Part 2: Arbitration Approved arbitration bodies Section 7: Approval of arbitration bodies
Subsection (1) provides for the Secretary of State to approve an arbitration body or bodies to carry out the functions of an "approved arbitration body" as set out in section 8. It is a function of an approved arbitration body to deliver arbitration as a dispute resolution service to settle commercial rent disputes under this Act.
	Subsection (2) sets out the requirement for the Secretary of State to approve only those arbitration bodies which are suitable to become an "approved arbitration body" and carry out the functions under section 8.
	Subsection (3) enables the Secretary of State to withdraw approval granted under subsection (1) if an arbitration body ceases to be deemed suitable by the Secretary of State.
	Subsection (4) states that should the Secretary of State decide that an arbitration body is no longer suitable, as mentioned in subsection (3), the Secretary of State must notify the arbitration body of an intent to withdraw the approval given under subsection (1) and give the body an opportunity to make representations before the approval is withdrawn.
	Subsection (5) provides that where an approval under subsection (1) is withdrawn, the Secretary of State must make arrangements in relation to fees and expenses, including requiring the body to repay any fees and expenses paid to it, for example for any matters not dealt with, or determining the fees and expenses that the body should be entitled to.
	Subsection (6) provides that if the Secretary of State withdraws approval of an arbitration body, this does not invalidate the actions of that body before the withdrawal. This means that the withdrawal of approval would not undo anything done by or in relation to the body until that point, including the appointment of an arbitrator, and that awards made would still stand. Where any proceedings were ongoing, it would be for the arbitrator (whether the same one or a replacement arbitrator appointed by the successor body) to decide the extent to which the previous proceedings should stand (see section 27(4) of the Arbitration Act 1996).
	Subsection (7) requires the Secretary of State to maintain a list of approved arbitration bodies and to publish it.