39Offences: penaltiesU.K.
(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 [F1the general limit in a magistrates’ court], 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 [F2the general limit in a magistrates’ court] , 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 [F32 May 2022], the references in subsections (1)(a) and (2)(a) to [F4the general limit in a magistrates’ court] are to be read as references to 6 months.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 39(1)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1
F2Words in s. 39(2)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1
F3Words in s. 39(3) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1
F4Words in s. 39(3) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1
Commencement Information