If it appears to the Secretary of State that a public company is in breach of section 271 (requirement to have secretary), the Secretary of State may give the company a direction under this section.
The direction must also inform the company of the consequences of failing to comply.
Where the company is in breach of section 271 it must comply with the direction by—
before the end of the period specified in the direction.
If the company has already made the necessary appointment, it must comply with the direction by giving notice of it under section 276 before the end of the period specified in the direction.
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scaleone-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale.