The Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021

• Citation: S.I. 2021/496
• Sections: 135

Section 1 Citation and commencement

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021.

(2) The following provisions come into force at 2.00 p.m. on 29th April 2021—

(a) this regulation;

(b) regulation 2 (interpretation);

(c) regulation 4 (purposes);

(d) regulation 5 (power to designate persons);

(e) regulation 6 (designation criteria);

(f) regulation 7 (meaning of “owned or controlled directly or indirectly”);

(g) regulation 8 (notification and publicity where designation power used);

(h) Schedule 1 (rules for interpretation of regulation 7(2)).

(3) All other provisions come into force at 5.00 p.m. on 29th April 2021.

Section 2 Interpretation

In these Regulations—

“ the Act ” means the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018;

“ arrangement ” includes any agreement, understanding, scheme, transaction or series of transactions, whether or not legally enforceable (but see paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 for the meaning of that term in that Schedule);

“ CEMA ” means the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 ;

“ the Commissioners ” means the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs;

“ conduct ” includes acts and omissions;

“ document ” includes information recorded in any form and, in relation to information recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to its production include producing a copy of the information in legible form;

“ director disqualification licence ” means a licence under regulation 44A;

“ the Dual-Use Regulation ” means Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items;

“ humanitarian assistance activity ” includes the work of international and non-governmental organisations carrying out relief activities in Myanmar for the benefit of the civilian population there;

“ the Myanmar security forces ” means the Tatmadaw and the Myanmar Police Force, including the Border Guard Force, and any person acting on their behalf or under their command or control;

“ serious human rights violation or abuse ” means a serious violation or abuse of any of the human rights specified in regulation 4;

“ the Tatmadaw ” means the Myanmar Armed Forces;

“ trade licence ” means a licence under regulation 45;

“ Treasury licence ” means a licence under regulation 44(1);

“ United Kingdom person ” has the same meaning as in section 21 of the Act.

Section 3 Application of prohibitions and requirements outside the United Kingdom

(1) A United Kingdom person may contravene a relevant prohibition by conduct wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom.

(2) Any person may contravene a relevant prohibition by conduct in the territorial sea.

(3) In this regulation, a “ relevant prohibition ” means any prohibition imposed by—

(a) regulation 9(2) (confidential information),

(b) Part 3 (Finance),

(c) Part 5 (Trade), or

(d) a condition of a Treasury licence or a trade licence.

(4) A United Kingdom person may comply, or fail to comply, with a relevant requirement by conduct wholly or partly outside the United Kingdom.

(5) Any person may comply, or fail to comply, with a relevant requirement by conduct in the territorial sea.

(6) In this regulation, a “ relevant requirement ” means any requirement imposed—

(a) by or under Part 7 (Information and records), or by reason of a request made under a power conferred by that Part, or

(b) by a condition of a Treasury licence or a trade licence.

(7) Nothing in this regulation is to be taken to prevent a relevant prohibition or a relevant requirement from applying to conduct (by any person) in the United Kingdom.

Section 4 Purposes

The purposes of the regulations contained in this instrument are to—

(a) promote the peace, stability and security of Myanmar;

(b) promote respect for democracy, the rule of law and good governance in Myanmar, including in particular promoting the successful completion of Myanmar's transition to a democratic country;

(c) discourage actions, policies or activities which repress the civilian population in Myanmar;

(d) promote compliance with international human rights law and respect for human rights in Myanmar, including in particular, respect for—

(i) the right to life of persons in Myanmar;

(ii) the right of persons in Myanmar not to be held in slavery or required to perform forced or compulsory labour;

(iii) the right of persons in Myanmar, including in particular the Rohingya, not to be subjected to forced deportation or forcible transfer from Myanmar;

(iv) the right of persons not to be subject to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in Myanmar, including in the context of—

(aa) violence against persons on the basis of their political opinion, religious belief or ethnicity,

(bb) rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, or

(cc) recruitment or use of, or violence against, children;

(v) the right to liberty and security of persons in Myanmar, including freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention or enforced disappearance;

(vi) the right to a fair trial of persons charged with criminal offences in Myanmar;

(vii) the rights of journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists, religious leaders, politicians and all other persons in Myanmar to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association with others;

(viii) the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in Myanmar without discrimination, including on the basis of a person's sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.

Section 5 Power to designate persons

(1) The Secretary of State may designate persons by name in accordance with regulation 5A (conditions for the designation of persons by name) for the purposes of any of the following—

(a) regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.);

(aa) regulation 16A (director disqualification sanctions);

(b) regulation 17 (immigration).

(2) The Secretary of State may designate different persons for the purposes of different provisions mentioned in paragraph (1).

Section 5A Conditions for the designation of persons by name

(1) The Secretary of State may choose whether to designate a person under regulation 5 (power to designate persons) under—

(a) the standard procedure, or

(b) the urgent procedure.

(2) Paragraph (3) applies where the Secretary of State chooses to designate a person under regulation 5 under the standard procedure.

(3) The Secretary of State may not designate a person except where condition A is met.

(4) Condition A is that the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to suspect that that person is an involved person.

(5) Paragraphs (6) to (8) apply where the Secretary of State chooses to designate a person under regulation 5 under the urgent procedure.

(6) The Secretary of State may designate a person where condition A is not met, but conditions B and C are met.

(7) The person ceases to be a designated person at the end of the period of 56 days beginning with the day following the day on which the person became a designated person unless, within that period, the Secretary of State certifies that—

(a) condition A is met, or

(b) conditions B and C continue to be met.

(8) Where the Secretary of State makes a certification under paragraph (7)(b), the designation ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 56 days beginning with the day immediately following the period mentioned in paragraph (7), unless within that period the Secretary of State certifies that condition A is met.

(9) Condition B is that relevant provision (whenever made) applies to, or in relation to, the person under the law of—

(a) the United States of America;

(b) the European Union;

(c) Australia;

(d) Canada.

(10) Condition C is that the Secretary of State considers that it is in the public interest to make designations under the urgent procedure.

