Part 1

THE CONSUMER ADVOCACY BODIES

Information

Provision of information by a consumer advocacy body
27
1
An authorised person may, by notice, require—
a
the
GCCNI to supply it with such information in relation to consumer matters that relate to postal services in Northern Ireland, as is specified or described in the notice within such reasonable period as is so specified, or
b
Citizens Advice
, Citizens Advice Scotland or Consumer Scotland
to supply it with such information relating to its functions conferred by or under section 24 or any other enactment as is specified or described in the notice within such reasonable period as is so specified.
1A
For the purpose of subsection (1)(b), “enactment” means any provision of an Act, Act of the Scottish Parliament, a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales or Northern Ireland legislation.
2
The information specified or described in a notice under subsection (1) must be information the authorised person requires for the purpose of exercising its functions.
3
“
Authorised person
” means—
a
the Competition and Markets Authority;
b
a designated regulator (within the meaning of section 24(9);
c
any person specified or of a description specified by the Secretary of State by order.
4
A notice under subsection (1) may specify the manner and form in which any information is to be provided.
5
Before giving a notice under subsection (1) or specifying the manner or form in which any information is to be provided, an authorised person must have regard to the desirability of minimising the costs, or any other detriment, to the consumer advocacy body in question.
6
If a consumer advocacy body fails to comply with a notice under subsection (1), it must, if so required by the authorised person which gave that notice, give notice to the authorised person of the reasons for the failure.
7
An authorised person may publish any notice received by it under subsection (6).
S. 27 in force at 1.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/2550 , art. 2 , Sch.
Words in s. 27 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(30)(a) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
S. 27(1)(1A) substituted (1.4.2014) for s. 27(1) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(30)(b) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Words in s. 27(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(30)(c) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Words in s. 27(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(30)(d) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Words in s. 27(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 174 (with art. 3)
Pt. 1 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(2) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
Words in s. 27(1)(b) substituted (13.1.2022) by The Consumer Scotland Act 2020 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/34), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 7(10) (with art. 5)
Pt. 1: power to apply (with modifications) conferred (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(l), Sch. 18 para. 61(1)
Pt. 1: power to extend (N.I.) conferred (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(l), Sch. 18 para. 61(3)
Pt. 1 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2025 for specified purposes) by The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/269), regs. 1(3)(d)(4), 54