Pensions Act 2004

The Pensions Regulator Tribunal

102The Pensions Regulator Tribunal

(1)There shall be a tribunal to be known as the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (in this Act referred to as “the Tribunal”).

(2)The Tribunal is to have the functions conferred on it by this Act or any provisions in force in Northern Ireland corresponding to this Act.

(3)The Lord Chancellor may by rules make such provision as appears to him to be necessary or expedient in respect of the conduct of proceedings before the Tribunal.

(4)Schedule 4 (which makes provision as respects the Tribunal and its proceedings) has effect.

(5)But that Schedule does not limit the Lord Chancellor’s powers under this section.

103References to the Tribunal

(1)A reference to the Tribunal under this Act must be made—

(a)in the case of a reference under section 96(3) (referral following determination under standard procedure), during the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the determination notice in question is given,

(b)in the case of a reference under section 99(7) (referral following determination under special procedure), during the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the final notice in question is given, or

(c)in either case, during such other period as may be specified in rules made under section 102.

(2)Subject to rules made under section 102, the Tribunal may allow a reference to be made after the end of the relevant period specified in or under subsection (1).

(3)On a reference, the Tribunal may consider any evidence relating to the subject-matter of the reference, whether or not it was available to the Regulator at the material time.

(4)On a reference, the Tribunal must determine what (if any) is the appropriate action for the Regulator to take in relation to the matter referred to the Tribunal.

(5)On determining a reference, the Tribunal must remit the matter to the Regulator with such directions (if any) as the Tribunal considers appropriate for giving effect to its determination.

(6)Those directions may include directions to the Regulator—

(a)confirming the Regulator’s determination and any order, notice or direction made, issued or given as a result of it;

(b)to vary or revoke the Regulator’s determination, and any order, notice or direction made, issued or given as a result of it;

(c)to substitute a different determination, order, notice or direction;

(d)to make such savings and transitional provision as the Tribunal considers appropriate.

(7)The Regulator must act in accordance with the determination of, and any direction given by, the Tribunal (and accordingly sections 96 to 99 (standard and special procedure) do not apply).

(8)The Tribunal may, on determining a reference, make recommendations as to the procedure followed by the Regulator or the Determinations Panel.

(9)An order of the Tribunal may be enforced—

(a)as if it were an order of a county court, or

(b)in Scotland, as if it were an order of the Court of Session.

104Appeal on a point of law

(1)A party to a reference to the Tribunal may with permission appeal—

(a)to the Court of Appeal, or

(b)in Scotland, to the Court of Session,

on a point of law arising from a decision of the Tribunal disposing of the reference.

(2)“Permission” means permission given by—

(a)the Tribunal, or

(b)if it is refused by the Tribunal, by the Court of Appeal or, in Scotland, the Court of Session.

(3)If, on an appeal under subsection (1), the court considers that the decision of the Tribunal was wrong in law, it may—

(a)remit the matter to the Tribunal for rehearing and determination by it under section 103, or

(b)itself make a determination.

(4)An appeal may not be brought from a decision of the Court of Appeal under subsection (3) except with the leave of—

(a)the Court of Appeal, or

(b)the House of Lords.

(5)An appeal lies, with the leave of the Court of Session or the House of Lords, from any decision of the Court of Session under this section, and such leave may be given on such terms as to costs, expenses or otherwise as the Court of Session or the House of Lords may determine.

(6)Rules made under section 102 may make provision for regulating or prescribing any matters incidental to or consequential on an appeal under this section.

105Redetermination etc by the Tribunal

(1)This section applies where an application is made to the Tribunal for permission under section 104(2)(a) to appeal from a decision of the Tribunal disposing of a reference.

(2)If the person who constitutes, or is the chairman of, the Tribunal for the purposes of dealing with that application considers that the decision of the Tribunal disposing of the reference was wrong in law, he may set aside the decision and refer the matter—

(a)for rehearing and redetermination by the Tribunal under section 103, or

(b)for rehearing and determination under that section by a differently constituted Tribunal.

106Legal assistance scheme

(1)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations establish a scheme governing the provision of legal assistance in connection with proceedings before the Tribunal.

(2)The legal assistance scheme may, in particular, make provision as to—

(a)the kinds of legal assistance that may be provided;

(b)the persons by whom legal assistance may be provided;

(c)the manner in which applications for legal assistance are to be made;

(d)the criteria on which eligibility for legal assistance is to be determined;

(e)the persons or bodies by whom applications are to be determined;

(f)appeals against refusals of applications;

(g)the revocation or variation of decisions;

(h)its administration and the enforcement of its provisions.

(3)Legal assistance under the scheme may be provided subject to conditions or restrictions.

(4)Those conditions may include conditions as to the making of contributions by the person to whom the assistance is provided.

(5)The Lord Chancellor must fund, out of money provided by Parliament, the costs of the scheme including the costs of legal assistance provided under it.

(6)In this Part “the legal assistance scheme” means any scheme in force by virtue of subsection (1).