Section 193 — Pensions Act 2004: Penalties relating to sections 191 and 192

Penalties relating to sections 191 and 192 193 1 A person who, without reasonable excuse, neglects or refuses to provide information or produce a document when required to do so under section 191 is guilty of an offence.

2 A person who without reasonable excuse—

a intentionally delays or obstructs an appointed person exercising any power under section 192, b neglects or refuses to produce, or secure the production of, any document when required to do so under that section, or c neglects or refuses to answer a question or to provide information when so required, is guilty of an offence.

3 In subsection (2)(a) “ appointed person ” has the same meaning as it has in section 192.

4 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

5 An offence under subsection (1) or (2)(b) or (c) may be charged by reference to any day or longer period of time; and a person may be convicted of a second or subsequent offence by reference to any period of time following the preceding conviction of the offence.

6 Any person who intentionally and without reasonable excuse alters, suppresses, conceals or destroys any document which he is or is liable to be required to produce under section 191 or 192 is guilty of an offence.

7 Any person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.