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Terrorism Law Solicitors

Are you being treated as a terror suspect? Have you been accused of circulating terrorist publications? Have you been linked to terrorist training or possessing terrorist information? If you want representation from experienced terrorism lawyers, you need to speak to us.

If you are being held by the police under terrorism offences, you are entitled to free independent legal advice and representation by a qualified police station representative, no matter what the time of day.

Whether you have been accused of a terrorism offence, been arrested, charged or released on bail, or are just worried about a family or friend in this situation, it is important that you get in touch with one of our specialist terrorism lawyers.

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

Our expert terrorism solicitors at JD Spicer Zeb in London, Birmingham and Manchester are ready and waiting to help you, when you need us most. With our expertise and knowledge of terrorism law, the Terrorism Act and Human Rights Act, we are the experts you need on your side to defend you and your rights.

Are you looking for an experienced terrorism solicitor?

The Courts take terrorism charges very seriously. If you have been charged with a terrorism offence your liberty is at risk and, if convicted, you could receive a lengthy custodial sentence. Therefore choosing quality legal representation is vital to the positive direction and successful outcome of your case.

JD Spicer Zeb terrorism lawyers have wide experience and specialist expertise in dealing with terrorism cases at the police station and up to the Crown Court.

We were also involved in the following notable cases:

  • The Ricin Plot
  • The Forrest Gate Two

Our specialist team have wide experience and detailed knowledge of:

  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • The Terrorism Act 2000
  • The Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001
  • The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005
  • The Terrorism Act 2006
  • The Counter-Terrorism Act 2008

Why choose JD Spicer Zeb’s terrorism solicitors?

At JD Spicer Zeb, we only employ experienced and dedicated lawyers in this complex and specialised area of law.

If you are facing charges under the Terrorism Act, we know that this will be a very stressful and worrying time for you and your family.  You will want to ensure that you are being represented by a solicitor and team that has proven capabilities in terrorism law, genuine experience and an excellent track record of success in delivering the best results in the circumstances.

We also have close contact with barristers and KCs who specialise in this area and who can assist in your defence.

What type of cases do JD Spicer Zeb’s terrorism lawyers take on?

Our terrorism lawyers can represent you on all types of terrorism cases and offences, including but not limited to:

Act preparatory to terrorism

Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 outlines that someone can be charged with ‘preparation of a terrorist act’. This is where someone is deemed to have had the intention of committing an act of terrorism or intend to assist someone else to commit an act of terrorism.

Acts which may be considered as an act of terrorism include, but are not limited to:

  • Possessing, manufacturing or selling a firearm;
  • Possessing a bomb or bomb making equipment ; or
  • Training or instructing others in preparation of a terrorism act

This also includes preparation at an early stage, including internet research.

Encouragement of terrorism

 Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006 outlines that ‘encouragement of terrorism’ will involve any published statements (or steps to encourage another person to publish statements) which encourage others to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism.

The statement could also be considered reckless as to whether someone else may be induced into committing acts of terrorism.

Dissemination of terrorist publications

Under Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006, someone may be charged with dissemination of terrorist publications if they::

  • Distribute or circulate a terrorist publication;
  • Give, sell or lend a terrorist publication;
  • Offer a terrorist publication for sale or loan;
  • Provide a service to others which enables another to obtain, read, listen or look at terrorist publications or acquire them by means of a gift, sale or loan;
  • Transmit the content of terrorist publications electronically; or
  • Have a terrorist publication in their possession with a view to becoming the subject of any of the above.

Terrorist training offences

Under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act, charges for training for terrorism can be brought where there is evidence of any instruction or training in the skills that can be used to commit an act of terrorism. It also must be shown that, at the time, the person know that their instructions or training would assist in the commission of terrorist acts.

Skills which could be used to commit an act of terrorism include:

  • Making, handling or using a noxious substance;
  • Making or using firearms, radioactive material, or weapons designed or adapted for the discharge of any radioactive material or explosives; or
  • Making or using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

It does not matter how many people were instructed or trained or whether the training refers to a skill or multiple skills.

Funding terrorism

Under Section 15 of the Terrorism Act 2000, if a person invites, receives money or other property, and has reasonable belief that this will be used for the purpose of terrorism, this can lead to a charge of ‘fundraising terrorism’.

This can be further separated into the following:

Section 16 Terrorism Act 2000 - Use and possession

A person may be charged with ‘use and possession’ for the purpose of terrorism if they use money or property for the purpose of terrorism or if they possess money or property and intend for it to be used for the purpose of terrorism.

