Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. 15 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2008) by The Bank Accounts Directive (Miscellaneous Banks) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/567), reg. 4, Sch. para. 1 (with Sch. para. 11)
C2Pt. 15 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2008) by The Partnerships (Accounts) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/569), regs. 4, 7, Sch. Pt. 1
C3Pt. 15 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by The Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2436), regs. 3-5, Sch. 1 para. 16 (with transitional provisions and savings in regs. 7, 9, Sch. 2)
C4Pts. 1-39 (except for Pt. 7 and ss. 662-669), 45-47 extended (12.5.2011) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1265), art. 5(1), Sch. 1 para. 2
(1)This section applies to information (in whatever form) obtained in pursuance of a requirement or order under section 459 (power of authorised person to require documents etc) that relates to the private affairs of an individual or to any particular business.
(2)No such information may, during the lifetime of that individual or so long as that business continues to be carried on, be disclosed without the consent of that individual or the person for the time being carrying on that business.
(3)This does not apply—
(a)to disclosure permitted by section 461 (permitted disclosure of information obtained under compulsory powers), or
(b)to the disclosure of information that is or has been available to the public from another source.
(4)A person who discloses information in contravention of this section commits an offence, unless—
(a)he did not know, and had no reason to suspect, that the information had been disclosed under section 459, or
(b)he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.
(5)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);
(b)on summary conviction—
(i)in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(ii)in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both).
[F1(6)Where an offence under this section is committed by a body corporate, every officer of the body who is in default also commits the offence. For this purpose—
(a)any person who purports to act as director, manager or secretary of the body is treated as an officer of the body, and
(b)if the body is a company, any shadow director is treated as an officer of the company.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 460(6) added (6.4.2008) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), art. 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 245 (with arts. 6, 11, 12))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5Ss. 458-461 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2008) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1911), reg. 24 (as amended (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2009/1804, regs. 2, 85, Sch. 3 para. 16 and (1.4.2013) by S.I. 2013/472, Sch. 2 para. 143(a))
C6Ss. 418-469 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by The Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2436), regs. 3-5, Sch. 1 para. 10 (with transitional provisions and savings in regs. 7, 9, Sch. 2)