Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004

[^key-f038bbc96597651d232a15dc266c1255]: Words in Sch. 9 para. 13 substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 186; S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

[^key-ddef2f41555409cab7fa03b1246630ed]: S. 55 and cross-heading repealed (5.11.2013) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of Victims' Advisory Panel) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2853), arts. 1(2), 2(2)(b)

[^key-2ce8e9810aecdfb2b7d2ca2a27b05f9e]: Sch. 9 para. 20A inserted (1.4.2014) by The Energy Act 2013 (Office for Nuclear Regulation) (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/469), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 23 (with Sch. 4)

[^key-8699cdd9887f9912c73c322a163a3655]: S. 5 cross-heading substituted (E.W.) (2.7.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012 (c. 4), ss. 1(7), 4(2) (with s. 1(8)); S.I. 2012/1432, art. 2 and s. 5 cross-heading substituted (N.I.) (29.1.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 96(7), 106(2); S.R. 2015/418, art. 2(b)

[^key-a8d5650c5139cd5441bf027d3286b5f1]: Words in s. 5(1)(a) inserted (E.W.) (2.7.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012 (c. 4), ss. 1(2)(a), 4(2) (with s. 1(8)); S.I. 2012/1432, art. 2 and words in s. 5(1)(a) inserted (N.I.) (29.1.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 96(2)(a), 106(2); S.R. 2015/418, art. 2(b)

[^key-c64ca49330f3457acc78f1de4c936a94]: Words in s. 5(1)(d) substituted (E.W.) (2.7.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012 (c. 4), ss. 1(2)(b), 4(2) (with s. 1(8)); S.I. 2012/1432, art. 2 and words in s. 5(1)(d) substituted (N.I.) (29.1.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 96(2)(b), 106(2); S.R. 2015/418, art. 2(b)

[^key-dce57fe92b5cae23ec654c8e00fe877a]: Words in s. 5(3)(a) substituted (E.W.) (2.7.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012 (c. 4), ss. 1(3), 4(2) (with s. 1(8)); S.I. 2012/1432, art. 2 and words in s. 5(3)(a) substituted (N.I.) (29.1.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 96(3), 106(2); S.R. 2015/418, art. 2(b)

[^key-a79169041ba042eb27be618acf5e4436]: Words in s. 5(4)(b) substituted (E.W.) (2.7.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012 (c. 4), ss. 1(4), 4(2) (with s. 1(8)); S.I. 2012/1432, art. 2 and words in s. 5(4)(b) substituted (N.I.) (29.1.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 96(4), 106(2); S.R. 2015/418, art. 2(b)

[^key-52a1a3c2a144b9cba11af2c31081a20b]: Words in s. 5(7) inserted (E.W.) (2.7.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012 (c. 4), ss. 1(5), 4(2) (with s. 1(8)); S.I. 2012/1432, art. 2 and words in s. 5(7) inserted (N.I.) (29.1.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 96(5), 106(2); S.R. 2015/418, art. 2(b)

[^key-69c3a3bc21b2d1fff2f4ba9749a484e9]: S. 5(8) inserted (E.W.) (2.7.2012) by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012 (c. 4), ss. 1(6), 4(2) (with s. 1(8)); S.I. 2012/1432, art. 2 and s. 5(8) inserted (N.I.) (29.1.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), ss. 96(6), 106(2); S.R. 2015/418, art. 2(b)

[^key-3fdc9d6afe4fbf1a56aefb5a07639224]: S. 7 heading substituted (14.3.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 6 para. 3(1) (with Sch. 8 para. 11); S.R. 2016/136, art. 2(b)

[^key-fa3b7c88f4759a5dfcd7a8e8377bd54b]: Words in s. 7(5) inserted (14.3.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 6 para. 3(2) (with Sch. 8 para. 11); S.R. 2016/136, art. 2(b)

