Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)

Part IV Control of donations to registered parties and their members etc.

Chapter II Restrictions on donations to registered parties

Forfeiture of certain donations

58 Forfeiture of donations made by impermissible or unidentifiable donors

(1) This section applies to any donation received by a registered party—

(a) which, by virtue of section 54(1)(a) or (b), the party are prohibited from accepting, but

(b) which has been accepted by the party.

(2) The court may, on an application made by the Commission, order the forfeiture by the party of an amount equal to the value of the donation.

(3) The standard of proof in proceedings on an application under this section shall be that applicable to civil proceedings.

(4) An order may be made under this section whether or not proceedings are brought against any person for an offence connected with the donation.

(5) In this section “the court” means—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, a magistrates' court;

(b) in relation to Scotland, the sheriff; and

(c) in relation to Northern Ireland, a court of summary jurisdiction;

and proceedings on an application under this section to the sheriff shall be civil proceedings.