Every new law in force in June with jail time warning as 'ignorance no defence'

A host of new laws have been introduced and are now in effect - and 'ignorance is no defence'.

The General Election meant Parliament was shut down abruptly at the end of May, with just a few short sessions left for MPs to put new laws in place with a rubber stamp of Royal Assent from King Charles.

The prorogation of Parliament signifies a halt to law-making activities until after the General Election slated for July 4.

But there are five key law changes which did make it through, impacting areas as diverse as fuel costs and cats, blood compensation schemes and the housing market, with one law potentially landing offenders with a five year jail term if broken thanks to the creation of two new offences.

Ban on leasehold properties - The Leasehold and Freehold Reforms Act

The Leasehold and Freehold Reforms Act was enshrined into law on May 24, heralding a significant overhaul in property ownership rules. The groundbreaking legislation outlaws the sale of new leasehold properties, mandating that all future property transactions must be freehold, save for a few exceptional cases.

In a boost for current homeowners, the act empowers existing freeholders predominantly those in newly constructed houses and flatsto extend their leaseholds at minimal cost, with the standard lease term now set to an unprecedented 990 years, a substantial increase from the current average of approximately 125 years.

Pet Abduction Act 2024

In another legislative stride, the Pet Abduction Act 2024 introduces stringent penalties for pet theft, defining it as a criminal offence. Perpetrators face hefty fines and imprisonment for up to five years.

The act articulates: "The new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers."

Further reinforcing animal welfare, the law complements another recent mandate requiring all cats to be microchipped by June 10.

The pet abduction bill creates two new offences: Dog abduction and cat abduction. These carry a maximum prison sentence of five years and could also be extended to other pets in future.

The law came about in response to a surge in pet thefts during Covid lockdowns.

Post Office Horizon System Offences Act 2024

This act has led to the quashing of convictions for postmasters. The Horizon scandal saw an IT system falsely accuse innocent postmasters of theft from the Post Office.

Many had their lives destroyed, were imprisoned and forced to repay large sums. Following the popularisation of the scandal through an ITV drama, the government has acted swiftly.

Prosecutions brought by the CPS or the Post Office between 1996 and 2018 are now being erased, with criminal records also deleted.

Victims and Prisoners Bill

The Victims and Prisoners Bill introduces the Infected Blood Compensation body.

This bill addresses the infected blood scandal which affected more than 30,000 people with HIV or hepatitis due to NHS failures from the 1970s to the 1990s. Those living with the virus as a result will receive compensation.

The legislation also establishes the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to distribute payments to victims and their families.

Fuel sales shake-up - The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

In a move to bolster the powers of the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority), the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act has been enshrined into law.

A notable provision of this new statute is the authority it grants the government to pinpoint and scrutinize potential abuses in the petrol and diesel markets. The RAC recently highlighted the plight of UK motorists, facing the steepest diesel prices across Europe.

The legislation states: "The Act will also give new powers to the CMA to closely monitor road fuel prices and report any sign of malpractice to the government."

The law now also targets subscription services and outlaws fake reviews, making it illegal to post fake reviews and to host them.

Subscription services are also being told they must make cancellation policies clearer and easier to navigate and must not use tricks to keep subscribers paying, with possible government action for those flouting the law.

Ignorance is no defence

Those wishing to claim they didn't know about the laws are being told that won't stand up in court.

DLS Solicitors explained: "Ignorance of the law is no defence” is a legal principle that holds individuals accountable for violating the law even if they were unaware of the specific legal requirements or prohibitions. Essentially, it means that not knowing the law is not a valid excuse or defence against prosecution. In many legal systems, individuals are expected to be aware of the laws that govern their actions, and ignorance or misunderstanding of those laws does not exempt them from liability"