Energy Act 1976

19 Penalties

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, a person guilty of an offence under this Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than £400.

(2) In the case of a contravention of, or failure to comply with—

(a) price controls; or

(b) section 14(1) or (2); or

(c) a direction of the Secretary of State given under section 6, 7 or 14(3),

the person guilty is liable either as provided in subsection (1) or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

(3) In the case of a contravention of, or failure to comply with—

(a) In direction under section 2; or

(b) a provision of an order under this Act to which this subsection has been applied in accordance with subsection (4) below,

and in the case of an offence under section 18(2)(d) or (e), the person guilty is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than three months, or to a fine of not more than £400 or both, or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or to a fine, or both.

(4) An order under section 1 of this Act made at a time when there is in force an Order in Council under section 3 may apply the higher penalties of subsection (3) above to a contravention of, or failure to comply with, particular provisions of the order committed at a time when such an Order in Council is in force; and those penalties then apply in place of those provided by subsections (1) and (2).