(11) For the purposes of condition B, “relevant provision” is provision that the Secretary of State considers—

(a) corresponds, or is similar, to the type of sanction or sanctions in these Regulations, or

(b) is made for purposes corresponding, or similar, to any purpose of any type of sanction or sanctions in these Regulations.

(12) In this regulation, “ involved person ” has the meaning given in regulation 6 (designation criteria: meaning of “involved person”).

Section 6 Designation criteria: meaning of “involved person”

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) For the purposes of regulation 5A (conditions for the designation of persons by name) , an “ involved person ” means a person who—

(a) is or has been involved in—

(i) undermining democracy, the rule of law or good governance in Myanmar;

(ii) the repression of the civilian population in Myanmar;

(iii) the commission of, or the obstruction of an independent investigation into, a serious human rights violation or abuse in Myanmar;

(iv) the commission of a violation of international humanitarian law in Myanmar;

(v) the obstruction of a humanitarian assistance activity in Myanmar;

(vi) any other action, policy or activity which threatens the peace, stability or security of Myanmar,

(b) is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by a person who is or has been so involved,

(c) is acting on behalf of or at the direction of a person who is or has been so involved, or

(d) is a member of, or associated with, a person who is or has been so involved.

(3) Any reference in this regulation to being involved in one or more of the activities set out in paragraph (2)(a) includes being involved in whatever way and wherever any actions constituting the involvement take place, and in particular includes—

(a) being responsible for, engaging in, providing support for, or promoting such an activity;

(b) providing financial services, or making available funds or economic resources, that could contribute to such an activity;

(c) profiting financially, or obtaining any other benefit, from such an activity;

(d) providing financial services to, or making available funds or economic resources directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of, the Myanmar security forces;

(e) carrying out activities as a member of, or working for, the State Administration Council;

(f) working for, or being affiliated to, the Myanmar security forces as—

(i) a member of the Myanmar security forces of the rank of colonel or the equivalent or higher,

(ii) a member of the Border Guard Force,

(iii) a member of a militia,

(iv) a MSF-affiliated business, or

(v) a patron, director, trustee or other manager (whether executive or non-executive) of a MSF-affiliated business;

(g) being involved in the supply to Myanmar of goods or technology which could contribute to a serious human rights violation or abuse, or in providing financial services relating to such supply;

(h) being involved in the supply to Myanmar of restricted goods or restricted technology, or of material related to such goods or technology, or in providing financial services relating to such supply;

(i) being involved in the supply to Myanmar of dual-use goods or dual-use technology for military use or the use of the Myanmar security forces, or of material related to such goods or technology, or in providing financial services relating to such supply;

(j) assisting the contravention or circumvention of any relevant Myanmar-related provision.

(4) In this regulation, “ relevant Myanmar-related provision ” means—

(a) any provision of Part 3 (Finance) or Part 5 (Trade);

(b) any provision of the law of a country other than the United Kingdom made for purposes corresponding to a purpose of any provision of Part 3 or Part 5.

(5) Nothing in any sub-paragraph of paragraph (3) is to be taken to limit the meaning of any of the other sub-paragraphs of that paragraph.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(f)(iv), a “ MSF-affiliated business ” includes—

(a) a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by, or otherwise makes available funds or economic resources directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of, the Myanmar security forces;

(b) a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by, or otherwise makes available funds or economic resources directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of, any person mentioned in paragraph (3)(f)(i) to (iii);

(c) a person who is not an individual (“C”) where more than one person, each of whom is a current or former member of, a unit of, or an organisation associated with, the Myanmar security forces, together—

(i) hold directly or indirectly more than 50% of the shares in C (within the meaning set out in Schedule 1),

(ii) hold directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting rights in C (within the meaning set out in Schedule 1), or

(iii) hold the right directly or indirectly to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of C (within the meaning set out in Schedule 1).

(7) In this regulation—

“dual-use goods” and “dual-use technology” have the meanings given by Part 5;

“ militia ” means a national, regional or local armed group which supports or receives funding from, but is not part of or integrated into, the Myanmar security forces;

“restricted goods” and “restricted technology” have the meanings given by Part 5;

“ the State Administration Council ” means the State Administration Council established in Myanmar on 2 February 2021, and includes any successor entity with equivalent functions.

Section 7 Meaning of “owned or controlled directly or indirectly”

(1) A person who is not an individual (“C”) is “owned or controlled directly or indirectly” by another person (“P”) if either of the following two conditions is met (or both are met).

(2) The first condition is that P—

(a) holds directly or indirectly more than 50% of the shares in C,

(b) holds directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting rights in C, or

(c) holds the right directly or indirectly to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of C.

(3) Schedule 1 contains provision applying for the purpose of interpreting paragraph (2).

(4) The second condition is that it is reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances, to expect that P would (if P chose to) be able, in most cases or in significant respects, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly, to achieve the result that affairs of C are conducted in accordance with P's wishes.

Section 8 Notification and publicity where designation power used

(1) Paragraph (2) applies where the Secretary of State—

(a) has made a designation under regulation 5 (power to designate persons), or

(b) has by virtue of section 22 of the Act varied or revoked a designation made under that regulation.

(2) The Secretary of State—

(a) must without delay take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform the designated person of the designation, variation or revocation, and

(b) must take steps to publicise the designation, variation or revocation.

(3) The information given under paragraph (2)(a)—

(a) where the Secretary of State designates a person under the standard procedure, must include a statement of reasons;

(b) where the Secretary of State designates a person under the urgent procedure, must include a statement—

(i) that the designation is made under the urgent procedure,

(ii) identifying the relevant provision by reference to which the Secretary of State considers that condition B is met in relation to the person, and

(iii) setting out why the Secretary of State considers that condition C is met.

(3A) Where the Secretary of State designates a person under the urgent procedure, the Secretary of State must, after the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (7) of regulation 5A (conditions for the designation of persons by name) or, if the Secretary of State has made a certification under paragraph (7)(b) of that regulation, the period mentioned in paragraph (8) of that regulation, but otherwise without delay—

(a) in a case where the person ceases to be a designated person, take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform the person that they have ceased to be a designated person, or

(b) in any other case, take such steps as are reasonably practicable to give the person a statement of reasons.

