Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992

115 Unpaid contributions - supplementary

(1) Where a person charged with an offence mentioned in section 113(1) or (2)(a) above is convicted of that offence in his absence under Article 24(2) of the [S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26).] Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 then if—

(a) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, on oath or in the manner prescribed by magistrates' courts rules under Part IV of that Order, that notice under section 114(2) above has been duly served specifying the other contributions in respect of which the complainant intends to give evidence; and

(b) the clerk of petty sessions has received a statement in writing purporting to be made by the accused or by a solicitor acting on his behalf to the effect that if the accused is convicted in his absence of the offence charged he desires to admit failing to pay the other contributions so specified or any of them,

section 114 above shall have effect as if the evidence had been given and the failure so admitted had been proved, and the court shall proceed accordingly.

(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence mentioned in section 113(1) or (2)(a) above and an order is made under the [1950 c. 7 (N.I.).] Probation Act (Northern Ireland) 1950 placing the offender on probation or discharging him absolutely or conditionally, sections 113 and 114 above, and subsection (1) above, shall apply as if it were a conviction for all purposes.

(3) Any sum which a person is liable to pay under section 113 or 114 above or under subsection (1) above shall be recoverable from him as a penalty.

(4) Sums recovered by the Department under the provisions mentioned in subsection (1) above, so far as representing contributions of any class, are to be treated for all purposes of the Contributions and Benefits Act and this Act (including in particular the application of section 142 below) as contributions of that class received by the Department.

(5) Without prejudice to subsection (5) above, in so far as such sums represent primary Class 1 or Class 2 contributions, they are to be treated as contributions paid in respect of the person in respect of whom they were originally payable; and enactments relating to earnings factors shall apply accordingly.