Section 278 Compensation to individuals for damage resulting from exercise of powers under Act.C5 C1 C2 C3

England and Wales

C4(1)

Subject to the provisions of this section, a local authority shall make full compensation to any person who has sustained damage by reason of the exercise by the authority of any of their powers under this Act in relation to a matter as to which he has not himself been in default.

(2)

Any dispute arising under this section as to the fact of damage, or as to the amount of compensation, shall be determined by arbitration:

Provided that, if the compensation claimed does not exceed fifty pounds, all questions as to the fact of damage, liability to pay compensation and the amount of compensation may on the application of either party be determined by, and any compensation awarded may be recovered before, a court of summary jurisdiction.

(3)

No person shall be entitled by virtue of this section to claim compensation F1. . . on the ground that he has sustained damage by reason of any action of a local authority in respect of which the authority are by this Act authorised to pay compensation if they think fit.

(4)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 278(3) repealed (1.12.1991) by Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991 (c. 60), ss. 3, 4(2), Sch. 3 Pt.1 (with s. 2(4), Sch. 2 paras. 10, 14(1), 15).
F2: Ss. 278(4), 279 repealed by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 69, Sch. 8 para. 2(5), Sch. 27 Pt. I (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 13(2)(3), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58)

Modifications

C1

S. 278 applied (with modifications) (13.7.2004) by London Local Authorities Act 2004 (c. i), ss. 1(1), 9, Sch. 1

C2

S. 278 applied (with modifications) (19.9.2007) by London Local Authorities Act 2007 (c. ii), s. 1(3), Sch. 1

C3

S. 278 modified (21.9.2008) by London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2008 (c. iii), ss. 1(2), 11(4), Sch. 1

C4

S. 278(1)(2) extended by Public Health Act 1961 (c. 64), s. 54(7); S.I. 1966/1305, art. 5(1); S.I. 1968/1366, art. 12 and Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 14 Pt. I para. 20

C5

S. 278 amended by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 69, Sch. 8 para. 1(2)(b) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 13(3), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

S. 278 applied (27.8.1993) by 1993 c. 11, ss. 62(1), 68(2)

S. 278 applied (with modifications) (20.9.2000) by 2000 c. vii, ss. 1(1), 19(10)(11)

Notes on Part XII

Modifications

C1

Pt. XII extended and amended (Greater London) by London Government Act 1963 (c. 33), Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 24; amended by Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), s. 76(1)

C2

Functions of the Minister of Housing and Local Government under Pt. XII in relation to or in consequence of ss. 25, 37, 38, 43, 53-55, 59(1), 60 (so far as it relates to proposed buildings), 61-67, 69-71, 137 now exercisable by Secretary of State: S.I. 1964/263, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II and S.I. 1970/1681, art. 2(1)

C3

Functions of the Minister of Housing and Local Government under Pt. XII in relation to s. 59(2)–(4) or s. 60 (so far as it relates to buildings other than proposed buildings) now exercisable by Secretary of State: S.I. 1964/263, art. 3

C4

References to local authorities and their districts in Pt.XII so far as it relates to ss. 15-24, 27-31, 33-36, 42 to be construed respectively as references to water authorities and their areas: Water Act 1973 (c. 37), s. 14(2)

C5