(4) In this regulation, a “ statement of reasons ” means a brief statement of the matters that the Secretary of State knows, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, in relation to the person—

(a) in the case of a designation under the standard procedure, which have led the Secretary of State to make the designation, and

(b) in the case of a designation under the urgent procedure, as a result of which the person does not cease to be a designated person at the end of the period mentioned in regulation 5A(7) or (8) (as the case may be).

(5) Matters that would otherwise be required by paragraph (4) to be included in a statement of reasons may be excluded from it where the Secretary of State considers that they should be excluded—

(a) in the interests of national security or international relations,

(b) for reasons connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, or

(c) in the interests of justice.

(6) The steps taken under paragraph (2)(b) must—

(a) unless one or more of the restricted publicity conditions is met, be steps to publicise generally—

(i) the designation, variation or revocation, and

(ii) in the case of a designation, the statement of reasons;

(b) if one or more of those conditions is met, be steps to inform only such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate of the designation, variation or revocation and (in the case of a designation) of the contents of the statement of reasons.

(7) The “restricted publicity conditions” are as follows—

(a) the designation is of a person believed by the Secretary of State to be an individual under the age of 18;

(b) the Secretary of State considers that disclosure of the designation, variation or revocation should be restricted—

(i) in the interests of national security or international relations,

(ii) for reasons connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, or

(iii) in the interests of justice.

(8) Paragraph (9) applies if—

(a) when a designation is made, one or more of the restricted publicity conditions is met, but

(b) at any time when the designation has effect, it becomes the case that none of the restricted publicity conditions is met.

(9) The Secretary of State must—

(a) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform the designated person that none of the restricted publicity conditions is now met, and

(b) take steps to publicise generally the designation and the statement of reasons relating to it.

Section 9 Confidential information in certain cases where designation power used

(1) Where the Secretary of State in accordance with regulation 8(6)(b) informs only certain persons of a designation, variation or revocation and (in the case of a designation) of the contents of the statement of reasons, the Secretary of State may specify that any of that information is to be treated as confidential.

(2) A person (“P”) who—

(a) is provided with information that is to be treated as confidential in accordance with paragraph (1), or

(b) otherwise obtains such information,

must not, subject to paragraph (3), disclose it if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that the information is to be treated as confidential.

(3) The prohibition in paragraph (2) does not apply to any disclosure made by P with lawful authority.

(4) For this purpose information is disclosed with lawful authority only if and to the extent that—

(a) the disclosure is by, or is authorised by, the Secretary of State,

(b) the disclosure is by or with the consent of the person who is or was the subject of the designation,

(c) the disclosure is necessary to give effect to a requirement imposed under or by virtue of these Regulations or any other enactment, or

(d) the disclosure is required, under rules of court, tribunal rules or a court or tribunal order, for the purposes of legal proceedings of any description.

(5) This regulation does not prevent the disclosure of information that is already, or has previously been, available to the public from other sources.

(6) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (2) commits an offence.

(7) The High Court (in Scotland, the Court of Session) may, on the application of—

(a) the person who is the subject of the information, or

(b) the Secretary of State,

grant an injunction (in Scotland, an interdict) to prevent a breach of the prohibition in paragraph (2).

(8) In paragraph (4)(c), “ enactment ” has the meaning given by section 54(6) of the Act.

Section 10 Meaning of “designated person” in Part 3

In this Part, a “ designated person ” means a person who is designated under regulation 5 (power to designate persons) for the purposes of regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.).

Section 11 Asset-freeze in relation to designated persons

(1) A person (“P”) must not deal with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is dealing with such funds or economic resources.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person “deals with” funds if the person—

(a) uses, alters, moves, transfers or allows access to the funds,

(b) deals with the funds in any other way that would result in any change in volume, amount, location, ownership, possession, character or destination, or

(c) makes any other change, including portfolio management, that would enable use of the funds.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a person “deals with” economic resources if the person—

(a) exchanges the economic resources for funds, goods or services, or

(b) uses the economic resources in exchange for funds, goods or services (whether by pledging them as security or otherwise).

(6) The reference in paragraph (1) to funds or economic resources that are “owned, held or controlled” by a person includes, in particular, a reference to—

(a) funds or economic resources in which the person has any legal or equitable interest, regardless of whether the interest is held jointly with any other person and regardless of whether any other person holds an interest in the funds or economic resources;

(b) any tangible property (other than real property), or bearer security, that is comprised in funds or economic resources and is in the possession of the person.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (1) funds or economic resources are to be treated as owned, held or controlled by a designated person if they are owned, held or controlled by a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

(8) For the avoidance of doubt, the reference in paragraph (1) to a designated person includes P if P is a designated person.

Section 12 Making funds available to designated persons

(1) A person (“P”) must not make funds available directly or indirectly to a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is making the funds so available.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) The reference in paragraph (1) to making funds available indirectly to a designated person includes, in particular, a reference to making them available to a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

Section 13 Making funds available for benefit of designated persons

(1) A person (“P”) must not make funds available to any person for the benefit of a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is making the funds so available.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(3A) The reference in paragraph (1) to making funds available to any person for the benefit of a designated person includes making funds available for the benefit of a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person (and references to designated person in paragraph (4) are to be read accordingly).

(4) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) funds are made available for the benefit of a designated person only if that person thereby obtains, or is able to obtain, a significant financial benefit, and

(b) “ financial benefit ” includes the discharge (or partial discharge) of a financial obligation for which the designated person is wholly or partly responsible.

Section 14 Making economic resources available to designated persons

(1) A person (“P”) must not make economic resources available directly or indirectly to a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect—

(a) that P is making the economic resources so available, and

(b) that the designated person would be likely to exchange the economic resources for, or use them in exchange for, funds, goods or services.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(4) The reference in paragraph (1) to making economic resources available indirectly to a designated person includes, in particular, a reference to making them available to a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

Section 15 Making economic resources available for benefit of designated persons

(1) A person (“P”) must not make economic resources available to any person for the benefit of a designated person if P knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that P is making the economic resources so available.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

(3A) The reference in paragraph (1) to making economic resources available to any person for the benefit of a designated person includes making economic resources available for the benefit of a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person (and references to designated person in paragraph (4) are to be read accordingly).

