Section 18: Appeals relating to approval
58.Subsection (1) provides an avenue of appeal to the appropriate magistrates’ court against a decision of the Authority to refuse to grant approved contractor status, a decision to modify or withdraw approved contractor status or a decision to include conditions as part of an approval. Either the Authority or the original appellant may bring a further appeal to the Crown Court against the decision of the magistrates’ court (subsection (4)). The appropriate magistrates’ court in which any appeal is to be launched is, by virtue of subsection (3), the court for the petty sessions area for the address in respect of which the appellant is or would be recorded in the register of approved contractors created by Section 14. Appeals must be brought within 21 days of notification of the Authority’s decision (subsection (2)). Subsection (5) provides that, where renewal of approved contractor status is refused or approval is withdrawn, the approval shall nonetheless remain in force for specified periods of time relating to the lodging, deciding and effect of the appeals processes.
Sections 19 - 22 relate to the Authority’s powers of entry and inspection, and to its ability to demand the production of information.