Part 1 U.K.[F1 THE CONSUMER ADVOCACY BODIES]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 1 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(2) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 1 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(l), Sch. 18 para. 61(1)

C2 Pt. 1 power to extend (N.I.) conferred (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(l), Sch. 18 para. 61(3)

Powers of investigation U.K.

14 Reference of matters to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority E+W+S

(1) In this section references to a complaint are to a complaint within section 11(1)(a) or to which section 12(3) or 13 applies.

(2) Where it appears to [F2 the consumer advocacy body in question] that a complaint relates to a matter in respect of which any of the Authority's enforcement functions may be exercisable, [F3 that body] must refer the complaint to the Authority unless it is satisfied that the Authority is already aware of the matter.

(3) Where a complaint to which section 13 applies is referred to the Authority under subsection (2), [F4 the consumer advocacy body in question] is not required to investigate the complaint under subsection (2) of that section until the Authority has had a reasonable opportunity to exercise its enforcement functions in relation to the matter to which the complaint relates.

(4) On investigating a complaint, [F5 the consumer advocacy body in question] must inform the complainant if it considers that the complaint relates to a matter of a kind which can be referred by the complainant to the Authority under any provision of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) or the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29).

[F6 (4A) In this section, a reference to a consumer advocacy body does not include a reference to the GCCNI.]

(5) In this section—

• “ the Authority ” means the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority;

• “ enforcement function ”, in relation to the Authority, means any of its functions under section 28 or 30A of the Gas Act 1986 or section 25 or 27A of the Electricity Act 1989.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 14(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(18)(a)(i) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)

F3 Words in s. 14(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(18)(a)(ii) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)

F4 Words in s. 14(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(18)(b) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)

F5 Words in s. 14(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(18)(c) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)

F6 S. 14(4A) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading's Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12(18)(d) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, Sch. 2 paras. 13-15)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 14 in force at 1.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/2550 , art. 2 , Sch.