Part 5Enforcement

Certificate of lawful use or development

172Offences

(1)

If any person, for the purpose of procuring a particular decision on an application (whether by that person or another) for the issue of a certificate under section 169 or 170—

(a)

knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular;

(b)

with intent to deceive, uses any document which is false or misleading in a material particular; or

(c)

with intent to deceive, withholds any material information,

that person shall be guilty of an offence.

(2)

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

(a)

on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine, or both.

(3)

Notwithstanding Article 19 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 26), a magistrates' court may hear and determine a complaint in respect of an offence under subsection (1) whenever made.