[^M_F_205de13b-1a62-42c6-d25f-c631058ef144]: S. 7A inserted (N.I.) (14.3.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 6 para. 3(3) (with Sch. 8 para. 11); S.R. 2016/136, art. 2(b)

[^key-eb8770158c699fed6654bcdb430f222c]: Sch. 9 para. 1WA omitted (9.11.2016) by virtue of The Secretaries of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for International Trade and for Exiting the European Union and the Transfer of Functions (Education and Skills) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/992), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 9(b) (with art. 13)

[^key-8eb986eae43b775b612184806850bdce]: Sch. 9 para. 1ZA omitted (11.4.2018) by virtue of The Secretaries of State for Health and Social Care and for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Transfer of Functions (Commonhold Land) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/378), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(a) (with art. 14)

[^key-2740a8a209d99c5a9b92952e14a9c329]: Words in Sch. 9 para. 3 inserted (11.4.2018) by The Secretaries of State for Health and Social Care and for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Transfer of Functions (Commonhold Land) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/378), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 12(b) (with art. 14)

[^key-d1bcd540b924a31a3767a2af09dcf821]: S. 54(9) inserted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 103(3) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

[^key-7367804806ed0ed2a9b759b6022437b5]: Words in s. 54(7) substituted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 103(2) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

[^key-edf3370c25e31441dd9bf61ec0b2e98e]: Words in s. 45(2) substituted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), s. 27(3), Sch. 4 para. 10(e) (with s. 25(3)(4))

[^key-82080d52242e7a001f4389da0d6b7b5f]: Sch. 5 paras. 7-9 repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-19abdedffc0ac8d45304d04286fea4e6]: Sch. 10 paras. 49-52 repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-3c8f26ba6bae0db77e872489b07c64e4]: S. 12(2)-(4) repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-ad335cf1e972abdcc960ab4a47f62fdd]: Words in s. 6(5) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 251 (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-603f5dbaa7ac1d9feba5e5042980ee0f]: S. 14(1)(2) repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-a4a26de57e62be11386803c221c1f77b]: Words in s. 45(1) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 252(2)(a) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-4b7761c10b9ba730ed838e39311c606e]: Words in s. 45(1) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 252(2)(b) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-8f4cc7eeebf8fb0c33c9436506a7109a]: Words in s. 45(2)(a) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 252(3) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

[^key-3a9efa0dce81332007e83dad0d7ba2f6]: Sch. 5 para. 2 repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-eab65dcba5f670ed81a5ffb592dd09ff]: Sch. 10 para. 43 repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-39f0824dd315d38834dd0735c5f274a9]: Sch. 10 para. 63 repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-939454160ab9b67557816ef1c3000009]: Sch. 10 para. 64 repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-8a5793baa6d5cdb5423424e792151cb5]: Sch. 12 para. 7 repealed (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 28 (with ss. 413(4)(5), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2 (see also Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), ss. 1, 5(2)(3))

[^key-31148c4452a59fb2e3e197b1e9ef4298]: S. 9 in force at 10.12.2020 for N.I. by S.I. 2020/1465, art. 2

[^M_F_e0212134-e9f8-4632-b0e3-21e7e4d7682a]: Words in s. 42(1)(a) substituted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), s. 27(3), Sch. 4 para. 10(d) (with s. 25(3)(4))

[^M_F_dcfcad5a-1048-410d-bf6f-fda345341c8b]: Words in s. 39(1)(a) substituted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), s. 27(3), Sch. 4 para. 10(c) (with s. 25(3)(4))

[^M_F_fb76fef2-7212-45ab-e3a8-84c7684ff20b]: Words in s. 36(2) substituted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), s. 27(3), Sch. 4 para. 10(b) (with s. 25(3)(4))

[^M_F_69091e06-4b63-445a-ccd4-91da564a1116]: Words in s. 35(1)(a) substituted (12.4.2019) by Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (c. 3), s. 27(3), Sch. 4 para. 10(a) (with s. 25(3)(4))

