Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. I modified (5.10.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 184(12), 185(13), 198(2); S.I. 2004/2575, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
C2Pt. I modified (S.) (30.11.2005) by The Electricity from Non-Fossil Fuel Sources (Scotland) Saving Arrangements Order 2005 (S.S.I. 2005/549), arts. 1(1), 9
C3Pt. 1 excluded (30.12.2015) by The Port Talbot Steelworks Generating Station Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1984), arts. 1, 7(2) (with art. 26)
C4Pt. I (ss. 1-64) applied (1.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3264, regs. 4(2), 5(2)
C5Pt. I (ss. 1-64) amended (E.W.) (27.10.2000) by S.I. 2000/2727, art. 10
Pt. I (ss. 1-64) amended (7.11.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 105(1)(a); S.I. 2000/2974, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-12)
Pt. I (ss. 1-64) amended (E.W.) (1.10.2001) by S.I. 2000/2727, art. 10 (as substituted (1.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3268, art. 2(13))
Where the Authority is required by any provision of this Part to publish a notice or any other document, the Authority shall send a copy of the document to [F4Citizens Advice and [F5Consumer Scotland]].]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 56G inserted (20.12.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 18(6); S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-15) (as amended by S.I. 2001/1780, art. 2)
F2Words in s. 56G 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. 5(19)(a) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
F3Words in s. 56G heading 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. 3(18)(a) (with art. 5)
F4Words in s. 56G 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. 5(19)(b) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)
F5Words in s. 56G 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. 3(18)(b) (with art. 5)
Textual Amendments
F6S. 57 repealed (7.11.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 8; S.I. 2000/2974, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-12)
(1)The Secretary of State may give to [F7the holder of a transmission licence] [F8, an electricity system operator licence or a code manager licence] (“the authorised person”) such directions as appear to the Secretary of State to be requisite or expedient for the purpose of securing that, in any case where subsection (2) below applies, neither the person by whom the information mentioned in that subsection is acquired nor any other person obtains any unfair commercial advantage from his possession of the information.
(2)This subsection applies where, in the course of any dealings with an outside person who is, or is an associate of, a person authorised by a licence or exemption to generate, [F9supply or participate in the transmission of] electricity [F10or to participate in the operation of electricity interconnectors] [F11or to provide a smart meter communication service], the authorised person or any associate of his is furnished with or otherwise acquires any information which relates to the affairs of that outside person or any associate of his.
(3)As soon as practicable after giving any directions under subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State shall publish a copy of the directions in such manner as he considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the directions to the attention of persons likely to be affected by a contravention of them.
(4)The obligation to comply with any directions under subsection (1) above is a duty owed to any person who may be affected by a contravention of them.
(5)Where a duty is owed by virtue of subsection (4) above to any person any breach of the duty which causes that person to sustain loss or damage shall be actionable at the suit or instance of that person.
(6)In any proceedings brought against any person in pursuance of subsection (5) above, it shall be a defence for him to prove that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid contravening the directions.
(7)Without prejudice to any right which any person may have by virtue of subsection (5) above to bring civil proceedings in respect of any contravention or apprehended contravention of any directions under this section, compliance with any such directions shall be enforceable by civil proceedings by the Secretary of State for an injunction or interdict or for any other appropriate relief.
(8)In this section—
“dealings” includes dealings entered into otherwise than for purposes connected with the transmission of electricity;
“outside person”, in relation to any person, means any person who is not an associate of his;
and for the purposes of this section a person is an associate of another if he and that other are connected with each other within the meaning of [F12section 1122 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010].
Textual Amendments
F7Words in s. 58(1) substituted (1.9.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), s. 198(2), Sch. 19 para. 14(a); S.I. 2004/2184, art. 2(2), Sch. 2
F8Words in s. 58(1) inserted (1.10.2024) by The Energy Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/706), regs. 1(1), 3(13); S.I. 2024/957, reg. 2(a)
F9Words in s. 58(2) substituted (1.9.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), s. 198(2), Sch. 19 para. 14(b); S.I. 2004/2184, art. 2(2), Sch. 2
F10Words in s. 58(2) inserted (1.12.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 147(6), 198(2); S.I. 2004/2575, art. 2(2), Sch. 2
F11Words in s. 58(2) inserted (19.9.2012) by The Electricity and Gas (Smart Meters Licensable Activity) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2400), arts. 1, 12
F12Words in s. 58(8) substituted (1.4.2010) (with effect in accordance with s. 1184(1) of the amending Act) by Corporation Tax Act 2010 (c. 4), s. 1184(1), Sch. 1 para. 218 (with Sch. 2)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6S. 58: transfer of certain functions (S.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1, 2, Sch. 1 (with art. 7)
(1)If any person, in giving any information or making any application under or for the purposes of any provision of this Part, or of any regulations made under this Part, makes any statement which he knows to be false in a material particular, or recklessly makes any statement which is false in a material particular, he shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
(2)Any person who seeks to obtain entry to any premises by falsely pretending to be—
(a)an employee of[F13, or other person acting on behalf of, an electricity distributor or electricity supplier];
(b)an electrical inspector; or
(c)a meter examiner,
shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
(3)No proceedings shall be instituted in England and Wales in respect of an offence under subsection (1) above except by or with the consent of the Secretary of State or the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Textual Amendments
F13Words in s. 59(2)(a) substituted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 37; S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)