19.—(1) If a person ceasing to hold office as auditor fails to comply with paragraph 18 he is guilty of an offence and liable—U.K.
(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;
(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.
(2) In proceedings for an offence under sub-paragraph (1), it is a defence for the person charged to show that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.