Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2013

10 Recovery of investigation costs

(1) The Adjudicator may require a large retailer to pay some or all of the costs of an investigation (including any costs incurred in exercising the enforcement powers) if satisfied that the retailer has broken the Groceries Code.

(2) The Adjudicator may require a person to pay some or all of the costs of an investigation if the Adjudicator carried out the investigation as a result of a complaint by the person which, the Adjudicator is satisfied, was vexatious or wholly without merit.

(3) A requirement to pay costs is imposed by giving written notice specifying—

(a) the grounds for imposing the requirement to pay costs;

(b) how much is to be paid; and

(c) by when the costs are to be paid.

(4) A person required to pay costs under this section may appeal against the imposition of the requirement or the amount to which it relates—

(a) to the High Court, in England and Wales or Northern Ireland; or

(b) to the Court of Session, in Scotland.

(5) Costs required to be paid under this section are recoverable by the Adjudicator as a debt.