SCHEDULE 7Enforcement regime for public interest and special public interest cases
2
(1)
Sub-paragraph (2) applies where an intervention notice or special intervention notice is in force.
(2)
The Secretary of State or the F1CMA may by order, for the purpose of preventing pre-emptive action—
(a)
prohibit or restrict the doing of things which the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the F1CMA considers would constitute pre-emptive action;
(b)
impose on any person concerned obligations as to the carrying on of any activities or the safeguarding of any assets;
(c)
provide for the carrying on of any activities or the safeguarding of any assets either by the appointment of a person to conduct or supervise the conduct of any activities (on such terms and with such powers as may be specified or described in the order) or in any other manner;
(d)
do anything which may be done by virtue of paragraph 19 of Schedule 8.
F2(2A)
Sub-paragraph (2B) applies where—
(a)
an intervention notice or special intervention notice is in force, and
(b)
the Secretary of State or the CMA has reasonable grounds for suspecting that pre-emptive action has or may have been taken.
(2B)
The Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the CMA may by order, for the purpose of restoring the position to what it would have been had the pre-emptive action not been taken or otherwise for the purpose of mitigating its effects—
(a)
do anything mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(b) to (d);
(b)
impose such other obligations, prohibitions or restrictions as it considers appropriate for that purpose.
F3(2C)
A person may, with the consent of the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the CMA, take action or action of a particular description where the action would otherwise constitute a contravention of an order under this paragraph by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the CMA.
(3)
Sub-paragraph (4) applies where an intervention notice is in force.
(4)
(5)
An order adopted under sub-paragraph (4)—
(a)
shall continue in force, in accordance with its terms, when adopted; and
(b)
may be varied or revoked by an order under this paragraph.
(6)
Any other order under this paragraph—
(a)
shall come into force at such time as is determined by or under the order; and
(b)
may be varied or revoked by another order.
(7)
References in this Part to orders under this paragraph shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include references to orders adopted under this paragraph; and references to the making of orders under this paragraph shall be construed accordingly.
(8)
An order which is in force under this paragraph in relation to a reference or possible reference under section 45 or (as the case may be) 62 shall cease to be in force if an undertaking under paragraph F7... 3 comes into force in relation to that reference.
(9)
An order under this paragraph shall, if it has not previously ceased to be in force, cease to be in force when the intervention notice concerned or (as the case may be) special intervention notice concerned ceases to be in force.
(10)
No order shall be made by the Secretary of State or the F8CMA under this paragraph before the making of a reference under section 45 or (as the case may be) 62 unlessF9—
(a)
the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the CMA has reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is or may be the case that two or more enterprises have ceased to be distinct or that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in two or more enterprises ceasing to be distinct; or
(b)
the order relates to a special merger situation which has been, or may have been, created.
(11)
The Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the F8CMA shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, consider any representations received by that person in relation to varying or revoking an order under this paragraph.
F10(12)
In this paragraph “pre-emptive action” means action which might prejudice the reference or possible reference concerned under section 45 or (as the case may be) 62 or impede the taking of any action under this Part which may be justified by the Secretary of State's decisions on the reference.