Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008

Section 28(7)

[F1SCHEDULE 4U.K.Enforcement action: references to [F2the Secretary of State]

This schedule has no associated Explanatory Notes

Textual Amendments

F1Sch. 4A substituted for Sch. 4 (4.5.2016 for specified purposes) by Enterprise Act 2016 (c. 12), s. 44(1)(c), Sch. 3

Reference by enforcing authorityU.K.

1(1)If the primary authority directs the enforcing authority as specified in section 28(2), the enforcing authority may with the consent of [F3the Secretary of State] refer the proposed enforcement action to [F3the Secretary of State] .U.K.

(2)On a reference under this paragraph—

(a)if [F4the Secretary of State] is satisfied as to the matters in sub-paragraph (3), [F4the Secretary of State] must confirm the direction;

(b)in any other case, [F5the Secretary of State] must revoke the direction (and section 28(4)(b) shall accordingly cease to apply in relation to the direction).

(3)The matters referred to in sub-paragraph (2) are that—

(a)the proposed enforcement action is inconsistent with advice or guidance previously given by the primary authority (generally or specifically),

(b)the advice or guidance was correct, and

(c)the advice or guidance was properly given by the primary authority.

(4)Where under sub-paragraph (2) [F6the Secretary of State] confirms a direction of the primary authority, [F6the Secretary of State] may direct the enforcing authority to take some other enforcement action (and section 28(1) to (4) does not apply in relation to that action).

(5)The enforcing authority must comply with any direction under sub-paragraph (4).

Textual Amendments

Reference by regulated personU.K.

2(1)If the primary authority does not direct the enforcing authority as specified in section 28(2), the regulated person may with the consent of [F7the Secretary of State] refer the action to [F7the Secretary of State] .U.K.

(2)On a reference under this paragraph—

(a)if [F8the Secretary of State] is satisfied as to the matters in sub-paragraph (3), [F8the Secretary of State] must direct the enforcing authority not to take the proposed enforcement action;

(b)in any other case, [F9the Secretary of State] must consent to the action.

(3)The matters referred to in sub-paragraph (2) are that—

(a)the proposed enforcement action is inconsistent with advice or guidance previously given by the primary authority (generally or specifically),

(b)the advice or guidance was correct, and

(c)the advice or guidance was properly given by the primary authority.

(4)The enforcing authority may not take the proposed enforcement action if it is directed as specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a).

(5)Where [F10the Secretary of State] gives a direction under sub-paragraph (2)(a), [F10the Secretary of State] may direct the enforcing authority to take some other enforcement action (and section 28(1) to (4) does not apply in relation to that action).

(6)The enforcing authority must comply with any direction under sub-paragraph (5).

(7)[F11The Secretary of State] may require a regulated person who makes a reference under this paragraph to pay such reasonable costs incurred by [F12the Secretary of State] as a result of the reference as [F12the Secretary of State] may specify.

Textual Amendments

Reference by primary authorityU.K.

3(1)The primary authority may with the consent of [F13the Secretary of State] , instead of making a determination under section 28(2) in relation to a proposed enforcement action, refer the action to [F13the Secretary of State] .U.K.

(2)On a reference under this paragraph—

(a)if [F14the Secretary of State] is satisfied as to the matters in sub-paragraph (3), [F14the Secretary of State] must direct the enforcing authority not to take the proposed enforcement action;

(b)in any other case, [F15the Secretary of State] must consent to the action.

(3)The matters referred to in sub-paragraph (2) are that—

(a)the proposed enforcement action is inconsistent with advice or guidance previously given by the primary authority (generally or specifically),

(b)the advice or guidance was correct, and

(c)the advice or guidance was properly given by the primary authority.

(4)The enforcing authority may not take the proposed enforcement action if it is directed as specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a).

(5)Where [F16the Secretary of State] gives a direction under sub-paragraph (2)(a), [F16the Secretary of State] may direct the enforcing authority to take some other enforcement action (and section 28(1) to (4) does not apply in relation to that action).

(6)The enforcing authority must comply with any direction under sub-paragraph (5).

Textual Amendments

Effect of referenceU.K.

4U.K.The enforcing authority may not take the proposed enforcement action—

(a)in any period during which the regulated person may make a reference under paragraph 2;

(b)at any time after the making of a reference under this Schedule and before its determination.

ConsultationU.K.

5(1)Before making a determination for the purposes of this Schedule [F17the Secretary of State] —U.K.

(a)must consult any relevant regulator, where appropriate, and

(b)may consult such other persons as [F18Secretary of State] thinks fit.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1)(a) “relevant regulator” means a person (other than a local authority) with regulatory functions which relate to the matter to which the determination relates.

Textual Amendments

Procedure: generalU.K.

6(1)[F19The Secretary of State] must determine any reference under this Schedule within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the reference is made.U.K.

(2)The Secretary of State may by order make further provision as to the procedure to be followed, for the purposes of this Schedule, by the primary authority, the enforcing authority, the regulated person and [F20the Secretary of State] .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I1Sch. 4 para. 6 wholly in force at 6.4.2009; Sch. 4 para. 6(2) in force at 1.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/2371, art. 2(b); Sch. 4 para. 6(1) in force for all remaining purposes at 6.4.2009 by S.I. 2009/550, art. 2

Guidance and directionsU.K.

7(1)[F21The Secretary of State] may give guidance or directions to any one or more local authorities about any enforcement action referred to [F22the Secretary of State] .U.K.

(2)A local authority must have regard to any guidance, and comply with any direction, given to it under sub-paragraph (1).

(3)[F23The Secretary of State] must publish any guidance or directions given under this paragraph in such manner as [F24the Secretary of State] considers appropriate.

Textual Amendments

InformationU.K.

8U.K.For the purposes of this Schedule [F25the Secretary of State] may require the primary authority, the enforcing authority or the regulated person to provide [F25the Secretary of State] with such information as [F25the Secretary of State] may specify, being information which the authority may lawfully provide to [F25the Secretary of State] .]

Textual Amendments