Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005

Information U.K.

17 Use of information U.K.

(1) Information acquired by the Revenue and Customs in connection with a function may be used by them in connection with any other function.

(2) Subsection (1) is subject to any provision which restricts or prohibits the use of information and which is contained in—

(a) this Act,

(b) any other enactment, or

(c) an international or other agreement to which the United Kingdom or Her Majesty’s Government is party.

(3) In subsection (1) “the Revenue and Customs” means—

(a) the Commissioners,

(b) an officer of Revenue and Customs,

(c) a person acting on behalf of the Commissioners or an officer of Revenue and Customs,

(d) a committee established by the Commissioners,

(e) a member of a committee established by the Commissioners,

(f) the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (or any committee or staff of theirs or anyone acting on their behalf),

(g) the Commissioners of Customs and Excise (or any committee or staff of theirs or anyone acting on their behalf), and

(h) a person specified in section 6(2) or 7(3).

(4) In subsection (1) “function” means a function of any of the persons listed in subsection (3).

(5) In subsection (2) the reference to an enactment does not include—

(a) an Act of the Scottish Parliament or an instrument made under such an Act,

[F1 (aa) an Act of the National Assembly for Wales or an instrument made under such an Act,] or

(b) an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly or an instrument made under such an Act.

(6) Part 2 of Schedule 2 (which makes provision about the supply and other use of information in specified circumstances) shall have effect.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 17(5)(aa) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 7(5), 29(2)(b), (3)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 17 in force at 7.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)

18 Confidentiality U.K.

(1) Revenue and Customs officials may not disclose information which is held by the Revenue and Customs in connection with a function of the Revenue and Customs.

(2) But subsection (1) does not apply to a disclosure—

(a) which—

(i) is made for the purposes of a function of the Revenue and Customs, and

(ii) does not contravene any restriction imposed by the Commissioners,

(b) which is made in accordance with section 20 or 21,

(c) which is made for the purposes of civil proceedings (whether or not within the United Kingdom) relating to a matter in respect of which the Revenue and Customs have functions,

(d) which is made for the purposes of a criminal investigation or criminal proceedings (whether or not within the United Kingdom) relating to a matter in respect of which the Revenue and Customs have functions,

(e) which is made in pursuance of an order of a court,

(f) which is made to Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary, the Scottish inspectors or the Northern Ireland inspectors for the purpose of an inspection by virtue of section 27,

(g) which is made to the [F2 Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct], or a person acting on [F3 the Director General’s] behalf, for the purpose of the exercise of a function by virtue of section 28, F4 ...

(h) which is made with the consent of each person to whom the information relates[F5 , F6 ...

(i) which is made to [F7 Revenue Scotland] in connection with the collection and management of a devolved tax within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998.][F8 , F9 ...

(j) which is made to [F10 the Welsh Revenue Authority] in connection with the collection and management of a devolved tax within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 2006][F11 , or

(k) which is made in connection with (or with anything done with a view to) the making or implementation of an agreement referred to in section 64A(1) or (2) of the Scotland Act 1998 (assignment of VAT ).]

F12 (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F13 (2A) Information disclosed in reliance on subsection (2)(k) may not be further disclosed without the consent of the Commissioners (which may be general or specific).]

(3) Subsection (1) is subject to any other enactment permitting disclosure.

(4) In this section—

(a) a reference to Revenue and Customs officials is a reference to any person who is or was—

(i) a Commissioner,

(ii) an officer of Revenue and Customs,

(iii) a person acting on behalf of the Commissioners or an officer of Revenue and Customs, or

(iv) a member of a committee established by the Commissioners,

(b) a reference to the Revenue and Customs has the same meaning as in section 17,

(c) a reference to a function of the Revenue and Customs is a reference to a function of—

(i) the Commissioners, or

(ii) an officer of Revenue and Customs,

(d) a reference to the Scottish inspectors or the Northern Ireland inspectors has the same meaning as in section 27, and

