Section 212 — Offences in connection with section 211
Extent: E+W
This version in force from 2024-12-02
Snapshot: 2026-08-24
Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .
(1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, obstructs a person in the exercise of the power conferred by section 211(2) is guilty of an offence.
(2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(3) A person commits an offence if the person discloses confidential information, obtained in the exercise of the power conferred by section 211(2), for purposes other than those for which the power was exercised.
(4) A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or both.
(5) In subsection (3), “confidential information” means information—
(a) which constitutes a trade secret, or
(b) the disclosure of which would or would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any person.