Overview of the Act Maximum penalties
272.Paragraph 16 makes provision in sub-paragraph (1) for the maximum penalty which may be specified for any offence created in the regulations. For a summary-only offence, the maximum penalties are (i) a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000), (ii) imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months or (iii) both the fine and the term of imprisonment. For an offence that can be prosecuted either on summary complaint or on indictment, the maximum penalties are (i) a fine, which on summary conviction may not exceed the statutory maximum (currently £10,000), (ii) imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months on summary conviction or 2 years on conviction on indictment or (iii) both the fine and the term of imprisonment.