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Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland


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STATUTORY RULES OF NORTHERN IRELAND


2005 No. 138

PENSIONS

The Pension Protection Fund (Review and Reconsideration of Reviewable Matters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

  Made 18th March 2005 
  Coming into operation 6th April 2005 

The Department for Social Development, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Articles 189 and 287(1) to (3) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005[1], and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation, commencement and interpretation
     1.  - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Pension Protection Fund (Review and Reconsideration of Reviewable Matters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 and shall come into operation on 6th April 2005.

    (2) In these Regulations -

Duty to give a review decision
     2. The Board must give a review decision on any reviewable matter on the written application of an interested person.

Time for making an application for a review decision
    
3.  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), any application for a review decision on any reviewable matter must be made -

    (2) Subject to paragraph (3), where the circumstances of a case are such that, in the opinion of the Board, it is reasonable for an application to be made after the end of the period specified in paragraph (1)(a) or (c), the Board must give a review decision if the application is made within such further period as the Board considers to be reasonable.

    (3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply to -

Matters to be addressed or included in an application for a review decision
    
4.  - (1) An application for a review decision on any reviewable matter must include -

    (2) An application must be signed and dated by the interested person.

Notice of an application for a review decision
    
5. On receipt of an application made under regulation 3 the Board must, if it is of the opinion that an interested person other than the person making the application may be materially affected by the review decision, notify that person -

Review decisions other than on an application
    
6.  - (1) The Board may give a review decision in respect of a reviewable matter otherwise than on an application.

    (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any reviewable matter specified in regulation 3(3)(a) to (j) in respect of which there has been any determination, direction, or other decision which has become binding by virtue of or under the Order.

Notice of reviews other than on application
    
7.  - (1) Where the Board decides to give a review decision in respect of a reviewable matter under regulation 6(1) it must notify any interested person.

    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) an interested person means a person who, in the opinion of the Board, may be materially affected by the review decision or, as the case may be, the representative of that person appointed under regulation 28.

Provision of written representations to the Board
    
8.  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2) -

may make written representations to the Board in respect of that matter.

    (2) Any representations made under paragraph (1) must be received by the Board by such time as the Board may reasonably require.

Matters to be considered in giving a review decision
    
9.  - (1) In giving a review decision under regulation 2 the Board must take into account -

    (2) In giving a review decision under regulation 6(1) the Board must take into account -

Time for giving review decision
    
10.  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Board must give a review decision under regulation 2 before the end of a period of 28 days beginning with -

whichever is the later.

    (2) If the Board is not able to give a review decision before the end of the period specified in paragraph (1) it must send an interim reply to -

setting out the reasons for the delay and the expected date for issuing the review decision.

    (3) Subject to paragraph (4), the Board must give a review decision under regulation 6(1) before the end of a period of 28 days beginning with -

whichever is the later.

    (4) If the Board is not able to give a review decision before the end of the period specified in paragraph (3) it must send an interim reply to any person notified of the decision under regulation 7(1) setting out the reasons for the delay and the expected date for issuing the review decision.

Powers on giving a review decision
    
11. In giving a review decision under regulation 2 or 6(1) the Board may -

Matters to be included in a review decision
    
12. A review decision given under regulation 2 or 6(1) must be given in writing and must include -

Notice of a review decision
    
13.  - (1) The Board must send a copy of a review decision given under regulation 2 to the interested persons specified in paragraph (2).

    (2) The interested persons specified for the purposes of paragraph (1) are -

    (3) The Board must send a copy of a review decision given under regulation 6(1) to a person notified in accordance with regulation 7(1) of the Board's decision to give a review decision in respect of a reviewable matter otherwise than on application.

    (4) The Board must also send a copy of the review decision given under regulations 2 or 6(1) to the Regulator if the Regulator was entitled to notification of the determination, direction or other decision in respect of which the review decision has been given by virtue of or under the Order.

Duty to give a reconsideration decision
    
14.  - (1) Where the Board has given a review decision the Reconsideration Committee must reconsider the reviewable matter and give a reconsideration decision on the written application of an interested person.

    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) an interested person means a person sent a copy of the review decision in accordance with regulation 13(1) or (3).

Time for making an application to reconsider
    
15.  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), an application to reconsider a reviewable matter and give a reconsideration decision must be made by sending it to the Reconsideration Committee within 28 days of the date of issue of the review decision.

