Compounding treason explained

Compounding treason is an offence under the common law of England. It is committed by anyone who agrees for consideration to abstain from prosecuting the offender who has committed treason.

It is still an offence in England and Wales,^[1] and in Northern Ireland.^[2] It has been abolished in the Republic of Ireland.^[3]

In 1977, the Law Commission recommended that the offence should be abolished for England and Wales and for Northern Ireland.^[4]

See also

• Compounding a felony
• High treason in the United Kingdom
• Misprision of treason

Notes and References

1. The Criminal Law Act 1967 (c.58), section 5(5)
2. The Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 (c.18) (N.I.), section 5(5)
3. The Criminal Law Act 1997 (No.14), section 8(3)
4. The Law Commission (10 May 1977). "Treason, Sedition and Allied Offences" (working paper No. 72), paragraphs 6, 43, 67 and 96(5) – via BAILII.