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)—

(a) economic resources are made available for the benefit of a designated person only if that person thereby obtains, or is able to obtain, a significant financial benefit, and

(b) “ financial benefit ” includes the discharge (or partial discharge) of a financial obligation for which the designated person is wholly or partly responsible.

Section 16 Circumventing etc. prohibitions

(1) A person must not intentionally participate in activities knowing that the object or effect of them is, whether directly or indirectly—

(a) to circumvent any of the prohibitions in regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.), or

(b) to enable or facilitate the contravention of any such prohibition.

(2) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

Section 16A Director disqualification sanctions

A person who is designated under regulation 5 (power to designate persons) for the purposes of this regulation is a person subject to director disqualification sanctions for the purposes of—

(a) section 11A of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, and

(b) Article 15A of the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.

Section 17 Immigration

A person who is designated under regulation 5 (power to designate persons) for the purposes of this regulation is an excluded person for the purposes of section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971 .

Section 18 Definition of “restricted goods” and “restricted technology”

In this Part—

“ restricted goods ” means—

military goods,

internal repression goods, and

interception and monitoring goods;

“ restricted technology ” means—

military technology,

internal repression technology, and

interception and monitoring technology.

Section 19 Definitions relating to “restricted goods” and “restricted technology”

(1) The following definitions apply for the purposes of regulation 18—

“ interception and monitoring goods ” means any items mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b), provided that it may be used for interception and monitoring services—

a relevant Schedule 3 item;

any tangible storage medium on which interception and monitoring technology is recorded or from which it can be derived;

“ interception and monitoring technology ” means any thing—

which is described as software in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3, provided that it may be used for interception and monitoring services, and

which is described as software or other technology in paragraph 3 of Schedule 3, (but see paragraph (3));

“ internal repression goods ” means—

any thing specified in Schedule 2, other than—

any thing which is internal repression technology, or

any thing for the time being specified in—

Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order 2008 , or

Annex I of the Dual-Use Regulation, and

any tangible storage medium on which internal repression technology is recorded or from which it can be derived;

“ internal repression technology ” means any thing which is described in Schedule 2 as software or technology, within the meaning of that Schedule;

“ military goods ” means—

any thing for the time being specified in Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order 2008, other than any thing which is military technology, and

any tangible storage medium on which military technology is recorded or from which it can be derived;

“ military technology ” means any thing for the time being specified in Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order 2008 which is described as software or technology.

(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1), “ a relevant Schedule 3 item ” means any thing described in Schedule 3, other than—

(a) any thing which is interception and monitoring technology, or

(b) any thing for the time being specified in—

(i) Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order 2008, or

(ii) Annex I of the Dual-Use Regulation.

(3) The definition of “interception and monitoring technology” does not apply to software which is—

(a) generally available to the public, or

(b) in the public domain.

(4) For the purpose of paragraph (3)—

(a) software is “generally available to the public” if—

(i) the software is sold from stock at retail selling points without restriction, by means of—

(aa) over the counter transactions,

(bb) mail order transactions,

(cc) electronic transactions, or

(dd) telephone order transactions, and

(ii) the software is designed for installation by the user without further substantial support by the supplier;

(b) software is “in the public domain” if the software has been made available without restrictions upon its further dissemination (and for this purpose copyright restrictions do not constitute a restriction upon its further dissemination).

Section 20 Definition of “interception and monitoring services”

(1) For the purposes of this Part, “ interception and monitoring services ” means any service that has as its object or effect the interception of a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system.

(2) A person intercepts a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunication system if, and only if—

(a) the person does a relevant act in relation to the system, and

(b) the effect of the relevant act is to make any content of the communication available, at a relevant time, to a person who is not the sender or intended recipient of the communication.

(3) In paragraph (2), a “ relevant act ”, in relation to a telecommunication system, means—

(a) modifying, or interfering with, the system or its operation;

(b) monitoring transmissions made by means of the system;

(c) monitoring transmissions made by wireless telegraphy to or from apparatus that is part of the system.

(4) In paragraph (2), a “ relevant time ”, in relation to a communication transmitted by means of a telecommunication system, means—

(a) any time while the communication is being transmitted, and

(b) any time when the communication is stored in or by the system (whether before or after its transmission).

(5) For the purpose of paragraph (2), the cases in which any content of a communication is to be taken to be made available to a person at a relevant time include any case in which any of the communication is diverted or recorded at a relevant time so as to make the content of the communication available to a person after that time.

(6) In paragraph (3), references to modifying a telecommunication system include references to attaching any apparatus to, or otherwise modifying or interfering with—

(a) any part of the system, or

(b) any wireless telegraphy apparatus used for making transmissions to or from apparatus that is part of the system.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation, the following definitions also apply—

“ apparatus ” includes any equipment, machinery or device (whether physical or logical) and any wire or cable;

“communication”, for the purpose of a telecommunication system, includes—

anything comprising speech, music, sounds, visual images or data of any description, and

signals serving for the impartation of anything between persons, between a person and a thing or between things, for the actuation or control of any apparatus;

“ content ”, in relation to a communication and a telecommunication system, means any element of the communication, or any data attached to or logically associated with the communication, which reveals anything of what might reasonably be considered to be the meaning (if any) of the communication, but—

any meaning arising from the fact of the communication or from any data relating to the transmission of the communication is to be disregarded, and

anything which is systems data is not content;

“ systems data ” means any data that enables or facilitates, or identifies or describes anything connected with enabling or facilitating, the functioning of a telecommunication system (including any apparatus forming part of the system);

“ a telecommunication system ” means a system (including the apparatus comprised in it) that exists for the purpose of facilitating the transmission of communications by any means involving the use of electrical or electromagnetic energy;

“ wireless telegraphy ” and “ wireless telegraphy apparatus ” have the same meaning as in sections 116 and 117 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 .

Section 21 Interpretation of other expressions used in this Part

(1) Paragraphs 32 and 36 of Schedule 1 to the Act (trade sanctions) apply for the purpose of interpreting expressions in this Part.

(2) In this Part, any reference to the United Kingdom includes a reference to the territorial sea.

