(1)In this section “offence” means an offence under this Act or subordinate legislation made under this Act.
(2)Proceedings for an offence may be instituted in England and Wales only—
(a)by the Authority or the Secretary of State; or
(b)by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
(3)Proceedings for an offence may be instituted in Northern Ireland only—
(a)by the Authority or the Secretary of State; or
(b)by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.
(4)Except in Scotland, proceedings for an offence under section 203 may also be instituted by [F1the Office of Fair Trading]
(5)In exercising its power to institute proceedings for an offence, the Authority must comply with any conditions or restrictions imposed in writing by the Treasury.
(6)Conditions or restrictions may be imposed under subsection (5) in relation to—
(a)proceedings generally; or
(b)such proceedings, or categories of proceedings, as the Treasury may direct.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 401 substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278(1), 279, Sch. 25 para. 40(17); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 401 applied (1.12.2001) by S.I. 1995/1537, reg. 23(6) (as amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, arts. 1, 509(g))
C2S. 401 amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2657, arts. 1(1), 10(8), 11(8), 13(1)(3) (which was revoked (8.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 23); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
S. 401 amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 10(8), 11(8), 13(1); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
S. 401 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3646, arts. 1(1), 12(2), 13(3)
C3S. 401 applied by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), s. 15A(7) (as substituted (6.4.2008) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), arts. 2(2), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 232(2) (with arts. 6, 11, 12))
C4S. 401 applied (with modifications) (7.6.2010) by The Credit Rating Agencies Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/906), reg. 27
C5S. 401(2)(3)(5)(6) applied (6.3.2008) by The Regulated Covered Bonds Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/346), reg. 38(2)
(1)Except in Scotland, the Authority may institute proceedings for an offence under—
(a)Part V of the M1Criminal Justice Act 1993 (insider dealing); or
(b)prescribed regulations relating to money laundering.
(2)In exercising its power to institute proceedings for any such offence, the Authority must comply with any conditions or restrictions imposed in writing by the Treasury.
(3)Conditions or restrictions may be imposed under subsection (2) in relation to—
(a)proceedings generally; or
(b)such proceedings, or categories of proceedings, as the Treasury may direct.
Commencement Information
I1S. 402 wholly in force at 1.12.2001; s. 402 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 431(2); s. 402(1)(b) in force for certain purposes at 25.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/516, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2; s. 402 in force for specified purposes at 19.10.2001 by S.I. 2001/3436, art. 2; s. 402 in force in so far as not already in force at 1.12.2001 by S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
Marginal Citations
(1)A fine imposed on an unincorporated association on its conviction of an offence is to be paid out of the funds of the association.
(2)Proceedings for an offence alleged to have been committed by an unincorporated association must be brought in the name of the association (and not in that of any of its members).
(3)Rules of court relating to the service of documents are to have effect as if the association were a body corporate.
(4)In proceedings for an offence brought against an unincorporated association—
(a)section 33 of the M2Criminal Justice Act 1925 and Schedule 3 to the M3Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (procedure) apply as they do in relation to a body corporate;
(b)section 70 of the M4Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (procedure) applies as if the association were a body corporate;
(c)section 18 of the M5Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 1945 and Schedule 4 to the M6Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (procedure) apply as they do in relation to a body corporate.
(5)Summary proceedings for an offence may be taken—
(a)against a body corporate or unincorporated association at any place at which it has a place of business;
(b)against an individual at any place where he is for the time being.
(6)Subsection (5) does not affect any jurisdiction exercisable apart from this section.
(7)“Offence” means an offence under this Act.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6S. 403 applied (1.12.2001) by S.I. 1995/1537, reg. 23(6) (as amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, arts. 1, 509(g))
C7S. 403 amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2657, arts. 1(1), 10(8), 11(8), 13(1)(3) (which was revoked (8.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 23); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
S. 403 amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 10(8), 11(8), 13(1); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
S. 403 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3646, arts. 1(1), 12(2), 13(3)
S. 403 applied (3.9.2001 for specified purposes otherwise 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/1228, regs. 1(2)(b)(c), 82 (with reg. 1(2)(3)); S.I. 2001/2632, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2; S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
C8S. 403 applied (N.I.) (1.11.2004) by Open-Ended Investment Companies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 (S.R. 2004/335), regs. 1(1)(b), 81 (with reg. 1(2))
C9S. 403 applied by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), s. 15A(7) (as substituted (6.4.2008) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), arts. 2(2), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 232(2) (with arts. 6, 11, 12))
C10S. 403 applied (7.6.2010) by The Credit Rating Agencies Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/906), reg. 28
Marginal Citations