    (2) Subject to paragraph (3), where the circumstances of the case are such that, in the opinion of the Reconsideration Committee, it is reasonable for an application to be made after the end of the period specified in paragraph (1), the Reconsideration Committee must give a reconsideration decision if the application is made within such further period as the Reconsideration Committee considers to be reasonable.

    (3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply to -

Matters to be addressed or included in an application to reconsider a reviewable matter
    
16.  - (1) An application to reconsider a reviewable matter and give a reconsideration decision must include -

    (2) An application must be signed and dated by the interested person making the application.

Notice of an application to reconsider
    
17. On receipt of an application made under regulation 15 the Reconsideration Committee must, if it is of the opinion that an interested person other than the person making the application may be materially affected by the reconsideration decision, notify that person -

Reconsideration decisions other than on an application
    
18.  - (1) The Reconsideration Committee may reconsider a reviewable matter and give a reconsideration decision otherwise than on an application.

    (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any reviewable matter specified in regulation 15(3)(a) to (j) in respect of which there has been a determination, direction or other decision which has become binding by virtue of or under the Order.

Notice of decision to reconsider other than on an application
    
19.  - (1) Where the Board decides to reconsider a reviewable matter and give a reconsideration decision under regulation 18(1) it must notify any interested person.

    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) an interested person means a person who, in the opinion of the Board, may be materially affected by the reconsideration decision or, as the case may be, a representative of that person appointed under regulation 28.

Provision of written representation
    
20.  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2) -

may make written representations to the Reconsideration Committee in respect of that matter.

    (2) Any representations made under paragraph (1) must be received by the Reconsideration Committee by such time as it may reasonably require.

Matters to be considered in giving a reconsideration decision
    
21.  - (1) In giving a reconsideration decision under regulation 14(1) the Reconsideration Committee must take into account -

    (2) In giving a reconsideration decision under regulation 18(1) the Reconsideration Committee must take into account -

Time for giving a reconsideration decision
    
22.  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Reconsideration Committee must give a reconsideration decision under regulation 14(1) before the end of a period of 28 days beginning with the date on which -

whichever is the later.

    (2) If the Reconsideration Committee is not able to give a reconsideration decision before the end of the period specified in paragraph (1) it must send an interim reply to -

setting out the reasons for the delay and the expected date for issuing the review decision.

    (3) Subject to paragraph (4), the Reconsideration Committee must give a reconsideration decision in respect of a reviewable matter under regulation 18(1) before the end of a period of 28 days beginning with -

whichever is the later.

    (4) If the Reconsideration Committee is not able to give a reconsideration decision under regulation 18(1) before the end of the period specified in paragraph (3) it must send an interim reply to any person notified of the decision to reconsider the reviewable matter and give a reconsideration decision setting out the reasons for the delay and the expected date for issuing the review decision.

Powers on giving a reconsideration decision
    
23. In giving a reconsideration decision under regulation 14(1) or 18(1) the Reconsideration Committee may -

Matters to be included in a reconsideration decision
    
24. A reconsideration decision given under regulation 14(1) or 18(1) must be given in writing and must include -

Notice of a reconsideration decision
    
25.  - (1) The Reconsideration Committee must send a copy of a reconsideration decision given under regulation 14(1) to the interested persons specified in paragraph (2).

    (2) The interested persons specified for the purposes of paragraph (1) are -

    (3) The Reconsideration Committee must send a copy of a reconsideration decision given under regulation 18(1) to the interested persons notified in accordance with regulation 19(1) of the Reconsideration Committee's decision to reconsider the reviewable matter and give a reconsideration decision otherwise than on an application.

    (4) The Reconsideration Committee must also send a copy of a reconsideration decision given under regulation 14(1) or 18(1) to the Regulator if the Regulator was entitled to notification of the determination, direction or other decision in respect of which the reconsideration decision has been given by virtue of or under the Order.

Independence of the Reconsideration Committee
    
26. Where the Board establishes a Reconsideration Committee for the purposes of Article 189(1)(b), paragraph 15 of Schedule 5 to the Pensions Act 2004[3] (the Board of the Pension Protection Fund: committees) shall apply as if after sub-paragraph (5) there were inserted the following sub-paragraph -

Representation
     27.  - (1) An interested person may by sending written notice to the Board appoint a person to act as his representative for the purposes of these Regulations.

