Dispute Resolution


Dispute Resolution is governed by Part 4 (sections 40 to 47) of the Oilcode.

The Minister has appointed a Dispute Resolution Adviser under section 41. That person is David Newton of The Accord Group. He was Oilcode Conciliator under the voluntary industry Oilcode which existed between 1990 and 1996. In that role, he conciliated 75 industry disputes.

There are two main types of disputes that the Oilcode governs: Disputes about Supply of a Declared Petroleum Product and Other Disputes.

The Oilcode also allows wholesale suppliers to notify the Dispute Resolution Adviser of any interruption of supply of a Declared Petroleum Product or shortfall of supply if they wish to make such a notification.

Section 42(2) of Oilcode: Disputes about supply of a declared petroleum product — advice about supply

(1) This section applies if:
  1. a wholesale supplier’s supply of a declared petroleum product has been interrupted; or,
  2. a wholesale supplier has a shortfall of supply.

(2) The wholesale supplier may inform the dispute resolution adviser of:

  1. the location of the wholesale facility at which the interruption or shortfall has occurred; and
  2. the declared petroleum product affected by the interruption or shortfall; and
  3. the expected duration of the interruption or shortfall; and
  4. the reason why the interruption or shortfall has occurred.

See Online Enquiry.

Parties are still free to commence their own legal action at any time but following the Oilcode's dispute resolution process is expected to result in quicker and less costly dispute resolution.