Antarctic Act 1994
1994 c. 15An Act to make new provision in connection with the Antarctic Treaty signed at Washington on 1st December 1959; to make provision consequential on the Protocol on Environmental Protection to that Treaty done at Madrid on 4th October 1991; to make provision consequential on the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources drawn up at Canberra on 20th May 1980; to provide for the taking of criminal proceedings against, and the punishment of, British citizens and others in respect of certain acts and omissions occurring in that part of Antarctica that lies between 150° West longitude and 90° West longitude; and for connected purposes.
Enacted[5th July 1994]
C1Be 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:—
Part I Preliminary¶
1 Meaning of “Antarctica”.¶
2 The Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol and the Convention.¶
- “the Antarctic Treaty” means the Antarctic Treaty signed at Washington on 1st December 1959,
- “the Protocol” means the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty done at Madrid on 4th October 1991, and
- “the Convention” means the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources drawn up at Canberra on 20th May 1980.
Part II Environmental Protection¶
Permits for entering and remaining in Antarctica¶
3 Permits required for British expeditions to Antarctica.¶
4 Permits required for British stations in Antarctica.¶
5 Permits required for British vessels and aircraft entering Antarctica.¶
Mineral resources¶
6 Mineral resource activities.¶
Fauna and flora¶
7 Conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora.¶
8 Permits required for introducing non-native animals and plants into Antarctica.¶
- “ plant ” means any terrestrial, marine or freshwater vegetation, including bryophytes, lichen, fungi and algae, and includes such vegetation at any stage of its life cycle (including seeds and other propagules of such vegetation);
- “recognised assistance dog” means a dog which has been trained to assist a disabled person by a person, or a person of a description, prescribed in regulations.
8A Introduction of microscopic organisms¶
8B Introduction of non-sterile soil¶
Special areas¶
9 Areas restricted under the Protocol.¶
10 Historic Sites and Monuments.¶
11 Places protected under the Convention.¶
Permits under Part II: further provisions¶
12 Grant of permits for activities prohibited by sections 7 to 9.¶
13 Conditions attached to permits under Part II.¶
14 Permits: applications, production, revocation and suspension.¶
15 Duty to have regard to the Protocol and to measures implementing the Protocol.¶
The Secretary of State shall have regard to the provisions of the Protocol and to any measures for the implementation of the Protocol that have become effective by virtue of paragraph 4 of Article IX of the Antarctic Treaty—16 Delegation of powers under sections 10, 11 and 12 etc.¶
Offences under Part II¶
C517 Proceedings for offences under Part II.¶
Proceedings for an offence under this Part may be taken, and the offence may for incidental purposes be treated as having been committed, in any place in the United Kingdom.18 Defences.¶
C619 Offences committed by bodies corporate and Scottish partnerships.¶
20 Penalties.¶
Any person who is guilty of an offence under this Part shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, to a fine or to both, and on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.Part III Application of Criminal Law to United Kingdom Nationals¶
21 United Kingdom nationals in the unclaimed sector of Antarctica.¶
Where a United Kingdom national does or omits to do anything on any land lying south of 60° South latitude and between 150° West longitude and 90° West longitude and that act or omission would have constituted an offence under the law of any part of the United Kingdom if it had occurred in that part, he shall be guilty of the like offence as if the act or omission had taken place in that part, and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.22 United Kingdom nationals working under the Antarctic Treaty.¶
23 United Kingdom nationals working under the Convention.¶
24 Proceedings for offences under Part III.¶
Where by virtue of section 21, 22 or 23 a person is liable to be proceeded against for an offence in any part of the United Kingdom, the proceedings may be taken, and the offence may for incidental purposes be treated as having been committed, in any place in that part.Part IV Miscellaneous and Supplementary¶
International rights, obligations and arrangements¶
25 Power to make further provision in connection with the Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol and the Convention.¶
26 Power to extend the application of sections 6 to 12.¶
