Regulation 15 ExemptionsI1

The circumstances described in this regulation are those set out in paragraphs (2) to (4) and (6) to (8): provided that the circumstances set out in paragraphs (6) to (8) will only apply where the electricity distributor makes reasonable efforts to notify the customer or the relevant authority (as appropriate) of the occurrence of such circumstances as soon as reasonably practicable after their occurrence.

The customer or relevant authority (as appropriate) informs the electricity distributor before the contravention time that he or it does not wish the electricity distributor to take any action, or any further action, in relation to the matter.

The customer or relevant authority (as appropriate) agrees with the electricity distributor that the action taken by the electricity distributor before the contravention time is to be treated as the taking by the electricity distributor of the action required by the regulation (and, where the action taken by the electricity distributor includes a promise to perform any action (whether before or after the contravention time), the electricity distributor duly keeps that promise).

Where information or a request is (or is required to be) provided by the customer or relevant authority (as appropriate), and the information is provided to an address or email account or by use of a telephone number other than any address, email account or telephone number that the electricity distributor has advised the customer or relevant authority is appropriate for the receipt of information of that type or, in the case of information given by telephone for the purpose of regulation 10(2), was given outside such reasonable hours as the electricity distributor has advised the relevant authority are the hours during which the telephone number will be available for the receipt of information of that type.

For the purposes of paragraph (4), the electricity distributor may advise the customer or relevant authority (as appropriate) by publishing the address, the email account, the telephone number or the hours in such a manner as may be appropriate for the purpose of bringing the advice to the attention of customers or relevant authorities likely to be affected by it.

It was not reasonably practicable for the electricity distributor to take the action required by the regulation before the contravention time as a result of—

The electricity distributor reasonably considers that the information given by the customer or the relevant authority (as appropriate) is frivolous or vexatious.

The electricity distributor reasonably considers that the customer or relevant authority (as appropriate) has committed an offence under paragraph 6 of Schedule 6 to the Act^f3, or under paragraph 11 of Schedule 7 to the Act.

In this regulation, “contravention time” means the time at which, if this regulation did not apply, the electricity distributor would become liable to pay the prescribed sum to the customer or relevant authority as appropriate.