Postal Services Act 2011

Power to deal with urgent cases

8 (1) This paragraph applies if OFCOM determine—

(a) that they are entitled to give a notification under paragraph 2 with respect to a contravention by a person (“the contravening person”) of a regulatory requirement,

(b) that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the case is urgent, and

(c) that the urgency of the case makes it appropriate for them to act under this paragraph.

(2) A case is urgent for the purposes of this paragraph if the contravention has resulted in or creates an immediate risk of—

(a) a serious threat to the safety of the public, to public health or to national security,

(b) serious economic or operational problems for persons providing postal services (other than the contravening person), or

(c) serious economic or operational problems for users of postal services.

(3) OFCOM may, in a notification under paragraph 2 with respect to the contravention, specify a period of less than one month for doing the things mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph.

(4) OFCOM may also give to the contravening person a direction that the entitlement of the contravening person to provide postal services—

(a) is suspended (either generally or in relation to particular services), or

(b) is restricted in the respects set out in the direction.