Coal industry Act 1994

31 Enforcement orders

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (5) and section 32 below, where the Authority is satisfied—

(a) that any person is carrying on any coal-mining operations in contravention of section 25(1) above, or is likely so to carry on any coal-mining operations, or

(b) that any person is contravening, or is likely to contravene, any of the conditions of a licence under this Part,

the Authority may, by a final enforcement order, make such provision in relation to that person as is requisite for the purpose of securing that there is no contravention of section 25(1) above or, as the case may be, that that condition is complied with.

(2) Subject to subsection (5) below, where—

(a) it appears to the Authority as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) above, and

(b) it appears to the Authority that it is appropriate that a provisional enforcement order be made,

the Authority may (instead of taking steps towards the making of a final enforcement order) by a provisional enforcement order make such provision in relation to the person in question as appears to it requisite for the purpose of securing that there is no contravention of section 25(1) above or, as the case may be, that the condition is complied with.

(3) In determining for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) above whether it is appropriate that a provisional enforcement order be made, the Authority shall have regard, in particular, to the extent to which any person is likely to sustain loss or damage in consequence of anything which, in contravention of section 25(1) above or the condition in question, is likely to be done, or omitted to be done, before a final enforcement order may be made.

(4) Subject to subsection (5) and section 32 below, where a provisional enforcement order has been made, the Authority shall consider whether, for the purpose of giving it final effect, it should be confirmed and shall be entitled to confirm it, with or without modifications, if—

(a) it is satisfied that the person to whom the order relates—

(i) is carrying on any coal-mining operations in contravention of section 25(1) above, or is likely so to carry on any coal-mining operations; or

(ii) is contravening, or is likely to contravene, any of the conditions of a licence under this Part;

and

(b) the provision made by the order (with any modifications) is requisite for the purpose of securing that there is no contravention of section 25(1) above or, as the case may be, that that condition is complied with.

(5) The Authority shall not make a final enforcement order or make or confirm a provisional enforcement order in relation to any person if it is satisfied—

(a) that that person has agreed to take, and is taking, all such steps as it appears to the Authority for the time being to be appropriate for him to take for the purpose of securing that there is no contravention of section 25(1) above or that the condition in question is complied with; or

(b) that the contraventions of section 25(1) above or of that condition were, or the apprehended contraventions are, of a trivial nature.

(6) An enforcement order—

(a) shall require the person to whom it relates (according to the circumstances of the case) to do, or not to do, such things as are specified in the order or are of a description so specified;

(b) shall take effect at such time, being the earliest practicable time, as is determined by or under the order; and

(c) may be revoked at any time by the Authority.

(7) In this Part—

• “enforcement order” means a final enforcement order or a provisional enforcement order;

• “final enforcement order” means an order under this section other than a provisional enforcement order; and

• “provisional enforcement order” means an order under this section which, if not previously confirmed under subsection (4) above, will cease to have effect at the end of such period (not exceeding three months) as is determined by or under the order.

(8) This section and sections 32 and 33 below shall be without prejudice to the right of the Authority, where the conditions of any licence under this Part contain provision for a sum determined by or under those conditions to be paid to the Authority, to enforce that condition in proceedings for the recovery of the sum as an amount due to the Authority by virtue of an enactment.