Offences by partnerships and unincorporated associations
47.—(1) Proceedings for an offence under section 45 alleged to have been committed by a partnership or an unincorporated association may be brought in the name of the partnership or association.
(2) For the purposes of such proceedings—
(a)rules of court relating to the service of documents are to have effect as if the partnership or association were a body corporate;
(b)Schedule 4 to the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 26) applies in relation to the partnership or association as it applies in relation to a body corporate.
(3) A fine imposed on a partnership or association on its conviction of an offence under section 45 is to be paid out of the funds of the partnership or association.
(4) Subsection (5) applies where an offence under section 45 committed by a partnership is proved—
(a)to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner, or
(b)to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a partner.
(5) The partner, as well as the partnership, is guilty of the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(6) Subsection (7) applies where an offence under section 45 committed by an unincorporated association is proved—
(a)to have been committed with the consent or connivance of an officer of the association, or
(b)to be attributable to any neglect on the part of an officer of the association.
(7) The officer, as well as the association, is guilty of the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(8) “Officer” in this section means—
(a)an officer of the association or a member of its governing body, or
(b)a person purporting to act in such capacity.
(9) “Partner” in this section includes a person purporting to act as a partner.