8.5 C
London
HomeSector InsightsCommercialSupreme Court decision allows operators to get additional rights on existing sites...

Supreme Court decision allows operators to get additional rights on existing sites (early)

Article kindly contributed by Kary Withers and Sarah Mogford, Clarke Willmott 

The Supreme Court has now handed down its decision in the cases of CTIL v Compton Beauchamp; CTIL v Ashloch; and On Tower v AP Wireless II (UK) Limited. The decision allows operators to acquire additional rights in respect of their existing sites.

The Background 

The Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”) came into force in December 2017, providing a new regime for telecoms operators to acquire and operate new sites. Paragraph 9 of the Code states that: ‘a code right in respect of land may only be conferred on an operator by an agreement between the occupier of the land and the operator’

Code rights can either be granted by a landowner consensually, or the operator can apply to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) under paragraph 20 of the Code for an agreement to be imposed granting the operator Code rights. 

The operators involved in the above cases had installed equipment and begun occupying sites before the Code came into force. They now wanted to acquire rights under the Code using paragraph 20. 

The Issue 

The Court of Appeal had previously decided that operators that were already in occupation could not acquire additional rights under the Code using paragraph 20. This is because the operators were already the “occupier of the land” for the purpose of paragraph 9 of the Code, and it is not possible for an operator to make a legal agreement with itself. 

The effect of the Court of Appeal’s decision was that: 

·        Operators that had existing agreements would have to wait until those agreements expired before they could seek to vary the terms. Part 5 of the Code allows operators or landowners to modify the terms of an existing agreement once the contractual term has expired. 

·        Operators that did not have any agreement with the landowner but were in occupation were precluded from obtaining any rights under the Code. 

·        The operators in these cases argued that this position was inconsistent with the purpose of the Code and that the fact that the operator seeking rights was already in occupation should be disregarded when considering who the “occupier of the land” was. 

The Decision 

The Supreme Court the found in favour of the operators on this point. 

The Supreme Court firstly noted that the word “occupier” has no fixed meaning but takes its meaning from the context in which appears. It then proceeded to consider whether the Code would operate in a way which was more consistent with the government’s stated aims and objectives if the fact that the operator was already in occupation were disregarded when considering who the “occupier of the land” was. 

The Supreme Court decided that preventing operators from acquiring additional rights during the term of an existing agreement or preventing operators from acquiring rights altogether on certain sites, was not consistent with the government’s aim that new improvements to digital infrastructure are rolled out across the country swiftly.

It also decided that allowing operators already in occupation to utilise paragraph 20 of the Code was more consistent with the language of the Code overall. 

The Supreme Court did, however, draw a distinction between operators acquiring new rights and modifying existing agreements. While operators will now be able to acquire new rights under paragraph 20 of the Code, they will only be allowed to modify an existing agreement in accordance with Part 5 of the Code once the term of the existing agreement has ended. 

The Impact 

There are a number of cases at the Tribunal which are stayed pending this decision being handed down. The operators in those cases will now be able to progress their claims for additional rights.

Landowners need to be aware that operators can now apply for additional rights during the term of existing agreements. There will undoubtedly be disputes as to whether what an operator has requested is strictly speaking an additional Code right or a variation of their existing agreement which is impermissible until the end of the term. 

The practical impact of the decision could be regarded as limited given that the Government had already committed to amending the definition of “occupier of the land” following the Court of Appeal decision (among other amendments to the Code). The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill, if enacted, will have a similar effect to the Supreme Court’s decision. 

The bill is currently at the Committee Stage in the House of Lords. 

Kary Withers is a partner at Clarke Willmott in Bristol and leads the firm’s specialist telecoms practice 

Sarah Mogford is a partner in the commercial property at Clarke Willmott in Bristol

latest articles

explore more

157 COMMENTS

  1. Its such a beautiful palette! The billionaire’s Fenty Beauty line this week shared a preview of an upcoming makeup line in collaboration with MSCHF, the company behind rapper Lil Nas X’s controversial Satan Shoes. Boots' star gift this week is Fenty's Fresh 'n' Fussy 4-piece gift set worth a massive £92, but fans can get their hands on it for just £35! The new cleansing bar is gentle enough to be used for the face and body. It’s also packed with nourishing ingredients like baobob oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, vitamin E and plantain extract to leave your skin feeling soft and extra hydrated. Contact Beauty Deals BFF In recent weeks between wishlists from the world of fashion, home and beauty, we have done nothing but recommend some of the most useful gifts for this 2022.
    https://fair-wiki.win/index.php?title=Best_rated_korean_skincare
    How to use the Stay All Day® Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner: Or view popular products Hooked On Beauty Stila’s Calligraphy Lip Stain softly coats lips in a sheer, lightweight and buildable pout-perfect pop of colour with a barely-there feel. I am generally not a Stila fan but these look fabulous. Stila Eyeshadow Refill Mystic Check out similar products based on the User Reaction of Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner that is better than others This is the perfect shade of brown liner. It comes out dark but is not as harsh as black. Perfect for a day-liner and offers great amount of shimmer. It goes on smooth and lasts as it is waterproof. Yes! Stila Cosmetics is a Leaping Bunny certified brand, which means that our entire supply chain, from ingredients to finished products are free from animal testing. The Leaping Bunny Program is the gold standard in cruelty-free certification.

