How to check if a law is current
Practical steps to verify whether a statute, regulation, or case is still good law before you rely on it.
Overview
Out-of-date law is the single biggest trap for litigants in person and students. This guide explains how to check the current status of a statute, statutory instrument, or case in a few minutes using free official sources.
Step-by-step
Check legislation.gov.uk first
Search for the Act. Use the 'Latest available (revised)' view, not 'Original (as enacted)'. The header shows when it was last revised. Look for 'Changes to legislation' badges on each section.
Look for repeal or replacement
If sections show 'Repealed' or 'Substituted', click through to see what replaced them and when. If the whole Act is repealed, the page will say so prominently.
Check commencement of new provisions
Newly-passed Acts often have most provisions awaiting a commencement order. The 'Commencement Information' panel on each section tells you whether it is in force, partially in force, or pending.
For cases, check the Find Case Law and citator services
Find Case Law (National Archives) is the free authoritative source for judgments. For 'is this case still good law', use Westlaw or LexisNexis citator (subscription) or check whether higher courts have overruled it.
Watch for transitional provisions
Even when an Act is in force, transitional provisions may preserve the old law for certain matters (e.g. tenancies granted before commencement). Read the transitional schedules — usually at the back of the Act.