212man - the night VFR rules are in CAA information notice IN-2012/145
Introduction of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at Night in the UK
Choice of Visual Flight Rules or Instrument Flight Rules
1) The Civil Aviation Authority, in exercise of its powers under article 242 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 (ANO), exempts any aircraft from the requirement to be flown in accordance with Rule 20(2) of the Rules of the Air Regulations 2007, that provides for flight at night to be conducted under the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), subject to the conditions set out in paragraphs 2 and 3.
2) The aircraft must be flown in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) except that:
a) the deeming provisions in Rule 27(3) do not apply;
b) the exception at Rule 28(4) must not be relied upon; and
c) the exception at Rule 28(5) must not be relied upon unless the flight visibility is at least 3,000 metres.
Nothing to do with AOC or private.