The Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 No. 275 (NI. 2)

PART II N.I. GAS SUPPLY AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES

Consumer protection: miscellaneous N.I.

Functions with respect to competition N.I.

23.  Para. (1) rep. by 2002 c. 40

[F1 (2) The functions to which paragraph (2A) applies shall be concurrent functions of the Director and the [F2 CMA].

(2A) This paragraph applies to the functions of the [F3 CMA] under Part 4 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (other than sections 166 [F4 , 171 and 174E]) so far as [F5 those functions—

(a) are exercisable by the CMA Board (within the meaning of Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013), and

(b) relate to]

commercial activities connected with the conveyance, storage or supply of gas.

(2B) So far as necessary for the purposes of, or in connection with, paragraphs [F6 (2) and (2A)—

(a) references] in Part 4 of the Act of 2002 to the [F7 CMA] (including references in provisions of that Act applied by that Part) shall be construed as including references to the Director (except in sections 166 [F8 , 171 and 174E] of that Act and in any other provision of that Act where the context otherwise [F9 requires);

(b) references in that Part to section 5 of the Act of 2002 are to be construed as including references to Article 27(1) of this Order.]]

[F10 (2C) Section 130A of the Enterprise Act 2002 is to have effect in its application to the Authority by virtue of paragraphs (2) and (2A)—

(a) as if for subsection (1) of that section there were substituted—

“(1) Where the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation—

(a) is proposing to carry out its functions under Article 27(1) of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 in relation to a matter for the purposes mentioned in subsection (2), and

(b) considers that the matter is one in respect of which it would be appropriate for the Authority to exercise its powers under section 174 (investigation) in connection with deciding whether to make a reference under section 131,

the Authority must publish a notice under this section (referred to in this Part as a “market study notice”).”, and

(b) as if in subsection (2)(a) of that section, for “the acquisition or supply of goods or services of one or more than one description in the United Kingdom” there were substituted “ commercial activities connected with the conveyance, storage or supply of gas ”.]

[F11 [F12 (3) The Director shall be entitled to exercise, concurrently with the [F13 CMA], the functions of the [F13 CMA] under the provisions of Part 1 of the Competition Act 1998 (other than sections 31D(1) to (6), 38(1) to (6) [F14 , 40B(1) to (4)] and 51), so far as relating to—

(a) agreements, decisions or concerted practices of the kind mentioned in section 2(1) of that Act,

(b) conduct of the kind mentioned in section 18(1) of that Act, [F15 or]

[F16 (c) transferred EU anti-trust commitments or transferred EU anti-trust directions (as defined in section 40ZA of that Act),]

connected with the conveyance, storage or supply of gas.]

(3A) So far as necessary for the purposes of , or in connection with, the provisions of paragraph (3), references in Part I of the Competition Act 1998 to[F17 the CMA] are to be read as including a reference to the Director ([F12 except in sections 31D(1) to (6), 38(1) to (6)][F18 , 40B(1) to (4)], 51, 52(6) and (8) and 54 of that Act and in any other provision of that Act where the context otherwise requires).]

[F1 (4) Before the [F19 CMA] or the Director first exercises in relation to any matter functions which are exercisable concurrently by virtue of paragraph (2), it or he shall consult the other.

(4A) Neither the [F20 CMA] nor the Director shall exercise in relation to any matter functions which are exercisable concurrently by virtue of paragraph (2) if functions which are so exercisable have been exercised in relation to that matter by the other.]

(5) It shall be the duty of the Director, for the purpose of assisting[F21 a CMA group] in carrying out an investigation on a [F22 market investigation reference made by the Authority (under section 131 of the Act of 2002)] by virtue of paragraph (2)F23 . . . , to give to the [F24 group]—

(a) any information which is in his possession and which relates to matters falling within the scope of the investigation and—

(i) is requested by the [F24 group] for that purpose; or

(ii) is information which in his opinion it would be appropriate for that purpose to give to the [F24 group] without any such request; and

(b) any other assistance which the [F24 group] may require and which it is within his power to give, in relation to any such matters,

and the [F24 group] shall, for the purposes of carrying out any such investigation, take into account any information given to them for that purpose under this paragraph.

[F25 (5A) In paragraph (5) “CMA group” has the same meaning as in Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013.]