    (2) Where an interested person -

the Board may allow a person to represent him.

    (3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) an interested person includes a person who is an interested person for the purposes of regulation 7 or 19.



Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Social Development on


18th March 2005.

L.S.


John O'Neill
A senior officer of the Department for Social Development


SCHEDULE
Regulation 1(2)

Column 1 Column 2
Paragraph of Schedule 8 which specifies the reviewable matter Interested person
     1. Paragraphs 1 and 2

     1.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the scheme;

    (b) the insolvency practitioner or the former insolvency practitioner who issued the Article 106 notice;

    (c) any insolvency practitioner in relation to the employer (who does not fall within sub-paragraph (b)); and

    (d) if there is no insolvency practitioner in relation to the employer, the employer.

     2. Paragraph 3

     2.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the scheme;

    (b) the insolvency practitioner or former insolvency practitioner mentioned in Article 108(1);

    (c) any insolvency practitioner in relation to the employer (who does not fall within sub-paragraph (b)); and

    (d) if there is no insolvency practitioner in relation to the employer, the employer.

     3. Paragraph 3A[4]

     3.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the scheme;

    (b) the actuary in relation to the scheme; and

    (c) any person appointed to act as an insolvency practitioner in relation to the scheme.

     4. Paragraph 4

     4.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the scheme; and

    (b) the employer.

     5. Paragraph 5

     5. A relevant person as defined by Article 118(3)(a) or any regulations made under that Article.

     6. Paragraph 6

     6.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the scheme; and

    (b) any person directly affected by the determination.

     7. Paragraph 7

     7. The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme in respect of which the trustees or managers have made an application under Article 123(2).

     8. Paragraph 8[5]

     8. The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme in respect of which the Board's failure to obtain the valuation has occurred.

     9. Paragraph 9

     9.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme in respect of which the Board has obtained a valuation under Article 127; and

    (b) the members of that scheme or, where a member has died, any person entitled to present payment of a pension by reason of rights under the scheme in respect of a deceased member.

     10. Paragraph 10

     10. In respect of a withdrawal notice under -

    (a) Article 130, the trustees or managers of the eligible scheme or the employer in relation to that scheme;

    (b) Article 131, the trustees or managers of the new scheme or the employer in relation to that scheme.

     11. Paragraph 11

     11.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme; and

    (b) the employer.

     12. Paragraphs 12, 13 and 14

     12. The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme.

     13. Paragraph 15

     13. The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme or the employer in relation to that scheme.

     14. Paragraph 15A[6]

     14. The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme.

     15. Paragraph 15B

     15. The trustees or managers of the eligible scheme in respect of which the Board has obtained a valuation under Article 144(4A).

     16. Paragraph 16

     16. The person entitled to compensation under Article 146.

     17. Paragraph 17

     17. The member of the eligible scheme or the person concerned under Article 147(4)(b).

     18. Paragraph 17A[7]

     18. The person entitled to a payment under Article 150(2).

     19. Paragraphs 18 and 19

19.

    (a) The trustees or managers of the scheme; and

    (b) any other person prescribed in regulations made under Article 164(2)(b).




EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)


These Regulations provide for the review and reconsideration by the Board of the Pension Protection Fund ("the Board") of the reviewable matters specified in Schedule 8 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 ("the Order").

The Board is established by section 107 of the Pensions Act 2004 (c. 35) ("the Act") to provide compensation for members of certain occupational pension schemes in the event of the insolvency of the scheme's sponsoring employer and where the pension scheme is underfunded at a certain level.

Regulation 1 provides for citation, commencement and interpretation and, in particular, defines for the purposes of these Regulations the interested persons who may apply for a review decision on a reviewable matter.

Regulation 2 provides that the Board must give a review decision on any reviewable matter on the written application of an interested person.

Regulation 3 prescribes the period within which an application for a review decision must be made and provides for the circumstances in which the Board must give a review decision following an application made outside that period.

Regulation 4 sets out the matters to be addressed or included in an application for a review decision on any reviewable matter.

Regulation 5 provides for the Board to notify certain persons who may be materially affected by the review decision that an application has been received and of the grounds on which it has been made.

