1533. (1) During the period in which a statutory audit is being carried out—

(a) the statutory auditor or audit firm, as the case may be,

(b) in the latter case, any statutory auditor of the statutory audit firm, and

(c) any individual in a position to directly or indirectly influence the outcome of the statutory audit,

shall be independent of, and not involved in the decision-taking of, the audited undertaking.

(2) During the period in which a statutory audit is being carried out, a statutory auditor or audit firm, as the case may be, shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that his or her independence is not affected by—

(a) any existing or potential conflict of interest, or

(b) any business or other direct or indirect relationship,

involving the statutory auditor or audit firm carrying out the statutory audit.

(3) Subsection (2) also applies, with any necessary modifications, to—

(a) the network of the statutory auditor or audit firm,

(b) the managers, auditors, employees or any other individuals whose services are placed at the disposal or under the control of the statutory auditor or audit firm,

(c) any person directly or indirectly linked to the statutory auditor or audit firm by control, and

(d) managers, auditors, employees or any other individuals whose services are placed at the disposal or under the control of a person linked to the statutory auditor or audit firm by control.

(4) The obligations referred to in subsections (1) and (2) shall be required at least during both the period to which the financial statements to be audited relate and the period during which the statutory audit is carried out.]