Disclosing criminal records

November 22nd 2023

DISCLOSING CRIMINAL RECORDS

The period in which certain criminal records must be disclosed to prospective employers has been reduced. For example, custodial sentences of more than four years will be spent seven years after the sentence has been served. Previously, they were never spent.

When are convictions spent or unspent?

Sentence Adults Under 18s
 

Adult community order

 

  

The length of the order

  

N/A
 

Youth rehabilitation order / Referral order

 

  

N/A

  

The length of the order
 

Custody of less that 1 year

 

  

1 year

  

6 months
 

Custody of between 1 and 4 years

 

  

4 years

  

2 years
 

Custody of more than 4 years

 

  

7 years

  

3.5 years