(3) In this Part—

“ brokering service ” means any service to secure, or otherwise in relation to, an arrangement, including (but not limited to)—

the selection or introduction of persons as parties or potential parties to the arrangement,

the negotiation of the arrangement,

the facilitation of anything that enables the arrangement to be entered into, and

the provision of any assistance that in any way promotes or facilitates the arrangement;

“ dual-use goods ” means—

any thing for the time being specified in Annex I of the Dual-Use Regulation other than any thing which is dual-use technology, and

any tangible storage medium on which dual-use technology is recorded or from which it can be derived;

“ dual-use technology ” means any thing for the time being specified in Annex I of the Dual-Use Regulation which is described as software or technology;

“ technical assistance ”, in relation to goods or technology, means—

technical support relating to the repair, development, production, assembly, testing, use or maintenance of the goods or technology, or

any other technical service relating to the goods or technology;

“ transfer ” has the meaning given by paragraph 37 of Schedule 1 to the Act.

(4) For the purposes of this Part, a person is to be regarded as “connected with” Myanmar if the person is—

(a) an individual who is, or an association or combination of individuals who are, ordinarily resident in Myanmar,

(b) an individual who is, or an association or combination of individuals who are, located in Myanmar,

(c) a person, other than an individual, which is incorporated or constituted under the law of Myanmar, or

(d) a person, other than an individual, which is domiciled in Myanmar.

Section 22 Export of restricted goods

(1) The export of restricted goods to, or for use in, Myanmar is prohibited.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

Section 23 Supply and delivery of restricted goods

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly supply or deliver restricted goods from a third country to a place in Myanmar.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but it is a defence for a person charged with that offence to show that the person did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods were destined (or ultimately destined) for Myanmar.

(4) In this regulation, “ third country ” means a country that is not the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or Myanmar.

Section 24 Making restricted goods and restricted technology available

(1) A person must not—

(a) directly or indirectly make restricted goods or restricted technology available to a person connected with Myanmar;

(b) directly or indirectly make restricted goods or restricted technology available for use in Myanmar.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(a) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the person was connected with Myanmar;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(b) to show that the person did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods or technology were for use in Myanmar.

Section 25 Transfer of restricted technology

(1) A person must not—

(a) transfer restricted technology to a place in Myanmar;

(b) transfer restricted technology to a person connected with Myanmar.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(a) to show that the person did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the transfer was to a place in Myanmar;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(b) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the person was connected with Myanmar.

Section 26 Technical assistance relating to restricted goods and restricted technology

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly provide technical assistance relating to restricted goods or restricted technology—

(a) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(b) for use in Myanmar.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(a) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the person was connected with Myanmar;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(b) to show that the person did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods or technology were for use in Myanmar.

Section 27 Financial services and funds relating to restricted goods and restricted technology

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly provide, to a person connected with Myanmar, financial services in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement whose object or effect is—

(a) the export of restricted goods,

(b) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of restricted goods,

(c) directly or indirectly making restricted goods or restricted technology available to a person,

(d) the transfer of restricted technology, or

(e) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to restricted goods or restricted technology.

(2) A person must not directly or indirectly make funds available to a person connected with Myanmar in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement mentioned in paragraph (1).

(3) A person must not directly or indirectly provide financial services or funds in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement whose object or effect is—

(a) the export of restricted goods to, or for use in, Myanmar,

(b) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of restricted goods to a place in Myanmar,

(c) directly or indirectly making restricted goods or restricted technology available—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) for use in Myanmar,

(d) the transfer of restricted technology—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar, or

(e) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to restricted goods or restricted technology—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) for use in Myanmar.

(4) Paragraphs (1) to (3) are subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(5) A person who contravenes a prohibition in any of paragraphs (1) to (3) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening paragraph (1) or (2) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the person was connected with Myanmar;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening a prohibition in paragraph (3) to show that the person did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the financial services or funds (as the case may be) were provided in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement mentioned in that paragraph.

Section 28 Brokering services: non-UK activity relating to restricted goods and restricted technology

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly provide brokering services in relation to an arrangement (“arrangement A”) whose object or effect is—

(a) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of restricted goods from a third country to a place in Myanmar,

(b) directly or indirectly making restricted goods available in a third country for direct or indirect supply or delivery—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar,

(c) directly or indirectly making restricted technology available in a third country for transfer—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar,

(d) the transfer of restricted technology from a place in a third country—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar,

(e) the direct or indirect provision, in a non-UK country, of technical assistance relating to restricted goods or restricted technology—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) for use in Myanmar,

(f) the direct or indirect provision, in a non-UK country, of financial services—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 27(1), or

(ii) where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 27(3),

(g) directly or indirectly making funds available, in a non-UK country, to a person connected with Myanmar, where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 27(1), or

(h) the direct or indirect provision of funds from a non-UK country, where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 27(3).

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but it is a defence for a person charged with that offence to show that the person did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the brokering services were provided in relation to an arrangement mentioned in that paragraph.

(4) In this regulation—

“ non-UK country ” means a country that is not the United Kingdom;

“ third country ” means—

for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) and (b), a country that is not the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or Myanmar, and

for the purposes of any other provision of paragraph (1), a country that is not the United Kingdom or Myanmar.

Section 29 Interpretation of this Chapter

For the purposes of this Chapter—

(a) goods are “for military use” if they are—

(i) for use by the Tatmadaw or any other military end-user, or

(ii) for any military use;

(b) technology is “for military use” if it—

(i) relates to military activities carried on or proposed to be carried on by the Tatmadaw or any other military end-user, or

(ii) is for any military use.

Section 30 Export of dual-use goods

(1) The export to Myanmar of dual-use goods for military use is prohibited.

(2) The export of dual-use goods for military use in Myanmar is prohibited.

(3) The export of dual-use goods to or for use by the Myanmar security forces is prohibited.

(4) Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) are subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

Section 31 Supply and delivery of dual-use goods

(1) A person must not—

(a) directly or indirectly supply or deliver dual-use goods for military use from a third country to a place in Myanmar;

(b) directly or indirectly supply or deliver dual-use goods from a third country to, or for use by, the Myanmar security forces.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(a) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that—

(i) the goods were destined (or ultimately destined) for Myanmar, or

(ii) the goods were for military use;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(b) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods were supplied or delivered to or for the use of the Myanmar security forces.

(4) In this regulation, “ third country ” means a country that is not the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or Myanmar.

Section 32 Making dual-use goods and dual-use technology available

(1) A person must not—

(a) directly or indirectly make available, to a person connected with Myanmar, dual-use goods for military use or dual-use technology for military use;

(b) directly or indirectly make available dual-use goods for military use in Myanmar or dual-use technology for military use in Myanmar;

(c) directly or indirectly make dual-use goods available to, or for use by, the Myanmar security forces.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening paragraph (1)(a) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that—

(i) the person was connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) the goods or technology were for military use;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening paragraph (1)(b) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods or technology were for military use in Myanmar;

(c) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening paragraph (1)(c) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods were made available to or for the use of the Myanmar security forces.

Section 33 Transfer of dual-use technology

(1) A person must not—

(a) transfer dual-use technology for military use to a place in Myanmar;

(b) transfer dual-use technology for military use to a person connected with Myanmar;

(c) transfer dual-use technology to the Myanmar security forces.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(a) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that—

(i) the transfer was to a place in Myanmar, or

(ii) the technology was for military use;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(b) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that—

(i) the person was connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) the technology was for military use;

(c) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening paragraph (1)(c) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the technology was transferred to the Myanmar security forces.

Section 34 Technical assistance relating to dual-use goods and dual-use technology

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly—

(a) provide technical assistance relating to dual-use goods for military use or dual-use technology for military use to a person connected with Myanmar;

(b) provide technical assistance relating to dual-use goods for military use in Myanmar or dual-use technology for military use in Myanmar;

(c) provide technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology to the Myanmar security forces;

(d) provide technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology for use by the Myanmar security forces.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(a) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that—

(i) the person was connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) the goods or technology were for military use;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(b) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods or technology were for military use in Myanmar;

(c) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(c) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the technical assistance was provided to the Myanmar security forces;

(d) it is a defence for a person charged with the offence of contravening paragraph (1)(d) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the goods or technology were for use by the Myanmar security forces.

Section 35 Financial services and funds relating to dual-use goods and dual-use technology

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly provide, to a person connected with Myanmar, financial services in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement whose object or effect is—

(a) the export of dual-use goods for military use,

(b) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of dual-use goods for military use,

(c) directly or indirectly making dual-use goods or dual-use technology for military use available to a person,

(d) the transfer of dual-use technology for military use, or

(e) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology for military use.

(2) A person must not directly or indirectly make funds available to a person connected with Myanmar in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement mentioned in paragraph (1).

(3) A person must not directly or indirectly provide, to the Myanmar security forces, financial services or funds in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement whose object or effect is—

(a) the export of dual-use goods,

(b) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of dual-use goods,

(c) directly or indirectly making dual-use goods or dual-use technology available to a person,

(d) the transfer of dual-use technology, or

(e) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology.

(4) A person must not directly or indirectly provide financial services or funds in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement whose object or effect is—

(a) the export to Myanmar of dual-use goods for military use,

(b) the export of dual-use goods for military use in Myanmar,

(c) the export of dual-use goods to or for use by the Myanmar security forces,

(d) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of dual-use goods for military use to a place in Myanmar,

(e) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of dual-use goods to, or for use by, the Myanmar security forces,

(f) directly or indirectly making available, to a person connected with Myanmar, dual-use goods for military use or dual-use technology for military use,

(g) directly or indirectly making available dual-use goods for military use in Myanmar or dual-use technology for military use in Myanmar,

(h) directly or indirectly making available dual-use goods or dual-use technology to, or for use by, the Myanmar security forces,

(i) the transfer of dual-use technology for military use—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar,

(j) the transfer of dual-use technology to the Myanmar security forces,

(k) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods for military use or dual-use technology for military use to a person connected with Myanmar,

(l) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods for military use in Myanmar or dual-use technology for military use in Myanmar,

(m) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology to the Myanmar security forces, or

(n) the direct or indirect provision of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology for use by the Myanmar security forces.

(5) Paragraphs (1) to (4) are subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(6) A person who contravenes a prohibition in any of paragraphs (1) to (4) commits an offence, but—

(a) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening a prohibition in paragraph (1) or (2) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the person was connected with Myanmar;

(b) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening a prohibition in paragraph (3) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the financial services or funds (as the case may be) were provided to the Myanmar security forces;

(c) it is a defence for a person charged with an offence of contravening a prohibition in paragraph (4) (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the financial services or funds (as the case may be) were provided in pursuance of or in connection with an arrangement mentioned in that paragraph.

Section 36 Brokering services: non-UK activity relating to dual-use goods and dual-use technology

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly provide brokering services in relation to an arrangement (“arrangement A”) whose object or effect is—

(a) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of dual-use goods for military use from a third country to a place in Myanmar,

(b) the direct or indirect supply or delivery of dual-use goods to or for use by the Myanmar security forces,

(c) directly or indirectly making dual-use goods for military use available in a third country for direct or indirect supply or delivery—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar,

(d) directly or indirectly making dual-use technology for military use available in a third country for transfer—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar,

(e) directly or indirectly making dual-use goods or dual-use technology available to, or for use by, the Myanmar security forces,

(f) the transfer of dual-use technology for military use from a place in a third country—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) to a place in Myanmar,

(g) the transfer of dual-use technology from a place in a third country to the Myanmar security forces,

(h) the direct or indirect provision, in a non-UK country, of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology for military use—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, or

(ii) for use in Myanmar,

(i) the direct or indirect provision, in a non-UK country, of technical assistance relating to dual-use goods or dual-use technology to the Myanmar security forces,

(j) the direct or indirect provision, in a non-UK country, of financial services—

(i) to a person connected with Myanmar, where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 35(1), or

(ii) where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 35(3),

(k) directly or indirectly making funds available, in a non-UK country, to a person connected with Myanmar, where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 35(1), or

(l) the direct or indirect provision of funds from a non-UK country, where arrangement A, or any other arrangement in connection with which arrangement A is entered into, is an arrangement mentioned in regulation 35(3).

