Schedule 3— Amendments of remaining provisions of the Companies Act 1985 relating to offences

In subsection (3) of section 444 of the Companies Act 1985 (c. 6) (failure to give information requested by Secretary of State relating to interests in shares etc) for “is liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both” substitute “ commits an offence ”.

At the end of that section add— 4 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— a on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both); b on summary conviction— i in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both) and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-fiftieth of the statutory maximum; ii in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both) and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-fiftieth of the statutory maximum. .

In section 448(7) of the Companies Act 1985 (obstruction of rights conferred by or by virtue of warrant for entry and search of premises) omit the words “and liable to a fine.” to the end.

After that provision insert— 7A A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— a on conviction on indictment, to a fine; b on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum. .

Section 449 of the Companies Act 1985 (wrongful disclosure of information obtained in course of company investigation) is amended as follows.

For subsection (6)(a) and (b) substitute “ is guilty of an offence. ”

After subsection (6) insert— 6A A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— a on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both); b on summary conviction— i in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both); ii in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both). .

Omit subsection (7).

For subsection (3) of section 450 of the Companies Act 1985 (offence of destroying, etc company documents) substitute— 3 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— a on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or a fine (or both); b on summary conviction— i in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both); ii in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both). .

Omit subsection (4) of that section.

For subsection (2) of section 451 of the Companies Act 1985 (c. 6) (provision of false information in response to requirement under section 447) substitute— 2 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— a on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both); b on summary conviction— i in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both); ii in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both). .

Omit subsection (3) of that section.

Section 453A of the Companies Act 1985 (obstruction of inspector etc exercising power to enter and remain on premises) is amended as follows.

For subsection (5)(a) and (b) substitute “ is guilty of an offence. ”

After subsection (5) insert— 5A A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— a on conviction on indictment, to a fine; b on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum. .

Omit subsection (6).

In subsection (1) of section 455 of the Companies Act 1985 (attempted evasion of restrictions under Part 15) for “is liable to a fine if he” substitute “ commits an offence if he ”.

In subsection (2) of that section for the words “the company” to the end substitute an offence is committed by— a the company, and b every officer of the company who is in default.

After that subsection insert— 2A A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— a on conviction on indictment, to a fine; b on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum. .