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Sexual Offences Act 1993 (c. 30)
1993 CHAPTER 30
An Act to abolish the presumption of criminal law that a boy under the age of fourteen is incapable of sexual intercourse.
[20th July 1993]
Be it enacted by the Queen´s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:–
1Abolition of presumption of sexual incapacity
The presumption of criminal law that a boy under the age of fourteen is incapable of sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural) is hereby abolished.
2Short title, commencement and extent
(1)This Act may be cited as the Sexual Offences Act 1993.
(2)This Act shall come into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which it is passed.
(3)This Act does not apply to acts done before its commencement.
(4)This Act extends to England and Wales only.
12 Application of Part
This Part applies in relation to any matter arising under this Act, subject to the conditions prescribed by the regulations and to any determination made by the Minister under section 9.
(1) A person must not engage in conduct referred to in subsection (2) unless the person holds an authority issued under this Division and complies with the conditions of that authority.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the conduct includes any act done in the course of carrying on a business, whether or not for profit, within the meaning given by section 4.
13 Powers of the Minister
The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, specify the matters to be taken into account in determining an application, and may vary or revoke any such notice.
(3) Nothing in this section limits the operation of any other provision of this Act or the regulations in relation to the matters referred to in this Part.
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.
