Energy Act 2013

PART 3 U.K. Other powers exercisable by inspector if authorised by instrument of appointment

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 8 modified (1.4.2014) by The Energy Act 2013 (Office for Nuclear Regulation) (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/469), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(2)Sch. 1 para. 5(3)(b) (with Sch. 1 paras. 6, 4)

Power of entry U.K.

8 (1) An inspector may, if authorised, enter any premises which the inspector has reason to believe it is necessary for the inspector to enter for the relevant purpose— U.K.

(a) at any reasonable time, or

(b) at any time, in a situation—

(i) which in the inspector's opinion is or may be dangerous, or

(ii) in which, in the inspector's opinion, delay would or might be prejudicial to the nuclear security purposes.

(2) In relation to domestic premises, the power may be exercised only—

(a) in accordance with a warrant issued by a justice of the peace, or

(b) in a situation which in the inspector's opinion is or may be dangerous.

(3) A justice of the peace may issue a warrant under sub-paragraph (2)(a) only if satisfied, on the application of the inspector,—

(a) that—

(i) there are reasonable grounds to believe that a contravention of a relevant statutory provision is occurring on the premises, or

(ii) the inspector has been refused consent to enter the premises for the relevant purpose or there are reasonable grounds to believe that such consent will be refused, and

(b) that it is reasonable in the circumstances to issue a warrant to the inspector.

(4) The reference to premises in sub-paragraph (1) includes any ship outside the United Kingdom or its territorial sea.

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph, “domestic premises” means premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 8 para. 8 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Power to take persons and equipment etc onto premises U.K.

9 U.K. In exercising the power of entry mentioned in paragraph 8, an inspector may—

(a) be accompanied—

(i) by any person approved by the ONR for the purpose, and

(ii) if the inspector has reasonable cause to expect any serious obstruction in the exercise of any of the inspector's powers, by a constable, and

(b) take along any equipment and materials required for any purpose for which the inspector is exercising the power of entry.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 8 para. 9 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Power to deal with cause of imminent danger U.K.

10 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where an inspector finds any article or substance in relevant premises in circumstances in which the inspector has reasonable cause to believe it is a cause of imminent danger of serious personal injury. U.K.

(2) The inspector may, if authorised, do any of the following—

(a) seize the article or substance;

(b) cause it to be made harmless or the risk of harm from it to be reduced (in either case, by destruction or otherwise);

(c) for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (b), seize any other article or substance.

(3) Before any article that forms part of a batch of similar articles, or any substance, is dealt with under sub-paragraph (2)(b), the inspector must, if it is practicable,—

(a) take a sample, and

(b) give a portion of the sample, marked so as to be identifiable, to a responsible person.

(4) As soon as practicable after seizing or dealing with any article or substance under sub-paragraph (2), the inspector must make and sign a written report setting out the circumstances in which the article or substance was seized or so dealt with.

(5) The inspector must give a signed copy of the report to a responsible person.

(6) If that person is not the owner of the article or substance, the inspector must also—

(a) give a signed copy of the report to the owner, or

(b) if that is not possible because—

(i) the inspector cannot find out the owner's name or address after making reasonable enquiries, and

(ii) the owner has not indicated a willingness in accordance with section 110 to receive a signed copy of the report by any means mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of that section,

give a further signed copy of the report to that responsible person.

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) “responsible person”, in relation to any article or substance, means a responsible person at the premises in which the inspector finds the article or substance;

(b) in the case of a report in electronic form, any signature required on the report or a copy of it may be an electronic signature (within the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000).

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 8 para. 10 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Powers exercisable in relation to particular articles or substances or in particular circumstances U.K.

11 (1) An authorised inspector may cause any article or substance in relevant premises— U.K.

(a) to be dismantled;

(b) to be tested;

(c) to have any other process applied to it.

(2) The inspector may exercise any of those powers only if it appears to the inspector—

(a) that the article or substance has caused, or is likely to cause, danger to health or safety, or

(b) that it is desirable to do so for the nuclear security purposes.

(3) Before exercising a power in this paragraph, the inspector must consult anyone whom the inspector considers it appropriate to consult about the dangers (if any) of what is proposed.

(4) Anything done to the article or substance under this paragraph must not damage or destroy it unless in the circumstances that is unavoidable for the relevant purpose.

(5) If requested by a person who has responsibilities in relation to the relevant premises, and is on the premises, the inspector must allow anything done to the article or substance under this paragraph to be done in that person's presence, unless the inspector considers that that would be prejudicial to national security.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 8 para. 11 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

12 (1) An authorised inspector may take possession of any article or substance found on relevant premises and retain it for as long as necessary— U.K.

(a) for it to be examined;

(b) for anything to be done to it which the inspector may cause to be done under paragraph 11;

(c) to ensure that it is not tampered with before any examination or other procedure mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) is complete;

(d) to ensure that it is available for use in—

(i) any proceedings for an offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions, or

(ii) any proceedings relating to an improvement notice or a prohibition notice.

(2) The inspector may exercise that power only if it appears to the inspector—

(a) that it is desirable to do so for the nuclear security purposes, or

(b) that the article or substance has caused, or is likely to cause, danger to health or safety.

(3) Before taking possession of any substance under this paragraph, the inspector must, if it is practicable,—

(a) take a sample of it, and

(b) give a portion of the sample, marked so as to be identifiable, to a responsible person at the premises.

(4) An inspector who takes possession of any article or substance under this paragraph must—

(a) if it is practicable to do so, give a notice to that effect to a responsible person at the premises;

(b) otherwise, fix such a notice in a conspicuous position at the premises.

