Last amended by Crime and Policing Act 2026 in 2026. 26 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 consolidates and strengthens the law on slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking in England and Wales. It creates specific offences, establishes the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, provides for Slavery and Trafficking Prevention/Risk Orders, and requires large businesses to publish annual transparency statements about their supply chains.
Key Points
- Offence of slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour (s.1)
- Offence of human trafficking (s.2)
- Maximum sentence of life imprisonment (s.5)
- Defence for slavery or trafficking victims who commit offences (s.45)
- Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders and Risk Orders (ss.14–34)
- Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (s.40)
- Transparency in supply chains — duty on commercial organisations with turnover of £36m+ to publish annual statement (s.54)
- Legal aid for victims (s.47)
- Maximum sentence of life imprisonment
- Defence for victims who commit offences as a direct result of exploitation (s.45)
- Slavery and trafficking prevention orders and risk orders (Part 2)
- Transparency in supply chains: commercial organisations with turnover of £36m+ must publish annual slavery statements (s.54)
- Offences of slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking
- Maximum life imprisonment
- Statutory defence for victims who commit offences (s.45)
- Slavery and Trafficking Prevention/Risk Orders
- Transparency in supply chains for large businesses
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2025 — Employment Rights Act 2025
33 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2026 — Crime and Policing Act 2026
26 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2022 — Nationality and Borders Act 2022
15 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2016 — Immigration Act 2016
13 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2022 — The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023
3 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).