Representation of the People Act 1983

4 (1) After the expiry of the time for making the return and declaration, the candidate, if elected, shall not, until he has made the return and declaration or until the date of the allowance of any authorised excuse under paragraph 7 below, sit or vote in the council and if he does so—

(a) he shall forfeit £50 for every day on which he so sits or votes ; or

(b) instead of civil proceedings for a penalty, proceedings may be instituted in a magistrates' court, and he shall be liable on conviction to a fine of an amount not exceeding the amount of the penalty which would be recoverable in civil proceedings.

(2) In relation to an offence under this paragraph—

(a) a proceeding for an offence under this paragraph shall be commenced within one year after the offence was committed and the time so limited by this sub-paragraph shall, in the case of any proceedings under the [1980 c. 43.] Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 be substituted for any limitation of time contained in that Act;

(b) the issue of a writ or other process shall be deemed to be a commencement of a proceeding, where the service or execution of the same on or against the alleged offender is prevented by the absconding or concealment or act of the alleged offender, but save as mentioned above the service or execution of the same on or against the alleged offender, and not its issue, shall be deemed to be the commencement of the proceeding.