of an enforcement undertaking.

View Corporate Crime by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Defences in driving cases

Defences in driving casesDefendant to raise their defenceA number of defences may apply in road traffic cases. These include:•automatism•insanity•duress and necessity, and•the 'hip flask' defenceWhen the defendant relies on a specific defence, they must place sufficient evidence before the court to

Causing fear or provocation of violence

Causing fear or provocation of violenceThe offence of causing fear or provocation of violenceThe offence of causing fear or provocation of violence (threatening behaviour) is an offence created by section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986 (POA 1986). The offence can only be tried summarily in the

Can an interim driving disqualification order be imposed during an adjournment to determine special

Can an interim driving disqualification order be imposed during an adjournment to determine special reasons in driving offence proceedings?Section 26 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (RTOA 1988) provides the courts with the ability to order an interim disqualification order where, in respect

Possession with intent to supply

Possession with intent to supplyPossession with intent to supply a controlled drugIt is an offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their possession, whether lawfully or not, with intent to supply it to another in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA
Defences in driving cases

Defences in driving cases

Defences in driving casesDefendant to raise their defenceA number of defences may apply in road traffic cases. These include:•automatism•insanity•duress and necessity, and•the 'hip flask' defenceWhen the defendant relies on a specific defence, they must place sufficient evidence before the court to

Causing fear or provocation of violence

Causing fear or provocation of violence

Causing fear or provocation of violenceThe offence of causing fear or provocation of violenceThe offence of causing fear or provocation of violence (threatening behaviour) is an offence created by section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986 (POA 1986). The offence can only be tried summarily in the

Can an interim driving disqualification order be imposed during an adjournment to determine special

Can an interim driving disqualification order be imposed during an adjournment to determine special

Can an interim driving disqualification order be imposed during an adjournment to determine special reasons in driving offence proceedings?Section 26 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (RTOA 1988) provides the courts with the ability to order an interim disqualification order where, in respect

Possession with intent to supply

Possession with intent to supply

Possession with intent to supplyPossession with intent to supply a controlled drugIt is an offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their possession, whether lawfully or not, with intent to supply it to another in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA