12Mediation of disputes

12 Mediation of disputes

(1)  Subject to subsection (5) , if a dispute arises as to the activities of a licensee under a licence, a party to the dispute may request the Regulator to mediate in the dispute.

(2)  If the Regulator has been requested under subsection (1) to mediate in a dispute, the Regulator –

(a) may mediate, or decline to mediate, in the dispute; and

(b) may give, to the parties to the dispute, directions to assist in the resolution of the matters to which the dispute relates; and

(c) must make a reasonable attempt to assist the parties to agree to a settlement, of the dispute, that is negotiated between the parties.

(3)  If the parties to a dispute in which the Regulator has mediated agree to a settlement of the dispute, the parties and the Regulator must sign a document setting out the terms of the settlement.

(4)  The terms of a settlement of a dispute signed under subsection (3) are binding on the parties to the dispute.

(5)  This section does not apply to a dispute between a licensee and a customer to whom gas is retailed.