# UK Legislation Scraper — Acts & Regulations (`ponderable_hydrometer/uk-legislation-scraper`) Actor Scrape UK legislation from legislation.gov.uk — Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments, full text structured by section, with metadata. Free, no key. - **URL**: https://apify.com/ponderable\_hydrometer/uk-legislation-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Ponderable Hydrometer](https://apify.com/ponderable_hydrometer) (community) - **Categories:** Developer tools, Automation, SEO tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $4.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## UK Legislation Scraper — Acts & SIs **Turn legislation.gov.uk into clean, section-level JSON — UK Acts and statutory instruments with title, year, number, type, enactment date and every section (number, heading, full text).** The official site only serves CLML XML (no JSON endpoint); this actor parses it for you and emits one row per section or one row per document. Free, keyless. Perfect for legal/compliance tooling, legislation search, RAG pipelines and regulatory datasets. ### What you get Per section (in `oneRowPerSection` mode) or per document (with a nested `sections` array): - **Document metadata** — `title`, `legislationType`, `documentMainType`, `year`, `number`, `status`, `enactmentDate`, `legislationUrl` - **Section detail** — `sectionNumber`, `heading`, `sectionId`, `sectionUrl`, and full `text` (when `includeSectionText` is on) Handles all type codes — `ukpga` (Public General Act), `uksi` (Statutory Instrument), `asp` (Scottish Act), `wsi`, `nia`, `ssi`, `ukla` and more. ### Input | Field | Type | Default | Description | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | `type` + `year` + `number` | — | — | A single document, e.g. `ukpga` / `2018` / `12` | | `documents` | array | — | List of `"type/year/number"` strings or full legislation.gov.uk URLs | | `includeSectionText` | boolean | `true` | Include full section text (larger output) | | `oneRowPerSection` | boolean | `true` | One row per section, or one per document with nested `sections` | | `maxSections` | integer | `0` | Cap sections per document (`0` = no cap) | #### Example input ```json {"documents":["ukpga/2018/12","uksi/2018/1189","asp/2021/1"]} ```` Single Act: ```json {"type":"ukpga","year":2018,"number":12} ``` Per-document mode: ```json {"type":"ukpga","year":1998,"number":29,"oneRowPerSection":false} ``` ### Output (one section) Fields below are the real push shape in `oneRowPerSection` mode: ```json { "title": "Data Protection Act 2018", "legislationType": "ukpga", "documentMainType": "UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct", "year": 2018, "number": 12, "status": "final", "enactmentDate": "2018-05-23", "legislationUrl": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12", "sectionNumber": "1", "heading": "Overview", "sectionId": "section-1", "sectionUrl": "http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2018/12/section/1", "text": "(1) This Act makes provision about the processing of personal data..." } ``` In per-document mode you instead get one row per document: the metadata above plus `sectionCount` and a `sections` array of `{ sectionNumber, heading, id, url, text }`. ### Why this actor - **Parses CLML XML for you** — the official source has no JSON; this walks the provision tree. - **Section-level granularity** — one clean row per section, ideal for search and RAG. - **Batch + all types** — many documents per run across every UK legislation type code. ### Pricing Pay per result — **$4.00 per 1,000 results** (one result = one section, or one document in per-document mode). No subscription or platform fees. ### Related actors - **EU Tenders / TED Scraper** — EU public procurement notices. - **Federal Register Scraper** / **eCFR Scraper** — US government rules & regulations. - **SEC EDGAR Scraper** — US public-company filings. ### Notes & limits - Missing metadata fields mean legislation.gov.uk did not provide them for that document. - Section extraction follows the CLML provision structure; unusual documents may parse partially. - Public official data; you are responsible for compliant use of the output. # Actor input Schema ## `type` (type: `string`): Type code, e.g. ukpga (UK Public General Act), uksi (Statutory Instrument), asp (Scottish Act), wsi, nia, ssi, ukla. ## `year` (type: `integer`): Year of the legislation, e.g. 2018. ## `number` (type: `integer`): Chapter / SI number within the year, e.g. 12. ## `documents` (type: `array`): Scrape multiple items. Each entry is either "type/year/number" (e.g. "ukpga/2018/12") or a full legislation.gov.uk URL. ## `includeSectionText` (type: `boolean`): Include the full text of each section in the output (larger). If false, only titles/numbers. ## `oneRowPerSection` (type: `boolean`): If true, emit one dataset row per section. If false, emit one row per document with a nested sections array. ## `maxSections` (type: `integer`): Cap on sections parsed per document (0 = no cap). ## Actor input object example ```json { "type": "ukpga", "year": 2018, "number": 12, "includeSectionText": true, "oneRowPerSection": true, "maxSections": 0 } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "type": "ukpga", "year": 2018, "number": 12 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("ponderable_hydrometer/uk-legislation-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "type": "ukpga", "year": 2018, "number": 12, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("ponderable_hydrometer/uk-legislation-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "type": "ukpga", "year": 2018, "number": 12 }' | apify call ponderable_hydrometer/uk-legislation-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=ponderable_hydrometer/uk-legislation-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "UK Legislation Scraper — Acts & Regulations", "description": "Scrape UK legislation from legislation.gov.uk — Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments, full text structured by section, with metadata. Free, no key.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "1XLVdVihJP3UL3Hsd" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/ponderable_hydrometer~uk-legislation-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-ponderable_hydrometer-uk-legislation-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/ponderable_hydrometer~uk-legislation-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-ponderable_hydrometer-uk-legislation-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/ponderable_hydrometer~uk-legislation-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-ponderable_hydrometer-uk-legislation-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "type": { "title": "Legislation type", "type": "string", "description": "Type code, e.g. ukpga (UK Public General Act), uksi (Statutory Instrument), asp (Scottish Act), wsi, nia, ssi, ukla." }, "year": { "title": "Year", "type": "integer", "description": "Year of the legislation, e.g. 2018." }, "number": { "title": "Number", "type": "integer", "description": "Chapter / SI number within the year, e.g. 12." }, "documents": { "title": "Documents (type/year/number or URLs)", "type": "array", "description": "Scrape multiple items. Each entry is either \"type/year/number\" (e.g. \"ukpga/2018/12\") or a full legislation.gov.uk URL.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "includeSectionText": { "title": "Include section text", "type": "boolean", "description": "Include the full text of each section in the output (larger). If false, only titles/numbers.", "default": true }, "oneRowPerSection": { "title": "One row per section", "type": "boolean", "description": "If true, emit one dataset row per section. If false, emit one row per document with a nested sections array.", "default": true }, "maxSections": { "title": "Max sections per document", "minimum": 0, "type": "integer", "description": "Cap on sections parsed per document (0 = no cap).", "default": 0 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```