(1)Before a person (“the compensator”) makes a compensation payment he must apply to the Secretary of State for a certificate of recoverable benefits.
(2)Where the compensator applies for a certificate of recoverable benefits, the Secretary of State must—
(a)send to him a written acknowledgement of receipt of his application, and
(b)subject to subsection (7), issue the certificate before the end of the following period.
(3)The period is—
(a)the prescribed period, or
(b)if there is no prescribed period, the period of four weeks,
which begins with the day following the day on which the application is received.
(4)The certificate is to remain in force until the date specified in it for that purpose.
(5)The compensator may apply for fresh certificates from time to time.
(6)Where a certificate of recoverable benefits ceases to be in force, the Secretary of State may issue a fresh certificate without an application for one being made.
(7)Where the compensator applies for a fresh certificate while a certificate (“the existing certificate”) remains in force, the Secretary of State must issue the fresh certificate before the end of the following period.
(8)The period is—
(a)the prescribed period, or
(b)if there is no prescribed period, the period of four weeks,
which begins with the day following the day on which the existing certificate ceases to be in force.
(9)For the purposes of this Act, regulations may provide for the day on which an application for a certificate of recoverable benefits is to be treated as received.
Commencement Information
I1S. 4 wholly in force at 6.10.1997; s. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 34(2); s. 4(9) in force for specified purposes at 3.9.1997 by S.I. 1997/2085, art. 2(1); s. 4 in force at 6.10.1997 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1997/2085, art. 2(2)