Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Great Britain definition

What does Great Britain mean? In legal drafting and statutory contexts, Great Britain describes England, Wales and Scotland (including their smaller offshore islands), and excludes Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands). It is principally a geographical expression rather than a term of art. Many UK statutes and regulations use “Great Britain” to set territorial extent or application, and individual enactments may state expressly whether adjacent waters or specified islands are included. There is no single universal statutory definition; scope is set by the instrument in question. Typical uses include: defining the territorial extent of legislation (for example,...

Authorising generation, distribution and supply in Great Britain: Electricity Act 1989 licences, exemptions, Licence Lite and recent supply licence reforms

Published by a LexisNexis Energy expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note examines the framework for authorising (by licence or exemption) the activities of generating, distributing and Supplying electricity in Great Britain (GB). It does not cover electricity transmission, the operation of interconnectors, multi purpose interconnectors (MPIs), smart meter communications services, or licensing of electricity system operation. For a detailed overview of the wider electricity sector licensing regime, which includes those other arEAs, see Practice Note: An Introduction to Electricity Licensing in Great Britain.

What are the licensing requirements under the Electricity Act 1989 (EA 1989)?

It is an offence (punishable by fine) to undertake any of the following ‘licensable activities’ within the electricity sector in GB unless authorised by a licence or an exemption:

generating electricity with the intention of providing a supply to any premises, or enabling such a supply to be provided
distributing electricity for that purpose
supplying electricity to any premises

Other types of licensable activities that in GB demand a licence or an exemption include electricity transmission, electricity system operation, taking part in the operation of an interconnector or an MPI, and delivering a smart meter communication service. As noted above, these activities are not examined in detail in this Practice...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...