Part I Gas Supply

F1Gas transmission and the operation of gas interconnectors: independence

8OProhibition on the exercise of certain shareholder rights and rights of appointment

(1)

A person must not exercise a shareholder right or a right of appointment if—

(a)

the right falls within subsection (2), (3), (4) or (5);

(b)

the relevant date in respect of the certified person mentioned in that subsection has been reached;

(c)

the exercise of the right would or might lead the certified person to discriminate in favour of the relevant producer or supplier mentioned in that subsection; and

(d)

the relevant producer or supplier is a person to whom subsection (6) applies.

(2)

A right falls within this subsection if—

(a)

it is a shareholder right;

(b)

it is held by a person who controls a person certified on the certification ground in section 8G(3); and

(c)

it is exercisable in relation to a relevant producer or supplier.

(3)

A right falls within this subsection if—

(a)

it is a shareholder right;

(b)

it is exercisable in relation to a person certified on the certification ground in section 8G(3); and

(c)

it is held by a person who controls a relevant producer or supplier.

(4)

A right falls within this subsection if—

(a)

it is a shareholder right;

(b)

the person who holds it appointed a senior officer of a person certified on the certification ground in section 8G(3);

(c)

the person appointed continues to hold that office; and

(d)

the right is exercisable in relation to a gas undertaking which is a relevant producer or supplier.

(5)

A right falls within this subsection if—

(a)

it is a right to appoint a senior officer of a person certified on the certification ground in section 8G(3); and

(b)

the person who holds it has, within the immediately preceding period of 3 years, exercised a shareholder right in relation to a gas undertaking which is a relevant producer or supplier.

(6)

This subsection applies to a person if, in order to carry out some or all of the activity by virtue of which the person is a relevant producer or supplier, the person—

(a)

requires a licence under section 7A of this Act, section 6 of the Electricity Act 1989 (licences authorising supply, etc), or section 3 of the Petroleum Act 1998 (licences to search and bore for and get petroleum); or

(b)

would require such a licence if carrying out the activity in Great Britain.

(7)

In this section—

(a)

“exercise” means exercise directly or indirectly, and “exercisable” is to be interpreted accordingly; and

(b)

“relevant date” means the relevant date for the purposes of section 8C(1) or (2).