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but it is a defence for a person charged with that offence to show that the person did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the brokering services were provided in relation to an arrangement mentioned in that paragraph.

(4) In this regulation—

“ non-UK country ” means a country that is not the United Kingdom;

“ third country ” means—

for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) and (c), a country that is not the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or Myanmar, and

for the purposes of any other provision of paragraph (1), a country that is not the United Kingdom or Myanmar.

Section 37 Provision of interception and monitoring services

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly provide interception and monitoring services to, or for the benefit of, the Government of Myanmar.

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(3) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but it is a defence for a person charged with that offence (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the services were provided to, or for the benefit of, the Government of Myanmar.

(4) In this regulation, “ the Government of Myanmar ” includes its public bodies, corporations or agencies, or any person acting on its behalf or at its direction.

Section 38 Military activities or otherwise enabling or facilitating the conduct of armed hostilities

(1) A person must not directly or indirectly provide anything falling within paragraph (2) to or for the benefit of the Tatmadaw, or to any person acting on its behalf or under its direction, where such provision—

(a) relates to the military activities of the recipient in Myanmar, or

(b) otherwise enables or facilitates the conduct of armed hostilities in Myanmar.

(2) The following fall within this paragraph—

(a) technical assistance,

(b) armed personnel,

(c) financial services or funds, or

(d) brokering services in relation to an arrangement whose object or effect is to provide, in a non-UK country, anything mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c).

(3) Paragraph (1) is subject to Part 6 (Exceptions and licences).

(4) A person who contravenes the prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence, but it is a defence for a person charged with that offence (“P”) to show that P did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the provision as mentioned in paragraph (1)—

(a) was to or for the benefit of the Tatmadaw, or to any person acting on its behalf or under its direction, or

(b) related to the military activities of the recipient in Myanmar or would otherwise enable or facilitate the conduct of armed hostilities in Myanmar.

(5) In this regulation—

“ non-UK country ” means a country that is not the United Kingdom;

“ technical assistance ” means the provision of technical support or any other technical service”.

(6) Nothing in this regulation is to be taken to limit the meaning of any of the prohibitions contained in Chapters 2 to 4 of this Part.

Section 39 Circumventing etc. prohibitions

(1) A person must not intentionally participate in activities knowing that the object or effect of them is, whether directly or indirectly—

(a) to circumvent any of the prohibitions in Chapters 2 to 5 of this Part, or

(b) to enable or facilitate the contravention of any such prohibition.

(2) A person who contravenes a prohibition in paragraph (1) commits an offence.

Section 40 Defences

(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a person relies on a defence under Chapters 2 to 5 of this Part.

(2) If evidence is adduced which is sufficient to raise an issue with respect to the defence, the court must assume that the defence is satisfied unless the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt that it is not.

Section 41 Finance: exceptions from prohibitions

(1) The prohibition in regulation 11 (asset-freeze in relation to designated persons) is not contravened by an independent person (“P”) transferring to another person a legal or equitable interest in funds or economic resources where, immediately before the transfer, the interest—

(a) is held by P, and

(b) is not held jointly with the designated person.

(2) In paragraph (1), “ independent person ” means a person who—

(a) is not the designated person, and

(b) is not owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

(3) The prohibitions in regulations 11 to 13 (asset-freeze in relation to, and making funds available to, or for the benefit of, designated persons) are not contravened by a relevant institution crediting a frozen account with interest or other earnings due on the account.

(4) The prohibitions in regulations 12 and 13 (making funds available to, or for the benefit of, designated persons) are not contravened by a relevant institution crediting a frozen account where it receives funds transferred to that institution for crediting to that account.

(5) The prohibitions in regulations 12 and 13 are not contravened by the transfer of funds to a relevant institution for crediting to an account held or controlled (directly or indirectly) by a designated person, where those funds are transferred in discharge (or partial discharge) of an obligation which arose before the date on which the person became a designated person.

(6) The prohibitions in regulations 11 to 13 are not contravened in relation to a designated person (“P”) by a transfer of funds from account A to account B, where—

(a) account A is with a relevant institution which carries on an excluded activity within the meaning of section 142D of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ,

(b) account B is with a ring-fenced body within the meaning of section 142A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 , and

(c) accounts A and B are held or controlled (directly or indirectly) by P.

(7) In this regulation—

“ designated person ” has the same meaning as it has in Part 3 (Finance);

“ frozen account ” means an account with a relevant institution which is held or controlled (directly or indirectly) by a designated person;

“ relevant institution ” means a person that has permission under Part 4A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Permission to carry on regulated activity).

(8) The definition of “relevant institution” in paragraph (7) is to be read with section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 , any relevant order under that section and Schedule 2 to that Act .

(9) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(b), (5) and (6) and the definition of “frozen account” in paragraph (7), references to a designated person are to be read as including a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

(10) When determining for the purposes of paragraph (5) when a person (“ C ”) who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person (“ D ”) became a designated person, C is to be treated as having become a designated person at the same time as D.

Section 41A Finance: exception from prohibitions for required payments

(1) This regulation applies to required payments within the meaning of paragraph (2).

(2) A required payment is a payment which—

(a) a designated person is required to make under or by virtue of any enactment to—

(i) the registrar of companies,

(ii) the Commissioners,

(iii) the Welsh Revenue Authority,

(iv) Revenue Scotland,

(v) the Financial Conduct Authority,

(vi) the Secretary of State,

(vii) the Welsh Ministers,

(viii) the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, or

(ix) a local authority, and

(b) is not an excluded payment.

(3) The prohibitions in regulations 11 (asset-freeze in relation to designated persons) and 13 (making funds available for benefit of designated persons) are not contravened by a person making a required payment.

(4) Where a required payment is made by a person other than a designated person, the prohibition in regulation 11 is not contravened by the designated person making a reimbursement payment to that person.

(5) The reference in paragraph (3) to a person making a required payment includes a designated person, but only where they are making a required payment on their own behalf.

