The Mallard Pass Solar Farm Order 2024

Indemnity

27.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), if by reason or in consequence of the construction of any works authorised by this Part of this Schedule or in consequence of the construction, use, maintenance or failure of any of the authorised works by or on behalf of the undertaker or in consequence of any act or default of the undertaker (or any person employed or authorised by it) in the course of carrying out such works, including without limitation works carried out by the undertaker under this Part of this Schedule or any subsidence resulting from any of these works, any damage is caused to any apparatus or alternative apparatus (other than apparatus the repair of which is not reasonably necessary in view of its intended removal for the purposes of the authorised works) or property of National Gas, or there is any interruption in any service provided, or in the supply of any goods or energy, by National Gas, or National Gas becomes liable to pay any amount to any third party, the undertaker will—

(a) bear and pay on demand accompanied by an invoice or claim from National Gas the cost reasonably and properly incurred by National Gas in making good such damage or restoring the supply; and

(b) indemnify National Gas for any other expenses, loss, demands, proceedings, damages, claims, penalty or costs incurred by or recovered from National Gas, by reason or in consequence of any such damage or interruption or National Gas becoming liable to any third party and including Network Code Claims other than arising from any default of National Gas.

(2) The fact that any act or thing may have been done by National Gas on behalf of the undertaker or in accordance with a plan approved by National Gas or in accordance with any requirement of National Gas or under its supervision will not (unless sub-paragraph (3) applies), excuse the undertaker from liability under the provisions of this sub-paragraph (1) unless National Gas fails to carry out and execute the works properly with due care and attention and in a skilful and workman like manner or in a manner that does not accord with the approved plan.

(3) Nothing in sub-paragraph (1) will impose any liability on the undertaker in respect of—

(a) any damage or interruption to the extent that it is attributable to the neglect or default of National Gas, its officers, servants, contractors or agents;

(b) any authorised works and/or any other works authorised by this Part of this Schedule carried out by National Gas as an assignee, transferee or lessee of the undertaker with the benefit of the Order pursuant to section 156 of the Planning Act 2008 or article 35 (consent to transfer the benefit of the Order) subject to the proviso that once such works become apparatus (“new apparatus”), any authorised works yet to be executed and not falling within this sub-paragraph (b) will be subject to the full terms of this Part of this Schedule including this paragraph 27; and/or

(c) any indirect or consequential loss of any third party (including but not limited to loss of use, revenue, profit, contract, production, increased cost of working, or business interruption) arising from any such damage or interruption, which is not reasonably foreseeable.

(4) National Gas must give the undertaker reasonable notice of any such third party claim or demand and no settlement, admission of liability or compromise must, unless payment is required in connection with a statutory compensation scheme, be made without first consulting the undertaker and considering their representations.

(5) National Gas must, in respect of any matter covered by the indemnity given by the undertaker in this paragraph, at all times act reasonably and in the same manner as it would as if settling third party claims on its own behalf from its own funds.

(6) National Gas must use its reasonable endeavours to mitigate and to minimise any costs, expenses, loss, demands, and penalties to which the indemnity under this paragraph applies where it is within National Gas’s reasonable ability and control to do so and which expressly excludes any obligation to mitigate liability arising from third parties which is outside of National Gas’s control and, if reasonably requested to do so by the undertaker, National Gas must provide an explanation of how the claim has been minimised, where relevant.

(7) Not to commence construction (and not to permit the commencement of such construction) of the authorised works on any land owned by National Gas or in respect of which National Gas has an easement or wayleave for its apparatus or any other interest or to carry out any works within 15 metres of National Gas’s apparatus until the following conditions are satisfied—

(a) unless and until National Gas is satisfied acting reasonably (but subject to all necessary regulatory constraints) that the undertaker has first provided the acceptable security (and provided evidence that it will maintain such acceptable security for the construction period of the authorised works from the proposed date of commencement of construction of the authorised works) and National Gas has confirmed the same to the undertaker in writing; and

(b) unless and until National Gas is satisfied acting reasonably (but subject to all necessary regulatory constraints) that the undertaker has procured acceptable insurance (and provided evidence to National Gas that it will maintain such acceptable insurance for the construction period of the authorised works from the proposed date of commencement of construction of the authorised works) and National Gas has confirmed the same in writing to the undertaker.

(8) In the event that the undertaker fails to comply with 27(7) on this Part of this Schedule, nothing in this Part of this Schedule will prevent National Gas from seeking injunctive relief (or any other equitable remedy) in any court of competent jurisdiction.