(e) a reference to an enactment does not include—

(i) an Act of the Scottish Parliament or an instrument made under such an Act,

[F14 (ia) an Act of the National Assembly for Wales or an instrument made under such an Act,] or

(ii) an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly or an instrument made under such an Act.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 18(2)(g) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 68(2)(a); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F3 Words in s. 18(2)(g) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 68(2)(b); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F4 Word in s. 18(2)(g) omitted (1.7.2012) by virtue of Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 24(3)(a), 44(2)(b)

F5 S. 18(2)(i) and preceding word inserted (1.7.2012) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 24(3)(b), 44(2)(b)

F6 Word in s. 18(2)(h) omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 7(7)(a), 29(2)(b), (3)

F7 Words in s. 18(2)(i) substituted (1.1.2015) by The Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3294), arts. 1(2), 4(1)(a)(i)

F8 S. 18(2)(j) and preceding word inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 7(7)(b), 29(2)(b), (3)

F9 Word in s. 18(2)(i) omitted (23.5.2016) by virtue of Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 16(5), 72(3)

F10 Words in s. 18(2)(j) substituted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(4), Sch. 6 para. 64 (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(r)

F11 S. 18(2)(k) and word inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 16(5), 72(3)

F12 S. 18(2A) omitted (1.1.2015) by virtue of The Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3294), arts. 1(2), 4(1)(a)(ii)

F13 S. 18(2A) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 16(6), 72(3)

F14 S. 18(4)(e)(ia) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 7(9), 29(2)(b), (3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 18(1) referred to (1.1.2007) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 53(1), Sch. 5 para. 24; S.I. 2006/3399, art. 2

C2 S. 18(1) restricted (1.4.2009) (with effect in accordance with s. 1329(1) of the amending Act) by Corporation Tax Act 2009 (c. 4), ss. 1206(1), 1329(1) (with Pts. 1, 2, Sch. 2 paras. 128, 129)

C3 S. 18(1) restricted by 2009 c. 4, s. 1217CM (as inserted (17.7.2013 for specified purposes and with effect in accordance with Sch. 17 para. 3 and 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), Sch. 17 paras. 1, 2; S.I. 2014/1962, art. 2(1)(2))

C4 S. 18(1) restricted by 2009 c. 4, s. 1216CM (as inserted (17.7.2013 for specified purposes and with effect in accordance with Sch. 16 para. 3 and 19.7.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), Sch. 16 paras. 1, 2; S.I. 2013/1817, art. 2(1))

C5 S. 18(1) restricted (17.7.2013) by Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), s. 80(6)

C6 S. 18(1) excluded by 2007 c. 3, s. 257SI(1)(2) (as inserted (17.7.2014) by Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), Sch. 11 para. 1)

Commencement Information

I2 S. 18 in force at 7.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)

19 Wrongful disclosure U.K.

(1) A person commits an offence if he contravenes section 18(1) [F15 or (2A)] F16 ... or 20(9) by disclosing revenue and customs information relating to a person whose identity—

(a) is specified in the disclosure, or

(b) can be deduced from it.

(2) In subsection (1) “revenue and customs information relating to a person” means information about, acquired as a result of, or held in connection with the exercise of a function of the Revenue and Customs (within the meaning given by section 18(4)(c)) in respect of the person; but it does not include information about internal administrative arrangements of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (whether relating to Commissioners, officers or others).

(3) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section of disclosing information to prove that he reasonably believed—

(a) that the disclosure was lawful, or

(b) that the information had already and lawfully been made available to the public.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

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

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F17 12 months] [F17 the general limit in a magistrates’ court], to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.

(5) A prosecution for an offence under this section may be instituted in England and Wales [F18 only by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.]

(6) A prosecution for an offence under this section may be instituted in Northern Ireland only—

(a) by the Commissioners, or

(b) with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

(7) In the application of this section to Scotland or Northern Ireland the reference in subsection (4)(b) to 12 months shall be taken as a reference to six months.

