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Section 2 meaning

What does Section 2 mean?
In practice, “Section 2” is used to describe the rule that, on arrest, a person must be told promptly, in simple language, that they are under arrest and the grounds for it, at the time of arrest or as soon as practicable. Failure to give this information can render the arrest unlawful. The duty is primarily statutory and supported by case law. In England and Wales it is codified in PACE 1984, s.28 and underpinned by Christie v Leachinsky and Article 5(2) ECHR. In Scotland, the requirement appears in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, s.3 (noting that s.2 of that Act concerns the necessity test for arrest, not the information to be given). Northern Ireland mirrors PACE through the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, which imposes the same obligation. In Ireland, the obligation arises from constitutional and common-law principles and statute; Gardaí must state the true grounds for arrest in ordinary language at the time, or as soon as practicable thereafter. Practically, officers must communicate both the fact of arrest and its grounds. Non-compliance may invalidate the arrest and detention and support applications to exclude evidence, as well as civil claims for false imprisonment and damages.
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CHECKLISTS
Public children proceedings flowchart: section 31(2) Children Act 1989 threshold for care and supervision orders (England and Wales)

This flowchart outlines particulars of the threshold criteria prescribed in section 31(2) of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989), and identifies the public children law applications to which criteria pertain and apply...

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CHECKLISTS
Attending SFO section 2 interviews (CJA 1987): lawyers’ checklist on permissions, undertakings, disclosure, conflicts/privilege, interventions, and steps before, during and after

Key reading for lawyers attending s 2 interviews The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is empowered to compel interviews with persons thought to hold information pertinent to an investigation, by issuing a notice under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 (section 2 interviews). For comprehensive guidance on this power and the practical issues it creates, refer to: Interviews under the Criminal Justice Act 1987, s 2 For additional resources relevant to attending interviews under caution and those conducted at the police station, see: Attendance at the police station—checklist Attendance at a corporate crime interview under caution—checklist As the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE 1984) does not apply to s 2 interviews, there is therefore no statutory right for an interviewee to have legal representation. It is consequently vital that criminal practitioners are familiar with the SFO guidance for lawyers: section 2 interviews...

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CHECKLISTS
Rights of light: lease and related document review checklist—express/implied grants, reservations, prescription, assignments and releases (England and Wales)

This Checklist This Checklist outlines which provisions in a lease and other relevant associated documentation should be carefully examined to ascertain whether a right of light subsists. A right of light is an easement granting a landowner the entitlement to receive natural light through an opening in a building on its land. The owner of the land encumbered by that right (the 'servient Building') must not impede or disturb it without first obtaining consent. For any proposed development, it is therefore essential to identify neighbouring properties that could be enjoying a right of light (the 'dominant Building'). For further information on rights of light, see the following Practice Notes: Establishing and maintaining rights of light Rights of light—obstruction notices Rights of light claims Rights of light—insurance for developers Section 2 of the Prescription Act 1832 (PA 1832) requires actual enjoyment of light, meaning that those with less than a freehold interest can acquire a right of light in their own...

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FLOWCHARTS
Employment disputes: international jurisdiction under Brussels I (recast) for proceedings issued on or before IP completion day (31 December 2020)—flowchart [Archived]

Background to and scope of this flowchart An individual who conducts a regulated activity in the UK in the course of business, where no relevant exclusion or exemption applies, must be authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA 2000). For details and context on the consequences of carrying on a regulated activity without authorisation, consult Practice Note: The general prohibition and implications of its breach. For an explanation of what it means to carry on business in the UK, see Practice Notes: What does 'by way of business' mean? and Territorial scope of the general prohibition. For guidance on exemptions and exclusions that may apply in particular circumstances, refer to Practice Notes: Regulated activities—exempt persons and Exclusions and exemptions relating to the general prohibition—an introduction...

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FLOWCHARTS
Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes: Flowchart of Stages and Steps Before Proceedings

FORTHCOMING CHANGE : The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 obtained Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. For guidance on the Act’s effect on residential tenancies in England, see Practice Note: Renters’ Rights Act 2025—key provisions. This Flowchart outlines how to end an assured (AT) or assured shorthold tenancy (AST) via section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 (HA 1988), including: service of a section 8 notice issuing proceedings the steps in the case leading to an order for possession Where HA 1988 applies, unless the tenant agrees to leave voluntarily, a landlord may recover possession only by using the procedures in HA 1988, sections 8 or 21, obtaining an order for possession and enforcing it. See Practice Note: Assured and assured shorthold tenancies—terminating. The section 8 process is available where the tenant has defaulted on tenancy obligations (for example, failing to pay rent) or the landlord qualifies for possession on another HA 1988, Sch 2 ground, whether during a fixed...

