Penalties for offencesU.K.
51.—(1) A person who commits an offence under any provision of Part 3 (Finance) or regulation 38 (finance: licensing offences), is liable—
(a)on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or a fine (or both);
(b)on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(c)on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(d)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or a fine (or both).
(2) A person who commits an offence under any provision of Part 5 (Trade) is liable—
(a)on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F2the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or a fine (or both);
(b)on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(c)on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(d)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or a fine (or both).
(3) A person who commits an offence under regulation 9(6) (confidentiality), [F338A (director disqualification: licensing offences),] 39, 47(6) or 48(5) (offences in connection with trade licences) is liable—
(a)on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F4the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or a fine (or both);
(b)on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(c)on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);
(d)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).
(4) A person who commits an offence under regulation 41(6) or 45 (information offences in connection with Part 3) is liable—
(a)on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine (or both);
(b)on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both);
(c)on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both).
(5) In relation to an offence committed before [F52nd May 2022] the reference in each of paragraphs (1)(a), (2)(a) and (3)(a) to [F6the general limit in a magistrates’ court] is to be read as a reference to 6 months.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in reg. 51(1)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2
F2Words in reg. 51(2)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2
F3Words in reg. 51(3) inserted (16.5.2024) by The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/643), regs. 1(2), 2(9)
F4Words in reg. 51(3)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2
F5Words in reg. 51(5) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(2), Sch. Pt. 2
F6Words in reg. 51(5) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 51 in force at 31.12.2020 on IP completion day by S.I. 2019/627, reg. 3(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)