The Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992

Determination of disputes

26.—(1) Any dispute arising under Articles 19 to 25 between a public electricity supplier and a person requiring a supply of electricity—

(a) may be referred to the Director by either party; and

(b) on such a reference, shall be determined by order made either by the Director or, if he thinks fit, by an arbitrator appointed by him;

and the practice and procedure to be followed in connection with any such determination shall be such as the Director may consider appropriate.

(2) Where any dispute arising under Articles 19 to 25 between a public electricity supplier and a person requiring a supply of electricity to continue to be given falls to be determined under this Article, the Director may give directions as to the circumstances in which, and the terms on which, the supplier is to continue to give the supply pending the determination of the dispute.

(3) Where any dispute arising under Article 23(1) falls to be determined under this Article, the Director may give directions as to the security (if any) to be given pending the determination of the dispute.

(4) Directions under paragraph (2) or (3) may apply either in cases of particular descriptions or in particular cases.

(5) An order under this Article—

(a) may include such incidental, supplemental and consequential provision (including provision requiring either party to pay a sum in respect of the costs incurred by the person making the order) as that person considers appropriate; and

(b) shall be final and shall be enforceable, in so far as it includes such provision as to costs, as if it were a judgement of the county court.

(6) In including in an order under this Article any such provision as to costs as is mentioned in paragraph (5), the person making the order shall have regard to the conduct and means of the parties and any other relevant circumstances.