Competition Act 1980

3 Preliminary investigation by Director of possible anti-competitive practice. U.K.

(1) If it appears to the Director that any person has been or is pursuing a course of conduct which may amount to an anti-competitive practice, the Director may in accordance with this section carry out an investigation with a view to establishing whether that person has been or is pursuing a course of conduct which does amount to such a practice.

F1 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) For the purposes of an investigation under this section the Director may, by notice in writing signed by him—

(a) require any person to produce, at a time and place specified in the notice, to the Director or to any person appointed by him for the purpose, any documents which are specified or described in the notice and which are documents in his custody or under his control and relating to any matter relevant to the investigation; or

(b) require any person carrying on any business to furnish to the Director such estimates, returns or other information as may be specified or described in the notice, and specify the time, the manner and the form in which any such estimates, returns or information are to be furnished;

but no person shall be compelled for the purpose of any such investigation to produce any document which he could not be compelled to produce in civil proceedings before the High Court or, in Scotland, the Court of Session or, in complying with any requirement for the furnishing of information, to give any information which he could not be compelled to give in evidence in such proceedings.

(8) Subsections [F2 (6)]to (8) of section 85 of the M1 Fair Trading Act 1973 (enforcement provisions relating to notices under sub-section (1) of that section requiring production of documents etc.) shall apply in relation to a notice under subsection (7) above as they apply in relation to a notice under subsection (1) of that section [F3 but as if, in subsection (7) of that section, for the words from “any one” to “the Commission” there were substituted “the Director”].

F1 (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 3(2)-(6)(9)(10) repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 12(3), 81, 82(2), Sch. 17

F2 “(6)” substituted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), s. 153, Sch. 20 para. 21

F3 Words inserted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), s. 153, Sch. 20 para. 21

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 3 modified (transfer of functions) by Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12, SIF 96), s. 50(3) and (E.W.S.) by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 43(3)

S. 3 amended (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), s. 31(4)(c), 35(4), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6)

C2 S. 3 modified (transfer of functions) (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231, art. 46(3)(4); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1)

C3 S. 3 modified (transfer of functions) and amended (E.W.S.) (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 43, s. 67(3)(4); S.I. 1994/571, art. 5

Ss. 2-10 modified (N.I.) (10.6.1996) by S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2), art. 23(6) (with Sch. 7 paras. 2, 3(2)); S.R. 1996/216, art. 2

C4 S. 3 extended (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 12(7), 82(2), Sch. 4 para. 1

C5 Ss. 2-10, 16: certain functions transferred (1.3.1996) by 1986 c. 44, s. 36A (as inserted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 10(1), Sch. 3 para. 43; S.I. 1996/218, art. 2)

Ss. 2-10, 16: certain functions transferred (N.I.) (10.6.1996) by S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2), art. 23(3) (with Sch. 7 paras. 2, 3(2)); S.R. 1996/216, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1973 c. 41.