Search the complete official statute book, find the law that applies in each UK nation, and open a dedicated page only where CrimeRate has completed a substantive offence-specific review.
This searches legislation.gov.uk directly. Search a title such as “Sexual Offences Act”, or search the full text for a legal phrase such as “grievous bodily harm”.
Start with the place and date, then move from the official wording to the facts and current sentencing guidance.
England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not share one criminal-law system. Territorial extent comes before the offence name.
Read the official text and its amendment status. A headline, map category or everyday label may cover several offences.
The prosecution must prove the conduct, mental element and any circumstance required by the precise provision.
A statutory maximum is a ceiling. The current guideline, facts, plea and offender circumstances shape the court's decision.
These explanations are individually reviewed. They do not convert broad crime-map categories into charges.
8 reviewed guides
Murder is a common-law offence. A person convicted of murder receives a life sentence; the judge separately sets the minimum term that must be served before the Parole Board can consider release.
Rape under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 is an indictable-only offence. The statutory maximum is life imprisonment, but the sentence is determined through the current guideline and the facts proved in the case.
Section 18 is the more serious of the offences commonly described as GBH because it requires the relevant intent. It can carry life imprisonment.
Section 20 covers unlawful wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without the specific intent required for section 18. Its ordinary statutory maximum is five years’ custody.
Having an article with a blade or point in a public place without a lawful reason or authority can be an offence. The ordinary adult maximum for the possession offences covered by the guideline is four years’ custody.
Possessing a firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger life is a specific and very serious firearms offence. It is not the same as every offence described in news coverage as gun crime.
Robbery combines theft with force or the threat of force used immediately before or at the time of stealing. It carries a maximum of life imprisonment.
Aggravated burglary is burglary where the offender has a firearm, imitation firearm, weapon of offence or explosive at the relevant time. It carries a maximum of life imprisonment.
Use the whole-statute search above. A missing explainer does not mean conduct is lawful.
Search official legislationThis subject index takes you to the complete official Act, not a shortened copy. “UK” does not mean every provision applies identically in all four nations.
The main legislation behind homicide sentencing, assault, serious injury and domestic-abuse offences.
Core legislation for sexual offences, harassment, stalking, exploitation and safeguarding.
The main Acts covering stealing, burglary, robbery, fraud, criminal damage and criminal proceeds.
Legislation governing firearms, knives, controlled drugs and offences affecting public order.
Statutes dealing with terrorism, unauthorised computer activity, organised crime, bribery and serious offending.
Frequently used legislation governing road offences, police powers, attempts and court procedure.
Every imported official record receives its own source page. The catalogue importer resumes from its last verified page and never mistakes blocked access for an empty dataset.
Always establish where the alleged conduct happened and which court system applies.
Many offences are shared with Wales, but devolved Welsh legislation can also apply.
Browse legislation extending to England →Acts of Senedd Cymru and Welsh statutory instruments sit alongside UK legislation.
Browse legislation extending to Wales →Scotland has a distinct criminal-law system, court structure and sentencing framework.
Browse legislation extending to Scotland →Northern Ireland has separate Acts, Orders, Rules and criminal-justice institutions.
Browse Northern Ireland legislation →The court must identify the offence and applicable law, then consider the current guideline, harm, culpability, aggravating and mitigating factors, dangerousness, previous convictions and any guilty plea. This library provides public legal information, not advice on an individual case.
