Energy Act 2023

Part 2 Appeals relating to enforcement of sanctionable requirements

Appeals in relation to sanction notices

3 (1) Where a sanction notice is given under section 115 in respect of a failure to comply with a sanctionable requirement, an appeal may be made—

(a) under paragraph 4 (on the ground that there was no such failure to comply);

(b) under paragraph 5 (against the sanction imposed by the notice).

(2) Where an appeal is made in relation to a sanction notice, the notice ceases to have effect until a decision is made by the Tribunal to confirm, vary or cancel the notice.

(3) Where, on an appeal made in relation to a sanction notice—

(a) the Tribunal makes a decision to confirm or vary the notice, and

(b) an appeal is or may be made in relation to that decision,

the Tribunal, or the Upper Tribunal, may further suspend the effect of the notice pending a decision which disposes of proceedings on such an appeal.

Appeals against finding of failure to comply

4 (1) An appeal may be made to the Tribunal by the person, or by any of the persons, to whom a sanction notice is given in respect of a failure to comply with a sanctionable requirement, on the grounds that the person, or persons, did not fail to comply with the requirement.

(2) On an appeal under this paragraph, the Tribunal may confirm or cancel the sanction notice.

(3) Where sanction notices are given on more than one occasion in respect of the same failure to comply with a sanctionable requirement—

(a) an appeal under this paragraph may be made only in relation to the sanction notice, or any of the sanction notices, given on the first of those occasions, and

(b) appeals in relation to sanction notices given on subsequent occasions in respect of that failure to comply may be made only under paragraph 5.

Appeals against sanction imposed

5 (1) Where a sanction notice is given in respect of a failure to comply with a sanctionable requirement, a person mentioned in sub- paragraph (2) may appeal to the Tribunal against any of the decisions of the OGA mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) (as to the sanction imposed by the notice) on the grounds mentioned in sub-paragraph (4).

(2) The persons who may appeal are—

(a) the person, or any of the persons, to whom the notice was given, and

(b) in the case of an operator removal notice under section 119, the licensee under whose carbon storage licence the exploration operator operates.

(3) The decisions against which an appeal may be made are—

(a) where an enforcement notice has been given, the decision as to—

(i) the measures that are required to be taken for the purposes of compliance with the sanctionable requirement, or

(ii) the period for compliance with the sanctionable requirement;

(b) where a financial penalty notice has been given, the decision—

(i) to impose a financial penalty, or

(ii) as to the amount of the financial penalty imposed;

(c) where a revocation notice has been given, the decision to terminate the carbon storage licence or to revoke the storage permit;

(d) where an operator removal notice has been given, the decision to require the removal of the exploration operator.

(4) The grounds on which an appeal may be made are that the decision of the OGA—

(a) was unreasonable, or

(b) was not within the powers of the OGA.

(5) On an appeal under this paragraph against a decision made in relation to an enforcement notice, the Tribunal may—

(a) confirm or quash the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(i) (remedial action), or

(b) confirm or vary the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a)(ii) (period for compliance),

and confirm, vary or cancel the enforcement notice accordingly.

(6) On an appeal under this paragraph against a decision made in relation to a financial penalty notice, the Tribunal may—

(a) confirm or quash the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(b)(i) (imposition of penalty), or

(b) confirm or vary the decision, in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(b)(ii) (amount of penalty),

and confirm, vary or cancel the financial penalty notice accordingly.

(7) The Tribunal must have regard to any guidance issued by the OGA under section 117(6)(a) when deciding whether to confirm or vary a decision as to the amount of a financial penalty under sub-paragraph (6)(b).

(8) On an appeal under this paragraph against a decision to terminate a carbon storage licence, to revoke a storage permit or to require the removal of an exploration operator the Tribunal may—

(a) confirm the decision,

(b) vary the decision by changing the revocation date or the removal date, as the case may be, or

(c) quash the decision,

and confirm, vary or cancel the sanction notice in question accordingly.

(9) Where a decision is quashed under sub-paragraph (5)(a), (6)(a) or (8), the Tribunal may remit the decision to the OGA for reconsideration with such directions (if any) as the Tribunal considers appropriate.

Appeals against information requirements

6 (1) A person to whom a notice is given under section 124 may appeal against it to the Tribunal on the grounds that—

(a) the giving of the notice is not within the powers of the OGA, or

(b) the length of time given to comply with the notice is unreasonable.

(2) On an appeal under this paragraph the Tribunal may—

(a) confirm, vary or cancel the notice, or

(b) remit the matter under appeal to the OGA for reconsideration with such directions (if any) as the Tribunal considers appropriate.