{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/communications-act-2003/section-139",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/communications-act-2003/section-139.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2003/21",
  "legislation_title": "Communications Act 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/communications-act-2003",
  "path": "section/139",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "139",
  "heading": "Penalties for contravention of information requirements",
  "text": "(1) This section applies where a person is given a notification under section 138 which specifies a proposed penalty.\n(2) OFCOM may specify a penalty if—\n(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(c) no proceedings for an offence under section 144 have been brought against the notified person in respect of the contravention.\n(3) Where a notification under section 138 relates to more than one contravention, a separate penalty may be specified in respect of each contravention.\n(4) Where such a notification relates to a continuing contravention, no more than one penalty may be specified in respect of the period of contravention specified in the notification.\n(4A) But, in relation to a continuing contravention, a penalty may be specified in respect of each day on which the contravention continues after—\n(a) the giving of a confirmation decision under section 139A(4)(c) which requires immediate action; or\n(b) the expiry of any period specified in the confirmation decision for complying with a requirement so specified.\n(4B) The amount of a penalty under subsection (4A) is to be such amount not exceeding £500 per day as OFCOM determine to be—\n(a) appropriate; and\n(b) proportionate to the contravention in respect of which it is imposed.\n(5) The amount of any other penalty notified under this section is to be such amount not exceeding £2,000,000 as OFCOM determine to be both—\n(a) appropriate; and\n(b) proportionate to the contravention in respect of which it is imposed.\n(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(9) The Secretary of State may by order amend this section so as to substitute a different maximum penalty for the maximum penalty for the time being specified in subsection (5).\n(10) No order is to be made containing provision authorised by subsection (9) unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 139(1) substituted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(a) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 139(2) substituted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(b) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "S. 139(2)(a)(b) omitted (26.5.2011) by virtue of The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(c) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Word in s. 139(3) substituted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(d) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Word in s. 139(4) substituted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(d) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "S. 139(4A)(4B) inserted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(e) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "Words in s. 139(5) substituted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(f) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "Word in s. 139(5) substituted (13.7.2011) by The Communications Act 2003 (Maximum Penalty for Contravention of Information Requirements) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1773), arts. 1, 2(1) (with art. 2(2))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "S. 139(6)-(8) omitted (26.5.2011) by virtue of The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 82(g) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 18)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "Ss. 138-139A applied (with modifications) (31.7.2016) by The Communications (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/700), regs. 1, 17(6), (7)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "S. 139 in force at 25.7.2003 for specified purposes by S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I2",
      "text": "S. 139 in force at 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/139",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:18:16.154105+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
    "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
  }
}