Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Summary

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 allows criminal convictions to become 'spent' after a rehabilitation period, meaning the person is treated as if the offence never occurred. Once spent, convictions need not be disclosed in most employment, insurance, and civil proceedings contexts.

Key Points

• Convictions become spent after a rehabilitation period that depends on the sentence imposed
• Spent convictions need not be disclosed for most purposes
• Exceptions Order — certain professions (law, medicine, teaching, police) require disclosure of all convictions
• DBS checks reveal spent convictions where exceptions apply
• Sentences over 4 years' imprisonment never become spent
• LASPO 2012 significantly shortened rehabilitation periods

Parts & Sections

Amendments History