(8) This section is without prejudice to the pursuit of any remedy or the taking of any action in relation to a contravention of section 18(1) [F19 or (2A)] F20 ... or 20(9) (whether or not this section applies to the contravention).

Textual Amendments

F15 Words in s. 19(1) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 16(7), 72(3)

F16 Words in s. 19(1) omitted (1.1.2015) by virtue of The Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3294), arts. 1(2), 4(1)(b)(i)

F17 Words in s. 19(4)(b) substituted (E.W.) (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

F18 Words in s. 19(5) substituted (27.3.2014) by The Public Bodies (Merger of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/834), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 6

F19 Words in s. 19(8) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 16(7), 72(3)

F20 Words in s. 19(8) omitted (1.1.2015) by virtue of The Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3294), arts. 1(2), 4(1)(b)(ii)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 19 applied by 2005 c. 19, s. 352A (as inserted (19.7.2006) by Finance Act 2006 (c. 25), s. 177)

C8 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (15.2.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 85(6), 94(1) (with s. 85(8)); S.I. 2008/219, art. 2(a)

C9 S. 19 modified by 1994 c. 9, s. 41A(3) (as inserted (17.7.2012) by Finance Act 2012 (c. 14), Sch. 23 para. 13)

C10 S. 19 applied by 2007 c. 3, s. 257SI(6) (as inserted (17.7.2014) by Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), Sch. 11 para. 1)

C11 S. 19 applied by 2013 c. 7, s. 14A(3) (as inserted (17.7.2014) by Finance Act 2014 (c. 26), s. 93(1))

C12 S. 19 applied (26.5.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 5(4), 115(7); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(c)

C13 S. 19 applied by 2009 c. 22, s. 40C(2) (as inserted (4.7.2016) by Enterprise Act 2016 (c. 12), ss. 26(1), 44(5); S.I. 2016/695, art. 2(a))

C14 S. 19 applied (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), ss. 7(10), 94(1); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(a)

C15 S. 19 applied (cond.) (20.7.2016) by Childcare Payments Act 2014 (c. 28), ss. 28, 75(2); S.I. 2016/763, reg. 2(1)

C16 S. 19 applied (1.10.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), ss. 83(7), 90(7), 216(3); S.I. 2016/956, reg. 2(a)

C17 S. 19 applied (17.1.2017) by Savings (Government Contributions) Act 2017 (c. 2), s. 6(2)(3), Sch. 2 para. 17(4)

C18 S. 19 applied (17.1.2017) by Savings (Government Contributions) Act 2017 (c. 2), s. 6(2)(3), Sch. 1 para. 18(5)

C19 S. 19 applied (16.11.2017 for specified purposes) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32), ss. 52(4), 59(1)

C20 S. 19 applied (13.9.2018 for specified purposes) by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), ss. 25(5), 57(1)(a) (with s. 25(6)(7))

C21 S. 19 applied (16.11.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32), ss. 52(4), 59(1); S.I. 2018/298, reg. 2(1)

C22 S. 19 applied (14.2.2020) by The Double Taxation Dispute Resolution (EU) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/51), regs. 1, 50(5) (with regs. 10(9), 20(8))

C23 S. 19 applied (14.2.2020) by The Double Taxation Dispute Resolution (EU) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/51), regs. 1, 49(2) (with regs. 10(9), 20(8))

C24 S. 19 applied (17.12.2020) by Trade (Disclosure of Information) Act 2020 (c. 28), ss. 1(4), 6(2) (with s. 1(5)(6))

C25 S. 19 applied (31.12.2020) by 1979 c. 2, s. 8B(4) (with s. 8B(5)(7)) (as inserted by European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 (c. 29), ss. 20(1), 40(7); S.I. 2020/1662, reg. 2(s))

C26 S. 19 applied (13.9.2018 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), ss. 25(5), 57(1)(a) (with s. 25(6)(7)) (with savings and transitional provisions in 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(a) (which affecting provision is revoked (31.12.2020) by European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 (c. 29), ss. 20(3)(a), 40(7); S.I. 2020/1662, reg. 2(s))