(6) The following payments are to be treated as payments which a designated person is required to make under or by virtue of an enactment for the purposes of this regulation, where made by a designated person on their own behalf or by a person, other than a designated person, on behalf of a designated person—

(a) a payment to the Financial Conduct Authority of a levy imposed by the scheme manager of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme by virtue of section 213 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the compensation scheme);

(b) a payment to the Financial Conduct Authority which is collected by that Authority on behalf of the Financial Reporting Council Limited.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation, references to a designated person are to be read as including a person who is owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by the designated person.

(8) In this regulation—

“ BID levy ” means a levy that is imposed on those persons who are, in respect of particular business improvement district proposals, entitled to vote in accordance with section 39(3) of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006;

“ business improvement district ” has the meaning given in section 33 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006;

“ designated person ” has the same meaning as it has in Part 3 (Finance);

“ enactment ” has the meaning given in section 54(6) of the Act;

“ excluded payment ” means, in relation to—

the registrar of companies, a payment of fees for—

the incorporation of a firm;

the restoration of a firm to a register which is administered by the registrar;

the Financial Conduct Authority, a payment of fees for—

an application for permission from, authorisation by, registration with or recognition from the Financial Conduct Authority which relates to the carrying on of any activity falling within any function of the Financial Conduct Authority;

an application for a variation of such permission, authorisation, registration or recognition;

an application for listing or for eligibility for listing;

an application for review or approval of a document relating to listing;

an application for approval as a sponsor or primary information provider;

an application for review or approval of—

a document under rules made by the Financial Conduct Authority by virtue of Part 3 of the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024;

listing particulars under section 79 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or supplementary listing particulars under section 81 of that Act;

the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers, a payment that a designated person is required to make under or by virtue of an enactment other than a payment under or by virtue of Part 3 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988;

the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, a payment that a designated person is required to make under or by virtue of an enactment other than a payment under or by virtue of Part 2 of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977;

a local authority, a payment that a designated person is required to make under or by virtue of an enactment other than a payment under or by virtue of—

Part 1 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975;

Part 3 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988;

Parts 1 and 2 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992;

Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2003;

Part 9 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006;

the Business Rate Supplements Act 2009;

the Business Improvement Districts Act (Northern Ireland) 2013;

“ firm ” has the meaning given in section 1173(1) of the Companies Act 2006;

“ listing ” means being included in the official list maintained by the Financial Conduct Authority in accordance with Part 6 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

“ local authority ” means—

in relation to England—

a district council;

a county council for any area for which there is no district council;

a London borough council;

the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority;

the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

in relation to Wales, a county council or a county borough council;

in relation to Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 or a person appointed by such a council for the purposes of the administration, collection and recovery of a BID levy;

in relation to Northern Ireland, a district council;

“ primary information provider ” has the meaning given in section 89P(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

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“ registrar of companies ” has the meaning given in section 1060 of the Companies Act 2006 (the registrar);

“ reimbursement payment ” means a repayment from the designated person to the person who made a required payment which is of the same amount as that required payment;

“ scheme manager ” has the meaning given in section 212 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

“ sponsor ” has the meaning given in section 88(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Section 42 Exception for authorised conduct in a relevant country

(1) Where a person's conduct in a relevant country would, in the absence of this regulation, contravene a prohibition in any of regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.) or Chapters 2 to 5 of Part 5 (Trade) (“the relevant prohibition”), the relevant prohibition is not contravened if the conduct is authorised by a licence or other authorisation which is issued—

(a) under the law of the relevant country, and

(b) for the purpose of disapplying a prohibition in that jurisdiction which corresponds to the relevant prohibition.

(2) In this regulation, “ relevant country ” means—

(a) any of the Channel Islands,

(b) the Isle of Man, or

(c) any British overseas territory.

Section 43 Exception for acts done for purposes of national security or prevention of serious crime

(1) Where an act would, in the absence of this paragraph, be prohibited by the prohibition in regulation 9(2) (confidentiality) or any prohibition in Part 3 (Finance) or Part 5 (Trade), that prohibition does not apply to the act if the act is one which a responsible officer has determined would be in the interests of—

(a) national security, or

(b) the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

(2) Where, in the absence of this paragraph, a thing would be required to be done under or by virtue of a provision of Part 7 (Information and records) or Part 9 (Maritime enforcement), that requirement does not apply if a responsible officer has determined that not doing the thing in question would be in the interests of—

(a) national security, or

(b) the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

(3) In this regulation, “ responsible officer ” means a person in the service of the Crown or holding office under the Crown, acting in the course of that person's duty.

Section 44 Treasury licences

(1) The prohibitions in regulations 11 to 15 (asset-freeze etc.) do not apply to anything done under the authority of a licence issued by the Treasury under this paragraph.

(2) The Treasury may issue a licence which authorises acts by a particular person only where the Treasury consider that it is appropriate to issue the licence for a purpose set out in Schedule 4.

Section 44A Director disqualification licences

(1) The Secretary of State may issue a licence in relation to any person who is designated under regulation 5 for the purposes of regulation 16A (director disqualification sanctions) providing that the prohibitions in—

(a) section 11A(1) of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, and

(b) Article 15A(1) of the Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002,

do not apply to anything done under the authority of that licence.

Section 45 Trade licences

The prohibitions in Chapters 2 to 5 of Part 5 (Trade) do not apply to anything done under the authority of a licence issued by the Secretary of State under this regulation.

Section 46 Licences: general provisions

(1) This regulation applies in relation to Treasury licences , director disqualification licences and trade licences.

(2) A licence must specify the acts authorised by it.

(3) A licence may be general or may authorise acts by a particular person or persons of a particular description.

(4) A licence may —

(a) contain conditions;

(b) be of indefinite duration or a defined duration.

(5) A person who issues a licence may vary, revoke or suspend it at any time.

(6) A person who , on the application of a person (“ P ”), issues a licence which authorises acts by a particular person , or varies, revokes or suspends that licence, must give written notice to P of the issue, variation, revocation or suspension of the licence.

(7) A person who issues, varies, revokes or suspends a general licence or a licence which authorises acts by persons of a particular description must take such steps as that person considers appropriate to publicise the issue, variation, revocation or suspension of the licence.