Regulation 1 Citation, commencement and interpretation

These Regulations may be cited as the Occupational Pension Schemes (Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures) Regulations 1996 and shall come into force on 6th April 1997.

In these Regulations—

• “the Act” means the Pensions Act 1995^f1;

• “scheme” means an occupational pension scheme within the meaning of section 1 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993^f2; and

• “prospective member” means any person who, under the terms of his contract of service or the scheme rules—

  1. (a)

     is able, at his own option, to become a member of the scheme,

  2. (b)

     will become so able if he continues in the same employment for a sufficiently long period,

  3. (c)

     will be admitted to it automatically unless he makes an election not to become a member, or

  4. (d)

     may be admitted to it subject to the consent of his employer.