Part 1

Auditors, accounts, directors' liabilities and investigations
Chapter 4

Investigations

Failure to comply with certain requirements
24
After section 453B of the Companies Act 1985 (c. 6) (inserted by section 23) insert—

Failure to comply with certain requirements
453C
1
This section applies if a person fails to comply with a requirement imposed by an inspector, the Secretary of State or an investigator in pursuance of either of the following provisions—
a
section 447;
b
section 453A.
2
The inspector, Secretary of State or investigator (as the case may be) may certify the fact in writing to the court.
3
If, after hearing—
a
any witnesses who may be produced against or on behalf of the alleged offender;
b
any statement which may be offered in defence,
the court is satisfied that the offender failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirement, it may deal with him as if he had been guilty of contempt of the court.
S. 24 in force at 6.4.2005 by S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (with arts. 4-13)