C27 S. 19 applied (31.12.2020) by 1979 c. 2, s. 8A(4) (with s. 8A(5)(7)) (as inserted by European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 (c. 29), ss. 20(1), 40(7); S.I. 2020/1662, reg. 2(s))

C28 S. 19 applied (31.12.2020) by European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (c. 1), s. 42(7), Sch. 2 para. 36(3) (with Sch. 2 paras. 36(4), 37); S.I. 2020/1622, reg. 5(h)

C29 S. 19 applied (with effect in accordance with s. 125(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2021 (c. 26), Sch. 33 para. 7(4) (with Sch. 33 para. 7(5)-(7))

C30 S. 19 applied (with modifications) (30.6.2021) by Trade Act 2021 (c. 10), ss. 13(4), 18(2) (with s. 13(6)); S.I. 2021/550, reg. 4(c)

C31 S. 19 applied (4.1.2022) by National Security and Investment Act 2021 (c. 25), ss. 55(2), 66(3); S.I. 2021/1465, regs. 2, 3 (with regs. 4, 5)

C32 S. 19 applied (10.3.2022 for specified purposes, 1.4.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7), ss. 104(3), 131(1)(2)(f) (with s. 104(4)-(6))

C33 S. 19 applied (1.4.2022 for the financial year beginning with April 2022 and subsequent financial years) by Finance Act 2022 (c. 3), s. 62(5)

C34 S. 19 applied by 1988 c. 41, s. 63D(8) (as inserted (E.W.N.I.) (26.12.2023) by Non Domestic Rating Act 2023 (c. 53), ss. 11, 19(3))

C35 S. 19 applied (11.1.2024) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), ss. 278(3), 334(1); S.I. 2024/32, reg. 2(c)(iv)

C36 S. 19(3)(4) applied by 1995 c. 32, s. 12B(2) (as inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 40(7) of the amending Act) by London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 (c. 12), s. 40(2), Sch. 3 para. 14 (with s. 40(5)); S.I. 2007/1064, art. 2(c); S.I. 2007/1064, art. 2(c))

C37 S. 19(4)-(7) applied (26.5.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 9(5), 164(3)(a)(iii)

C38 S. 19(4)-(7) applied by S.I. 2015/310, reg. 29A(3) (as inserted (22.2.2018) by The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/98), regs. 1(2), 25)

C39 S. 19(4)-(7) applied (1.4.2018 for specified purposes, 1.5.2018 for E.W.S.) by Digital Economy Act 2017 (c. 30), ss. 42(5), 118(4)(5); S.I. 2018/342, reg. 3(1)(f); S.I. 2018/382, reg. 3(h)

C40 S. 19(4)-(7) applied (1.4.2018 for specified purposes, 1.5.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Digital Economy Act 2017 (c. 30), ss. 67(10), 118(4)(5); S.I. 2018/342, reg. 3(2); S.I. 2018/382, reg. 3(dd)

C41 S. 19(4)-(7) applied (1.5.2018 for E.W.S.) by Digital Economy Act 2017 (c. 30), ss. 51(5), 118(4); S.I. 2018/382, reg. 3(p)

C42 S. 19(4)-(7) applied (1.5.2018 for E.W.S.) by Digital Economy Act 2017 (c. 30), ss. 59(5), 118(4); S.I. 2018/382, reg. 3(w)

C43 S. 19(4)-(7) applied by 1996 c. 14, s. 125B(4) (with s. 125C) (as inserted (23.7.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), ss. 195(2), 212(1) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 3(l))

C44 S. 19(4)-(7) applied (1.8.2022 for specified purposes, 12.10.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 (c. 10), ss. 40(6), 69(1); S.I. 2022/876, reg. 3(l); S.I. 2022/1039, reg. 2(a)

C45 S. 19(4)-(7) applied (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by 2006 c. 46, s. 1110G(7) (as inserted by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 94(4), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z36))

