# AI tells a UK company with £36M+ turnover that it can publish its modern slavery statement anytime within the financial year

- **ID:** `legal/uk-modern-slavery-statement-deadline`
- **Domain:** legal
- **Category:** regulatory_barrier
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 §54 requires that the slavery and human trafficking statement be approved by the board and signed by a director within 6 months of the end of the financial year; publishing anytime within the financial year is incorrect and risks non-compliance and potential injunction.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Modern Slavery Act 2015 §54 | active | — | — |
| Home Office Guidance (2023) | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Set a calendar reminder for 5 months after the financial year end to ensure board approval and publication within the 6-month window. Create a dedicated 'Modern Slavery Statement' page on the company website with the current and previous year's statements.** (95% success)
   ```
   Set a calendar reminder for 5 months after the financial year end to ensure board approval and publication within the 6-month window. Create a dedicated 'Modern Slavery Statement' page on the company website with the current and previous year's statements.
   ```
2. **Use a compliance automation tool that tracks financial year end and triggers a workflow for drafting, board approval, and publication with alerts at 5 months post-year-end.** (88% success)
   ```
   Use a compliance automation tool that tracks financial year end and triggers a workflow for drafting, board approval, and publication with alerts at 5 months post-year-end.
   ```
3. **If the statement is late, immediately publish an approved statement and document the delay with a board resolution explaining the oversight; this reduces risk of injunction but does not guarantee immunity.** (70% success)
   ```
   If the statement is late, immediately publish an approved statement and document the delay with a board resolution explaining the oversight; this reduces risk of injunction but does not guarantee immunity.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — The statement must be approved by the board of directors and signed by a director before publication; publishing an unapproved version is non-compliant and may be treated as a failure to comply with §54. (85% fail)
- **** — The 6-month deadline is statutory; there is no grace period. After 6 months, the company is in breach and the Secretary of State can seek an injunction via the High Court. (90% fail)
- **** — The Act requires the statement to be published in a 'prominent place' on the company's website; burying it in a PDF annual report without a direct link is insufficient and may be challenged. (75% fail)