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FLOWCHARTS
Appropriation of Payments: Flowchart for Applying a Solvent Debtor’s Payment to Multiple Debts Owed to the Same Creditor

Aim of this flowchart Under section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, anyone who carries on a regulated activity in the UK in the course of business, without an applicable exclusion or exemption, must hold authorisation from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and/or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This requirement is referred to as the general prohibition. For further detail on the general prohibition and the scope of regulated activities, consult the Practice Notes: The general prohibition and implications of its breach, and What are regulated activities? This flowchart is intended to assist in deciding whether a person is undertaking the regulated activities of effecting and carrying out contracts of insurance as principal, pursuant to article 10(1) and (2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (SI 2001/544) (RAO). Any references here to PERG are to the FCA’s Perimeter Guidance Manual, which provides regulatory guidance within the FCA Handbook. It serves as a guide to the FCA Handbook...

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NEWS
Great Britain energy law weekly update – 2 May 2024: Ofgem consultations, DESNZ heat networks, flexibility markets, renewables co-location, nuclear AI, EU Net-Zero Industry Act

In this issue Key developments and materials Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Networks and network connections Renewable energy Conventional power, waste to energy, biomass, and CHP projects Nuclear energy International energy LexTalk®Energy: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Key developments and materials National Grid has unveiled a strategic tie-up between its Distribution System Operator (DSO) and Electron to boost the scale and value of flexibility for system operators and flexibility service providers (FSPs) by enabling market interoperability. Electron will link its flexibility market platform, ElectronConnect, with the DSO’s Market Gateway, giving FSPs wider choice in how they access and engage with flexibility on the electricity distribution network. The collaboration also aims to reduce entry hurdles and drive broader market participation. See: LNB News 02/05/2024 7. Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Ofgem has opened a consultation...

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NEWS
Weekly energy law update: Ofgem decisions, grid and flexibility reforms, hydrogen/LDES support, CHMM guidance, CfD and planning changes, nuclear siting policy, EU State aid/infrastructure actions—13 March 2025

In this issue: Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Renewable energy Capacity Market, balancing services and energy system flexibility Conventional power, waste to energy, biomass, and CHP projects Nuclear energy Planning issues in energy projects International energy Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Electricity and gas market regulation and licensing Ofgem publishes determinations on code manager selection for REC and BSC Ofgem has issued two determinations, setting out its conclusions under section 187(1) of the Energy Act 2023 to move ahead with appointing code managers for the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) and the Retail Energy Code (REC) without running a competition. As a consequence, both the Retail Energy Code Company Ltd and Elexon Ltd will, respectively, be asked to provide a licensing assessment form. Ofgem will subsequently review the submissions and confirm whether it proposes to award each entity a licence. See:...

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NEWS
UK and EU banking and finance—Land Registry, SFDR, T+1, Listing Act, PRIIPs, ISDA, MiFIR, case law and key dates: weekly update, 8 May 2025

In this issue Security Sustainable finance Debt capital markets Derivatives Regulation for derivatives lawyers Claims and remedies Daily and weekly news alerts Updated Practice Notes Useful information Security HM Land Registry has revised Practice Guide 29—Registration of legal charges and deeds of variation of charge. An update to section 4 now explains how to remove a note recorded in the charges register pursuant to section 859H of the Companies Act 2006. See: LNB News 06/05/2025 2. Source: Registration of legal charges and deeds of variation of charge (PG29). Sustainable finance The European Commission has opened a call for evidence to review the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (EU SFDR). The initiative targets unnecessary burdens by simplifying and streamlining obligations, including easing environmental, social and governance reporting for financial market participants so they can focus on information most relevant to investors. Responses are requested by 30 May 2025, and the feedback will guide...

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View the related Practice Notes about Section 2

PRACTICE NOTES
Extradition Act 2003: Statutory and Optional Bars to Extradition from the UK (Parts 1 and 2), with ECHR and TCA Considerations

This Practice Note examines the statutory bars to extradition from the UK contained in section 11 of the Extradition Act 2003 (EA 2003). There are numerous specific grounds that an individual may rely upon to resist extradition under EA 2003. Some of these grounds apply across both categories of request, while others are confined to EA 2003, Pt 1 or EA 2003, Pt 2 requests only. For an overview of the statutory scheme under EA 2003, see Practice Note: Extradition and the statutory framework—an introduction to extradition. For further guidance on the procedure applicable to EA 2003, Pt 1 and EA 2003, Pt 2, see Practice Note: Extradition under Parts 1 and 2 of the Extradition Act 2003—procedure. Statutory bars At the extradition hearing, the district judge will assess whether the request relates to an extradition offence and whether any of the statutory bars to extradition apply. The statutory grounds for opposing extradition are then considered in turn...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: summary-only offences—obstruction, false inspector, HSE inquiries; time limits, prosecution, venue, corporate liability, penalties

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA 1974) sets out broad duties to protect the health and safety of employees and others affected by work. Not complying with these duties is a criminal offence, prosecutable in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. For details of the duties under HSWA 1974, ss 2–7, see the following Practice Notes: Failure to carry out health and safety duties under HSWA 1974—offences Safety and the risk to safety under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Employees' duties to take reasonable care for health and safety at work Directors’ duties for health and safety Health and safety law and the self-employed This Practice Note highlights those HSWA 1974 offences that can only be tried in the magistrates’ courts. Summary only health and safety offences The health and safety offences that are triable only in the magistrates’ court are: Breach of provisions relating...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Virtual execution of deeds, contracts and guarantees in England and Wales: practical options, Mercury implications, witnessing, and HM Land Registry requirements

