PART 10 SClaims, dividends and distribution etc.

Submission and adjudication of claimsS

124False claims etc.S

(1)Subsections (2) and (3) apply where a creditor produces under section 122 or 123—

(a)a statement of claim,

(b)account,

(c)voucher, or

(d)other evidence,

which is false.

(2)The creditor commits an offence unless it is shown that the creditor neither knew nor had reason to believe that the statement of claim, account, voucher or other evidence was false.

(3)The debtor commits an offence if the debtor—

(a)knew, or became aware, that the statement of claim, account, voucher or other evidence was false, and

(b)failed, as soon as practicable after acquiring such knowledge, to report to the trustee that the statement of claim, account, voucher or other evidence was false.

(4)A person convicted of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or—

(i)in a case where the person has previously been convicted of an offence inferring dishonest appropriation of property or an attempt at dishonest appropriation of property, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

(ii)in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months,

or both to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and to such imprisonment as is mentioned, in relation to the case in question, in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii), or

(b)on conviction on indictment—

(i)to a fine, or

(ii)to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years,

or both to a fine and to such imprisonment.