Counter-terrorism sanctions: guidance
Statutory guidance for the Counter-terrorism sanctions regime, plus a summary of its purposes, scope and prohibitions.
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Details
The government has repealed Part 1 of the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (TAFA). These regulations have replaced TAFA, with substantially the same effect.
The Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, and certain other regulations, are in force to implement certain UN obligations and to meet the UK’s policy objectives.
This summary gives a quick overview of the sanctions in place under the regime. It is not comprehensive and is not a replacement for the statutory guidance or the regulations themselves.
Summary
Regime is limited in scope to sanctions targeting designated persons only.
Designated persons
The UK Sanctions List tells you who is designated under the regime and which sanctions have been applied to them. A designated person can be an individual, a business or an organisation.
The statutory guidance lists in detail the sanctions that can apply in respect of designated persons, including:
- an asset freeze on their funds and other assets
- making available funds or economic resources to them or for their benefit
- director disqualification
- immigration sanction (travel ban)
Sanctioned goods and services
There are no sanctions that apply in respect of goods and services under this regime.
Updates to this page
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Added summary of the regime's purposes, scope and prohibitions.
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Page has been updated for better clarity and usability. No material changes to text.
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Page navigation has been updated for better usability. No material changes to text.
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These changes reflect the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 and taken together make a range of technical changes with the purpose of improving OFSI’s ability to gather intelligence on industry’s compliance with financial sanctions, strengthen OFSI’s enforcement powers, enable OFSI to conduct its licensing responsibilities more efficiently, and clarify financial sanctions legislation where there is existing uncertainty.
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Prior to 5 June 2024 the only sanction available for use under Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (“CT3”) was an asset freeze and a travel ban. On that date, in co-operation with the FCDO, The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024 came into force. These amended multiple regimes by introducing several new measures, including the new director disqualifications. The measure enables the relevant Minister to impose ‘Director disqualification sanctions’ meaning it will be unlawful for DPs subject to the measure to act as a director of a UK company. A DP subject to this measure will commit an offence if they ‘form a UK company, or act as a director or otherwise are involved in a company’s promotion, formation or management’. The update to CT3’s Statutory Guidance relates to how this measure is implemented, enforced and licenced. It also details the relevant government departments involved in this new measure.
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Guidance amended to include information about immigration sanctions.
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First published.