SCHEDULE 9Disclosure of information
PART 2Offences relating to disclosure and use of protected information
Penalty for offences under paragraphs 3 and 4
6
(1)
A person who commits an offence under paragraph 3 or 4 is liable—
(a)
on summary conviction—
(i)
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months (in England and Wales or Scotland) or 6 months (in Northern Ireland),
(ii)
to a fine (in England and Wales) or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (in Scotland or Northern Ireland), or
(iii)
to both;
(b)
on conviction on indictment—
(i)
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years,
(ii)
to a fine, or
(iii)
to both.
(2)
In the application of sub-paragraph (1) to England and Wales in relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 154(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (general limit on magistrates' court's power to imprison), the reference in sub-paragraph (1)(a)(i) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to 6 months.