[F114A Information—offences.E+W+S
(1)This section applies to—
(a)persons who are required to comply with regulations under section 4(4) or 7(5); and
(b)persons specified in regulations under section 14(1)(a).
(2)Such a person is guilty of an offence if, pursuant to a request for information under or by virtue of those regulations—
(a)he makes a statement or representation which he knows to be false; or
(b)he provides, or knowingly causes or knowingly allows to be provided, a document or other information which he knows to be false in a material particular.
(3)Such a person is guilty of an offence if, following such a request, he fails to comply with it.
[F2(3A)In the case of regulations under section 14 which require a person liable to make payments of child support maintenance to notify—
(a)a change of address, or
(b)any other change of circumstances,
a person who fails to comply with the requirement is guilty of an offence.]
(4)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (3) [F3or (3A)] to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply.
(5)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
[F4(6)In England and Wales, an information relating to an offence under subsection (2) may be tried by a magistrates' court if it is laid within the period of 12 months beginning with the commission of the offence.
(7)In Scotland, summary proceedings for an offence under subsection (2) may be commenced within the period of 12 months beginning with the commission of the offence.
(8)Section 136(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46) (date when proceedings deemed to be commenced) applies for the purposes of subsection (7) as it applies for the purposes of that section.]]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 14A Inserted (31.1.2001) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19), ss. 13, 86(1)(a)(2) (with ss. 28, 83(6)); S.I. 2000/3354, art. 2(1)(a)
F2S. 14A(3A) substituted (8.10.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), ss. 55(2), 61(3); S.I. 2012/2523, art. 2(1)(e)
F3Words in s. 14A(4) inserted (26.9.2008 for specified purposes, 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 (c. 6), ss. 36(2), 62(3); S.I. 2008/2548, art. 2(b)
F4S. 14A(6)-(8) inserted (14.1.2010) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), ss. 55(3), 61(3); S.I. 2010/45, art. 2(3)