[^key-84514725a1ac2b5ddf6f288fdbdac3e0]: Words in s. 45(1) inserted (30.4.2021) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(1)(i), Sch. 13 para. 22

[^key-248b01a540da4f64cc528b4a3f378615]: S. 9(3B)(3C) inserted (1.11.2021) by Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17), ss. 17(2), 90(6); S.I. 2021/1038, reg. 3(b)

[^key-2994a6d66efa033d1b298d9fb61789c3]: Words in Sch. 12 para. 1(2) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1

[^key-1b04066a93437b0ef950f7dd33a04830]: S. 6A(2)(c) inserted (7.6.2022) by Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17), s. 90(6), Sch. 2 para. 8; S.I. 2022/553, regs. 1(2), 3(b)

[^key-a8b3b76a2b307e3de45f8b6734374859]: S. 5(7)(a)(b) and word substituted for words in s. 5(7) (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 123(2), 208(5)(j) (with s. 123(4))

[^key-49d686e3689be04b620b45101fe82073]: S. 5(8)(a)(b) and word substituted for words in s. 5(7) (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 123(3), 208(5)(j) (with s. 123(4))

[^M_F_289fe165-6f57-4258-a193-fcb856b403e4]: Words in s. 9(4)(b) omitted (N.I.) (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 208(a); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b); and (E.W.) (30.11.2022) by The Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1174), arts. 1(2), 21(a)

[^M_F_069fcd5a-7a94-407a-f5da-9c27aea6db70]: Words in s. 9(4)(b) substituted (N.I.) (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 208(b); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b); and (E.W.) (30.11.2022) by The Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1174), arts. 1(2), 21(b)

[^key-fcdc102e421ba64dde707cc30f61d128]: Words in s. 9 substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 1(1)(2); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

[^key-39062cca402f35b6db6198c0ff375946]: Words in s. 9(4)(a) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 4 para. 81; S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

[^key-074d353fc762a9bb3aed4ebbb3bccb0a]: Words in Sch. 12 para. 1(2) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1

[^key-836c41749df3d3dc67fe1ad55dbccf4e]: Sch. 9 para. 1ZC inserted (3.5.2023) by The Secretaries of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for Science, Innovation and Technology, for Business and Trade, and for Culture, Media and Sport and the Transfer of Functions (National Security and Investment Act 2021 etc) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/424), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 11(b) (with art. 17)

[^key-5340fc2aba3d784c2c5850e1a378e728]: Sch. 9 para. 4A inserted (3.5.2023) by The Secretaries of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for Science, Innovation and Technology, for Business and Trade, and for Culture, Media and Sport and the Transfer of Functions (National Security and Investment Act 2021 etc) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/424), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 11(c) (with art. 17)

[^key-f1abcc2a3b627c9552dfda986f0c107e]: Sch. 9 para. 1VA substituted (3.5.2023) by The Secretaries of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for Science, Innovation and Technology, for Business and Trade, and for Culture, Media and Sport and the Transfer of Functions (National Security and Investment Act 2021 etc) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/424), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 11(a) (with art. 17)

[^key-b812f3a78ae99279ccc462d66e7c16d9]: S. 7A(2)(c) inserted (26.6.2023) by Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 19), s. 30(2), Sch. 4 para. 4; S.R. 2023/87, art. 2(b)

[^key-ec252f08f2f5d25f6eb74ae80c4ac0e2]: Sch. 9 para. 8B substituted (30.10.2024) by The Transfer of Functions (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/991), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 9 (with art. 7)

