Offences
Section 10Z9 – Offences in relation to registration
250.This section sets out offences in relation to registration under Section 10P (registration of independent health care services). Subsection (1) makes it an offence for a person to describe any service as an independent health care service for the purposes of this Act when it is not registered as such. If convicted of an offence under this subsection, the person would be liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or up to three months imprisonment, or both.
251.Subsection (2) makes it an offence not to display a certificate of registration in a prominent place. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding level 2 (£500) on the standard scale.
Section 10Z10 – False Statements in applications
252.This section creates an offence of knowingly giving information which is false or misleading in a material respect when making an application for registration, or for variation or removal of a condition. The penalty is a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
Section 10Z11 – Offences by bodies corporate etc.
253.This section provides that if an offence under this group of sections is committed with the consent or connivance of individuals operating a body corporate, a partnership, or an unincorporated association, or if that person has been neglectful, then the person as well as the organisation is guilty of the offence. Individual officers of a body corporate, partners of a partnership, or persons managing or controlling an unincorporated association who are complicit in an offence under this group of sections will not be able to escape prosecution simply because the organisation is liable: both they and it may be liable to prosecution.