(6) If any question arises as to whether paragraph (2) or (3) applies to any particular case, that question shall be referred to and determined by the Department; and no objection shall be taken to anything done under—

(a) [F1 Part 4 of the Enterprise Act 2002] ([F26 market investigations]); or

[F11 (b) Part I of the Competition Act 1998 ([F12 other than sections 31D(1) to (6), 38(1) to (6)][F27 , 40B(1) to (4)] and 51),]

by or in relation to the Director on the ground that it should have been done by or in relation to[F1 the [F28 CMA]].

[F1 (7) Section 117 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (offences of supplying false or misleading information) as applied by section 180 of that Act shall have effect so far as relating to functions exercisable by the Director by virtue of paragraph (2) as if the references in section 117(1)(a) and (2) to the [F29 CMA] included references to the Director.]

Para. (8) rep. by 2002 c. 40

(9) References in this Part to functions of the Director under this Part include references to functions[F11 [F1 exercisable by the Director by virtue of paragraph (2) or (3)].]

F1 2002 c. 40

F2 Words in art. 23(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(2) (with art. 3)

F3 Words in art. 23(2A) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(3)(a) (with art. 3)

F4 Words in art. 23(2A) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(3)(b) (with art. 3)

F5 Words in art. 23(2A) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(3)(c) (with art. 3)

F6 Words in art. 23(2B) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(4)(a) (with art. 3)

F7 Words in art. 23(2B) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(4)(b) (with art. 3)

F8 Words in art. 23(2B) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(4)(c) (with art. 3)

F9 Words in art. 23(2B) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(4)(d) (with art. 3)

F10 Art. 23(2C) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(5) (with art. 3)

F11 1998 c. 41

F12 SI 2004/1261

F13 Word in art. 23(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(6) (with art. 3)

F14 Words in art. 23(3) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 57, 103(3), Sch. 15 para. 54; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(f) (with Sch.)

F15 Word in art. 23(3)(b) inserted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. 7(2) (as substituted by The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1343), regs. 1(1), 19)

F16 Art. 23(3)(c) substituted for art. 23(3)(c)(d) by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. 7(3) (as substituted by The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1343), regs. 1(1), 19)

F17 Words in art. 23(3A) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(7) (with art. 3)

F18 Words in art. 23(3A) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 57, 103(3), Sch. 15 para. 54; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(f) (with Sch.)

F19 Word in art. 23(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(6) (with art. 3)

F20 Word in art. 23(4A) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(6) (with art. 3)

F21 Words in art. 23(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(8)(a)(i) (with art. 3)

F22 Words in art. 23(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(8)(a)(ii) (with art. 3)

F23 1998 c. 41

F24 Word in art. 23(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(8)(b) (with art. 3)

F25 Art. 23(5A) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(9) (with art. 3)

F26 Words in art. 23(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(10)(a) (with art. 3)

F27 Words in art. 23(6)(b) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 57, 103(3), Sch. 15 para. 54; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(f) (with Sch.)

F28 Word in art. 23(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(10)(b) (with art. 3)

F29 Word in art. 23(7) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 221(6) (with art. 3)

Fixing of maximum charges for reselling gas N.I.

24.—(1) This Article applies to gas supplied to a consumer's premises by an authorised gas supplier, that is to say, a person who is authorised by a licence or exemption to supply gas to those premises.

(2) The Director shall from time to time direct that the maximum prices at which gas to which this Article applies may be resold—

(a) shall be such as may be specified in the direction; or

(b) shall be calculated by such method and by reference to such matters as may be so specified,

and shall publish directions under this Article in such manner as in his opinion will secure adequate publicity for them.

(3) A direction under this Article may—

(a) require any person who resells gas to which this Article applies to furnish the purchaser with such information as may be specified or described in the direction; and

(b) provide that, in the event of his failing to do so, the maximum price applicable to the resale shall be such as may be specified in the direction or shall be reduced by such amount or such percentage as may be so specified.

(4) Different directions may be given under this Article in different classes of cases, which may be defined by reference to areas, tariffs applicable to gas supplied by the authorised gas suppliers or any other relevant circumstances.

(5) If any person resells gas to which this Article applies at a price exceeding the maximum price determined by or under a direction under this Article and applicable to the resale—

(a) the amount of the excess; and

(b) if the direction so provides, interest on that amount at a rate specified or described in the direction,

shall be recoverable by the purchaser.