C46 S. 19(7) applied by 1995 c. 32, s. 12B(2) (as inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 40(7) of the amending Act) by London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 (c. 12), s. 40(2), Sch. 3 para. 14 (with s. 40(5)); S.I. 2007/1064, art. 2(c))

Commencement Information

I3 S. 19 in force at 7.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)

20 Public interest disclosure U.K.

(1) Disclosure is in accordance with this section (as mentioned in section 18(2)(b)) if—

(a) it is made on the instructions of the Commissioners (which may be general or specific),

(b) it is of a kind—

(i) to which any of subsections (2) to (7) applies, or

(ii) specified in regulations made by the Treasury, and

(c) the Commissioners are satisfied that it is in the public interest.

(2) This subsection applies to a disclosure made—

(a) to a person exercising public functions (whether or not within the United Kingdom),

(b) for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime, and

(c) in order to comply with an obligation of the United Kingdom, or Her Majesty’s Government, under an international or other agreement relating to the movement of persons, goods or services.

(3) This subsection applies to a disclosure if—

(a) it is made to a body which has responsibility for the regulation of a profession,

(b) it relates to misconduct on the part of a member of the profession, and

(c) the misconduct relates to a function of the Revenue and Customs.

(4) This subsection applies to a disclosure if—

(a) it is made to a constable, and

(b) either—

(i) the constable is exercising functions which relate to the movement of persons or goods into or out of the United Kingdom, or

(ii) the disclosure is made for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime.

(5) This subsection applies to a disclosure if it is made—

(a) to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, and

(b) for a purpose connected with its functions under section 2(2) of the Police Act 1997 (c. 50) (criminal intelligence).

(6) This subsection applies to a disclosure if it is made—

(a) to a person exercising public functions in relation to public safety or public health, and

(b) for the purposes of those functions.

(7) This subsection applies to a disclosure if it—

(a) is made to the [F21 Secretary of State] for the purpose of enabling information to be entered in a computerised database, and

(b) relates to—

(i) a person suspected of an offence,

(ii) a person arrested for an offence,

(iii) the results of an investigation, or

(iv) anything seized.

(8) Regulations under subsection (1)(b)(ii)—

(a) may specify a kind of disclosure only if the Treasury are satisfied that it relates to—

(i) national security,

(ii) public safety,

(iii) public health, or

(iv) the prevention or detection of crime;

(b) may make provision limiting or restricting the disclosures that may be made in reliance on the regulations; and that provision may, in particular, operate by reference to—

(i) the nature of information,

(ii) the person or class of person to whom the disclosure is made,

(iii) the person or class of person by whom the disclosure is made,

(iv) any other factor, or

(v) a combination of factors;

(c) shall be made by statutory instrument;

(d) may not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

(9) Information disclosed in reliance on this section may not be further disclosed without the consent of the Commissioners (which may be general or specific); (but the Commissioners shall be taken to have consented to further disclosure by use of the computerised database of information disclosed by virtue of subsection (7)).

Textual Amendments

F21 Words in s. 20(7)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 156; S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

Commencement Information

I4 S. 20 in force at 7.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)

21 Disclosure to prosecuting authority U.K.

(1) Disclosure is in accordance with this section (as mentioned in section 18(2)(b)) if made—

(a) to a prosecuting authority, and

(b) for the purpose of enabling the authority—

(i) to consider whether to institute criminal proceedings in respect of a matter considered in the course of an investigation conducted by or on behalf of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, F22 ...

(ii) to give advice in connection with a criminal investigation F23 ... or criminal proceedings [F24 , or

(iii) in the case of [F25 the Director of Public Prosecutions], to exercise his functions under, or in relation to, Part 5 or 8 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29).]

