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Register of Arms Brokers Bill [HL]

A Bill to make provision for the establishment and publication of a Register of Arms Brokers.

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

2 May 2017

In Plain English

AI-generated

The Register of Arms Brokers Bill would create a public register of people and organisations that broker arms deals. It would require those in the arms-brokering business to register and keep information up to date, with the register published for public oversight. The aim is to improve transparency and strengthen regulatory control of arms exports.

Key Points

Establishes a public Register of Arms Brokers and defines what information will be held.
Requires registration by arms brokers and ongoing duties to update details.
Mandates publication of the register so it can be accessed by the public and authorities.
Creates offences for unregistered brokers or providing false information, with penalties.
Sets out which government department or regulator will administer and enforce the register and the accompanying oversight.

Progress

The bill is currently at Committee stage in the Lords, with detailed scrutiny and potential amendments. If amended, it would proceed to further stages in the Lords before moving to the Commons.

Who is affected?

Arms brokers and broker firmsArms exporters and their staffLicensing and compliance teams within arms trade businessesGovernment departments and regulatory bodies responsible for arms export controlsCivil society organisations, researchers, journalists and members of the public interested in arms trade transparency

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Register of Arms Brokers

1 Jan 1970

Line by line examination of the Bill took place during committee stage on 18 November. Amendments discussed covered clause 1 of the Bill.

Report stage – further line by line examination of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.

The 2016-2017 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.