DefenceN.I.
23.—(1) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of any of the provisions of these Regulations, it is a defence for the person charged to prove that
(a)the commission of the offence was due to the act or default of another person, not being one of that person’s employees (“the other person”); and
(b)the person took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.
(2) The person charged shall not be entitled, without leave of the court, to rely on the defence referred to in paragraph (1) unless, at least seven clear days before the hearing to determine the mode of trial, he has served on the prosecutor a notice in writing giving such information identifying, or assisting in the identification of, the other person, as was then in the person’s possession.
(3) If a contravention of any of the provisions of these Regulations by any person is due to the act or default of the other person, then that other person is guilty of the offence, which would, but for the defence in paragraph (1), be constituted by the act or default.