Frequently Asked Legal Research Questions

How do I find when an Act has come into force?

The commencement section of the Act itself gives details of how the Act will come into force. If there is no information given then commencement is the date of Royal Assent.

Free web sources

·        OPSI — www.opsi.gov.uk  Acts are found under Legislation — UK — Acts. Use the alphabetical lists under each year or use the general search box if you only have the title but not the year of the Act

Hard copy sources

·        "Is it in force?" volume of Halsbury’s Statutes gives commencement dates of Acts passed in the last 25 years. This is an annual publication so use the Noter-Up service volume  to bring the information up to date

Subscription-based databases

·        Lawtel — use the Statutory Law database and then the Statutory Status Table

·        LexisNexis Professional — the notes that accompany the text give commencement details

·        LNB Legislation Direct — use the "Is it in force?" facility

·        Westlaw — legislation analysis section gives commencement information

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