Environment Act 1995

110 Offences. E+W+S

(1) It is an offence for a person intentionally to obstruct an authorised person in the exercise or performance of his powers or duties.

(2) It is an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse,—

(a) to fail to comply with any requirement imposed under section 108 above;

(b) to fail or refuse to provide facilities or assistance or any information or to permit any inspection reasonably required by an authorised person in the execution of his powers or duties under or by virtue of that section; or

(c) to prevent any other person from appearing before an authorised person, or answering any question to which an authorised person may require an answer, pursuant to subsection (4) of that section.

(3) It is an offence for a person falsely to pretend to be an authorised person.

[F1 (3A) It is an offence for a person to contravene, without reasonable excuse, a restriction notice issued under section 109A (including a notice continued in force under section 109E).

(3B) It is an offence for a person to contravene, without reasonable excuse, a restriction order made under section 109D, 109F, 109G or 109I.

(3C) It is an offence for a person to remove, without reasonable excuse, a copy of a restriction order fixed to a normal means of access to premises under section 109H(1).]

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable—

(a) in the case of an offence of [F2 assaulting, hindering or] obstructing an authorised person in the execution of his powers under section 109 above—

(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum [F3 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both];

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

(b) in any other case, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding [F4 level 5 on the standard scale] [F4 the prescribed sum within the meaning of section 225(8) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both].

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

[F5 (5A) A person may be convicted of the offence under subsection (1) above of hindering or obstructing even though it is—

(a) effected by means other than physical means, or

(b) effected by action directed only at any vehicle, apparatus, equipment or other thing used or to be used by an authorised person.

(5B) Subsection (5C) applies where, in the trial of a person (“the accused”) charged in summary proceedings with an offence under subsection (1) above, the court—

(a) is not satisfied that the accused committed the offence, but

(b) is satisfied that the accused committed an offence under subsection (2) above.

(5C) The court may acquit the accused of the charge and, instead, find the accused guilty of an offence under subsection (2) above.]

[F6 (5D) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3A) is liable on summary conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 51 weeks, or to both.

(5E) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3B) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding [F7 the general limit in a magistrates’ court], or to both;

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

(5F) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3C) is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

(5G) In relation to an offence committed before the coming into force of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the reference in subsection (5D) to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to 6 months.

(5H) In relation to an offence committed before [F8 2 May 2022], the reference in subsection (5E)(a) to [F9 the general limit in a magistrates’ court] is to be read as a reference to 6 months.]

(6) In this section—

• “authorised person” means a person authorised under section 108 above and includes a person designated under paragraph 2 of Schedule 18 to this Act;

• “powers and duties” includes powers or duties exercisable by virtue of a warrant under Schedule 18 to this Act.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 110(3A)-(3C) inserted (E.W.) (29.3.2018) by The Waste Enforcement (England and Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/369), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(a)

F2 Words in s. 110(4)(a) inserted (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), sch. 3 para. 29(6)(b)(i) (with sch. 3 para. 30); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2)

F3 Words in s. 110(4)(a)(i) inserted (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), sch. 3 para. 29(6)(b)(ii) (with sch. 3 para. 30); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2)

F4 Words in s. 110(4)(b) substituted (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), sch. 3 para. 29(6)(b)(iii) (with sch. 3 para. 30); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2)

F5 S. 110(5A)-(5C) inserted (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), sch. 3 para. 29(6)(c); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2)

F6 S. 110(5D)-(5H) inserted (E.W.) (29.3.2018) by The Waste Enforcement (England and Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/369), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(b)

F7 Words in s. 110(5E)(a) substituted (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

F8 Words in s. 110(5H) 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

F9 Words in s. 110(5H) substituted (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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 110 applied by S.I. 2005/2773, reg. 7(4A) (as inserted (E.) (23.12.2009) by The Volatile Organic Compounds in Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3145), regs. 1, 2)

C2 S. 110 applied (27.7.2012) by The Volatile Organic Compounds in Paints, Varnishes and Vehicle Refinishing Products Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1715), regs. 1, 6(2) (with reg. 3)

C3 S. 110 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2018) by The Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1200), regs. 2(2), 27(3) (with reg. 1(2))

C4 S. 110 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2018) by The Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1200), regs. 2(2), 9(4)(5) (with reg. 1(2))