Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 Explanatory Notes

Section 62: Validity of marine policy statement and marine plans

214.This section sets out how people may challenge the content of marine policy documents (or amendments to them) in court. Subsection (3) provides that such challenges may only be brought in accordance with this section.

215.Subsection (4) provides that the only grounds for challenge to a “relevant document” are that the document is not within the appropriate powers, or that a procedural requirement has not been complied with (see subsection (6) for definitions of “appropriate powers” and “procedural requirement”). Only a person aggrieved by a relevant document may bring a challenge against it.

216.Subsection (5) requires that any such challenges are brought within 6 weeks of the adoption of the relevant document.

217.Subsection (6) identifies the appropriate court for bringing challenges in different parts of the UK, and defines “appropriate powers” and “procedural requirement”.

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