Enterprise Act 2002

39 Time-limits for investigations and reports U.K.

(1) The [F1 CMA] shall prepare and publish its report under section 38 within the period of 24 weeks beginning with the date of the reference concerned.

(2) [F2 Where article 9(6) of the European Merger Regulations applies in relation to the reference under section 22 or 33, the Commission shall prepare and publish its report under section 38—

(a) within the period of 24 weeks beginning with the date of the reference; or

(b) if it is a shorter period, within such period as is necessary to ensure compliance with that article.]

(3) The [F1 CMA] may extend, by no more than 8 weeks, the period within which a report under section 38 is to be prepared and published if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be prepared and published within that period.

(4) The [F3 CMA] may extend the period within which a report under section 38 is to be prepared and published if it considers that a relevant person has failed (whether with or without a reasonable excuse) to comply with any requirement of a notice under section 109.

(5) In [F4 this section] “relevant person” means—

(a) any person carrying on any of the enterprises concerned;

(b) any person who (whether alone or as a member of a group) owns or has control of any such person; or

(c) any officer, employee or agent of any person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) a person or group of persons able, directly or indirectly, to control or materially to influence the policy of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate, but without having a controlling interest in that body of persons, may be treated as having control of it.

(7) An extension under subsection (3) or (4) shall come into force when published under section 107.

(8) An extension under subsection (4) shall continue in force until—

(a) the person concerned provides the information or documents to the satisfaction of the [F3 CMA] or (as the case may be) appears as a witness in accordance with the requirements of the [F3 CMA]; or

(b) the [F3 CMA] publishes its decision to cancel the extension.

[F5 (8A) In the case of a report on a reference under section 33, the CMA may provide that a specified period of no more than 3 weeks is to be disregarded for the purposes of any time-limit for the preparation and publication of the report which applies by virtue of this section if—

(a) a relevant person has so requested before the end of the period of 3 weeks beginning with the date of the reference concerned; and

(b) the CMA reasonably believes that the arrangements in question might be abandoned.

(8B) If the CMA exercises the power under subsection (8A), the CMA shall publish a notice to that effect.]

(9) References in this Part to the date of a reference shall be construed as references to the date specified in the reference as the date on which it is made.

(10) This section is subject to section 40.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 39(1)(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 79 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F2 S. 39(2) ceased to have effect (1.5.2004) by virtue of The EC Merger Control (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1079), reg. 2, Sch. para. 2(10)

F3 Word in s. 39(4)(8) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 79 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F4 Words in s. 39(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 8 para. 5(2); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F5 S. 39(8A)(8B) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 8 para. 5(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 3 modified (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 4 para. 56; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(c) (with Sch.)