Part XIU.K. Company administration and procedure

Chapter IVU.K. Meetings and Resolutions

[F1 Rights of auditors]E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F1New ss. 389A–390 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 120(1) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Valid from 06/04/2005

389BOffences relating to the provision of information to auditorsE+W+S

(1)If a person knowingly or recklessly makes to an auditor of a company a statement (oral or written) that—

(a)conveys or purports to convey any information or explanations which the auditor requires, or is entitled to require, under section 389A(1)(b), and

(b)is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular,

the person is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

(2)A person who fails to comply with a requirement under section 389A(1)(b) without delay is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine.

(3)However, it is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (2) to prove that it was not reasonably practicable for him to provide the required information or explanations.

(4)If a company fails to comply with section 389A(5), the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(5)Nothing in this section affects any right of an auditor to apply for an injunction to enforce any of his rights under section 389A.