What does the Clean Slate scheme do for my old conviction?
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What does the Clean Slate scheme do for my old conviction?

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03.08.2026

I received a couple of convictions as a young adult over a decade ago and have kept out of trouble since. I still have to disclose them on job applications and it holds me back. Is there a way to have them treated as if they never happened?

Site Administration 08.08.2026
reply date: 08.08.2026

The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 may help. If you are eligible, the scheme allows you to say you have no criminal record when asked, with limited exceptions. To be eligible you must have been free of convictions for at least seven years, never have been sentenced to a custodial sentence such as prison or a sentence of borstal, never have been ordered to receive compulsory treatment, not have been convicted of a specified sexual offence and have paid all reparation and fines. The scheme is now largely automatic for eligible people, and the concealment rights do not apply where a law requires disclosure, such as certain police vetting or court proceedings. Ask the Ministry of Justice for your criminal record to check what appears.

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