Surcharge payable on conviction

Surcharge payable on conviction

Higher fixed penalty for repeated road traffic offences

Application of sections 17 to 20 to Northern Ireland

Procedure for determining fitness to plead: England and Wales

Procedure for determining fitness to be tried: Northern Ireland

Powers of court on finding of insanity or unfitness to plead etc

Information where restriction order not made

Representations where restriction direction not given

Information where restriction direction made

Disclosure of information

Investigations by Parliamentary Commissioner

Transitional and transitory provisions

Rules of court

Procedure for determining fitness to be tried: Northern Ireland

Powers of court on finding of insanity or unfitness to plead etc

Code of practice for victims

Victims of mentally disordered persons

Disclosure of information

Procedure for determining fitness to be tried: Northern Ireland

Powers of court on finding of insanity or unfitness to plead etc

Courts-martial etc

Victims' rights: preliminary

Representations where restriction direction not given

Investigations by Parliamentary Commissioner

Authorities within Commissioner’s remit

Amendments and repeals

Transitional and transitory provisions

3A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breach of non-molestation order to be a criminal offence

Additional considerations if parties are cohabitants or former cohabitants

“Cohabitants” in Part 4 of 1996 Act to include same-sex couples

6A

• (1) Subsections (3) to (5) apply where a person (“the defendant”) is charged in the same proceedings with a relevant offence and with an offence under section 5 in respect of the same harm (“the section 5 offence”).

• (2) In this section “relevant offence” means—

• (a) an offence under section 18 or 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (grievous bodily harm etc);

• (b) an offence under section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 of attempting to commit murder;

• (c) an offence under section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (strangulation or suffocation).

• (3) Where by virtue of section 35(3) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 a court or jury is permitted, in relation to the section 5 offence, to draw such inferences as appear proper from the defendant's failure to give evidence or refusal to answer a question, the court or jury may also draw such inferences in determining whether the defendant is guilty of a relevant offence, even if there would otherwise be no case for the defendant to answer in relation to that offence.

• (4) The charge of the relevant offence is not to be dismissed under paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (unless the section 5 offence is dismissed).

• (5) At the defendant's trial the question whether there is a case for the defendant to answer on the charge of the relevant offence is not to be considered before the close of all the evidence (or, if at some earlier time the defendant ceases to be charged with the section 5 offence, before that earlier time).

Common assault to be an arrestable offence

Restraining orders: Northern Ireland

Procedure for determining fitness to be tried: Northern Ireland

Powers of court on finding of insanity or unfitness to plead etc

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20A

The Office for Nuclear Regulation.

7A

• (1) Subsections (3) to (5) apply where a person (“the defendant”) is charged in the same proceedings with a relevant offence and with an offence under section 5 in respect of the same harm (“the section 5 offence”).

• (2) In this section “relevant offence” means—

• (a) an offence under section 18 or 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (grievous bodily harm etc.);

• (b) an offence under Article 3 of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 of attempting to commit murder.

• (c) an offence under section 28 of the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation).

• (3) Where by virtue of Article 4(4) of the Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 a court or jury is permitted, in relation to the section 5 offence, to draw such inferences as appear proper from the defendant's failure to give evidence or refusal to answer a question, the court or jury may also draw such inferences in determining whether the defendant is guilty of a relevant offence, even if there would otherwise be no case for the defendant to answer in relation to that offence.

• (4) Where a magistrates' court is considering under Article 37 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 whether to commit the defendant for trial for the relevant offence, if there is sufficient evidence to put the defendant on trial for the section 5 offence there is deemed to be sufficient evidence to put the defendant on trial for the relevant offence.

• (5) The power of a judge of the Crown Court under section 2(3) of the Grand Jury (Abolition) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 (entry of “No Bill”)is not to be exercised in relation to a relevant offence unless it is also exercised in relation to the section 5 offence.

• (6) At the defendant's trial the question whether there is a case for the defendant to answer on the charge of the relevant offence is not to be considered before the close of all the evidence (or, if at some earlier time the defendant ceases to be charged with the section 5 offence, before that earlier time).

1VA

The Department for Business and Trade.

8B

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Application by prosecution for certain counts to be tried without a jury

Appeal against order made on finding of insanity or unfitness to plead etc

Intermittent custody

Representations where restriction order not made

Amendments and repeals

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1ZC

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

4A

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.