Page:Chemical Weapons Act 1996.pdf/15

Rh :(b) he had an interest which was materially affected by the destruction or alteration and he sustained loss as a result.

(3) If the person concerned makes an application under this section to the High Court or in Scotland the Court of Session, and the Court finds that his claim is justified, the Court may order the Secretary of State to pay to the applicant such amount (if any) by way of compensation as the Court considers just.

(4) If the Court believes that the equipment or building would have been destroyed or altered even if a copy of a notice had been served on the applicant under section 13 the Court must not order compensation to be paid under this section.

17.—(1) If—
 * (a) a copy of a notice is served on a person under section 12,
 * (b) the notice relates to equipment in his possession at the time the copy is served,
 * (c) he relinquishes possession of, or alters or uses, the equipment before the date specified under section 12(4), and
 * (d) he has no reasonable excuse for doing so,

he is guilty of an offence.

(2) If—
 * (a) a copy of a notice is served on a person under section 13,
 * (b) the notice relates to equipment in his possession at the time the copy is served or to a building situated on land he occupies at that time,
 * (c) any requirement set out in the notice is not fulifilled, and
 * (d) he has no reasonable excuse for the requirement not being fulfilled,

he is guilty of an offence.

(3) If a person wilfully obstructs—
 * (a) a person exercising, or attempting to exercise, the powers mentioned in section 14(3)(a) or (b) or 1 5(4)(a) or (b), or
 * (b) any other person taken with him as mentioned in section 14(3)(c) or 15(4)(c) and helping him, or attempting to help him, to exercise those powers,

the person so obstructing is guilty of an offence.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under any of the preceding provisions of this section is liable—
 * (a) on summary conviction, to a fine of an amount not exceeding the statutory maximum;
 * (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(5) A person who knowingly makes a false or misleading statement in response to a notice served under section 12 is guilty of an offence and liable—
 * (a) on summary conviction, to a fine of an amount not exceeding the statutory maximum;