PART 3Monitoring and Enforcement in England

Enforcement by the High Court19

1

Subject to paragraph (2), if an operator fails to comply with a relevant obligation, the Environment Agency may certify that non-compliance in writing to the High Court.

2

The Environment Agency may not certify non-compliance to the High Court if—

a

the time for an appeal relating to the relevant obligation has not elapsed; or

b

any appeal relating to the relevant obligation has not been determined.

3

In paragraph (1), “a relevant obligation” means any obligation included in—

a

an information notice;

b

an enforcement notice; or

c

a civil penalty notice.

4

If the High Court is satisfied that the operator has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a relevant obligation, the court may deal with the operator as if the operator were in contempt.