The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

Board’s duty where application or notification received under Article 113

114.—(1) This Article applies where the Board—

(a) receives an application under paragraph (1) of Article 113 and is satisfied that sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of that paragraph are satisfied in relation to the application, or

(b) is notified by the Regulator under Article 113(4).

(2) If the Board is able to confirm that a scheme rescue is not possible, it must as soon as reasonably practicable issue a notice to that effect (a “scheme failure notice”).

(3) If the Board is able to confirm that a scheme rescue has occurred, it must as soon as reasonably practicable issue a notice to that effect (a “withdrawal notice”).

(4) The Board must, as soon as reasonably practicable, give a copy of any notice issued under paragraph (2) or (3) to—

(a) the Regulator,

(b) the trustees or managers of the scheme, and

(c) the employer.

(5) For the purposes of this Article—

(a) the Board is able to confirm that a scheme rescue has occurred in relation to an occupational pension scheme if, and only if, it is able to confirm such matters as are prescribed for the purposes of this sub-paragraph, and

(b) the Board is able to confirm that a scheme rescue is not possible in relation to such a scheme if, and only if, it is able to confirm such matters as are prescribed for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.

(6) For the purposes of this Part a notice issued under paragraph (2) or (3) is not binding until—

(a) the period within which the issue of the notice may be reviewed by virtue of Chapter 6 has expired, and

(b) if the issue of the notice is so reviewed—

(i) the review and any reconsideration,

(ii) any reference to the PPF Ombudsman in respect of the issue of the notice, and

(iii) any appeal against his determination or directions,

has been finally disposed of and the notice has not been revoked, varied or substituted.

(7) Where a notice issued under paragraph (2) or (3) becomes binding, the Board must as soon as reasonably practicable give a notice to that effect together with a copy of the binding notice to—

(a) the Regulator,

(b) the trustees or managers of the scheme, and

(c) the employer.

(8) Notices under this Article must be in the prescribed form and contain such information as may be prescribed.

(9) A notice given under paragraph (7) in relation to a withdrawal notice under paragraph (3) which has become binding must state the time from which the Board ceases to be involved with the scheme (see Article 133).