Where the Secretary of State thinks fit in the light of any arrangements made by Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom with another State, regulations may provide for any of the provisions of sections 6 to 12 to apply in relation to persons having such connection with that other State as may be specified in the regulations as they apply in relation to United Kingdom nationals.Offences under this Act: further provisions¶
C227 Meaning of “offence under this Act”.¶
In the following provisions of this Act “offence under this Act” includes any offence committed by virtue of section 21, 22 or 23 and any offence (wherever committed) of incitement to commit an offence under Part II, conspiracy to commit an offence under Part II or attempting to commit an offence under Part II.C728 Institution of proceedings.¶
29 Power of arrest etc.¶
30 Evidence.¶
Interpretation¶
31 Interpretation.¶
- “British expedition” has the meaning given by section 3;
- “commander”, in relation to an aircraft, means the member of the flight crew designated as commander by the operator of the aircraft, or if there is no such person, the person who is for the time being the pilot in command of the aircraft;
- “contravenes” includes fails to comply with (and “contravention” has a corresponding meaning);
- “expedition” includes any tour or other journey, whatever its purpose, made by one or more persons;
- “land” includes any ice-shelf;
- “master”, in relation to a vessel, includes any person for the time being in charge of the vessel (other than a pilot);
- “native bird” means a bird of any species indigenous to Antarctica F30... (and includes an egg of such a bird);
- “native invertebrate” means a terrestrial , marine or freshwater invertebrate indigenous to Antarctica (at any stage of its life cycle);
- “native mammal” means a mammal of any species indigenous to Antarctica F30...;
- “native plant” means any terrestrial , marine or freshwater vegetation, including bryophytes, lichens, fungi and algae, indigenous to Antarctica, and includes such vegetation at any stage of its life cycle (including seeds and other propagules of such vegetation);
- “non-national” means an individual who is not a United Kingdom national;
- “operator”, in relation to a vessel or aircraft, means the person for the time being having the management of that vessel or aircraft;
- “regulations” means regulations made by the Secretary of State;
- “station” includes any building or group of buildings;
- “United Kingdom national” means—
- a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen;
- a British subject under the M3British Nationality Act 1981;
- a British protected person within the meaning of that Act;
- a Scottish partnership;
- a body incorporated under the law of any part of the United Kingdom;
- “vessel” includes a hovercraft.
- 50° South latitude 0°;
- 50° South latitude 30° East longitude;
- 45° South latitude 30° East longitude;
- 45° South latitude 80° East longitude;
- 55° South latitude 80° East longitude;
- 55° South latitude 150° East longitude;
- 60° South latitude 150° East longitude;
- 60° South latitude 50° West longitude;
- 50° South latitude 50° West longitude; and
- 50° South latitude 0°.
Supplementary¶
32 Orders and regulations.¶
I133 Repeals.¶
The enactments mentioned in the Schedule to this Act (which include enactments that have not come into force and enactments superseded by provisions of this Act) are repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.34 Extent.¶
P135 Commencement.¶
36 Short title.¶
This Act may be cited as the Antarctic Act 1994.SCHEDULE ¶
I2Repeals
| Chapter | Short title | Extent of repeal |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 c 65. | The Antarctic Treaty Act 1967. | The whole Act. |
| 1981 c. 61. | The British Nationality Act 1981. | In Schedule 7, the entry relating to the Antarctic Treaty Act 1967. |
| 1989 c. 21. | The Antarctic Minerals Act 1989. | Sections 1 to 13 and 15 to 19 and the Schedule. |
| 1990 c. 40. | The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990. | In Schedule 8, paragraph 39. |
Footnotes
- C1Act extended (with modifications) by S.I. 1995/1030, art. 2(1)(2), Schs. 1-3 (which S.I. is in force in accordance with art. 1)) (as amended (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 2015/823, arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. and (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 2017/779, art. 2, Sch. 1, Sch. 2Act (except ss. 28, 34, 35) extended (with modifications) (Guernsey) by S.I. 1995/1033, art. 2, Sch. (which S.I. is in force in accordance with art. 1(2)(3))Act (except ss. 34, 35) extended (with modifications) (Jersey) by S.I. 1995/1034, art. 2, Sch. (which S.I. is in force in accordance with art. 1(2))Act (except ss. 34, 35) extended (with modifications) (Isle of Man) by S.I. 1995/1035, art. 2, Sch. (which S.I. is in force in accordance with art. 1(2)(3))
- M11979 c. 39.
