Variation of jobseeker's agreementN.I.
12.—[F1(1) A jobseeker's agreement may be varied, in the prescribed manner, by agreement between the claimant and any employment officer.
(2) Any agreement to vary a jobseeker's agreement shall be in writing and be signed by both parties.
[F2(2A) Any agreement to vary a jobseeker's agreement may be in electronic form and signed by means of an electronic signature (within the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000).]
(3) A copy of the agreement, as varied, shall be given to the claimant.
(4) An employment officer shall not agree to a variation of a jobseeker's agreement, unless, in the officer's opinion, the conditions mentioned in Article 3(2)(a) and (c) would continue to be satisfied with respect to the claimant if he were to comply with, or be treated as complying with, the agreement as proposed to be varied.
(5) The employment officer may, and if asked to do so by the claimant shall forthwith, refer a proposed variation of a jobseeker's agreement toF3 an adjudication officer for him to determine—
(a)whether, if the claimant concerned were to comply with the agreement as proposed to be varied, he would satisfy—
(i)the condition mentioned in Article 3(2)(a), or
(ii)the condition mentioned in Article 3(2)(c); and
(b)whether it is reasonable to expect the claimant to have to comply with the agreement as proposed to be varied.
(6) F3An adjudication officer to whom a reference is made under paragraph (5)—
(a)shall so far as practicable dispose of it in accordance with this Article before the end of the period of 14 days from the date of the reference;
(b)shall give such directions asF3 he considers appropriate as to—
(i)whether the jobseeker's agreement should be varied, and
(ii)if so, the terms on which the claimant and the employment officer are to enter into an agreement to vary it;
(c)may bring the jobseeker's agreement to an end where the claimant fails, within a prescribed period, to comply with a direction given under sub-paragraph (b)(ii);
(d)may direct that, if—
(i)the jobseeker's agreement is varied, and
(ii)such conditions asF3 he considers appropriate are satisfied,
the agreement as varied is to be treated as having effect on such date, before it would otherwise have effect, as may be specified in the direction.
(7) Regulations may provide—
(a)or such matters as may be prescribed to be taken into account byF3 an adjudication officer in giving a direction under paragraph (6)(b) or (d); and
(b)for such persons as may be prescribed to be notified of—
(i)any determination ofF3 an adjudication officer under this Article;
(ii)any direction given byF3 an adjudication officer under this Article.
F4(8) Any determination of an adjudication officer under this Article shall be binding.]
F1Arts. 8-8M and cross-heading substituted (2.5.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) for arts. 8-12 and cross-heading by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 55(4); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(3)(a)(iii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 9 (with arts. 10-25)
F2Art. 12(2A) inserted (1.2.2012) by Social Security (Electronic Communications) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/298), arts. 1, 3(3)
F3prosp. in pt. subst. by 1998 NI 10
F4prosp. in pt. rep. by 1998 NI 10