This Practice Note offers practical direction on correctly executing documents when one or more parties to a contract are not physically together, often referred to as virtual signing or a virtual closing. The Law Society has brought together established materials covering: execution of documents by virtual means, use of electronic signatures, its ‘Tips on how to operate in practice’ concerning virtual execution and the use of e‑signatures, and Q&A on using electronic signatures and completing virtual executions, including ‘Our position on the use of virtual execution and e‑signature during the coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic’. We have assembled a comprehensive, interactive collection to help users identify and navigate the concepts and common issues involved in executing documents, including by virtual means. Each section or phase contains practical guidance, precedent clauses and Q&As relevant to that stage. For more information, see: Execution collection. Mercury Tax Case This guidance aligns with the Law Society’s position issued on 16 February 2010 in response...

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View the related Precedents about Section 2

PRECEDENTS
Draft email to other solicitors arranging counterpart completion: execution and delivery procedures (Scotland) under the Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Act 2015

Suggested email to arrange counterpart completion with other solicitors SUBJECT: [ Transaction Name OR Details ] – Completion Arrangements We write to outline, for the purposes of these arrangements, our intended approach for arranging the signing and delivery of the documents required for the anticipated completion of [ insert details ]. We confirm that [ insert firm name ] is prepared to serve as nominated person pursuant to section 2(1) of the Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Act 2015 (the Act), and, as agreed, section 2(3) of the Act is hereby excluded and will not apply to these Completion Arrangements...

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PRECEDENTS
Product Safety Incident, Recall and Corrective Action Plan Template aligned with PAS 7100:2022 and GPSR 2005

1 Management commitment Person accountable for the Product Safety Incident Plan (PSIP) [ Insert name and contact details of senior person in the organisation responsible for leading, developing and periodically reviewing the policy, and reporting on its operation to the Board ] Plan Review Date [ Insert date of next plan review ] 1.1 [ Insert organisation name ] aims to ensure every product it [ produces AND/OR distributes ] is safe, of high quality and meets all applicable legislation and standards. [ Insert organisation name ] evaluates those products and acts to remove, or, where that is not achievable, to reduce, any identified safety risks. 1.2 [ Insert organisation name ] achieves this through quality assurance, ongoing product monitoring [ , review of customer complaints and product returns, ] and risk assessment, in accordance with the relevant section of the PSIP. 1.3 The PSIP has been shaped with contributions from across the business, including [ eg design, production, quality assurance, customer services,...

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PRECEDENTS
Deed of Planning Obligation under Section 106 TCPA 1990 (England): Precedent covering financial contributions, section 278 Highways Act 1980 works, open space, affordable housing, public art and biodiversity net gain

This Agreement is entered into on [ insert date ] of [ insert month ] [ insert year ] by and between: [ insert name ], of [ insert address ] (' Council '); [ insert name ], of [ insert address ] (' County Council '); [ insert name ], a company duly incorporated and registered in [ insert details ] under number [ insert details ], whose registered office is at [ insert address ] (' Developer '); [ Additional parties as necessary eg owner, landlord, mortgagee, option holder etc. ] (' [ insert additional parties as necessary eg owner, landlord, mortgagee, option holder etc ] '). Recitals The Council is the local planning authority for the purposes of section 106 of the 1990 Act for the area within which the Land is situated and is the body by whom the obligations contained in this Deed are enforceable. The County Council is the local highway...

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Q&As
Tenancy deposit claim if prescribed information names agent, not landlord — 2007 Order para 2(g)(iii)

Section 213 of the Housing Act 2004 (HA 2004) sets out the obligations on landlords who take a deposit in relation to an assured shorthold tenancy. Every deposit must be handled in line with an authorised scheme (HA 2004, s 213(1)), and the scheme’s initial requirements must be met within a period of 30 days from receipt of the deposit (HA 2004, s 213(3))...

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Q&As
Automatic enrolment: apprentices under 18 earning under £10,000

Automatic enrolment does not apply to workers under age 22. Individuals younger than 22 fall outside automatic enrolment. However, anyone aged 16 to 21 with qualifying earnings of £6,032 or above in the 2018–19 tax year may choose to join their employer’s automatic enrolment arrangement and receive employer pension contributions. For the purposes of limb (a) in section 230(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996), a worker is an individual who has entered into, or works or worked under, a contract of employment. Under ERA 1996, section 230(2), a contract of employment means a contract of service or apprenticeship. An apprenticeship agreement meeting the requirements of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 is treated as a contract of service, not a contract of apprenticeship. See Practice Notes: Employee status and Apprenticeships...

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Q&As
Section 55A FLA 1986 Declaration of Parentage by Consent?

Under section 55A of the Family Law Act 1986 (FLA 1986), a party can apply to either the Family Court or the High Court for a declaration determining whether a person named in the application is, or was, the parent of another individual in question. The court’s authority depends on domicile or habitual residence in England and Wales, as set out in FLA 1986, s 55A(2). Where the application is successful, and a declaration of parentage is granted by the court, it shall give notice to the Registrar General (FLA 1986, s 55A(7))...

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