PART 3Enforcement and Appeals

Prosecution and penalties

39Offences: penalties

1

A person who commits an offence under section 32 (completing notifiable acquisition without approval) or 33 (failing to comply with interim or final order) is liable—

a

on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or a fine (or both),

b

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

c

on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both),

d

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or a fine (or both).

2

A person who commits an offence under section 34 (offences in relation to supplying information and attendance of witnesses) or 35 (offences in relation to sharing information) is liable—

a

on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or a fine (or both),

b

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

c

on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both),

d

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or a fine (or both).

3

In relation to an offence committed before paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act 2020 comes into force, the references in subsections (1)(a) and (2)(a) to 12 months are to be read as references to 6 months.