Search Legislation

Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

General restriction on referendum expenses

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

19(1)This paragraph applies in relation to an individual or body that is not a permitted participant.

(2)The total referendum expenses incurred by or on behalf of an individual or a body to which this paragraph applies during the referendum period must not exceed £10,000.

(3)Where, during the referendum period, any referendum expenses are incurred by or on behalf of an individual to which this paragraph applies in excess of the limit imposed by sub-paragraph (2), the individual commits an offence if the individual knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the expenses were being incurred in excess of that limit.

(4)An individual who commits an offence under sub-paragraph (3) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both),

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine (or both).

(5)Where, during the referendum period, any referendum expenses are incurred by or on behalf of a body to which this paragraph applies in excess of the limit imposed by sub-paragraph (2), then—

(a)the body commits an offence, and

(b)any person who authorised the expenses to be incurred by or on behalf of the body also commits an offence if the person knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the expenses would be incurred in excess of that limit.

(6)A body or person who commits an offence under sub-paragraph (5) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both),

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine (or both).

(7)It is a defence for an individual, body or other person charged with an offence under sub-paragraph (3) or (5) to show—

(a)that any code of practice for the time being issued under paragraph 12(3) was complied with in determining whether to incur any expenses, and

(b)that the limit would not have been exceeded on the basis of compliance with the code of practice as it had effect at that time.

(8)Sub-paragraph (9) applies where—

(a)before the beginning of the referendum period, any expenses are incurred by or on behalf of an individual or body to which this paragraph applies in respect of any property, services or facilities, and

(b)the property, services or facilities is or are made use of by or on behalf of the individual or body during the referendum period in circumstances such that, had any expenses been incurred in respect of that use during that period, they would by virtue of paragraph 11(2) have constituted referendum expenses incurred by or on behalf of the individual or body during that period.

(9)The appropriate proportion of the expenses mentioned in sub-paragraph (8)(a) is to be treated for the purposes of this paragraph as referendum expenses incurred by or on behalf of the individual or body during that period.

(10)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (9) the appropriate proportion of the expenses mentioned in paragraph (a) of sub-paragraph (8) is such proportion of those expenses as is reasonably attributable to the use made of the property, services or facilities as mentioned in paragraph (b) of that sub-paragraph.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources