Historical same-sex sexual conviction disregards and pardons, June 2023 to March 2025

Product Description

The Disregards and Pardons Scheme was established following the enactment of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to address the historical discrimination faced by individuals who were criminalised for same-sex sexual activity. Initially, the scheme was open to men with specific convictions for homosexual offences that have since been repealed. These individuals could apply to have their convictions and/or cautions ‘disregarded’ by the Secretary of State (meaning deleted from official records). The specific offences were limited to buggery, gross indecency, and equivalent offences under military law (for veterans).

Sections 194 and 195 in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 significantly extended the scope of the scheme. From 13 June 2023, the scheme was extended in the following ways:

• it is now open to any individual applicant
• the Home Office will consider any repealed or abolished offence that was used to criminalise same-sex sexual activity

If an application is received which does not relate to convictions for same-sex sexual activity; or is outside of the jurisdiction of the Home Office; or is not repealed or abolished, then this is considered outside of the scope of the legislation.