Part II Carriers’ Liability
Clandestine entrantsPenalties for failure to secure goods vehicle and for carrying clandestine entrants
35 Procedure.
(1)
If the Secretary of State decides that a person (“P”) is liable to one or more penalties under section F131A or 32, he must notify P of his decision.
(2)
A notice under subsection (1) (a “penalty notice”) must—
(a)
state the Secretary of State’s reasons for deciding that P is liable to the penalty (or penalties);
(b)
state the amount of the penalty (or penalties) to which P is liable;
(c)
specify the date before which, and the manner in which, the penalty (or penalties) must be paid; F2and
(d)
include an explanation of the steps—
(i)
that P F3may take if he objects to the penalty;
(ii)
that the Secretary of State may take under this Part to recover any unpaid penaltyF4and
(e)
be issued before the end of such period as may be prescribed.
F5(3)
F6Subsection (4) applies where a person to whom a penalty notice is issued objects on the ground that—
(a)
he is not liable to the imposition of a penalty, or
(b)
the amount of the penalty is too high.
(4)
The person may give a notice of objection to the Secretary of State.
(5)
A notice of objection must—
(a)
be in writing,
(b)
give the objector’s reasons, and
(c)
be given before the end of such period as may be prescribed.
(6)
Where the Secretary of State receives a notice of objection to a penalty in accordance with this section he shall consider it and—
(a)
cancel the penalty,
(b)
reduce the penalty,
(c)
increase the penalty, or
(d)
determine to take no action under paragraphs (a) to (c).
(7)
Where the Secretary of State considers a notice of objection under subsection (6) he shall—
(a)
inform the objector of his decision before the end of such period as may be prescribed or such longer period as he may agree with the objector,
(b)
if he increases the penalty, issue a new penalty notice under subsection (1), and
(c)
if he reduces the penalty, notify the objector of the reduced amount.
(9)
(10)
Any sum payable to the Secretary of State as a penalty under section F931A or 32 may be recovered by the Secretary of State as a debt due to him.
F10(11)
In proceedings for enforcement of a penalty under subsection (10) no question may be raised as to—
(a)
liability to the imposition of the penalty, or
(b)
its amount.
(12)
A document which is to be issued to or served on a person outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of subsection (1) or (7) or in the course of proceedings under subsection (10) may be issued or served—
(a)
in person,
(b)
by post,
(c)
by facsimile transmission, F11or
F12(ca)
by electronic mail, or
(d)
in another prescribed manner.
(13)
The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that a document issued or served in a manner listed in subsection (12) in accordance with the regulations is to be taken to have been received at a time specified by or determined in accordance with the regulations.