27.—(1) A person who commits an offence under these Regulations shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
(b)on indictment, to a fine.
(2) Where an offence under these Regulations which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to, neglect on the part of an officer, that person, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(3) In this regulation, “officer”, in relation to a body corporate means a director, member of the committee of management, chief executive, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body or a person purporting to act in that capacity.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), “director”, in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate.
(5) Proceedings for an offence alleged to have been committed under these Regulations by an unincorporated body are to be brought in the name of that body (and not in that of any of its members) and, for the purposes of any such proceedings, any rules of court relating to the service of documents have effect as if that body were a corporation.
(6) Proceedings for an offence under this regulation may be taken, and the offence may for all incidental purposes be treated as having been committed—
(a)in relation to dredging in British waters, in any place in England; and
(b)in relation to dredging in Northern Ireland, in any place in Northern Ireland.
(7) Proceedings for a declaration under regulation 3(2) may be taken, and the contravention which is complained of may for all incidental purposes be treated as having been committed—
(a)in relation to dredging in British waters, in any part of England; and
(b)in relation to dredging in Northern Ireland, in any part of Northern Ireland.