Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023

Monetary penalties: criminal proceedings

5 (1) Where an initial penalty notice is given to a person (and has not been withdrawn)—

(a) no criminal proceedings for the relevant offence may be instituted against the person in respect of the act or omission to which the notice relates before the end of the period within which the person’s liability may be avoided as mentioned in paragraph 3(2) (see paragraph 4(1)(c));

(b) if the liability is so avoided the person may not at any time be convicted of the relevant offence in relation to that act or omission.

(2) Where a final penalty notice is given to a person (and has not been withdrawn), the person may not at any time be convicted of the relevant offence in respect of the act or omission to which the notice relates.

(3) In this paragraph “relevant offence” means an offence under section 1 or 2 in respect of which the monetary penalty is proposed to be imposed or is imposed (as the case may be).