1Preservation of relevant documents

(1)

A person (“P”) who has in P’s custody or under P’s control a relevant document—

(a)

must not alter, destroy or otherwise dispose of the document,

(b)

must not remove or transfer the document to a place outside of Northern Ireland, and

(c)

must take appropriate measures to ensure that the document is not stolen, lost, destroyed or otherwise damaged.

(2)

A relevant document is under the control of P if it is in P's possession or if P has a right to possession of it.

(3)

A person who intentionally or recklessly—

(a)

contravenes subsection (1), or

(b)

causes or permits a contravention of subsection (1),

is guilty of an offence.

(4)

Proceedings for an offence under subsection (3) may be instituted only by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

(5)

A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.