Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013

6 U.K. After section 41 (duty to remedy effects of completed or anticipated mergers) insert—

“41A Time-limit for discharging duty under section 41

(1) The CMA shall discharge its duty under section 41(2) within the period of 12 weeks beginning with the date on which it publishes the report concerned under section 38.

(2) The CMA may extend, by no more than 6 weeks, the period within which its duty under section 41(2) shall be discharged if it considers that there are special reasons for doing so.

(3) The CMA may extend the period within which its duty under section 41(2) shall be discharged if it considers that a relevant person has failed (whether with or without reasonable excuse) to comply with any requirement of a notice under section 109 which is given in relation to the reference.

(4) In subsection (3), “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).

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), 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.

(6) An extension under subsection (2) or (3) comes into force when published under section 107.

(7) An extension under subsection (3) continues in force until—

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

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

41B Section 41A: supplementary

(1) A period extended under section 41A(2) may also be extended under section 41A(3), and a period extended under section 41A(3) may also be extended under section 41A(2).

(2) No more than one extension is possible under section 41A(2).

(3) Where a period is extended or further extended under section 41A(2) or (3), the period as extended or (as the case may be) further extended is, subject to subsections (4) and (5), to be calculated by taking the period being extended and adding to it the period of the extension (whether or not those periods overlap in time).

(4) Subsection (5) applies where—

(a) the period within which the CMA must discharge its duty under section 41(2) is further extended;

(b) the further extension and at least one previous extension is made under section 41A(3); and

(c) the same days or fractions of days are included in or comprise the further extension and are included in or comprise at least one such previous extension.

(5) In calculating the period of the further extension, any days or fractions of days of the kind mentioned in subsection (4)(c) are to be disregarded.

(6) The Secretary of State may by order amend section 41A so as to alter either or both of the following periods—

(a) the period of 12 weeks mentioned in subsection (1) of that section or any period for the time being mentioned in that subsection in substitution for that period;

(b) the period of 6 weeks mentioned in subsection (2) of that section or any period for the time being mentioned in that subsection in substitution for that period.

(7) But no alteration may be made by virtue of subsection (6) which results in—

(a) the period for the time being mentioned in section 41A(1) exceeding 12 weeks; or

(b) the period for the time being mentioned in section 41A(2) exceeding 6 weeks.

(8) Before making an order under subsection (6) the Secretary of State shall consult the CMA and such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.”

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 8 para. 6 partly in force; sch. 8 para. 6 in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent, see s.103(1)(i)