Section 17 Terrorism Act - Funding arrangements

A person may be charged with ‘funding arrangements’ of terrorism if they enter or become concerned in an arrangement whereby money or other property made available for the purposes of terrorism.

Section 18 Terrorism Act - Money laundering

A person may be charged with ‘money laundering’ if they enter or become concerned in an arrangement which facilitates the retention or control of terrorist property by concealment, removal from the jurisdiction, by transfer to nominees or in any other way.

Possessing information for terrorist purposes

Under Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000, a person may be charged for possessing an article which gives rise to reasonable suspicion that said possession is for a purpose which is connected to the commission, preparation or instigation is an act of terrorism.

Conspiracy to murder

Offences which are not included in terrorism law in the UK can also be classed as having a terrorist connection, including conspiracy to murder, or causing an explosion. Any cases with terrorist connections, including conspiracy to murder, are likely to attract a higher sentence on conviction.

Failing to disclose information that may be of use to authorities in preventing terrorism

Under Section 38B of the Terrorism Act 2000, a person may be charged with ‘failure to disclose information about acts of terrorism’ if they have information which they know or believe might be of material assistance in preventing the commission of an act of terrorism or in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Being a member of a terrorist organisation

Under Section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000, a person may be charged with ‘being a member of a terrorist organisation; if they belong or profess to belong to a proscribed organisation. 

Support of a terrorist organisation

Under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, a person may be charged with supporting a terrorist organisation f they invite support, express  an opinion or belief, arrange or manage meetings or address a meeting which is supportive of a proscribed organisation.

A proscribed organisation is an organisation that the Home Secretary believes commits or permits acts of terrorism, prepares for terrorism, promotes or encourages terrorism or is otherwise concerned in terrorism.

Collecting of information

Under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000, a person commits a terrorism offence if they:

  1. Collect or make a record of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism (includes downloading); or
  2. Possess a document or record containing information of that kind; or
  3. View, or otherwise access, by means of the internet a document or record containing information of that kind.

A record could be photographic or an electronic record.

Our terrorism law solicitors can advise you at any of our offices or at any location in the United Kingdom including in prison.

What does the Terrorism Act 2000 do?

The Terrorism Act 2000 is the one of the primary legislations for terrorism law in the UK.

It provides provisions for terrorism charges to be brought for various offences, including fundraising for, and the financing and support of, terrorist activities, possession for terrorist purposes, failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism and being a member of a terrorist organisation.

The Terrorism Act 2000 also allows a constable to stop and search a person who they reasonably suspect to be involved in terrorist activity. This excludes ‘vehicle only’ stop and searches.

Since the passing of the Act, it has been heavily amended by subsequent Acts, including the Terrorism Act 2006.

The Terrorism Act 2006 included number of new terrorism charges, including preparation of a terrorist act, encouragement of terrorism, dissemination of terrorist publications and training for terrorism.

What is the United Kingdom's policy toward the financing of terrorism?

The UK has various legislative frameworks in place to criminalise any type of financing of terrorist activity.

The offences of fund-raising for terrorism, use and possession, funding arrangements of terrorism and money laundering can all lead to serious sentences for anyone convicted.

In addition, financial sanctions, such as asset freezes, may be imposed to disrupt terrorist financing. The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA) provides the legal framework for the UK to impose, update and lift sanctions.

What is the penalty for terrorism?

The exact penalty  for a terrorism-related offence will depend on a multitude of factors, including the specific offence, the perceived level of culpability, and the harm caused.

As can be expected, the potential sentences for terrorism offences are serious. Life imprisonment can be handed for certain offences, while the minimum sentence you could receive involve high-level community orders. Terrorism offences will typically be triable either way, meaning they can be heard at the Magistrates’ or Crown Court; however some are indictable only which means they can only be heard in the Crown Court.

Section 282A-282C of the Sentencing Act 2020 deal with the serious terrorism sentence of imprisonment.  This means that a person will receive a custodial sentence for the offence as well as a further period (the extension period) which the person will serve on licence.

Detailed information on the potential sentences for specific terrorism offences have been published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and can be found here.

How long can you be held under the Terrorism Act?

Under normal circumstances, the police would only be able to hold you for up to 24 hours before charging or releasing you. However, under Section 23 of the Terrorism Act 2006, you can be held for up to 28 days without charge.

Contact our terrorism solicitors today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about allegations of a terrorism offence, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of serious fraud lawyers in London, Birmingham or Manchester on telephone:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Private Consultation

For a private and confidential consultation, please contact a senior partner on 020 7624 7771 or email heads of crime department 

Philip Spicer, Lisa Nicol or Umar Zeb.

In Urgent Cases

For immediate representation and advice from our terrorism lawyers, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.

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