Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Changes over time for: Section 21

Version Superseded: 31/12/2020

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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 21 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

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21 Penalties, forfeitures etc.E+W

[F1(1)Subject to subsection (5), a person guilty of an offence under any of sections 1 to 13 or section 17 shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.]

(4)A person guilty of an offence under section 14 [F2or 14ZA] shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, [F3to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both];

(b)on conviction on indictment, [F3to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both].

[F4(4A)F5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6(4AA)Except in a case falling within subsection (4B) a person guilty of an offence under section 19XB(1), (2) or (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.]

(4B)A person guilty of an offence under [F7section 19XB(1)(a) or (2)(a)] in relation to a wildlife inspector [F8entering premises to ascertain whether an offence under section 14 or 14ZA is being or has been committed] shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4C)A person guilty of an offence under section [F919XB(4)] shall be liable—

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

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

(4D)F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

(5)Where an offence to which subsection (1) F11. . . applies was committed in respect of more than one bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing, the maximum fine which may be imposed under that subsection shall be determined as if the person convicted had been convicted of a separate offence in respect of each bird, nest, egg, animal, plant or thing.

(6)The court by which any person is convicted of an offence under this Part—

(a)shall order the forfeiture of any bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing in respect of which the offence was committed; and

(b)may order the forfeiture of any vehicle, animal, weapon or other thing which was used to commit the offence and, in the case of an offence under section 14 [F12or 14ZA], any animal or plant which is of the same kind as that in respect of which the offence was committed and was found in his possession.

(7)Any offence under this Part shall, for the purpose of conferring jurisdiction, be deemed to have been committed in any place where the offender is found or to which he is first brought after the commission of the offence.

Extent Information

E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1S. 21(1) substituted for s. 21(1)-(3) (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 12 para. 10(2)(6)

F2Words in s. 21(4)(6)(b) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 105(1), 107, Sch. 11 para. 73(1); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2

F3Words in s. 21(4)(a)(b) substituted (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 9 para. 10(3)(a)(b)(6)

F4S. 21(4A)-(4D) inserted (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 12 para. 10(4)(6)

F5S. 21(4A)(4D) omitted (31.5.2006) by virtue of Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(2); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F6S. 21(4AA) inserted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(3); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F7Words in s. 21(4B) substituted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(4)(a); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F8Words in s. 21(4B) substituted (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(4)(b); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F9Words in s. 21(4C) substituted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(5); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F10S. 21(4A)(4D) omitted (31.5.2006) by virtue of Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 5(2); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

F11Words in s. 21(5) repealed (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 102, 103(2), Sch. 9 para. 10(5)(6), Sch. 16 Pt. IV

F12Words in s. 21(4)(6)(b) inserted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 105(1), 107, Sch. 11 para. 73(1); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 21(4AA)-(4C) applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 7-11; S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

21 Penalties, forfeitures etc.S

[F13(1)Subject to subsection (5), a person guilty of an offence under a provision mentioned in subsection (1A) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both).

(1A)The provisions referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a)section 5(1)(e) and (f) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 5(1)(e)),

(b)section 6(2) and (2A) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 6(2)(a)),

(c)section 7 (other than section 7(1) and (5A) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 7(1))),

(d)section 9(5)(b),

(e)section 11A,

(f)section 11C,

(g)section 11E,

(h)section 13,

(i)section 14B,

(j)section 17,

(k)section 19ZC (other than an offence under section 19ZC(7) in relation to a wildlife inspector acting in exercise of the power conferred by section 19ZC(3)(d)),

(l)section 19ZD.

(1B)Subject to subsection (5), a person guilty of an offence under a provision mentioned in subsection (1C) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £40,000 (or both).

(1C)The provisions referred to in subsection (1B) are—

(a)section 6(3),

(b)section 7(1) and (5A) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 7(1)),

(c)section 8,

(d)section 9(2), (4A), (5)(a) and (5A) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 9(2), (4A) or (5)(a)),

(e)section 11B,

(f)section 11G,

(g)section 11I.]

(2)F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F15(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16(4ZZA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17(4ZA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F18(4A)A person guilty of an offence under section 19ZC(7) in relation to a wildlife inspector acting in exercise of the power conferred by subsection (3)(d) of that section shall be liable—

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

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

[F19(4B)A person guilty of an offence under a provision mentioned in subsection (4C) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £40,000 (or both),

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

(4C)The provisions referred to in subsection (4B) are—

(a)section 14ZC,

(b)section 14A,

(c)section 14AA,

(d)section 14K.

(4D)A person guilty of an offence under a provision mentioned in subsection (4E) is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £40,000 (or both),

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

(4E)The provisions referred to in subsection (4D) are—

(a)section 1,

(b)section 5(1)(a) to (d) and (f) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 5(1)(a) to (d)),

(c)section 6(1) and (2A) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 6(1)(a)),

(d)section 9(1), (4) and (5A) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 9(1) or (4)),

(e)section 10A,

(f)section 11,

(g)section 14,

(h)section 15A.]

(5)Where an offence to which subsection (1), [F20or (1B)] F21. . . applies was committed in respect of more than one bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing, the maximum fine which may be imposed under [F22the subsection in question] shall be determined as if the person convicted had been convicted of a separate offence in respect of each bird, nest, egg, animal, plant or thing.

(6)The court by which any person is convicted of an offence under this Part—

(a)shall order the forfeiture of any bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing in respect of which the offence was committed; and

(b)may order the forfeiture of any vehicle, animal, weapon or other thing which was used to commit the offence and, in the case of an offence under section 14 [F23, 14ZC, 14A, [F2414AA,] 14B or 14K], any animal [F25, plant or other thing] which is of the same kind as that in respect of which the offence was committed and was found in his possession.