Communications Act 2003

[F1 Interim code rights U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 3A inserted (31.7.2017 for the purpose of making regulations under Sch. 3A para. 95, 22.11.2017 but only in relation to Sch. 3A para. 106, 28.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Digital Economy Act 2017 (c. 30), s. 118(6), Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2); S.I. 2017/765, reg. 2(ii)(jj); S.I. 2017/1136, reg. 2; S.I. 2017/1286, reg. 2(b)

26 (1) An operator may apply to the court for an order which imposes on the operator and a person, on an interim basis, an agreement between them which— U.K.

(a) confers a code right on the operator, or

(b) provides for a code right to bind that person.

[F2 (1A) But an operator may not make an application under this paragraph if there is a relevant Part 4A agreement in effect between the operator and the person.

(1B) In sub-paragraph (1A) “relevant Part 4A agreement” means an agreement imposed by an order under Part 4A by which the person—

(a) confers a Part 4A code right on the operator, or

(b) otherwise agrees to be bound by a Part 4A code right which is exercisable by the operator,

where the Part 4A code right is in respect of the same land as the code right mentioned in sub-paragraph (1).]

(2) An order under this paragraph imposes an agreement on the operator and a person on an interim basis if it provides for them to be bound by the agreement—

(a) for the period specified in the order, or

(b) until the occurrence of an event specified in the order.

(3) [F3 Subject to paragraph 27ZA,] the court may make an order under this paragraph if (and only if) the operator has given the person mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) a notice which complies with paragraph 20(2) stating that an agreement is sought on an interim basis and—

(a) the operator and that person have agreed to the making of the order and the terms of the agreement imposed by it, or

(b) the court thinks that there is a good arguable case that the test in paragraph 21 for the making of an order under paragraph 20 is met.

(4) Subject to sub-paragraphs (5) and (6), the following provisions apply in relation to an order under this paragraph and an agreement imposed by it as they apply in relation to an order under paragraph 20 and an agreement imposed by it—

(a) paragraph 20(3) (time at which operator may apply for agreement to be imposed);

(b) paragraph 22 (effect of agreement imposed under paragraph 20);

(c) paragraph 23 (terms of agreement imposed under paragraph 20);

(d) paragraph 24 (payment of consideration);

(e) paragraph 25 (payment of compensation);

(f) paragraph 84 (compensation where agreement imposed).

(5) The court may make an order under this paragraph even though the period mentioned in paragraph 20(3)(a) has not elapsed (and paragraph 20(3)(b) does not apply) if the court thinks that the order should be made as a matter of urgency.

(6) Paragraphs [F4 20(3), 22,] 23, 24 and 25 apply by virtue of sub-paragraph (4) as if—

(a) references to the relevant person were to the person mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph, and

(b) the duty in paragraph 23 to include terms as to the payment of consideration to that person in an agreement were a power to do so.

(7) Sub-paragraph (8) applies if—

(a) an order has been made under this paragraph imposing an agreement relating to a code right on an operator and a person in respect of any land, and

(b) the period specified under sub-paragraph (2)(a) has expired or, as the case may be, the event specified under sub-paragraph (2)(b) has occurred without (in either case) an agreement relating to the code right having been imposed on the person by order under paragraph 20.

(8) From the time when the period expires or the event occurs, that person has the right, subject to and in accordance with Part 6 of this code, to require the operator to remove any electronic communications apparatus placed on the land under the agreement imposed under this paragraph.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 3A para. 26(1A)(1B) inserted (15.3.2021 for specified purposes, 26.12.2022 for E.W. in so far as not already in force, 1.7.2023 for S. in so far as not already in force) by Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 (c. 7), s. 3(3)(b)(4), Sch. para. 4(7)(a); S.I. 2022/1308, reg. 3(c)

F3 Words in Sch. 3A para. 26(3) inserted (26.4.2023) by Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure 2022 (c. 46), ss. 66(4), 79(2); S.I. 2023/469, reg. 2

F4 Words in Sch. 3A para. 26(6) inserted (15.3.2021 for specified purposes, 26.12.2022 for E.W. in so far as not already in force, 1.7.2023 for S. in so far as not already in force) by Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 (c. 7), s. 3(3)(b)(4), Sch. para. 4(7)(b); S.I. 2022/1308, reg. 3(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 3A para. 26 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (11.8.2022) by The Sizewell C (Nuclear Generating Station) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/853), art. 1, Sch. 18 para. 4(4) (with arts. 62, 76, 87)