Search Legislation

Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981

Changes to legislation:

Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 25 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I Forgery and Kindred Offences

    1. Offences

      1. 1. The offence of forgery.

      2. 2. The offence of copying a false instrument.

      3. 3. The offence of using a false instrument.

      4. 4. The offence of using a copy of a false instrument.

      5. 5. Offences relating to money orders, share certificates, passports, etc.

    2. Penalties etc.

      1. 6. Penalties for offences under Part I.

      2. 7. Powers of search, forfeiture, etc.

    3. Interpretation of Part I

      1. 8. Meaning of “instrument”.

      2. 9. Meaning of “false” and “making”.

      3. 10. Meaning of “prejudice” and “induce”.

    4. Miscellaneous

      1. ll. Amendments of Mental Health Acts.

      2. 12. Amendments of Road Traffic Act and Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.

      3. 13. Abolition of offence of forgery at common law.

  3. Part II Counterfeiting and Kindred Offences

    1. Offences

      1. 14. Offences of counterfeiting notes and coins.

      2. 15. Offences of passing etc. counterfeit notes and coins.

      3. 16. Offences involving the custody or control of counterfeit notes and coins.

      4. 17. Offences involving the making or custody or control of counterfeiting materials and implements.

      5. 18. The offence of reproducing British currency notes.

      6. 19. Offences of making etc. imitation British coins.

    2. Prohibition of importation and exportation of counterfeits

      1. 20. Prohibition of importation of counterfeit notes and coins.

      2. 21. Prohibition of exportation of counterfeit notes and coins.

    3. Penalties etc.

      1. 22. Penalties for offences under Part II.

      2. 23. Penalties for offences under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 relating to counterfeits.

      3. 24. Powers of search, forfeiture, etc.

      4. 25. Directors’ etc. liability.

      5. 26. Amendment of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980.

    4. Interpretation of Part II

      1. 27. Meaning of “currency note” and “protected coin”.

      2. 28. Meaning of “counterfeit”.

  4. Part III Miscellaneous and General

    1. Miscellaneous

      1. 29. Amendment of Post Office Act 1953.

    2. 30. Repeals

    3. Extent

      1. 31. Scotland.

      2. 32. Northern Ireland.

    4. Commencement and short title

      1. 33. Commencement.

      2. 34. Citation.

    1. SCHEDULE

      Repeals

      1. Part I General Repeals Consequential on Part I

      2. Part II General Repeals Consequential on Part II

      3. Part III Northern Ireland Legislation—Repeals Consequential on Parts I and II

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources