Enterprise Act 2002

E-quick package
Economy package
Premier package
Deluxe package
Legal requirements

E-quick*

£32.00

Economy

£82.00

Premier

£207.00

Deluxe

£557.00

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Further information

Private company limited by shares

No Annual Charges

Private company limited by shares

Annual Fee From: £50.00

Private company limited by shares

Annual Fee From: £175.00

Private company limited by shares

Annual Fee From: £525.00

Usefull links

Further information

Private Company Limited by Shares:

A private company limited by shares in England and Wales must have at least one director, one shareholder, and may have a secretary.

You need at least one person to form this type of company. If there is only one director, and that director is a natural person in your company, that director can also act as the secretary.

A company must have at least one director who is a natural person. This requirement is met if the office of director is held by a natural person as a corporation sole or otherwise by virtue of an office.

You can register a sole director' company, if you are familiar with the secretaries duties and responsibilities, because all of them belongs to a sole director.

The directors and secretary of your company can also be shareholders.

The Companies Act imposes no restriction on the minimum age of company directors. However Companies House will actively discourage the appointment of anyone under the age of 16 from taking up a company directorship on the grounds that the individuals concerned may not fully understand the legal liabilities that go with the position and for the most part will not have the experience necessary to perform the duties of a company director.

Under the Companies Act 2006, there is no restriction on any or all of the members/shareholders being from an overseas country (i.e. outside the United Kingdom in terms of residency, domicile, citizenship, place of incorporation or all or any of those concepts).

There is no requirement for the officers of your company to be UK citizens or residents, nor for them to hold valid work permits.

Owning, or being an officer of a UK company does not, however, grant you any right to live or work in the UK if you are a foreign national.

Your company must have a registered office address within England or Wales; this is the official address of your company and will be on the public record as such.

Your company must hold its official company documents at its registered office address: its register of shareholders, and its constitutional documents.

So long as you maintain a registered office address in England or Wales, you can conduct your business from any place in the world: you do not have to run your business from your registered office address.

Same-Day Company Formation: UK Company Registration with VAT and Apostille

Starting Business and Business Start-Up Advice from Leading Company Formation Agent

Ready Made Company, Off-The-Shelf Company & Aged Companies for Sale

Registering Guarantee Company and Setting Non-Profit Company with Nominees

Public Company Formations UK and Company Starting-Up Services with London Registered Agent

Delaware LLC Formation and Delaware Incorporation, Incorporating in Delaware or Forming LLC

Offshore Company Formation and Offshore Incorporation Company with Incorporated Agent

Offshore BVI Registration Company, Tax-Exempt Company & Non-Resident Companies Formation

Incorporate in Nevada: Benefits Incorporating in Nevada, Incorporation & Nevada LLC Formation

Companies Formations Service and Company Registrations Services Including Nominee Director: Company Registration Agents

Doing Business in Hong Kong: Hong Kong Company Incorporation and HK China Company Registration with LTD Formation

Incorporate in California: Benefits Incorporating in California, Incorporation & LLC Formations in California

Starting Business in Florida: Benefits Incorporating in Florida, Incorporation & LLC Formations Florida

Companies House: Forming Non-UK Resident Company, Open Branch of UK Non-Resident Enterprise

Company Name Registration - Companies House Check Business Name, Limited Company Search Name

Coddan offers company formation, ready-made company registration for UK limited companies. We offer electronic filing enterprises & registering corporation services. In addition to business registrations, we offer trademark registration, shareholder agreements, toll-free numbers, telephone answering, virtual office and company searches for UK limited companies. You are an accountant for whom company establishment is a frequent activity or an individual ordering your first company registrations. Start a company by incorporating or forming a LTD, PLC or LLP at Coddan. Learn about incorporation & how to incorporate your business online: register a business name, company registration, business registration numbers, company house web filing - business name registration check. Whether you start-up online, register London business or form a corporation Scotland, we can help you understand the business start-up process for filing LTD United Kingdom.

Incorporate or form an LLC – online: company registrar United Kingdom, limited company formations & corporation registration, electronically LLC online, very easy and informative. In addition to private companies Great Britain, we offer trademark registration, shareholder agreements, 0870 numbers, telephone answering, virtual office and company searches for English companies. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. If you are starting a business Edinburgh or starting own business Northern Ireland, read our starting business Republic of Ireland guide. Home business and small business training and ideas site to help you start Belfast, grow, and expand a home-based business or search for the work at home job right. An outline of the general steps for incorporation in Great Britain, explaining how to incorporate your business Dublin, from choosing where to incorporate your business. UK ready-made company formation services and company registrations online, our offices keep a stock of ready made companies, and would be happy to supply details on request. We offer offshore ready-made companies in different jurisdictions, readymade offshore companies also called as offshore shelf companies, shelf off-shore companies for sale: starting applying for a business name, business name registration partnership, grants for starting a business and starting a business from home.

Open company same-day and offshore setting-up services using our online starting-up service for Limited Liability Company Offshore companies. Start enjoying the tax benefits and personal liability protection that forming a corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC) provides. Offshore company incorporation, offshore checking and offshore saving accounts, offshore time deposits, offshore mutual funds, offshore money market accounts and offshore asset protection provided by Coddan. Company formations, limited company formations, electronic incorporations, company formation agents, paperless company registrar, electronic companies filing, United Kingdom limited company, setting corporation Ireland, business incorporation Scotland, open company England, London company registration, electronic companies filing, British companies registrars, business consultants, company law, public limited company, plc, international companies, ltd, inc, limited liability, enterprise, organization, organization, tax, taxation, England, firm, partnership, trade, profession, contractors, business, private limited company, limited by shares, ready-made companies, readymade company, aged company, off the shelf company, shelf companies list.

Specializes in company registration and secretarial services. Provides list of shelf company, services and cost quotation, business name registration, company house direct, starting a business - sole trader business registration.

This is actually a pretty good reason to incorporate in Delaware or Nevada. In fact, you could be a foreigner from Lebanon, never setting foot on American soil, form a Delaware corporation and no one would know who you are! However, many states will require the owners and/or officers and/or directors information while operating in that state (as a foreign corp.). Besides, how many small businesses require anonymity? Incorporate, incorporation, incorporating, incorporation services, incorporating services, incorporate Wyoming business online, incorporating Oregon business, New York LLC formation, Louisiana limited liability corporation, Texas articles of incorporation, Florida company incorporation, California non profit corporation, corporate name search offshore, BVI corporate name availability, Seychelles corporate name registration.

Learn about incorporation services UK and incorporate London online: starting your own business, business ideas, starting a business on ebay or buying a business with legal requirements for starting a business. Online England company formations, online company London W1 formation, Glasgow formation agent, Liverpool formations agent, Scottish companies house, forming a company Scotland, starting a business Wales, form a limited company Oxford, United Kingdom business registration agents, online Great Britain company registration. E-Business, small business, business structures defined: the limited liability company business structures defined: the limited liability company IRS treatment of the one-member LLC. An LLC with only one member / owner is automatically considered to be a sole proprietorship unless an election is made to be treated as a corporation. Thus, the sole member of an LLC will file (Form 1040), (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return), ideas for starting a business, grants for starting a business, starting a business from home, starting your own business - business ideas, starting a business on ebay, buying a business: legal requirements for starting a business, ideas for starting a business.

A business may be conducted by a company as an entity in its own right and comes into existence by incorporation under companies legislation which also regulates the running of the company and sets out the duties of its officers. In recent years trading trusts have been commonly used as the structure for carrying on a business with their main objective of tax minimization. A trust requires a trustee to act on behalf of a trust and it has been preferable to have a company newly incorporated to act as the trustee as it is believed that this limits the liability of the trust to the paid-up capital of the Trustee Company. A trust is formed by a gift or settlement being made to the trustee on behalf of the, as yet unformed, trust. A solicitor draws up a Trust Deed setting out the powers and formalizing the administration of the trust. The trust has beneficiaries rather than shareholders as in a company, who are entitled to distributions of capital and/or income and these distributions, are controlled by the trustee.

The distribution made to beneficiaries are subject to income tax as part of their personal income and are liable for provisional tax on these distributions. Citizens and residents of other countries may incorporate in the United Kingdom through the standard incorporation procedures set forth by each state. Provides UK company formations, trademark registration, registered office facilities and company secretary services. Professional company formation, register your company online, we may establish new business at one day. An online guide to starting up and expanding your business.

This is one of our most popular packages with worldwide customers, and includes: -

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Our Deluxe package is a fast and easy option, it is ideal for the UK, EU, and international small to medium businesses who wish to appoint a nominee director and a nominee secretary in order to maintain the anonymity of the real owner, and it includes: -

Incorporation of your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses in London, our nominee director and nominee secretary. We can appoint your own candidate(s) to the role of shareholder(s), or you can appoint a nominee sharholder provided by Coddan;

The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);

The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;

The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our nominee secretary service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee director for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);

The following two hard bound copies of corporate documents, will be send by post to you upon formation of your private limited company: -

A laminated copy of the certificate of incorporation of your company;

A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;

A hard bound copy of the minutes of the first meeting of directors;

Share certificates, and your company register;

The general power of attorney signed by a nominee director;

Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee director;

The agreement for the provision of nominee service and indemnification of nominee.

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This is our most popular package with the UK residents, and includes: -

The registration of your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;

The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);

The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;

The following documents, which need to be printed and signed, will be e-mailed to you upon formation of your company: -

A certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);

The memorandum & articles of association (requires PDF file reader);

The first meeting of the board of directors (requires PDF file reader);

Share certificates and a company register (requires PDF file reader).

*If you do not have an a valid address in the UK, which can be used as the registered office address for your company, please check our Economy package. The non-UK address cannot be acceptable as the office address for the UK company.

This is our most popular package with the UK and EU residents, and includes: -

The registration your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;

The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);

The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;

The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);

The following documents, which need to be printed and signed, will be e-mailed to you upon formation of your company: -

A certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);

The memorandum & articles of association (requires PDF file reader);

The first meeting of the board of directors (requires PDF file reader);

Share certificates and a company register (requires PDF file reader).

This is another one very popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -

The formation of a company limited by guarantee usually takes as little as five to seven working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The incorporation your BVI company limited by guarantee from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidate to the role of a members;

The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;

The search for a company name availability, confirmation, and reservation;

An original certificate of incorporation

A hard bound copy of the memorandum & articles of association

The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association;

A local registered office address and a local registered agent for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);

The provision of a nominee director for one year is also included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);

To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.

The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company limited by guarantee: -

An original certificate of incorporation;

A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;

The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;

A completed register of directors and members;

An elegant printed membership certificates;

A pliers seal.

The general power of attorney signed by a nominee director (additional fee applies);

Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee director;

The agreement for the provision of a nominee service and indemnification of nominee.

This is our most popular package with international customers, and includes: -

The formation of a company limited by guarantee usually takes as little as five to seven working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The registration your BVI company limited by guarantee from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint our own candidates to the role of a nominee director and a nominee member;

The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;

The search for a company name availability, confirmation, and reservation;

The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association;

A local registered office address and a local registered agent for one year are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);

The provision of a nominee director for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);

A completed register of directors and members

The provision of a nominee member for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee member service is charged annually);

To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.

The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company limited by guarantee: -

An original certificate of incorporation;

A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;

The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;

A completed register of directors and members;

An elegant printed membership certificates;

A pliers seal.

Pre-signed, undated letters of resignation from a nominee director and a nominee member;

A general power of attorney signed by a nominee director (additional fee applies);

A declaration of trust from a nominee member;

An indemnity letter for the power of attorney;

A nominee agreement which provides for the indemnification of the nominees.

This is another one of our most popular packages for small and medium size businesses, such as those being run by a sole director from home, and for companies owned by overseas residents who still need a local registered office address, but would rather not open a local office in the UK;

This package is often chosen by such customers, who are looking to minimise a sole director' personal liability (and who are not quite familiar with the UK corporate legislation), because this package includes thye provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months. This package is also includes: -

The registration your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;

The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);

The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;

The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee secretary service is charged annually);

The following hard bound copy of the corporate documents, will be send by post to you, upon formation of your private limited company: -

A laminated copy of the certificate of incorporation of your company;

A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;

A hard bound copy of the minutes of the first meeting of directors;

Share certificates, and your company register.

This is another one very popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -

The formation of a limited partnership usually takes as little as five to seven working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The incorporation your BVI offshore limited partnership from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidate to the role of a general partner;

The government and initiation fees for registration are included in the price of this package;

The search for a limited partnership name availability, confirmation, and reservation;

The preparation and submission of the partnership agreement;

A local registered office address and a local registered agent for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);

The provision of a nominee limited partner for one year is also included in the price of this package (our nominee limited partner service is charged annually);

To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.

The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -

An original certificate of incorporation;

A hard bound copy of the partnership agreement;

The minutes of the first meeting of the board of partners;

A completed register of partners;

An elegant printed membership certificates;

A pliers seal;

The general power of attorney signed by a nominee limited partner (additional fee applies);

Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee limited partner;

The agreement for the provision of a nominee service and indemnification of nominee.

This is our most popular package with international customers, and includes: -

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Enterprise Act 2002

2002 Chapter 40 - continued

PART 3, MERGERS - continued

back to previous text

CHAPTER 5

SUPPLEMENTARY

Merger notices

Merger notices

(1) A person authorised to do so by regulations under section 101 may give notice to the OFT of proposed arrangements which might result in the creation of a relevant merger situation.

(2) Any such notice (in this Part a "merger notice")-

(a) shall be in the prescribed form; and

(b) shall state that the existence of the proposal has been made public.

(3) No reference shall be made under section 22, 33 or 45 in relation to-

(a) arrangements of which notice is given under subsection (1) above or arrangements which do not differ from them in any material respect; or

(b) the creation of any relevant merger situation which is, or may be, created in consequence of carrying such arrangements into effect;

if the period for considering the merger notice has expired without a reference being made under that section in relation to those arrangements.

(4) Subsection (3) is subject to section 100.

(5) In this section and sections 99(5)(c) and 100(1)(c) "prescribed" means prescribed by the OFT by notice having effect for the time being and published in the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes.

(6) In this Part "notified arrangements" means arrangements of which notice is given under subsection (1) above or arrangements not differing from them in any material respect.

Period for considering merger notices

(1) The period for considering a merger notice is, subject as follows, the period of 20 days beginning with the first day after-

(a) the notice has been received by the OFT; and

(b) any fee payable by virtue of section 121 to the OFT in respect of the notice has been paid.

(2) Where no intervention notice is in force in relation to the matter concerned, the OFT may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice extend by a further 10 days the period for considering the merger notice.

(3) Where an intervention notice is in force in relation to the matter concerned and there has been no extension under subsection (2), the OFT may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice extend by a further 20 days the period for considering the merger notice.

(4) Where an intervention notice is in force in relation to the matter concerned and there has been an extension under subsection (2), the OFT may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice extend the period for considering the merger notice by a further number of days which, including any extension already made under subsection (2), does not exceed 20 days.

(5) The OFT may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice extend the period for considering a merger notice if the OFT considers that the person has failed to provide, within the period stated in a notice under section 99(2) and in the authorised or required manner, information requested of him in that notice.

(6) An extension under subsection (5) shall be for the period until the person concerned provides the information to the satisfaction of the OFT or, if earlier, the cancellation by the OFT of the extension.

(7) The OFT may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice extend the period for considering a merger notice if the OFT is seeking undertakings under section 73 or (as the case may be) the Secretary of State is seeking undertakings under paragraph 3 of Schedule 7.

(8) An extension under subsection (7) shall be for the period beginning with the receipt of the notice under that subsection and ending with the earliest of the following events-

(a) the giving of the undertakings concerned;

(b) the expiry of the period of 10 days beginning with the first day after the receipt by the OFT of a notice from the person from whom the undertakings are being sought stating that he does not intend to give the undertakings; or

(9) The Secretary of State may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice extend the period for considering a merger notice if, by virtue of paragraph 3(6) of Schedule 7, he decides to delay a decision as to whether to make a reference under section 45.

(10) An extension under subsection (9) shall be for the period of the delay.

(11) The OFT may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice extend the period for considering a merger notice if the European Commission is considering a request made, in relation to the matter concerned, by the United Kingdom (whether alone or with others) under article 22(3) of the European Merger Regulations (but is not yet proceeding with the matter in pursuance of such a request).

(12) An extension under subsection (11) shall be for the period beginning with the receipt of the notice under that subsection and ending with the receipt of a notice under subsection (13).

(13) The OFT shall, in connection with any notice given by it under subsection (11), by notice inform the person who gave the merger notice of the completion by the European Commission of its consideration of the request of the United Kingdom.

Section 97: supplementary

(1) A notice under section 97(2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (9) or (11) shall be given, before the end of the period for considering the merger notice, to the person who gave the merger notice.

(2) A notice under section 97(5)-

(a) shall also be given within 5 days of the end of the period within which the information is to be provided and which is stated in the notice under section 99(2); and

(b) shall also inform the person who gave the merger notice of-

(i) the OFT's opinion as mentioned in section 97(5); and

(ii) the OFT's intention to extend the period for considering a merger notice.

(3) In determining for the purposes of section 97(1), (2), (3), (4) or (8)(b) or subsection (2)(a) above any period which is expressed in the enactment concerned as a period of days or number of days no account shall be taken of-

(a) Saturday, Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day; and

(b) any day which is a bank holiday in England and Wales.

(4) Any reference in this Part (apart from in section 97(1) and section 99(1)) to the period for considering a merger notice shall, if that period is extended by virtue of any one or more of subsections (2), (3), (4) (5), (7), (9) and (11) of section 97 in relation to a particular case, be construed in relation to that case as a reference to that period as so extended; but only one extension is possible under section 97(2), (3) or (4).

(5) Where the period for considering a merger notice is extended or further extended by virtue of section 97, the period as extended or (as the case may be) further extended shall, subject to subsections (6) and (7), 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).

(6) Subsection (7) applies where-

(a) the period for considering a merger notice is further extended;

(b) the further extension and at least one previous extension is made under one or more of subsections (5), (7), (9) and (11) of section 97; 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.

(7) In calculating the period of the further extension, any days or fractions of days of the kind mentioned in subsection (6)(c) shall be disregarded.

Certain functions of OFT and Secretary of State in relation to merger notices

(1) The OFT shall, so far as practicable and when the period for considering any merger notice begins, take such action as the OFT considers appropriate to bring-

(a) the existence of the proposal;

(b) the fact that the merger notice has been given; and

to the attention of those whom the OFT considers would be affected if the arrangements were carried into effect.

(2) The OFT may by notice to the person who gave the merger notice request him to provide the OFT with such information as the OFT or (as the case may be) the Secretary of State may require for the purpose of carrying out its or (as the case may be) his functions in relation to the merger notice.

(3) A notice under subsection (2) shall state-

(a) the information required;

(b) the period within which the information is to be provided; and

(c) the possible consequences of not providing the information within the stated period and in the authorised or required manner.

(4) A notice by the OFT under subsection (2) shall be given, before the end of the period for considering the merger notice, to the person who gave the merger notice.

(5) The OFT may, at any time before the end of the period for considering any merger notice, reject the notice if-

(a) the OFT suspects that any information given in respect of the notified arrangements (whether in the merger notice or otherwise) by the person who gave the notice or any connected person is in any material respect false or misleading;

(b) the OFT suspects that it is not proposed to carry the notified arrangements into effect;

(c) any prescribed information is not given in the merger notice or any information requested by notice under subsection (2) is not provided as required; or

(d) the OFT considers that the notified arrangements are, or if carried into effect would result in, a concentration with a Community dimension within the meaning of the European Merger Regulations.

(6) In this section and section 100 "connected person", in relation to the person who gave a merger notice, means-

(a) any person who, for the purposes of section 127, is associated with him; or

(b) any subsidiary of the person who gave the merger notice or of any person so associated with him.

100

Exceptions to protection given by merger notices

(1) Section 96(3) does not prevent any reference being made to the Commission if-

(a) before the end of the period for considering the merger notice, the OFT rejects the notice under section 99(5);

(b) before the end of that period, any of the enterprises to which the notified arrangements relate cease to be distinct from each other;

(i) is, or ought to be, known to the person who gave the merger notice or any connected person; and

(ii) is material to the notified arrangements;

is not disclosed to the OFT by such time before the end of that period as may be specified in regulations under section 101;

(d) at any time after the merger notice is given but before the enterprises to which the notified arrangements relate cease to be distinct from each other, any of those enterprises ceases to be distinct from any enterprise other than an enterprise to which those arrangements relate;

(e) the six months beginning with the end of the period for considering the merger notice expires without the enterprises to which the notified arrangements relate ceasing to be distinct from each other;

(f) the merger notice is withdrawn; or

(g) any information given in respect of the notified arrangements (whether in the merger notice or otherwise) by the person who gave the notice or any connected person is in any material respect false or misleading.

(2) Subsection (3) applies where-

(a) two or more transactions which have occurred, or, if any arrangements are carried into effect, will occur, may be treated for the purposes of a reference under section 22, 33 or 45 as having occurred simultaneously on a particular date; and

(b) section 96(3) does not prevent such a reference in relation to the last of those transactions.

(3) Section 96(3) does not prevent such a reference in relation to any of those transactions which actually occurred less than six months before-

(a) that date; or

(b) the actual occurrence of another of those transactions in relation to which such a reference may be made (whether or not by virtue of this subsection).

(4) In determining for the purposes of subsections (2) and (3) the time at which any transaction actually occurred, no account shall be taken of any option or other conditional right until the option is exercised or the condition is satisfied.

(5) In this section references to the enterprises to which the notified arrangements relate are references to those enterprises that would have ceased to be distinct from one another if the arrangements mentioned in the merger notice concerned had been carried into effect at the time when the notice was given.

101

Merger notices: regulations

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations for the purposes of sections 96 to 100.

(2) The regulations may, in particular-

(a) provide for section 97(1), (2), (3) or (4) or section 100(1)(e) to apply as if any reference to a period of days or months were a reference to a period specified in the regulations for the purposes of the enactment concerned;

(b) provide for the manner in which any merger notice is authorised or required to be rejected or withdrawn, and the time at which any merger notice is to be treated as received or rejected;

(d) provide for the manner in which any information requested by the OFT or any other material information is authorised or required to be provided or disclosed, and the time at which such information is to be treated as provided or disclosed (including the time at which it is to be treated as provided to the satisfaction of the OFT for the purposes of section 97(6));

(e) provide for the person who gave the merger notice to be informed, in circumstances in which section 97(6) applies-

(i) of the fact that the OFT is satisfied as to the provision of the information requested by the OFT or (as the case may be) of the OFT's decision to cancel the extension; and

(ii) of the time at which the OFT is to be treated as so satisfied or (as the case may be) of the time at which the cancellation is to be treated as having effect;

(f) provide for the person who gave the merger notice to be informed, in circumstances in which section 97(8) applies-

(i) of any decision by the OFT to cancel the extension; and

(ii) of the time at which such a cancellation is to be treated as having effect;

(g) provide for the time at which any fee is to be treated as paid;

(h) provide that a person is, or is not, to be treated, in such circumstances as may be specified in the regulations, as acting on behalf of a person authorised by regulations under this section to give a merger notice or a person who has given such a notice.

102

Power to modify sections 97 to 101

The Secretary of State may, for the purposes of determining the effect of giving a merger notice and the action which may be or is to be taken by any person in connection with such a notice, by order modify sections 97 to 101.

General duties in relation to references

103

Duty of expedition in relation to references

(1) In deciding whether to make a reference under section 22 or 33 the OFT shall have regard, with a view to the prevention or removal of uncertainty, to the need for making a decision as soon as reasonably practicable.

(2) In deciding whether to make a reference under section 45 or 62 the Secretary of State shall have regard, with a view to the prevention or removal of uncertainty, to the need for making a decision as soon as reasonably practicable.

104

Certain duties of relevant authorities to consult

(1) Subsection (2) applies where the relevant authority is proposing to make a relevant decision in a way which the relevant authority considers is likely to be adverse to the interests of a relevant party.

(2) The relevant authority shall, so far as practicable, consult that party about what is proposed before making that decision.

(3) In consulting the party concerned, the relevant authority shall, so far as practicable, give the reasons of the relevant authority for the proposed decision.

(4) In considering what is practicable for the purposes of this section the relevant authority shall, in particular, have regard to-

(a) any restrictions imposed by any timetable for making the decision; and

(b) any need to keep what is proposed, or the reasons for it, confidential.

(5) The duty under this section shall not apply in relation to the making of any decision so far as particular provision is made elsewhere by virtue of this Part for consultation before the making of that decision.

(6) In this section-

"the relevant authority" means the OFT, the Commission or the Secretary of State;

"relevant decision" means-

(a) in the case of the OFT, any decision by the OFT-

(i) as to whether to make a reference under section 22 or 33 or accept undertakings under section 73 instead of making such a reference; or

(ii) to vary under section 37 such a reference;

(b) in the case of the Commission, any decision on the questions mentioned in section 35(1) or (3), 36(1) or (2), 47 or 63; and

(i) as to whether to make a reference under section 45 or 62; or

(ii) to vary under section 49 or (as the case may be) 64 such a reference; and

"relevant party" means any person who appears to the relevant authority to control enterprises which are the subject of the reference or possible reference concerned.

Information and publicity requirements

105

General information duties of OFT and Commission

(1) Where the OFT decides to investigate a matter so as to enable it to decide whether to make a reference under section 22 or 33, or so as to make a report under section 44 or 61, it shall, so far as practicable, take such action as it considers appropriate to bring information about the investigation to the attention of those whom it considers might be affected by the creation of the relevant merger situation concerned or (as the case may be) the special merger situation concerned.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to arrangements which might result in the creation of a relevant merger situation if a merger notice has been given in relation to those arrangements under section 96.

(3) The OFT shall give the Commission-

(a) such information in its possession as the Commission may reasonably require to enable the Commission to carry out its functions under this Part; and

(b) any other assistance which the Commission may reasonably require for the purpose of assisting it in carrying out its functions under this Part and which it is within the power of the OFT to give.

(4) The OFT shall give the Commission any information in its possession which has not been requested by the Commission but which, in the opinion of the OFT, would be appropriate to give to the Commission for the purpose of assisting it in carrying out its functions under this Part.

(5) The OFT and the Commission shall give the Secretary of State-

(a) such information in their possession as the Secretary of State may by direction reasonably require to enable him to carry out his functions under this Part; and

(b) any other assistance which the Secretary of State may by direction reasonably require for the purpose of assisting him in carrying out his functions under this Part and which it is within the power of the OFT or (as the case may be) the Commission to give.

(6) The OFT shall give the Secretary of State any information in its possession which has not been requested by the Secretary of State but which, in the opinion of the OFT, would be appropriate to give to the Secretary of State for the purpose of assisting him in carrying out his functions under this Part.

