New law stops thousands of offenders from changing their name in secret

A significant new piece of legislation - known as Della’s Law - is currently making its way through Parliament. The Community and Suspended Sentences (Notification of Details) Bill aims to prevent offenders serving community or suspended sentences from changing their names without notifying the relevant authorities.

This proposed amendment to the Sentencing Act 2020 is a response to a troubling legal loophole that has allowed serious offenders, including registered sex offenders, to change their names and avoid detection.

Although the Bill is still in the committee stage in the House of Commons and is not yet in force, it marks an important step toward safeguarding the public and improving transparency in the justice system.

Why Is This Law Being Introduced?

The proposed changes are thanks in large part to the tireless campaigning of Della Wright, a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of Terry Price, a convicted paedophile who committed crimes over three decades.

Price changed his name multiple times to evade scrutiny, making it easier for him to offend again. At the time of his 2017 conviction for raping Ms. Wright, he had already changed his name from Terry Price to Robert McEwan, and then again to Mr Mac.

Ms. Wright discovered that there was no legal barrier preventing sex offenders from changing their names, even by deed poll, as long as they informed the police. Unfortunately, many offenders simply didn’t report the change.

How Many Offenders Have Taken Advantage of the Loophole?

Between 2019 and 2021, over 700 registered sex offenders went missing from police records in the UK. While nearly 1,500 offenders reported name changes to the authorities, more than 700 failed to do so, effectively vanishing from the system.

With a legal name change costing around £50 and taking only minutes to complete online, offenders have been able to gain clean DBS checks, new passports, and even jobs working with children, putting vulnerable individuals at risk.

What Will Change Under the New Law?

If the Bill passes into law, offenders will be legally required to notify their:

• Probation officer, offender manager, or youth offending team of any name they use
• Local police, if they are on the Sex Offenders Register, within seven days of any name or address change

The law will also apply retrospectively, meaning that offenders who have already changed their names will need to disclose all previous names used.

Can Offenders Still Change Their Names Legally?

Yes, under UK law, individuals, including those with criminal convictions, can still legally change their name by:

• Unenrolled deed poll
• Enrolled deed poll
• Statutory declaration

However, those with criminal convictions must meet certain legal obligations. For example:

• If you are currently on licence, under probation supervision, or subject to community/suspended sentences, you must notify your supervising officer
• If you are on the Sex Offenders Register, or classed as a violent or terrorist offender, you are legally required to notify the police within three days of changing your name
• Failure to do so is a criminal offence and may result in prosecution

How Can Hegarty Help

At Hegarty, we assist clients with unenrolled change of name deeds, including advising on your legal obligations if you are subject to criminal monitoring or supervision.

Before proceeding with any name change, we require documentary evidence that you have fulfilled any legal requirements to notify the relevant authorities (police, probation officer, etc.).

If you're considering changing your name and are unsure of your legal duties, we recommend speaking with one of our expert team. We're here to help you navigate the legal process with confidence and clarity.