The Ouseburn Barrage Order 2007

Arbitration against notices under article 41

42.—(1) The following provisions of this article shall apply in relation to any notice served by the Council under article 41 (removal of projections).

(2) A person served with such a notice may, within 21 days of service of the notice, serve a counter-notice on the Council disputing the notice on any of the following grounds which are appropriate in the circumstances of the particular case—

(a) that the notice is not justified by the terms of article 41;

(b) that there has been some informality, defect or error in, or in connection with, the notice;

(c) that the Council has refused unreasonably to approve the execution of alternative works, or that the works required by the notice to be executed are otherwise unreasonable in character or extent, or are unnecessary;

(d) that the time within which the works are to be executed is not reasonably sufficient for the purpose;

(e) that the notice might lawfully have been served on the occupier of the projection in question instead of on the owner, or on the owner instead of on the occupier, and that it would have been equitable for it to have been so served; and

(f) where the work is work for the common benefit of the projection in question and another projection, that the owner or occupier of the other projection to be benefited, ought to contribute towards the expenses of executing any works required,

and any dispute under this article shall be determined in accordance with article 54 (arbitration).

(3) If and in so far as a dispute under this article is based on the ground of some informality, defect or error in, or in connection with, the notice, the arbitrator shall dismiss the dispute if it is satisfied that the informality, defect or error was not a material one.

(4) Where the grounds upon which a dispute under this article is brought include a ground specified in paragraph (2)(e) or (f), the appellant shall serve a copy of the counter-notice on each other person referred to, and in the case of any dispute may serve a copy of the counter-notice on any other person having an estate or interest in the structure or embankment in question.

(5) On the hearing of the dispute the arbitrator may confirm or set aside the notice and may make such award as he thinks fit with respect to the person by whom any work is to be executed and the contribution to be made by any other person towards the cost of the work, or as to the proportions in which any expenses which may become recoverable by the Council are to be borne by the appellant and such other person.

(6) In exercising its powers under paragraph (5), the arbitrator shall have regard—

(a) as between an owner and an occupier, to the terms and conditions, whether contractual or statutory, of the tenancy and to the nature of the works required; and

(b) in any case, to the degree of benefit to be derived by the different persons concerned.