Take action now

Glossary.

  • Terms and explanations

What does it mean?

This glossary explains the key legal, financial, and political terms used across the Make War History website. It’s here to help you navigate complex ideas with confidence — no legal background required. Each entry is written in plain English to help you understand your rights, your responsibilities, and the tools available for lawful, peaceful resistance.

If there’s a term you’d like us to explain, get in touch.

A country that initiates or joins a war or military action in violation of international law.

Official government permission to sell or export weapons or military equipment.

The person or entity entitled to benefit from the assets held in a trust (e.g., HMRC named as primary beneficiary in a taxation trust).

A non-violent refusal to obey certain laws or demands made by a government, usually to protest against injustice.

A trust is a legal tool that holds your money until certain conditions are met. Our taxation trust is a conditional trust to withhold tax until it’s proven it won’t be used unlawfully — for example, to fund war.

A refusal to participate in military service or funding war due to deeply held ethical, moral or religious beliefs.

The UK government’s main bank account, held at the Bank of England. All tax revenue collected by HMRC and local authorities is paid into this central pot. From there, money is distributed by HM Treasury to fund government departments, including the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Office, local councils, and arms deals. Taxpayers have no direct say over how money in the Consolidated Fund is spent.

Widespread or systematic attacks against civilians, including murder, enslavement, and torture, as defined by international law.

A deed — or declaration — is the legal document that outlines the intent and terms for placing money or assets into a trust.

A person or organisation in a position of trust who has a legal duty to act in good faith and in the best interests of another party, such as a trustee for beneficiaries of a trust.

An independent international tribunal that prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

Incorporates the Rome Statute into UK domestic law.

  • Section 52: Makes it a criminal offence under UK law to assist, encourage or finance war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, or crimes against peace.

  • Enforces individual accountability for crimes under international law.

The equivalent under Scottish law of the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

  • Gives Scottish courts jurisdiction over individuals accused of crimes under the Rome Statute, including complicity by way of taxation or financial support.

Legal standards established after WWII to define what constitutes a war crime or crime against peace, including individual responsibility.

A proposed system that allows conscientious objectors to redirect their taxes to non-military government spending.

A legally binding promise to pay — but only once a trust’s conditions are met. It shows you’re not refusing to pay tax outright, just demanding it be used lawfully. This adds weight to your position and ensures the legal system recognises your intent.

  • Gives legal force in the UK to trusts created under the Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Trusts.
  • Binds the Crown and Crown Servants, meaning HMRC and UK government departments must recognise the lawful use of trusts, including taxation trusts that hold tax funds conditionally.
  •  

  • Establishes individual criminal responsibility.

  • States that a person is criminally liable if they aid, abet, or otherwise assist in the commission of war crimes, including financial support to perpetrators.

The process where individuals inform the UK’s HMRC of the income tax they are due to pay. Returning a signed self-assessment form is a voluntary contractual agreement to pay tax. It is therefore advisable not to complete a tax return if you are not certain the money will be used solely for lawful purposes and never for unlawful, illegal, or criminal purposes. 

The person who puts assets into a trust. They decide how the trust’s assets should be managed and distributed.

The moral, legal, and criminal liability (responsibility) an individual bears if they pay taxes knowing their money may or will be used to fund warfare, mass murder, war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide.  Anyone who continues to collect or pay taxes once they know the money may be used to fund a crime is liable for arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment for complicity in aiding and abetting war crimes, murder (a crime against humanity), terrorism, and genocide.

UK legislation that criminalises support for terrorism, including the funding of unlawful violence. Can be cited in legal arguments against funding war.

  • Sections 15–18: Make it a criminal offence to fund or facilitate terrorism.

  • Section 19: Places a legal obligation on individuals to report any breaches of Sections 15–18 to the police.
    They also have a duty to withhold money and other property (such as weapons) from any person or organisation they suspect is in breach of sections 15–18. 

The individual(s) or corporate entity appointed to manage the trust’s assets. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. They are legally responsible for the trust and must manage it prudently.

A legal framework used to protect assets for a beneficiary, in this context used to lawfully withhold taxes until governments and taxpayers obey and enforce the laws of war and peace.

All war is illegal and constitutes a criminal offence by the individuals who start it, support it, fund it, condone it, or take part in it on the side of the aggressor.

Serious violations of the laws and customs of war, including targeting civilians, torture, and use of banned weapons.

No Tax for War is a grassroots movement of like-minded individuals using lawful, peaceful action to stop UK taxpayers’ money from funding war and crimes against humanity.

Definition: Fiduciary

A fiduciary is person or organisation in a position of trust who has a legal duty to act in good faith and in the best interests of another party, such as a trustee for beneficiaries of a trust.

Full glossary

Placing your home in a separate trust

Creating a distinct legal trust specifically for your primary residence. This ensures that your home is no longer legally “owned” by you as an individual, but held in trust for your benefit. Doing so may offer protection against enforcement action by councils or creditors, especially if you are challenging council tax or other state demands. It is a precautionary step to reduce the risk of property seizure or legal intimidation. Legal advice is recommended before proceeding.

Full glossary

Definition: Trusts

A trust is a legal tool that ring-fences your money until certain conditions are met. The Make War History Taxation Trust is a conditional, revocable trust to withhold tax until it’s proven it won’t be used unlawfully — for example, to fund war. 

More about trusts
Full glossary

Definition: Promissory Note

A Promissory Note is a legally binding promise to pay — but only once the trust’s conditions are met. It shows you’re not refusing to pay tax outright, just demanding it be used lawfully. This adds weight to your position and ensures the legal system recognises your intent.

Full glossary