(6) Nothing in this Article shall apply in relation to the resale of gas for use in a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to use gas as fuel for its propulsion.

[F30 Suppliers of Last Resort N.I.

24A.— (1) Where it appears to the Authority that—

(a) circumstances have arisen which would entitle it to revoke the licence of a gas supplier (“the defaulting supplier”); and

(b) another gas supplier could comply with a direction under paragraph (2) without significantly prejudicing his ability—

(i) to continue to supply his customers; and

(ii) to fulfil his contractual obligations for the supply of gas,

the Authority may give such a direction to that supplier (“the designated supplier”).

(2) A direction under this paragraph—

(a) shall require the designated supplier to supply gas to such customers of the defaulting supplier in such premises as are specified or described in the direction; and

(b) may include such other requirements or prohibitions as are, in the opinion of the Authority, reasonably incidental or to consequential upon the requirement to supply.

(3) A direction under paragraph (2) shall specify the terms and conditions under which the designated supplier shall supply gas to any other customer to which the direction relates, including in particular the terms and conditions in relation to—

(a) the termination of supply; and

(b) the method for calculating the charges for supply:

and may specify the terms and conditions under which the designated supplier shall do anything else in pursuance of the direction.

(4) A direction under paragraph (2) may also modify the supply licence of the designated supplier or the conditions included in that licence where it is necessary or expedient for the purposes of ensuring that the supplier can comply with any requirement or prohibition under that direction.

(5) Upon being given a direction under paragraph (2) the designated supplier shall send a notice to those customers of the defaulting supplier to which the direction relates giving such particulars and containing such information as the Authority may specify in the direction.

(6) Where the customer is supplied by gas by a designated supplier in pursuance of a direction under paragraph (2), a contract for the supply of gas shall be deemed to exist between the customer and the designated supplier from the date on which the supply of gas commenced to the date the direction ceases to have effect.

(7) A direction under paragraph (2) may be made subject to such conditions as the Authority may specify in the directions.

(8) A direction under paragraph (2) shall take effect from such date as may be specified in the direction and shall continue for such period (being no longer than six months) as may be specified in the direction and shall then cease to have effect.

(9) In this Article—

“gas supplier” means a person who is authorised by a licence to supply gas to specified persons or premises;

“customer” in relation to a gas supplier means the persons or the occupier of the premises so specified;

“licence” means a licence granted under Article 8(1)(c); and

“specified” has the same meaning as in Article 8(1).]

F30 Art. 24A inserted (29.1.2010) by Gas (Supplier of Last Resort) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/412), reg. 2(2)

[F31 Billing disputes: gas N.I.

24A.— (1) A billing dispute—

(a) may be referred by the customer who is party to the dispute to the Authority for determination in accordance with this Article; and

(b) on such a reference, shall be determined by order made by the Authority or, if the Authority thinks fit, an arbitrator appointed by the Authority.

(2) In this Article “billing dispute” means a dispute between a gas supplier and a customer concerning the amount of the charge which the supplier is entitled to recover from the customer in connection with the provision of gas supply services.

(3) The practice and procedure to be followed in connection with the determination of billing disputes shall be such as the Authority thinks appropriate and shall be published by the Authority.

(4) Except with the consent of the Authority, no billing dispute may be referred for determination under this Article—

(a) unless the matter in dispute has first been referred to the General Consumer Council pursuant to Article 22 of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and the matter has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the customer within 3 months of the matter being referred to the General Consumer Council;

(b) after the end of the period of 12 months after the end of the period in respect of which the charge which is the subject of the dispute applies.

(5) Where a billing dispute is referred to the Authority, an order under this Article shall be made and notified to the parties to the dispute within the requisite period or such longer period as the Authority may agree with the person referring the dispute.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), the requisite period in any case means—

(a) the period of 2 months from the date when the dispute was referred to the Authority; or

(b) where information given to the Authority in relation to the dispute was in its opinion insufficient to enable it to make a determination, the period of 4 months from the date the dispute was referred to the Authority.

(7) A person making an order under this Article shall include in the order his reasons for reaching his decision with respect to the dispute.

(8) An order under this Article—

(a) may include provision requiring either party to the dispute to pay a sum in respect of the costs and expenses of the person making the order; and

(b) shall be final and enforceable as if it were a judgment of the county court.

