Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]

Session 2012 - 13
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Other Bills before Parliament

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
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Will this law mean other changes to the law?
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Amendments and transition
(1)
Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments etc
subject to investigation) at the appropriate place insert—
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“Groceries Code Adjudicator.”
(2)
House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
(other disqualifying offices) at the appropriate place insert—
“Groceries Code Adjudicator or Deputy Groceries Code
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Adjudicator.”
(3)
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (public
authorities) at the appropriate place insert -
“Groceries Code Adjudicator.”
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(4)
Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40)
In each of Schedules 14 and 15 to the Enterprise Act 2002 (provisions about
disclosure of information) at the appropriate place insert—

“Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2012.”
(5)
Section 161(5) the Enterprise Act 2002 (limitation on variation or revocation of
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orders) does not apply to a variation of the Groceries Supply Order made in
consequence of this Act.
(6)
Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 1)

Until the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010 is in force in relation any to
arbitrations carried out by the Adjudicator, or a person appointed by the
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Adjudicator, that Act applies as if it were in force in relation to those
arbitrations.
Definitions and final provisions
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Definitions
In this Act—
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“the Adjudicator” means the Groceries Code Adjudicator;
“direct supplier” means a person who is a supplier within the meaning
given by Article 2 of the Groceries Supply Order;
“dispute” has the meaning given by Article 2 of the Groceries Supply
Order;
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“financial year” means—
(a)
the period beginning with the day on which section 1 comes
into force and ending with the following 31 March; and
(b)
each successive period of 12 months;
“Groceries Code” means the code of practice set out in Schedule 1 to the
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Groceries Supply Order;

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
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“Groceries Supply Order” means the Groceries (Supply Chain Practices)
Market Investigation Order 2009, made by the Competition
Commission under section 161 of the Enterprise Act 2002;
“indirect supplier” means a person who would be a supplier within the
meaning given by Article 2 of the Groceries Supply Order but for the
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reference to direct supply;
“large retailer” means a designated retailer as defined by Article 2 of the
Groceries Supply Order;
“supplier” means—
(a)
a direct supplier; or
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(b)
an indirect supplier;
“supply agreement” has the meaning given by Article 2 of the Groceries
Supply Order.
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Orders
(1)
Orders under this Act are to be made by statutory instrument.
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(2)
A statutory instrument containing an order under section 9(1) or 16(1) or (2)(a)
or (b) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before
and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
(3)
Any other statutory instrument under this Act, other than one that contains
only an order under section 25, is subject to annulment as an instrument to
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which section 5(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 applies.
(4)
Orders under this Act may include measures that are consequential,
supplementary, incidental, transitional or transitory.
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Extent
This Act extends to—
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(a)
England and Wales;
(b)
Scotland; and
(c)
Northern Ireland.
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Commencement
(1)
Sections 1 to 21 and the Schedules come into force on whatever day the
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Secretary of State by order appoints.
(2)
The other provisions of this Act come into force on the day on which this Act
is passed.
(3)
An order under subsection (1) may make different provision for different
purposes.
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Short title
This Act may be cited as the Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2012.

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
Schedule 1 — The Adjudicator
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Schedules
Schedule 1
Section 1

The Adjudicator
Status
1
The Adjudicator is a corporation sole.
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2
The Adjudicator carries out functions on behalf of the Crown.
Appointment
3
The Adjudicator is to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
Deputy Adjudicator
4
The Secretary of State may appoint a Deputy Adjudicator.
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5
The Deputy Adjudicator may carry out any of the Adjudicator’s functions.
Term of office etc
6
A person holds and vacates office as the Adjudicator or Deputy Adjudicator
in accordance with the terms of his or her appointment, but—
(a)
a person’s initial term of office may not be more than four years;
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(b)
a person may be appointed for one or two further terms of office;
(c)
a further term may not be more than three years;
(d)
a person may resign by giving written notice to the Secretary of State;
and
(e)
the Secretary of State may dismiss the person if satisfied that the
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person is unable, unwilling or unfit to perform his or her functions.
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Service as the Adjudicator, or as the Deputy Adjudicator, is not service in the
civil service of the state.
Remuneration
8     (1)
The Adjudicator may pay to or in respect of the person holding office as the
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Adjudicator or the Deputy Adjudicator—
(a)
remuneration;
(b)
allowances;
(c)
sums by way of or in respect of pensions.
      (2)
The Secretary of State must determine rates and eligibility criteria for the
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payments.

