Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013

Imposition of stop notices

13 (1) Where sub-paragraph (2) or (3) applies, the Electoral Commission may serve on a person a notice (a “stop notice”) prohibiting the person from carrying on an activity specified in the notice until the person has taken the steps specified in the notice.

(2) This sub-paragraph applies where—

(a) the person is carrying on the activity,

(b) the Commission reasonably believe that the activity as carried on by the person involves or is likely to involve the person committing a campaign offence listed in Part 7, and

(c) the Commission reasonably believe that the activity as carried on by the person is seriously damaging public confidence in the effectiveness of the controls in schedule 4, or presents a significant risk of doing so.

(3) This sub-paragraph applies where—

(a) the person is likely to carry on the activity,

(b) the Commission reasonably believe that the activity as carried on by the person will involve or will be likely to involve the person committing a campaign offence listed in Part 7, and

(c) the Commission reasonably believe that the activity as likely to be carried on by the person will seriously damage public confidence in the effectiveness of the controls mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(c), or will present a significant risk of doing so.

(4) The steps referred to in sub-paragraph (1) must be steps to secure that the activity is carried on or (as the case may be) will be carried on in a way that does not involve the person acting as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(b) or (3)(b).