Estate Agents Act 1979

PART I Orders and Decisions Under Sections 3, 4 and 6

Introductory

1 In this Schedule—

(a) subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, references to " the person affected " are to the person in respect of whom the Director proposes to make, or has made, an order under section 3 or section 4 of this Act, or who has made an application under section 6 of this Act for the variation or revocation of such an order; and

(b) references to the Director's " proposal" are to any proposal of his to make such an order or to make a decision under subsection (4) or subsection (5) of section 6 of this Act on such an application.

(2) In the case of a proposal of the Director to make an order under section 3 or section 4 of this Act against a partnership where, by virtue of section 5(2) of this Act, he intends that the order shall have effect as an order against some or all of the partners individually, references in the following provisions of this Schedule to the person affected shall be construed, except where the contrary is provided, as references to each of the partners affected by the order, as well as to the partnership itself.

Notice of proposal

2 (1) The Director shall give to the person affected a notice informing him of the proposal and of the Director's reason for it; but paragraph 1(2) above shall not apply for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.

(2) In the case of a proposal to make an order, the notice under sub-paragraph (1) above shall inform the person affected of the substance of the proposed order and, in the case of a proposal to make an order under section 3 of this Act, shall—

(a) set out those matters falling within subsection (1) of that section which the Director intends should be specified as the grounds for the order, and

(b) specify any other matters of which the Director has taken account under subsection (2) of that section, and

(c) if the Director proposes to rely on section 4(3) of this Act to establish the unfitness of the person affected, state that fact.

(3) The notice given under sub-paragraph (1) above shall invite the person affected, within such period of not less than twenty-one days as may be specified in the notice.—

(a) to submit to the Director his representations in writing as to why the order should not be made or, as the case may be, should be varied or revoked in accordance with the application, and

(b) to give notice to the Director, if he thinks fit, that he wishes to make such representations orally,

and where notice is given under paragraph (b) above the Director shall arrange for the oral representations to be heard.

Hearing of representations

3 Where the Director receives notice under paragraph 2(3)(b) above he shall give the person affected not less than twenty-one days notice, or such shorter notice as the person affected may consent to accept, of the date, time and place at which his representations are to be heard.

4 (1) In the course of the hearing of oral representations the Director shall, at the request of the person affected, permit any other person (in addition to the person affected) to make representations on his behalf or to give evidence or to introduce documents for him.

(2) The Director shall not refuse to admit evidence solely on the grounds that it would not be admissible in a court of law.

5 If the Director adjourns the hearing he shall give the person affected reasonable notice of the date, time and place at which the hearing is to be resumed.

Decision

6 (1) The Director shall take into account in deciding whether to proceed with his proposal any written or oral representations made in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Schedule.

(2) If the Director considers that he should proceed with his proposal but for a reason which differs, or on grounds which differ, from those set out in the notice of the proposal under paragraph 2 above, he shall give a further notice under that paragraph.

(3) In any case where—

(a) a notice under paragraph 2 above gives more than one reason for the proposal or (in the case of a proposal to make an order under section 3 of this Act) sets out more than one matter which the Director intends should be specified as the grounds for the order, and

(b) it appears to the Director that one or more of those reasons should be abandoned or, as the case may be, that one or more of those matters should not be so specified,

the Director may nevertheless decide to proceed with his proposal on the basis of any other reason given in the notice or, as the case may be, on any other grounds set out in the notice.

7 If the Director decides not to proceed with his proposal he shall give notice of that decision to the person affected and, in the case of a notice of a decision on an application under section 6 of this Act, such a notice shall be combined with a notice under subsection (3) of that section.

8 If the Director decides to proceed with his proposal he may, if he thinks fit having regard to any representations made to him,—

(a) where the proposal is for the making of an order, make the order in a form which varies from that of the proposed order mentioned in the notice under paragraph 2 above, or

(b) where the proposal is to vary an order, make a variation other than that mentioned in the notice under paragraph 2 above, or

(c) where the proposal is to refuse to revoke an order, vary the order.

Notification of decision

9 (1) Notice of the decision to make the order, and of the terms of the order or, as the case may be, notice of the decision on the application for variation or revocation of the order, shall be given to the person affected, together with the Director's reasons for his decision, including the facts which in his opinion justify the decision.

(2) The notice referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above shall also inform the person affected of his right to appeal against the decision and of the period within which an appeal may be brought and of how notice of appeal may be given.

10 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the order to which the decision relates or, as the case may be, any variation of an order for which the decision provides shall not come into operation until any appeal under section 7(1) of this Act and any further appeal has been finally determined or the period within which such an appeal may be brought has expired.

(2) Where the Director states in the notice referred to in paragraph 9(1) above that he is satisfied that there are special circumstances which require it, an order shall come into operation immediately upon the giving of notice of the decision to make it.