(1) To avoid doubt, a person is not criminally responsible for a licence offence in respect of particular conduct if:
(a) the conduct by the person is purportedly authorised by a provision of a general licence or mitochondrial donation licence; and
(b) the licence or the provision is invalid, whether because of a technical defect or irregularity or for any other reason; and
(c) the person did not know, and could not reasonably be expected to have known, of the invalidity of the licence or the provision.
(2) In this section:
"general licence" includes a purported general licence.
"licence offence" means:
(a) for a general licence--an offence against section 10, 10A, 10B or 12; or
(b) for a mitochondrial donation licence--an offence against:
(i) section 10; or
(ii) section 10A, in so far as it applies because of subparagraph (b)(i) or (ii) of that section; or
(iii) section 10B in so far as it applies to a pre - clinical research and training licence, a clinical trial research and training licence or a clinical practice research and training licence; or
"mitochondrial donation licence" includes a purported mitochondrial donation licence.