The Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992

[F1 Determination of disputes N.I.

26.— (1) A dispute arising under Articles 19 to 25 between an electricity distributor and a person requiring a connection.

[F2 (a) may be referred to the Authority by either party, and such a reference shall be accompanied by such information as is necessary or expedient to allow a determination to be made in relation to the dispute; and]

(b) on such a reference, shall be determined by order made either by the Authority or, if the Authority thinks fit, by an arbitrator appointed by the Authority,

[F3 and, subject to paragraph (1A), the practice and procedure] to be followed in connection with any such determination shall be such as the Authority may consider appropriate.

[F4 (1A) The procedures established under paragraph (1) shall provide for the determination of the dispute to be notified to the party making the reference within the requisite period or such longer period as the Authority may agree with that person.

(1B) For the purposes of paragraph (1A), the requisite period in any case means—

(a) the period of 2 months from the date when the dispute was referred to the Authority; or

(b) where the information sent to the Authority under paragraph (1)(a) was in its opinion insufficient to enable it to make a determination, the period of 4 months from the date when the dispute was referred to the Authority.]

(2) No dispute arising under Articles 19 to 25 which relates to the making of a connection between any premises and a distribution system may be referred to the Authority after the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the time when the connection is made.

(3) Where a dispute arising under Articles 19 to 25 between an electricity distributor and a person requiring a connection falls to be determined under this Article, the Authority may give directions as to the circumstances in which, and the terms on which, the distributor is to make or (as the case may be) to maintain a connection pending the determination of the dispute.

(4) Where any dispute arising under Article 23(1) falls to be determined under this Article, the Authority may give directions as to the security (if any) to be given pending the determination of the dispute.

(5) Directions under paragraphs (3) or (4) may apply either in cases of particular descriptions or in particular cases.

(6) A person making an order under this Article shall include in the order his reasons for reaching his decision with respect to the dispute.

(7) An order under this Article—

(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 shall be enforceable, in so far as it includes such provision as to costs or expenses, as if it were a judgment of the county court.

(8) In including in an order under this Article any such provision as to costs or expenses as is mentioned in paragraph (7), the person making the order shall have regard to the conduct and means of the parties and any other relevant circumstances.

(9) Article 19(4)(a) does not apply to the references in this Article to making a connection.]

F1 Arts. 19-26 substituted (1.11.2007) by Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/321), regs. 1(2), 9 (with transitional provisions in Pt. IV)

F2 Art. 26(1)(a) substituted (15.4.2011) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 5(2)(a)

F3 Words in art. 26(1) substituted (15.4.2011) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 5(2)(b)

F4 Art. 26(1A)(1B) inserted (15.4.2011) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 5(3)