Explanatory Notes

Government of Wales Act 2006

2006 CHAPTER 32

25 July 2006

Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 6

Tribunal proceedings

Part 5
General
Schedule 11: Transitional Provisions
Paragraph 21: Witnesses and documents: penalties

812.Sections 39(4) and 40(3)(b) fix the maximum terms of imprisonment which can be imposed for offences under sections 39(1) and 40(2), respectively. These are framed by reference to provisions relating to sentencing which are contained in section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Since that section is not yet in force, provision has to be made for fixing these maximum terms by reference to the present law, with the effect that until section 281(5) of the 2003 Act comes into force, the maximum is to be 3 months rather than 51 weeks. (The provisions of the 2003 Act mean that the effect of a term of imprisonment of 51 weeks will not, once section 281(5) of that Act is in force, be directly comparable to a term of equal nominal length under the existing law.)