(5) The notice must include sufficient information about the article or substance to identify it.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 8 para. 12 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Powers of inspection and examination and to take samples U.K.

13 (1) An authorised inspector may carry out any examination or investigation necessary for the relevant purpose and, in doing so, may— U.K.

(a) take measurements and photographs, and

(b) make recordings.

(2) An authorised inspector may take and deal with samples of—

(a) any article or substance found in relevant premises, or

(b) the atmosphere in or in the vicinity of relevant premises.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about—

(a) the procedure to be followed in taking any such samples, and

(b) the way in which any such samples are to be dealt with.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 8 para. 13 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

14 (1) An authorised inspector may direct that any relevant premises, or any article or substance in them, must be left undisturbed for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes of any examination or investigation necessary for the purpose of any of the relevant statutory provisions. U.K.

(2) A direction under sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) may relate to part of any relevant premises;

(b) may relate to particular aspects of any premises or article or substance.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 8 para. 14 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Powers to require information and documents U.K.

15 (1) An authorised inspector may require any person who the inspector has reasonable cause to believe is able to give any information relevant to any examination or investigation under paragraph 13— U.K.

(a) to answer any question the inspector thinks fit, and

(b) to sign a declaration of the truth of the person's answers.

(2) Where a person required to answer questions under this paragraph has nominated another person to be present, the person may not be required to answer questions except in the presence of the nominated person (if any).

(3) When exercising the power in this paragraph, an inspector may allow another person to be present (in addition to the nominated person (if any)).

(4) No answer given by a person by virtue of this paragraph is admissible in evidence against the person, or the person's spouse or civil partner, in any proceedings.

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 8 para. 15 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

16 (1) An authorised inspector may— U.K.

(a) require any relevant documents to be produced, and

(b) inspect and take copies of (or of any information in) any relevant documents.

(2) For this purpose—

(a) “document” includes information recorded in any form;

(b) “relevant document” means a record or other document which—

(i) is required to be kept by virtue of any of the relevant statutory provisions, or

(ii) the inspector needs to see for the purposes of any examination or investigation under paragraph 13.

(3) In the case of a relevant document that consists of information held in electronic form, the inspector may—

(a) require it to be produced—

(i) in a legible form, or

(ii) in a form from which it can readily be produced in a legible form, and

(b) require access to, and inspect and check the operation of, any computer and any associated apparatus or material which is or has been used in connection with the relevant document.

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 8 para. 16 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Offences U.K.

17 (1) It is an offence for a person to contravene any requirement imposed by an inspector under this Part of this Schedule. U.K.

(2) It is an offence for a person to prevent or attempt to prevent any other person from—

(a) appearing before an inspector, or

(b) answering any question to which an inspector may require an answer by virtue of paragraph 15.

(3) A person who commits an offence under this paragraph is liable—

(a) on summary conviction—

(i) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months (in England and Wales or Scotland) or 6 months (in Northern Ireland),

(ii) to a fine (in England and Wales) or a fine not exceeding £20,000 (in Scotland or Northern Ireland), or

(iii) to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment—

(i) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years,

(ii) to a fine, or

(iii) to both.

[F1 (4) In the application of this paragraph in England and Wales, the reference in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(i) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or to 6 months in relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 8 para. 17(4) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 26(6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Sch. 8 para. 17(1)(2) modified (1.4.2014) by The Energy Act 2013 (Office for Nuclear Regulation) (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/469), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(4)Sch. 1 para. 5(5)(c) (with Sch. 1 paras. 6, 4)

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 8 para. 17 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

18 (1) It is an offence for a person intentionally to obstruct an inspector in the exercise or performance of the inspector's functions. U.K.

(2) A person who commits an offence under this paragraph is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks (in England and Wales), 12 months (in Scotland) or 6 months (in Northern Ireland),

(b) to—

(i) in England and Wales, a fine, or

(ii) in Scotland or Northern Ireland, a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or

(c) to both.

(3) In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (alteration of penalties for summary offences), the reference in sub-paragraph (2)(a), as it has effect in England and Wales, to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to 6 months.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 Sch. 8 para. 18(1) modified (1.4.2014) by The Energy Act 2013 (Office for Nuclear Regulation) (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/469), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(4)Sch. 1 para. 5(5)(c) (with Sch. 1 paras. 6, 4)

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 8 para. 18 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

19 (1) It is an offence for a person falsely to pretend to be an inspector. U.K.

(2) A person who commits an offence under this paragraph is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) in England and Wales, a fine, or

(b) in Scotland or Northern Ireland, a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 Sch. 8 para. 19(1) modified (1.4.2014) by The Energy Act 2013 (Office for Nuclear Regulation) (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/469), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(4)Sch. 1 para. 5(5)(c) (with Sch. 1 paras. 6, 4)

Commencement Information

I12 Sch. 8 para. 19 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Supplementary powers U.K.

20 U.K. A power conferred by this Schedule includes power to require any person to provide any facilities or assistance relating to matters or things—

(a) within the person's control, or

(b) in relation to which the person has responsibilities,

which are needed in order to enable an authorised inspector to exercise the power.

Commencement Information

I13 Sch. 8 para. 20 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

21 U.K. A power conferred by this Schedule includes power to do anything incidental that is necessary for the relevant purpose.

Commencement Information

I14 Sch. 8 para. 21 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

Protection for documents subject to legal professional privilege etc U.K.

22 U.K. Nothing in this Part of this Schedule is to be taken to confer power to compel the production by any person of a document or information in respect of which—

(a) in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, a claim to legal professional privilege, or

(b) in Scotland, a claim to confidentiality of communications,

could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Commencement Information

I15 Sch. 8 para. 22 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4