Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Lawful authority definition

What does Lawful authority mean? In practice, lawful authority describes a legally recognised power or permission to do something that would otherwise be unlawful, usually criminal. It derives from statute or the common law, or from instruments and roles they create, such as a warrant or court order, a statutory licence or certificate, or the powers of a public office-holder. Where an offence is framed as doing an act “without lawful authority”, absence of authority is an element for the prosecution to prove; alternatively, it may operate as a defence that the accused must raise evidentially, after which the prosecution must disprove it beyond...

Aggravated vehicle-taking under the Theft Act 1968 s 12A: elements, defences, alternative verdicts and sentencing (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert

Practice notes

The offence of aggravated vehicle-taking

A person commits aggravated vehicle-taking if the following conditions are met:

they remove a conveyance without the owner’s consent or other lawful authority for their own use or for another’s; or
knowing that any conveyance has been taken without such consent or authority, they drive it or allow themselves to be carried in or on it—the basic offence (TWOC) under section 12 of the Theft Act 1968 (TA 1968);
and it is shown that, at any point after the vehicle was unlawfully taken (by that person or someone else) and before it was recovered, the vehicle was driven, or injury or damage resulted.

See Practice Note: Taking a conveyance without the owner’s consent (TWOC)...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...