16.—(1) An officer is not liable in any civil or criminal proceedings for anything done or omitted to be done in the purported exercise of any of the powers conferred by articles 12 to 15 or in carrying out checks and verifications under the Council Regulation or the Commission Regulation if the court is satisfied that—
(a)the officer acted in good faith;
(b)there were reasonable grounds for so acting; and
(c)the officer acted with reasonable skill and care.
(2) In paragraph (1), “officer” means—
(a)an authorised officer,
(b)a British sea-fishery officer, or
(c)a person assisting a British sea-fishery officer by virtue of—
(i)article 12(2) or 13(1)(b), or
(ii)a warrant issued under article 14.