Health and Social Care Act 2012

Disclosure etc.E+W

9(1)Before making a report on a reference, giving or sending a notice under paragraph 8(5)(a) or (8) or publishing a notice under paragraph 8(12), the [F1CMA] must have regard to the following considerations.E+W

(2)The first consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable) any information the disclosure of which the [F2CMA] considers is contrary to the public interest.

(3)The second consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable)—

(a)commercial information the disclosure of which the [F2CMA] considers would or might significantly harm the legitimate business interests of the undertaking to which it relates, or

(b)information relating to the private affairs of an individual whose disclosure the [F2CMA] considers would or might significantly harm the individual's interests.

(4)The third consideration is the extent to which the disclosure of the information mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(a) or (b) is necessary for the purposes of the report.

(5)For the purposes of the law relating to defamation, absolute privilege attaches to the report or notice.