F2PART 15BVideo games development
CHAPTER 3Video games tax relief
Miscellaneous
1217CNWrongful disclosure
1
A person (“X”) commits an offence if—
a
X discloses revenue and customs information relating to a person (as defined in section 19(2) of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005),
b
the identity of the person to whom the information relates is specified in the disclosure or can be deduced from it, and
c
the disclosure contravenes section 1217CM(5).
2
If a person (“Y”) is charged with an offence under subsection (1), it is a defence for Y to prove that Y reasonably believed—
a
that the disclosure was lawful, or
b
that the information had already and lawfully been made available to the public.
3
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
F4a
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both, or
b
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both.
4
A prosecution for an offence under subsection (1) may be brought in England and Wales F1only by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
5
A prosecution for an offence under subsection (1) may be brought in Northern Ireland only—
a
by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, or
b
with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.
6
In the application of this section—
F3a
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b
in Northern Ireland,
the reference in subsection (3)(b) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to 6 months.
Pt. 15B inserted (17.7.2013 for specified purposes and 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Finance Act 2013 (c. 29), Sch. 17 paras. 1, 2; S.I. 2014/1962, art. 2(1)(2)