Part 4Market Investigations

Chapter 1Market investigation references

Making of references

131 Power of OFT to make references

(1)

The OFT may, subject to subsection (4), make a reference to the Commission if the OFT has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any feature, or combination of features, of a market in the United Kingdom for goods or services prevents, restricts or distorts competition in connection with the supply or acquisition of any goods or services in the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom.

(2)

For the purposes of this Part any reference to a feature of a market in the United Kingdom for goods or services shall be construed as a reference to—

(a)

the structure of the market concerned or any aspect of that structure;

(b)

any conduct (whether or not in the market concerned) of one or more than one person who supplies or acquires goods or services in the market concerned; or

(c)

any conduct relating to the market concerned of customers of any person who supplies or acquires goods or services.

(3)

In subsection (2) “conduct” includes any failure to act (whether or not intentional) and any other unintentional conduct.

(4)

No reference shall be made under this section if—

(a)

the making of the reference is prevented by section 156(1); or

(b)

a reference has been made under section 132 in relation to the same matter but has not been finally determined.

(5)

References in this Part to a market investigation reference being finally determined shall be construed in accordance with section 183(3) to (6).

(6)

In this Part—

“market in the United Kingdom” includes—

(a)

so far as it operates in the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom, any market which operates there and in another country or territory or in a part of another country or territory; and

(b)

any market which operates only in a part of the United Kingdom;

“market investigation reference” means a reference under this section or section 132;

and references to a market for goods or services include references to a market for goods and services.