xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"

PART 3Initial stages of sequestration, statutory meeting and trustee vote

Initial stages

40Offences in relation to interim preservation of estate

(1)If a debtor—

(a)fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction under subsection (1), (6)(b), (7)(b) or (9)(b), or a requirement under subsection (2)(a), (c) or (f), of section 39, or

(b)obstructs the interim trustee where the interim trustee is acting in pursuance of subsection (4)(a) of that section,

then the debtor commits an offence.

(2)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or—

(i)in a case where the person has previously been convicted of an offence inferring dishonest appropriation of property or an attempt at dishonest appropriation of property, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

(ii)in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months,

or both to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and to such imprisonment as is mentioned, in relation to the case in question, in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii), or

(b)on conviction on indictment—

(i)to a fine, or

(ii)to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years,

or both to a fine and to such imprisonment.