- M21982 c. 16.
- M31981 c. 61.
- I1S. 33 partly in force; s. 33 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 35; s. 33 in force for certain purposes at 1.11.1995 by S.I. 1995/2748, art. 2
- P1S. 35 power partly exercised (9.10.1995): 1.11.1995 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1995/2748, art. 2S. 35 power partly exercised (3.10.1996): 1.11.1996 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1996/2666, art. 2S. 35 power partly exercised (26.5.1997): 1.6.1997 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1997/1411, art. 2S. 35 power partly exercised (22.9.1997): 1.10.1997 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1997/2298, art. 2S. 35 power partly exercised (22.12.1997): 14.1.1998 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1997/3068, art. 2
- I2Sch. partly in force; Sch. not in force at Royal Assent see s. 35; Sch. in force for certain purposes at 1.11.1995 by S.I. 1995/2748, art. 2
- C2S. 27 modified (1.10.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 63(1), 94(1), Sch. 6 para. 23 (with Sch. 13 para. 5); S.I. 2008/2504, art. 2(a)
- C3S. 34(2)(3) applied (26.3.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), s. 18(2)(4)(b)
- F1S. 8A inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(6), 18(4)(a)
- F2S. 8B inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(8), 18(4)(a)
- F3Word in s. 3(3) substituted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(6), 18(4)(a)
- F4Words in s. 7(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(2)(a), 18(4)(a)
- F5Words in s. 7(1)(e) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(2), 18(4)(a)
- F6S. 7(1A) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(3), 18(4)(a)
- F7S. 8(2) substituted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(4), 18(4)(a)
- F8S. 8(4)(5) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(5), 18(4)(a)
- F9Words in s. 8(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(2)(b), 18(4)(a)
- F10Words in s. 9(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(2)(c), 18(4)(a)
- F11Words in s. 10(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(2)(d), 18(4)(a)
- F12Words in s. 10(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(2)(a), 18(4)(a)
- F13S. 10(3)(4) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(2)(b), 18(4)(a)
- F14Words in s. 11(3) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(3)(a), 18(4)(a)
- F15S. 11(4) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(3)(b), 18(4)(a)
- F16Words in s. 11(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(2)(e), 18(4)(a)
- F17S. 12 renumbered (26.5.2013) as s. 12(1) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(4)(a), 18(4)(a)
- F18Words in s. 12(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(4)(b), 18(4)(a)
- F19S. 12(2) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(4)(c), 18(4)(a)
- F20Words in s. 12 heading substituted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(7)(a), 18(4)(a)
- F21Words in s. 12 inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(7)(b), 18(4)(a)
- F22Word in s. 15(a) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(3), 18(4)(a)
- F23Word in s. 15(b) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(3), 18(4)(a)
- F24Word in s. 15(c) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(3), 18(4)(a)
- F25Word in s. 16 heading inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(4)(a), 18(4)(a)
- F26Words in s. 16(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(4)(b), 18(4)(a)
- F27Words in s. 30(3) substituted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 15(5), 18(4)(a)
- F28Words in s. 31(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(5), 18(4)(a)
- F29Words in s. 31(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 14(7), 18(4)(a)
- F30Words in s. 31(1) omitted (26.5.2013) by virtue of Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(9)(a), 18(4)(a)
- F31Word in s. 31(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(9)(b), 18(4)(a)
- F32Word in s. 31(1) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(9)(c), 18(4)(a)
- F33S. 31(1A) inserted (26.5.2013) by Antarctic Act 2013 (c. 15), ss. 16(10), 18(4)(a)
- C4S. 34(2)(3) applied (1.4.2018) by Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29), s. 124(5), Sch. 12 para. 27(2); S.I. 2018/241, reg. 2(t)
- C5S. 17 applied (31.12.2020 immediately before IP completion day) by The Antarctic Act 1994 (Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1251), regs. 1(1), 9(1)(a)
- C6S. 19 applied (31.12.2020 immediately before IP completion day) by The Antarctic Act 1994 (Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1251), regs. 1(1), 9(1)(b)
- C7S. 28 applied (31.12.2020 immediately before IP completion day) by The Antarctic Act 1994 (Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1251), regs. 1(1), 9(1)(c)