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
Schedule 1 — The Adjudicator
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Staff
9     (1)
The Adjudicator may make arrangements with the Secretary of State or any
other public authority for staff to be seconded to the Adjudicator.
      (2)
The arrangements may include provision for payments by the Adjudicator.
Conflicts of interest
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10    (1)
The Adjudicator must make procedural arrangements for dealing with any
conflict of interest affecting—
(a)
the Adjudicator;
(b)
the Deputy Adjudicator; or
(c)
staff working for the Adjudicator.
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      (2)
The Adjudicator must consult the Secretary of State before making or
revising the arrangements.
      (3)
The Adjudicator must publish a summary of the arrangements.
11    (1)
This paragraph applies if both the Adjudicator and the Deputy Adjudicator
are unable to act in relation to a matter because of conflicts of interest.
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      (2)
The Secretary of State must appoint a person to act as a Deputy Adjudicator
if asked to do so by the Adjudicator.
      (3)
An acting Deputy Adjudicator may carry out any of the Adjudicator’s
functions for the purpose of dealing with the matter in respect of which he
or she is appointed.
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      (4)
A person holds and vacates office as an acting Deputy Adjudicator in
accordance with the terms of his or her appointment (subject to sub-
paragraph (5)).
      (5)
Paragraphs 6(d) and (e) and 7 and 8 apply to an acting Deputy Adjudicator
as they apply to the Deputy Adjudicator.
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Validity of acts
12
A defect in appointment does not affect the validity of things done by—
(a)
the Adjudicator;
(b)
the Deputy Adjudicator; or
(c)
an acting Deputy Adjudicator.
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Application of seal and proof of documents
13
The application of the Adjudicator’s seal must be authenticated by the
signature of—
(a)
the Adjudicator; or
(b)
some other person who has been authorised by the Adjudicator for
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that purpose (whether generally or specially).
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A document purporting to be duly executed under the seal—
(a)
is to be received in evidence; and
(b)
is to be treated as duly executed unless the contrary is shown.

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL]
Schedule 1 — The Adjudicator
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Accounts
15    (1)
The Adjudicator must keep proper accounts and proper records in relation
to the accounts.
      (2)
For each financial year the Adjudicator must prepare a statement of accounts
in respect of that financial year.
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      (3)
The statement must be in whatever form the Secretary of State directs.
      (4)
The Adjudicator must send a copy of the statement, within a period
specified by the Secretary of State, to—
(a)
the Secretary of State; and
(b)
the Comptroller and Auditor General.
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      (5)
After the Adjudicator has sent a copy of a statement of accounts to the
Comptroller and Auditor General, the Comptroller and Auditor General
must—
(a)
examine, certify and report on the statement; and
(b)
send a copy of the certified statement and the report to the Secretary
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of State as soon as possible.
      (6)
The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a copy of the certified
statement and of the report.
Incidental powers
16
The Adjudicator may do anything that is calculated to facilitate the carrying
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out of the Adjudicator’s functions or is conducive or incidental to the
carrying out of those functions.
Assistance from Office of Fair Trading
17
The Office of Fair Trading may provide staff, premises, facilities or other
assistance to the Adjudicator (with or without charge).
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Exemption from liability for damages
18    (1)
The following are exempt from liability in damages for anything done or
omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of their functions—
(a)
the Adjudicator;
(b)
the Deputy Adjudicator;
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(c)
acting Deputy Adjudicators;
(d)
staff working for the Adjudicator.
      (2)
But sub-paragraph (1) does not apply—
(a)
if the act or omission is shown to have been in bad faith; or
(b)
so as to prevent an award of damages made in respect of an act or
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omission on the ground that the act or omission was unlawful as a
result of section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.