Regulation 6 provides that the Board may give a review decision otherwise than on an application on certain reviewable matters.

Regulation 7 provides that where the Board decides to give a review decision otherwise than on an application it must notify certain persons.

Regulation 8 provides that interested persons may make written representations to the Board by such time as the Board may require.

Regulation 9 sets out the matters to be considered by the Board in giving a review decision under regulation 2 or 6(1).

Regulation 10 provides for the period within which the Board must give a review decision and for an interim reply to be given setting out the reasons for any delay and the expected date for issuing the decision. Similar provision is made in respect of a review decision made otherwise than on an application.

Regulation 11 sets out the powers that the Board has in giving a review decision under regulation 2 or 6(1), including a power to vary, revoke or substitute a determination to pay compensation and to make saving and transitional provision.

Regulation 12 provides for a review decision to be given in writing and for the matters to be included in the decision.

Regulation 13 provides that the Board must send a copy of a review decision to certain persons.

Regulation 14 provides that where the Board has given a review decision and an interested person makes an application for the reviewable matter to be reconsidered the Reconsideration Committee must give a reconsideration decision.

Regulation 15 provides that an application for reconsideration must be made in writing and must be made by sending it to the Reconsideration Committee within 28 days of the date of issue of the review decision and for the circumstances in which the Reconsideration Committee may accept an application made outside that period and give a reconsideration decision.

Regulation 16 sets out the matters to be addressed or included in an application for a reconsideration decision.

Regulation 17 provides for the Reconsideration Committee to notify certain persons that an application has been received and of the grounds on which it has been made.

Regulation 18 provides that the Reconsideration Committee may give a reconsideration decision otherwise than on an application on certain reviewable matters.

Regulation 19 provides that where the Reconsideration Committee decides to give a reconsideration decision otherwise than on an application it must notify certain persons.

Regulation 20 provides that an interested person may make written representations to the Reconsideration Committee by such time as the Reconsideration Committee may require.

Regulation 21 sets out the matters to be considered by the Reconsideration Committee in giving a reconsideration decision under regulation 14(1) or 18(1).

Regulation 22 provides for the period within which the Reconsideration Committee must give a reconsideration decision and for an interim reply to be given setting out the reasons for any delay and the expected date for issuing the decision. Similar provision is also made in respect of a reconsideration decision made otherwise than on an application.

Regulation 23 sets out the powers that the Reconsideration Committee has in giving a reconsideration decision under regulation 14(1) or 18(1).

Regulation 24 sets out the procedure for reaching and giving a reconsideration decision.

Regulation 25 provides that the Reconsideration Committee must send a copy of a reconsideration decision to certain persons.

Regulation 26 modifies paragraph 15 of Schedule 5 to the Act to provide that a Reconsideration Committee (or any sub-committee established by it) must not include any person concerned with the reviewable matter in respect of which a reconsideration decision is to be made.

Regulation 27 provides for the appointment of a representative.

Article 189 of the Order, under which these Regulations are made, was brought into operation, for the purpose only of authorising the making of regulations, on 25th February 2005 and for all other purposes on 6th April 2005, by virtue of the Pensions (2005 Order) (Commencement No. 1 and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005 No. 48 (C. 5)).

As these Regulations are made before the end of the period of six months beginning with the coming into operation of the provisions of the Order by virtue of which they are made, the requirement to consult under Article 289(1) of the Order does not apply by virtue of paragraph (2)(c) of that Article.


Notes:

[1] S.I. 2005/255 (N.I. 1); Part II is modified in its application to partially guaranteed schemes by S.R. 2005 No. 55, in its application to hybrid schemes by S.R. 2005 No. 84, and in its application to multi-employer schemes by S.R. 2005 No. 91back

[2] Article 75 is amended by Article 248 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005back

[3] 2004 c. 35back

[4] Paragraph 3A is inserted by regulation 4(a) of S.R. 2005 No. 127back

[5] Paragraphs 8 and 9 are modified by regulation 3 of S.R. 2005 No. 127back

[6] Paragraphs 15A and 15B are inserted by regulation 3(c) of S.R. 2005 No. 127back

[7] Paragraph 17A is inserted by regulation 4(b) of S.R. 2005 No. 127back



ISBN 0 337 95898 X


 © Crown copyright 2005

Prepared 4 April 2005


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