271. (1) In this section—

(a) “basic facts concerning the default” means such of the facts, relating to the one or more acts or omissions that constituted the default, as can reasonably be regarded as indicating, at the relevant time, the general character of those acts or omissions,

(b) “permitted”, in relation to the default, means permitted in breach of the defendant’s duty as an officer of the company concerned,

(c) “relevant proceedings” means proceedings for an offence under a provision of this Act, being a provision which provides that an officer of a company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence,

(d) a reference to a defendant in those proceedings is a reference to—

(i) the defendant, or

(ii) if there is more than one defendant, each of the one or more persons, other than the company, alleged to be in default,

being, in every case, a person who was an officer of the company at the relevant time.

(2) In relevant proceedings, where it is proved that the defendant was aware of the basic facts concerning the default concerned, it shall be presumed that the defendant permitted the default unless the defendant shows that he or she took all reasonable steps to prevent it or that, by reason of circumstances beyond the defendant’s control, was unable to do so.