(2) In subsection (1) “prosecuting authority” means—

(a) [F26 the Director of Public Prosecutions],

(b) in Scotland, the Lord Advocate or a procurator fiscal, and

(c) in Northern Ireland, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

[F27 (2A) In subsection (1) “criminal investigation” means any process—

(i) for considering whether an offence has been committed,

(ii) for discovering by whom an offence has been committed, or

(iii) as a result of which an offence is alleged to have been committed.]

(3) Information disclosed to a prosecuting authority in accordance with this section may not be further disclosed except—

(a) for a purpose connected with the exercise of the prosecuting authority’s functions, or

(b) with the consent of the Commissioners (which may be general or specific).

(4) A person commits an offence if he contravenes subsection (3).

(5) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he reasonably believed—

(a) that the disclosure was lawful, or

(b) that the information had already and lawfully been made available to the public.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

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

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F28 12 months] [F28 the general limit in a magistrates’ court], to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.

(7) A prosecution for an offence under this section may be instituted in England and Wales [F29 only by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.]

(8) A prosecution for an offence under this section may be instituted in Northern Ireland only—

(a) by the Commissioners, or

(b) with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

(9) In the application of this section to Scotland or Northern Ireland the reference in subsection (6)(b) to 12 months shall be taken as a reference to six months.

Textual Amendments

F22 Word in s. 21(1)(b)(i) repealed (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 164(a), 14; S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a)(d) (with arts. 3-14)

F23 Words in s. 21(1)(b)(ii) omitted (27.3.2014) by virtue of The Public Bodies (Merger of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/834), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(2)

F24 S. 21(1)(b)(iii) and preceding word inserted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 164(b); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (with arts. 3-14)

F25 Words in s. 21(1)(b)(iii) substituted (27.3.2014) by The Public Bodies (Merger of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/834), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(3)

F26 Words in s. 21(2)(a) substituted (27.3.2014) by The Public Bodies (Merger of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/834), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(4)

F27 S. 21(2A) inserted (27.3.2014) by The Public Bodies (Merger of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/834), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(5)

F28 Words in s. 21(6)(b) substituted (E.W.) (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

F29 Words in s. 21(7) substituted (27.3.2014) by The Public Bodies (Merger of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/834), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C47 S. 21 modified (6.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 2 para. 10; S.I. 2008/755, art. 15(1)(h)

Commencement Information

I5 S. 21 in force at 7.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)

22 Data protection, &c. U.K.

[F30 (1)] Nothing in sections 17 to 21 authorises the making of a disclosure which—

(a) contravenes [F31 the data protection legislation] , or

(b) is prohibited by [F32 any of Parts 1 to 7 or Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 ].

[F33 (2) In this section, “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act).]

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 22(1): s. 22 renumbered as s. 22(1) (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 110(2) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

F31 Words in s. 22(1)(a) substituted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 110(3) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

F32 Words in s. 22(1)(b) substituted (27.6.2018) by Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (c. 25), s. 272(1), Sch. 10 para. 18 (with Sch. 9 paras. 7, 8, 10); S.I. 2018/652, reg. 12(g)(iii)

F33 S. 22(2) inserted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 110(4) (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

Commencement Information

I6 S. 22 in force at 7.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)

23 Freedom of information U.K.

(1) Revenue and customs information relating to a person, the disclosure of which is prohibited by section 18(1), is exempt information by virtue of section 44(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36) (prohibitions on disclosure) if its disclosure—

(a) would specify the identity of the person to whom the information relates, or

(b) would enable the identity of such a person to be deduced.

[F34 (1A) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 18 are to be disregarded in determining for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section whether the disclosure of revenue and customs information relating to a person is prohibited by subsection (1) of that section.]

(2) Except as specified in subsection (1), information the disclosure of which is prohibited by section 18(1) is not exempt information for the purposes of section 44(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

(3) In subsection (1) “revenue and customs information relating to a person” has the same meaning as in section 19.

Textual Amendments

F34 S. 23(1A) inserted (21.7.2009) by Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (c. 11), ss. 19(4), 58(1) (with s. 36(4))

Commencement Information

I7 S. 23 in force at 7.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)