(9) In including in an order under this Article any such provision as to costs or expenses as is mentioned in paragraph (8)(a), the person making the order shall have regard to the conduct and means of the parties and any other relevant circumstances.

(10) The Authority or an arbitrator appointed by him shall not determine any billing dispute which is the subject of proceedings before, or with respect to which judgment has been given by, any court.

(11) Neither party to any billing dispute which has been referred to the Authority for determination in accordance with this Article shall commence proceedings before any court in respect of that dispute pending the determination of the dispute in accordance with this Article.

(12) A gas supplier may not commence proceedings before any court in respect of any charge in connection with the provision by him of gas supply services unless, not less than 28 days before doing so, the customer concerned was informed by him, in such form and manner (if any) as may be required by any conditions of the gas supplier's licence, of—

(a) his intention to commence proceedings; and

(b) the customer's rights by virtue of this Article.

(13) The powers of the Authority under Article 30 shall also be exercisable for any purpose connected with the determination of any billing dispute referred to him in accordance with this Article as they are exercisable for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.]

F31 Art. 24A inserted (15.4.2011) by virtue of Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 8 (then by Gas Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/92), reg. 32(1)(2), it is provided that reg. 8, of the Gas and Electrictity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155) (which inserted this version of art. 24A on 15.4.2011) is revoked and replaced on 12.4.2013. Therefore this version of art. 24A is in operation from 15.4.2011 until the date it is replicated (apart from a change to the articles heading) by the newly inserted art. 24B on 12.4.2013.)

[F32 Billing disputes N.I.

24B.— (1) A billing dispute—

(a) may be referred by the customer who is party to the dispute to the Authority for determination in accordance with this Article; and

(b) on such a reference, shall be determined by order made by the Authority or, if the Authority thinks fit, an arbitrator appointed by the Authority.

(2) In this Article “billing dispute” means a dispute between the gas supplier and a customer concerning the amount of the charge which the supplier is entitled to recover from a customer in connection with the provision of gas supply services.

(3) The practice and procedure to be followed in connection with the determination of billing disputes shall be such as the Authority thinks appropriate and shall be published by the Authority.

(4) Except with the consent of the Authority, no billing dispute may be referred for determination under this Article—

(a) unless the matter in dispute has first been referred to the General Consumer Council pursuant to Article 22 of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and the matter has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the customer within 3 months of the matter being referred to the General Consumer Council;

(b) after the end of the period of 12 months after the end of the period in respect of which the charge which is the subject of the dispute applies.

(5) Where a billing dispute is referred to the Authority, an order under this Article shall be made and notified to the parties to the dispute within the requisite period or such longer periods as the Authority may agree with the person referring the dispute.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), the requisite period in any case means—

(a) the period of 2 months from the date when the dispute was referred to the Authority; or

(b) where the information given to the Authority in relation to the dispute was in its opinion insufficient to enable a determination to be made, the period of 4 months from the date the dispute was referred to the Authority.

(7) A person making an order under this Article shall include in the order his reasons for reaching the decision with respect to the dispute.

(8) An order under this Article—

(a) may include provision requiring either party to the dispute to pay a sum in respect of the costs and expenses of the person making the order; and

(b) shall be final and enforceable as if it were a judgment of the county court.

(9) In including in an order under this Article any such provision as to costs or expenses as is mentioned in paragraph (8)(a), the person making the order shall have regard to the conduct and means of the parties and any other relevant circumstances.

(10) The Authority or the arbitrator appointed by him shall not determine any billing dispute which is the subject of proceedings before, or with respect to which judgment has been given by, any court.

(11) Neither party to any billing dispute which has been referred to the Authority for determination in accordance with this Article shall commence proceedings before any court in respect of that dispute pending the determination of the dispute in accordance with this Article.

(12) A gas supplier may not commence proceedings before any court in respect of any charge in connection with the provision by him of gas supply services unless, not less than 28 days before doing so, the customer concerned was informed by him, in such form and manner (if any) as may be required by any conditions of the gas supplier's licence, of—

(a) his intention to commence proceedings; and

(b) the customer's rights by virtue of this Article.

(13) The powers of the Authority under Article 30 shall also be exercisable for any purpose connected with the determination of any billing dispute referred to him in accordance with this Article as they are exercisable for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.]

F32 Art. 24B inserted (12.4.2013) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/92), reg. 32(2)

Arts. 25, 26 rep. by 2003 NI 6