Counter-Terrorism Act 2008

Act of Parliament

This bill passed all stages in both Houses and received Royal Assent.

Originated in CommonsCurrently in UnassignedUpdated 25 February 2009

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Long title

A Bill to Confer further powers to gather and share information for counter-terrorism and other purposes; to make further provision about the detention and questioning of terrorist suspects and the prosecution and punishment of terrorist offences; to impose notification requirements on persons convicted of such offences; to amend the law relating to asset freezing proceedings under United Nations terrorism orders; to amend the law relating to inquests and inquiries; to amend the definition of “terrorism”; to amend the enactments relating to terrorist offences, control orders and the forfeiture of terrorist cash; to provide for recovering the costs of policing at certain gas facilities; to amend provisions about the appointment of special advocates in Northern Ireland; and for connected purposes.

Summary

<p>The Bill contains a number of provisions which the Government states are designed to enhance counter-terrorism powers. The main elements of the Bill are:</p><ul><li>a provision to allow the pre-charge detention of terrorist suspects to be extended from 28 days to 42 days in certain circumstances </li><li>changes to enable the post-charge questioning of terrorist suspects and the drawing of adverse inferences from silence </li><li>imposing requirements on people convicted of terrorist offences to let authorities know where they are living and any changes to their circumstances </li><li>enhanced sentencing of offenders who commit offences with a terrorist connection </li><li>provision for inquests and inquiries to be heard without a jury.</li></ul><p>The Bill would also confer further powers to gather and share information for counter-terrorism and other purposes, and amend the law relating to asset-freezing procedures.</p>

Progress through Parliament

  1. 1st reading· Commons

    24 January 2008 – 24 January 2008

  2. 2nd reading· Commons

    1 April 2008 – 1 April 2008

  3. Programme motion· Commons

    1 April 2008 – 1 April 2008

  4. Money resolution· Commons

    1 April 2008 – 1 April 2008

  5. Committee stage· Commons

    22 April 2008 – 15 May 2008

  6. Report stage· Commons

    10 June 2008 – 11 June 2008

  7. Programme motion· Commons

    10 June 2008 – 10 June 2008

  8. 3rd reading· Commons

    11 June 2008 – 11 June 2008

  9. 1st reading· Lords

    12 June 2008 – 12 June 2008

  10. 2nd reading· Lords

    8 July 2008 – 8 July 2008

  11. Committee stage· Lords

    9 October 2008 – 21 October 2008

  12. Report stage· Lords

    4 November 2008 – 11 November 2008

  13. 3rd reading· Lords

    17 November 2008 – 17 November 2008

  14. Programme motion· Commons

    19 November 2008 – 19 November 2008

  15. Consideration of Lords amendments· Commons

    19 November 2008 – 19 November 2008

  16. Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons· Lords

    24 November 2008 – 24 November 2008

  17. Royal Assent· Unassigned

    26 November 2008 – 26 November 2008

Source: UK Parliament Bills API. Bill ID: 270.