33F   Review of certain decisions under gas industry ombudsman scheme

(cf section 96A of Electricity Supply Act 1995)

(1)  A small retail customer, and any other person of a class prescribed by the regulations, may apply to the gas industry ombudsman under an approved gas industry ombudsman scheme for review of a decision in a dispute or complaint to which the scheme relates.

(2)  Except as provided by the scheme or by the regulations, a person does not have a right of review under this section in respect of a decision for which a review may be sought under section 33E unless the decision has been the subject of review under that section.

(3)  A review under this section is to be free of charge to small retail customers and to other persons of such classes as are prescribed by the regulations.

(4)  This section does not affect any jurisdiction that the Fair Trading Tribunal has under the Consumer Claims Act 1998 or the Residential Tribunal has under the Residential Tribunal Act 1998.

(5)  The gas industry ombudsman may decline to deal with a matter if it has been, is being or should be dealt with by another person or tribunal or there are, in the ombudsman’s opinion, not sufficient grounds for further investigation.

(6)  Without limiting subsection (5), the gas industry ombudsman may deal with a matter by making arrangements for it to be referred to another person or tribunal.