(1)It is an offence for a person—
(a)wilfully to pretend to be entitled to carry on any activity which is a reserved legal activity when that person is not so entitled, or
(b)with the intention of implying falsely that that person is so entitled, to take or use any name, title or description.
(2)A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both), and
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).
(3)In relation to an offence under subsection (1) committed before the commencement of [F1paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act 2020], the reference in subsection (2)(a) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to 6 months.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 17(3) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 443(1) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2