  2. equilibrado de rotores
    Sistemas de equilibrado: clave para el funcionamiento fluido y optimo de las maquinas.

    En el mundo de la avances avanzada, donde la eficiencia y la estabilidad del equipo son de alta importancia, los aparatos de balanceo desempenan un papel fundamental. Estos aparatos dedicados estan concebidos para calibrar y asegurar componentes rotativas, ya sea en dispositivos de fabrica, transportes de transporte o incluso en electrodomesticos hogarenos.

    Para los tecnicos en soporte de dispositivos y los profesionales, operar con equipos de calibracion es fundamental para promover el rendimiento fluido y seguro de cualquier dispositivo dinamico. Gracias a estas opciones innovadoras sofisticadas, es posible minimizar significativamente las sacudidas, el zumbido y la esfuerzo sobre los sujeciones, mejorando la longevidad de piezas caros.

    Asimismo significativo es el funcion que desempenan los equipos de equilibrado en la servicio al consumidor. El asistencia profesional y el reparacion permanente usando estos equipos facilitan proporcionar servicios de excelente nivel, elevando la satisfaccion de los clientes.

    Para los responsables de proyectos, la aporte en estaciones de balanceo y dispositivos puede ser importante para aumentar la eficiencia y eficiencia de sus dispositivos. Esto es especialmente trascendental para los duenos de negocios que gestionan reducidas y pequenas organizaciones, donde cada elemento es relevante.

    Ademas, los dispositivos de equilibrado tienen una extensa implementacion en el campo de la prevencion y el gestion de excelencia. Permiten detectar probables defectos, impidiendo reparaciones caras y averias a los sistemas. Incluso, los informacion recopilados de estos dispositivos pueden usarse para mejorar metodos y aumentar la visibilidad en motores de exploracion.

    Las areas de utilizacion de los sistemas de calibracion incluyen diversas sectores, desde la produccion de transporte personal hasta el control del medio ambiente. No interesa si se considera de enormes elaboraciones productivas o pequenos establecimientos domesticos, los dispositivos de calibracion son esenciales para proteger un operacion efectivo y sin interrupciones.

  3. Equilibrado
    Sistemas de balanceo: clave para el funcionamiento fluido y óptimo de las equipos.

    En el campo de la ciencia contemporánea, donde la productividad y la seguridad del sistema son de alta relevancia, los equipos de balanceo juegan un función esencial. Estos sistemas específicos están creados para balancear y asegurar componentes dinámicas, ya sea en equipamiento de fábrica, medios de transporte de desplazamiento o incluso en equipos de uso diario.

    Para los técnicos en conservación de dispositivos y los especialistas, operar con aparatos de calibración es importante para proteger el operación estable y seguro de cualquier sistema dinámico. Gracias a estas herramientas tecnológicas modernas, es posible minimizar significativamente las movimientos, el sonido y la esfuerzo sobre los sujeciones, aumentando la tiempo de servicio de elementos importantes.

    Igualmente trascendental es el función que juegan los aparatos de calibración en la asistencia al cliente. El asistencia profesional y el mantenimiento constante usando estos sistemas posibilitan ofrecer prestaciones de gran estándar, elevando la satisfacción de los compradores.

    Para los responsables de emprendimientos, la financiamiento en estaciones de balanceo y dispositivos puede ser esencial para incrementar la rendimiento y eficiencia de sus dispositivos. Esto es sobre todo relevante para los emprendedores que dirigen reducidas y intermedias emprendimientos, donde cada detalle vale.

    Por otro lado, los dispositivos de balanceo tienen una amplia utilización en el campo de la seguridad y el control de calidad. Facilitan detectar potenciales defectos, impidiendo reparaciones onerosas y problemas a los dispositivos. Además, los resultados extraídos de estos aparatos pueden usarse para perfeccionar procedimientos y potenciar la reconocimiento en plataformas de consulta.

    Las campos de implementación de los equipos de calibración incluyen variadas sectores, desde la fabricación de transporte personal hasta el control ambiental. No influye si se habla de enormes fabricaciones productivas o pequeños locales caseros, los dispositivos de ajuste son fundamentales para promover un operación productivo y sin riesgo de paradas.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here