Defence Legislation

Laws and policies relating to military operations, defense procurement, armed forces administration, and national security strategy.

Correction Slip for Armed Forces Sentencing Review Rules

Corrected typographical errors and statutory references in the regulations governing Court Martial sentence reviews.


This document issues technical corrections to a previous statutory instrument concerning the review of sentences passed by the Court Martial.

It rectifies erroneous citations of primary legislation, including the Sentencing Act 2020, and reorders footnote numbering to ensure internal consistency within the regulations.

These corrections apply to the Ministry of Defence, the Judge Advocate General, and legal professionals operating within the service justice system.

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The Sentencing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 6 and Revocation) Regulations 2026

Activated new sentencing laws that reduce the time most prisoners must serve before release, implemented via a phased timeline between October 2026 and June 2027.


These Regulations bring specific provisions of the Sentencing Act 2026 into force in England and Wales, primarily focused on reducing the mandatory time prisoners must serve before becoming eligible for release.

The changes adjust custodial periods for adult standard determinate sentences to either one-third or one-half of the total term, depending on the original sentence structure.

The Regulations apply to the Secretary of State for Justice and the prison and probation services, implementing a staggered release schedule for current inmates based on their sentence length and excluding a wide range of serious offences from these new release rules.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Melcombe Bingham) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 26th Aug 26

Restricted flight operations in the vicinity of Melcombe Bingham for national defence purposes on 26 August 2026.


These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 6,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified 5-nautical-mile radius of Melcombe Bingham, Dorset.

The restrictions apply to all aircraft on 26 August 2026 between 08:00 and 15:00 UTC, with exceptions for police, emergency medical services, and those with specific permission from the Airspace Co-ordinator.

The Secretary of State issued this mandate under the Air Navigation Order 2016 citing national defence requirements.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Syerston) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 7th Aug 26

Restricted flight operations within a 4-nautical-mile radius of RAF Syerston on 20 August 2026 for public safety during air displays.


These regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace around Royal Air Force Syerston to facilitate flying displays for the Royal Air Force Air Cadet National Air and Space Camp.

The order prohibits all aircraft from flying below 8,300 feet within a four-nautical-mile radius of the base on 20 August 2026, between 09:30 and 16:30 UTC. These restrictions apply to all civil and military pilots, except those granted explicit permission by designated display directors or air traffic service personnel.

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The National Security Act 2023 (Designated Bodies) Regulations 2026

Designated the IRGC, IMCR, and GRU Volunteer Corps as foreign power threat entities under national security law.


These Regulations designate three specific organizations as "designated bodies" under Part 1 of the National Security Act 2023, subjecting them to the legal framework regarding foreign power threat activity.

The order applies to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), and the Russian GRU Volunteer Corps.

By listing these entities in a new Schedule 6A of the Act, the Secretary of State triggers specific national security offences and investigative powers related to these groups throughout the United Kingdom.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (South Cerney) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 17th Jul 26

Restricted the use of unmanned aircraft in the South Cerney area for a 46-hour window in July 2026 due to VIP visits.


These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level in a specific area of South Cerney, Gloucestershire, between 17 July and 18 July 2026.

The mandate applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, with an exception for those who receive express permission from the Ministry of Defence Police control room.

The Secretary of State issued these restrictions to ensure safety and security during scheduled VIP visits.

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The Ministry of Defence Police (Barred List and Advisory List) Regulations 2026

Established the procedures for maintaining, publishing, and removing names from the Ministry of Defence Police barred and advisory lists.


These Regulations establish the administrative and legal framework for the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) barred and advisory lists as required by the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

They direct the Secretary of State to maintain records of MDP constables who have been dismissed for misconduct or performance issues, and those who resign or retire while under investigation.

The regulations apply to the Secretary of State, the Ministry of Defence Police, and individuals formerly employed by the MDP, mandating the publication of certain barred individuals' details while providing mechanisms for removal from these lists based on time, death, or successful appeal.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Odiham) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 7th Jul 26

Prohibited unauthorized flight below 4,000 feet within a 3 nautical mile radius of RAF Odiham on 31 July 2026 during scheduled aerial displays.


These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace in the vicinity of Royal Air Force Odiham, Hampshire, to facilitate the safe conduct of the Odiham Families Day flying displays.

The order prohibits aircraft from flying below 4,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified 3 nautical mile radius on 31st July 2026 between 1100 and 1615 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time. These restrictions apply to all aircraft except those granted specific permission by the Odiham Families Day Flying Display Director or designated air traffic control units at RAF Odiham, RAF Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre South, or Farnborough Airport.

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