27A[F1 Determination of certain disputes.]E+W+S
(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, any dispute arising under section 9(1)(b) or (2), 10 or 11 above, regulations under section 10 above, or any provision of paragraphs 2, 3, 15 or 16 of Schedule 2B to this Act, between a [F2gas transporter] or gas supplier and a person who is, or wishes to become, a [F3customer of a person authorised by a licence or exemption to supply gas]—
(a)may be referred to the [F4Authority—
(i)by either party, or
(ii)with the consent of either party, by [F5Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland or Consumer Scotland or those bodies or any two of them acting jointly];]and
(b)on such a reference, shall be determined by order made either by the Director, or if he thinks fit by an arbitrator (or in Scotland arbiter) appointed by him.
(2)No dispute which—
(a)arises under section 9(1)(b) above and relates to the connection of any premises to a pipe-line system operated by a [F2gas transporter]; or
(b)arises under section 10 above, or regulations under that section, and relates to the connection of any premises to a main of such a transporter,
may be referred to the Director after the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the time when the connection is made.
(3)Any person making an order under subsection (1) above shall include in the order his reasons for reaching his decision with respect to the dispute.
(4)The practice and procedure to be followed in connection with any such determination shall be such as the Director may consider appropriate.
(5)Where any dispute between a [F2gas transporter] and a person requiring a connection to a main of the transporter falls to be determined under this section, the Director may give directions as to the circumstances in which, and the terms on which, the transporter is to connect or (as the case may be) to maintain the connection pending the determination of the dispute.
(6)Where any dispute between a gas supplier and a person requiring a supply of gas falls to be determined under this section, the Director may give directions as to the circumstances in which, and the terms on which, the supplier is to give or (as the case may be) to continue to give the supply pending the determination of the dispute.
(7)Where any dispute arising under section 11(1) above falls to be determined under this section, the Director may give directions as to the security (if any) to be given pending the determination of the dispute.
(8)Any direction under subsection (5), (6) or (7) above may be expressed to apply either in relation to a particular case or in relation to a class of case.
(9)An order under this section—
(a)may include such incidental, supplemental and consequential provision (including provision requiring either party to pay a sum in respect of the costs or expenses incurred by the person making the order) as that person considers appropriate; and
(b)shall be final and—
(i)in England and Wales, enforceable, in so far as it includes such provision as to costs or expenses, as if it were a judgment of [F6the county court] ; and
(ii)in Scotland, enforceable as if it were an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff.
(10)In including in an order under this section any such provision as to costs or expenses, the person making the order shall have regard to the conduct and means of the parties and any other relevant circumstances.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 27A inserted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 10(1), Sch. 3 para. 26; S.I. 1996/218, art. 2
F2Words in s. 27A substituted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 6 Pt. I para. 2(1); S.I. 2001/3266, arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)
F3Words in s. 27A(1) substituted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 6, Pt. I para. 10; S.I. 2001/3266, arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)
F4Words in s. 27A(1)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by virtue of 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. 4(7) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
F5Words in s. 27A(1)(a)(ii) 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. 2(7) (with art. 5)
F6Words in s. 27A(9)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 52; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)