Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013

48 Extension of power to issue warrants to CAT U.K.

(1) Section 194 of the 2002 Act (power to enter premises under a warrant) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for the words from the beginning to “if he is satisfied” substitute “ On an application made to it by the CMA or, in Scotland, the procurator fiscal, the appropriate body may issue a warrant if it is satisfied ”.

(3) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) In subsection (1), “appropriate body” means—

(a) in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, the High Court or the Competition Appeal Tribunal;

(b) in Scotland, the sheriff.”

(4) After subsection (4) insert—

“(4A) An application for a warrant under this section must be made—

(a) in the case of an application to the High Court or the sheriff, in accordance with rules of court;

(b) in the case of an application to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, in accordance with rules made under section 15.”

(5) In Schedule 4 to that Act, before paragraph 11, but after the cross-heading immediately preceding it, insert—

“10A (1) Tribunal rules may make provision as to proceedings on an application for a warrant under section 194 of this Act or section 28, 28A, 62, 62A, 63, 65G or 65H of the 1998 Act, including provision—

(a) for the Tribunal dealing with the proceedings to consist only of the President or a member of the panel of chairmen;

(b) as to the manner in which the proceedings are to be conducted, including provision—

(i) for such applications to be determined without a hearing;

(ii) in cases where there is a hearing, for it to be held in private if the Tribunal considers it appropriate because it is considering information of a kind mentioned in paragraph 1(2);

(c) as to the persons entitled to be heard in such proceedings (where there is a hearing);

(d) for requiring persons to attend to give evidence and produce documents, and for authorising the administration of oaths to witnesses;

(e) as to the evidence which may be required or admitted and the extent to which it should be oral or written;

(f) allowing the Tribunal to fix time-limits with respect to any aspect of the proceedings and to extend any time-limit (before or after its expiry).

(2) Paragraphs 2 to 8, and 11 to 17, of this Schedule do not apply in relation to the institution or conduct of proceedings for a warrant mentioned in sub-paragraph (1).”

(6) In section 14 of that Act (constitution of Tribunal for particular proceedings and its decisions), in subsection (5), for “paragraph 18” substitute “ paragraphs 10A(1)(a) and 18 ”.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 48 partly in force; s. 48 in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent, see s. 103(1)(i)