Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996

123 Offence of practising while not registered

(1) In section 1 (prohibition on practising or carrying on business under title of architect by person who is not registered) of the [1938 c. 54.] Architects Registration Act 1938 (“the 1938 Act”), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) In this Act (and in section 17 of the principal Act) “business” includes any undertaking which is carried on for gain or reward or in the course of which services are provided otherwise than free of charge.”.

(2) In section 3 of the 1938 Act (offence of practising while not registered), for the words from “to a fine” to “therefor:” substitute “to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale:”.

(3) Re-number that section as subsection (1) of that section and after that subsection as so renumbered insert—

“(2) In relation to an offence under subsection (1)—

(a) section 127(1) of the [1980 c. 43.] Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (information to be laid within six months of offence);

(b) Article 19(1) of the [S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26).] Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (complaint to be made within that time); and

(c) section 136(1) of the [1995 c. 46.] Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (proceedings to be commenced within that time),

shall have effect as if for the references in them to six months there were substituted references to two years.”.

(4) Re-number section 17 of the 1931 Act (defence for certain bodies corporate, firms and partnerships) as subsection (1) of that section and after that subsection as so renumbered insert—

“(2) The Board may by rules provide that subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to a body corporate, firm or partnership unless it has provided to the Board such information necessary for determining whether that subsection applies as may be prescribed.”.