(1)If a person discloses information in contravention of section 14 which relates to a person whose identity—
(a)is specified in the disclosure, or
(b)can be deduced from it,
the person who disclosed the information commits an offence.
(2)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that the person reasonably believed—
(a)that the disclosure was lawful, or
(b)that the information had already lawfully been made available to the public.
(3)A prosecution for an offence under this section—
(a)may be brought in England and Wales only with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions;
(b)may be brought in Northern Ireland only with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.
(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, to a fine or to both, or
(b)on summary conviction—
(i)in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1the general limit in a magistrates’ court], to a fine or to both;
(ii)in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;
(iii)in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.
(5)In relation to an offence committed before [F22 May 2022], the reference in subsection (4)(b)(i) to [F3the general limit in a magistrates’ court] is to be read as a reference to 6 months.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 15(4)(b)(i) 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(1), Sch. Pt. 1
F2Words in s. 15(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(1), Sch. Pt. 1
F3Words in s. 15(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(1), Sch. Pt. 1
Commencement Information
I1S. 15 in force at 30.6.2021 by S.I. 2021/550, reg. 4(e)