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

Part 1E+WGeneral functions of local authority: England

Information, advice and assistanceE+W

[F113BUnauthorised disclosure of information received under section 13AE+W

(1)A person commits an offence if the person discloses any information—

(a)which the person received by virtue of any of subsections (3) to (5) of section 13A, and

(b)which relates to a particular person,

unless the information is disclosed in accordance with subsection (2).

(2)Information is disclosed in accordance with this subsection if it is disclosed in any of the following ways—

(a)in the case of information received by virtue of section 13A(3), in accordance with section 13A(5);

(b)in the course of a duty that the person disclosing it has in connection with the exercise of functions relating to eligibility for free of charge early years provision [F2or for funding related to free of charge early years provision];

(c)in accordance with an enactment or an order of a court;

(d)with consent given by or on behalf of the person to whom the information relates.

(3)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that the person reasonably believed that the disclosure was lawful.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or a fine, or both;

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F3the general limit in a magistrates’ court], or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both.

(5)In relation to an offence committed before [F42 May 2022] , the reference in subsection (4)(b) to [F5the general limit in a magistrates’ court] is to be read as a reference to 6 months.]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 13A - S. 13B inserted (1.9.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), ss. 1(3), 82(3); S.I. 2012/1087, art. 3