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Commercial Payments Bill [HL]

Moved by

Lord Fox

27: Clause 18, page 22, line 35, at end insert—

“(5A) The adjudicator must reach a decision determining a relevant payment dispute before the end of the period of 60 days beginning with the day on which the dispute is referred to adjudication under the scheme.

(5B) The adjudicator may compel parties to share relevant information with itself, if the sharing of such information is necessary for the fulfilment of the duty under subsection (5A).

(5C) The Commissioner may extend the period in subsection (5A), in relation to a particular dispute, by such further period as the Commissioner considers reasonable, having regard in particular to the complexity of the dispute and the conduct of the parties.

(5D) Where the Commissioner extends the period under subsection (5C), the Commissioner must notify the parties of the extension and of the reasons for it.”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment requires payment disputes referred to the adjudication scheme to be resolved within 60 days, unless the Small Business Commissioner considers a longer period reasonable.