17Offence to pretend to be entitledE+W
(1)It is an offence for a person—
(a)wilfully to pretend to be entitled to carry on any activity which is a reserved legal activity when that person is not so entitled, or
(b)with the intention of implying falsely that that person is so entitled, to take or use any name, title or description.
(2)A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both), and
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).
(3)In relation to an offence under subsection (1) committed before [F12 May 2022], the reference in subsection (2)(a) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to 6 months.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 17(3) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1