The Modern Slavery Act 2015 includes the following types of offence; slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. Offences under this Act are complicated and considered extremely serious. The alleged offender must know or ought to know that the victim is being held in slavery or servitude and is being forced or compelled to perform labour, if convicted the offence carries a lengthy custodial sentence. Therefore, it is important to obtain specialist legal advice, at Platts Solicitors we have extensive experience at the highest level and we will insure that you are fully represented to achieve the best outcome.

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking offences may involve adults or children, it is the arrangement and or facilitating the travel of another person with or without their consent for exploitation. The travel can be within a country or between countries.

The Palermo Protocol provides the first internationally recognised definition of human trafficking: Trafficking in persons shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.

Examples of slavery and human trafficking offences;

  • Forced labour, labour exploitation, or forced services.
  • Organ donor.
  • Prostitution – This concerns prostitution or forms of sexual exploitation. Women or young persons can be lured, often abroad, by the false promise of wealth, marriage and a better life.
  • Servitude – When an individual is made to provide domestic work either through direct force or coercion by other means.
  • Slavery or similar practices – Individuals are moved from place to place and can sometimes be drugged to control them.
  • Smuggling migrants into the UK – Migrants can be illegally smuggled into the UK in vehicles such as aircraft or boats. Section 25 of the Immigrant Act 1971 also creates an offence of assisting unlawful immigration (which is called facilitation).

Penalties for Modern Slavery Act offences will depend on the exact nature of the offence and carries a custodial sentence of up to 14 years custody on conviction.

Human traffic cases are usually complex and involve more than one jurisdiction. It is important that you seek specialist legal advice from the outset, at Platts Solicitors we have a combined legal knowledge which exceeds over 100 years of experience.  With our expertise and experience in handling complex charges, we will provide you with the highest standard of client care to ensure you have the best possible defence and aim to prevent a prosecution where possible, or to achieve an acquittal following a prosecution.

Contact  

For expert advice on all criminal-related matters, contact our Manchester criminal lawyers online or by phone on 0161 834 3114 and Office out of hours number 07977 402020