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Key UK legislation for heritage protection

​The United Kingdom has ratified the 1954 Hague Convention and both its two Protocols in September 2017. There are a number of key legal instruments that govern heritage protection in the UK.  These form the foundation for all other legislation governing heritage, whether in conflict or natural disasters.
​

an old stone structure in a field with a blue sky with some white clouds
© Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / “Braunton, UK, Ruine der St.-Michaels-Kapelle -- 2013 -- 1545” / CC BY-SA 4.0
  • England: they are summarised here by Historic England in their Heritage Protection Guide.​
  • Scotland: they are summarised on Historic Scotland’s page: Scotland’s Historic Environment Policy.
  • Wales: the current legislation and guidance on heritage protection is summarised in the CADW website. Although also subject to many of the same instruments as England, Wales has also passed the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill on 9 February 2016.
  • Northern Ireland: a summary of the regulations underpinning the protection of natural heritage can be found online on the National Parks & Wildlife Service website. Legislation concerning the protection of monuments is available on the National Monuments Service website. In case of enquiries, it is possible to contact the Historic Environment Division responsible to record, protect, conserve and promote heritage. Contact details of the staff are available on the Department of Communities website.  ​​
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who we are
    • Activities
    • Governance and Structure
    • Working Groups >
      • Climate Change
      • Conflict & Military Activity
      • Emergency Planning & Response
      • Illicit Trafficking
      • Intangible Cultural Heritage
      • Underwater Heritage
    • History
    • Ethical Principles and Approach
    • Partners
  • Why We Do It
    • The Importance of Cultural Heritage
    • Why the Blue Shield is needed
    • Threats to Heritage >
      • "Natural" Disasters
      • Lack of Planning
      • Enforced Neglect
      • Development
      • Deliberate Reuse of Sites
      • Looting and Pillage
      • Lack of Awareness
      • Collateral and Accidental Damage
      • Specific (or Deliberate) Targeting and Damage
    • Blue Shield and the Armed Forces
  • News
  • Resources
    • Law Library >
      • The 1954 Hague Convention
      • MORE COMING SOON
    • Codes of Conduct: Antiquities Trading and Museums
    • Countering Object Trafficking: Tools
    • Document Library
    • Relevant Heritage Organisations
  • Events
    • Conflict Webinar Series
    • BS UK Symposium 2025
  • Contact Us and Get Involved
    • Membership and Volunteering
    • Contact Us