Companies Act 2014 section 1500

Privileges, etc.

Section 1500 sets out the legal protections and privileges that apply to witnesses and individuals involved in investigation and disciplinary proceedings conducted by recognised accountancy bodies.

• A witness before a recognised accountancy body enjoys the same immunities and privileges as a witness before the High Court.
• Legally privileged information cannot be compelled to be disclosed, nor can privileged documents be inspected or copied, under these investigation arrangements.
• Information or answers provided by a person during these proceedings cannot be used as evidence against that person in any other legal proceedings, except proceedings for a criminal offence (other than perjury relating to those answers).
• A finding or decision made by a recognised accountancy body under these arrangements does not prevent separate civil or criminal proceedings from being brought against the individual concerned.

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