(1)A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice under section 12 or 13 commits an offence.
(2)Where the offence is committed by a legal entity, the offence is also committed by every officer of the entity who is in default.
(3)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that the requirement to give information was frivolous or vexatious.
(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the 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 two years or a fine (or both).]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 15-15B substituted for s. 15 (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 171, 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z55)