Terrorism and security
Funding terrorism
England & Wales. Elements, mode of trial, maximum and defences — not a charging or outcome predictor.
- Triable
- Either way
- Maximum penalty
- 14 years’ custody
Actus reus
- ss.15–18 TA 2000: fundraising, use/possession of money or property, funding arrangements, or money laundering of terrorist property. Check the charged section.
Mens rea
- s.15: intends that money/property be used for terrorism, or has reasonable cause to suspect that it may be. Later sections use intention, knowledge, or reasonable cause to suspect as drafted — read the section.
Defences
No fundraising / use / arrangement / dealing as charged · No intention and no reasonable cause to suspect · Authorised disclosure / reasonable excuse where the section provides one
Sentencing Council
Sentencing Council guideline effective 01 October 2022. Offence range: High level community order – 13 years’ custody.
At the police station
Identify 15, 16, 17 or 18. Bank transfers without a terrorism intent/suspicion are not automatically s.15.
When to involve a rep or solicitor
Police station advice is free under legal aid and is not means-tested. Terrorism Act detention needs a solicitor used to TA procedure.
Authoritative sources for this page
Statute plus Sentencing Council (and CPS where listed) are the two primary sources we used for mode of trial, maximum and elements. Case links are from our verified registry only.
- Statute:Terrorism Act 2000, ss.15–18 ↗
- Sentencing Council:Sentencing Council definitive guideline ↗