The Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Pensions Ombudsman) (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Rules.)

These Rules amend the Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Pensions Ombudsman) (Procedure) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995 which make provision as to the procedure to be followed where a complaint or dispute relating to an occupational or personal pension scheme is referred to the Pensions Ombudsman under Part X of the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 (“the Act”).

Rule 2(2) to (4) makes amendments to certain definitions and expressions to reflect amendments to the Act made by the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (“the Order”).

Rule 2(5) inserts a new rule 15A which makes provision for the Pensions Ombudsman to pay travel and subsistence expenses and compensation for lost earnings in certain cases to those who attend oral hearings in connection with an investigation by the Pensions Ombudsman of a complaint or dispute.

Section 145(3) of the Act, one of the enabling provisions under which these Rules are made, was amended by Article 154 of the Order. The Pensions (1995 Order) (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 307 (C. 18)) provides for the coming into operation of Article 154, for the purposes only of authorising the making of rules, on 23rd July 1996.