Civil Contingencies Act: a short guide (Revised)

Following the fuel crisis and the severe flooding in the autumn and winter of 2000 and the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a review of emergency planning arrangements. The review included a public consultation exercise which reinforced the Government’s conclusion that existing legislation no longer provided an adequate framework for modern civil protection efforts and that new legislation was needed.

Following public consultation on a draft Bill from June to September 2003 and prelegislative scrutiny by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, the Civil Contingencies Bill was introduced to Parliament on 7 January 2004. Its development was informed from the start by close consultation with key stakeholders in what was an open and inclusive policymaking process. The Bill received Royal Assent on 18 November 2004 and henceforth became known as the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (the “Act”).

This guide gives a brief overview of the main provisions of the Act.