Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

BANKRUPTCY ACT 1966 - SECT 273

             (1)  Subject to this section, an offence against this Act, other than an offence that is punishable by a fine only, is punishable either on indictment or on summary conviction.

             (2)  Where proceedings for an offence that is punishable as provided by subsection (1) are brought in a court of summary jurisdiction, the court may either determine the proceedings or commit the defendant for trial, but shall not, if it determines the proceedings, impose a period of imprisonment exceeding 1 year in respect of the offence.

             (3)  Subject to subsection (4), an offence against this Act that is punishable by a fine only is punishable by a court of summary jurisdiction.

             (4)  The Federal Court has jurisdiction to try summarily any offence against this Act.

Note:          State and Territory courts are conferred jurisdiction by the Judiciary Act 1903 in relation to offences against this Act. The exercise by those courts of that jurisdiction does not involve the exercise of jurisdiction in bankruptcy conferred by this Act.

             (5)  Where proceedings for an offence other than an offence that is punishable by a fine only are brought in the Federal Court, the Federal Court may either determine the proceedings or commit the defendant for trial before a court of competent jurisdiction, but shall not, if it determines the proceedings, impose a period of imprisonment exceeding 1 year in respect of the offence.