(7) The Commission shall have regard to any information given to it under subsection (3) or (4); and the Secretary of State shall have regard to any information given to him under subsection (5) or (6).

(8) Any direction given under subsection (5)-

(a) shall be in writing; and

(b) may be varied or revoked by a subsequent direction.

106

Advice and information about references under sections 22 and 33

(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the passing of this Act, the OFT shall prepare and publish general advice and information about the making of references by it under section 22 or 33.

(2) The OFT may at any time publish revised, or new, advice or information.

(3) As soon as reasonably practicable after the passing of this Act, the Commission shall prepare and publish general advice and information about the consideration by it of references under section 22 or 33 and the way in which relevant customer benefits may affect the taking of enforcement action in relation to such references.

(4) The Commission may at any time publish revised, or new, advice or information.

(5) Advice and information published under this section shall be prepared with a view to-

(a) explaining relevant provisions of this Part to persons who are likely to be affected by them; and

(b) indicating how the OFT or (as the case may be) the Commission expects such provisions to operate.

(6) Advice (or information) published by virtue of subsection (1) or (3) may include advice (or information) about the factors which the OFT or (as the case may be) the Commission may take into account in considering whether, and if so how, to exercise a function conferred by this Part.

(7) Any advice or information published by the OFT or the Commission under this section shall be published in such manner as the OFT or (as the case may be) the Commission considers appropriate.

(8) In preparing any advice or information under this section, the OFT shall consult the Commission and such other persons as it considers appropriate.

(9) In preparing any advice or information under this section, the Commission shall consult the OFT and such other persons as it considers appropriate.

107

Further publicity requirements

(1) The OFT shall publish-

(a) any reference made by it under section 22 or 33 or any decision made by it not to make such a reference (other than a decision made by virtue of subsection (2)(b) of section 33);

(b) any variation made by it under section 37 of a reference under section 22 or 33;

(c) such information as it considers appropriate about any decision made by it under section 57(1) to bring a case to the attention of the Secretary of State;

(d) any enforcement undertaking accepted by it under section 71;

(e) any enforcement order made by it under section 72 or 76 or paragraph 2 of Schedule 7;

(f) any variation, release or revocation of such an undertaking or order;

(g) any decision made by it as mentioned in section 76(6)(b); and

(h) any decision made by it to dispense with the requirements of Schedule 10.

(2) The Commission shall publish-

(a) any cancellation by it under section 37(1) of a reference under section 33;

(c) any extension by it under section 39 of the period within which a report under section 38 is to be prepared and published;

(d) any decision made by it to cancel an extension as mentioned in section 39(8)(b);

(e) any decision made by it under section 41(2) neither to accept an undertaking under section 82 nor to make an order under section 84;

(f) any decision made by it that there has been a material change of circumstances as mentioned in subsection (3) of section 41 or there is another special reason as mentioned in that subsection of that section;

(g) any cancellation by it under section 48(1) or 53(1) of a reference under section 45 or any cancellation by it under section 64(1) of a reference under section 62;

(h) any decision made by it under section 49(1) to treat-

(i) a reference made under subsection (2) or (3) of section 45 as if it had been made under subsection (4) or (as the case may be) (5) of that section; or

(ii) a reference made under subsection (4) or (5) of section 45 as if it had been made under subsection (2) or (as the case may be) (3) of that section;

(i) any extension by it under section 51 of the period within which a report under section 50 is to be prepared and published;

(j) any decision made by it under section 51(8)(b) to cancel such an extension;

(k) any extension by it under section 51 as applied by section 65(3) of the period within which a report under section 65 is to be prepared and published;

(l) any decision made by it under section 51(8)(b) as applied by section 65(3) to cancel such an extension;

(m) any decision made by it under section 64(2) to treat a reference made under subsection (2) or (3) of section 62 as if it had been made under subsection (3) or (as the case may be) (2) of that section;

(n) any decision made by it as mentioned in section 76(6)(b);

(o) any enforcement order made by it under section 76 or 81;

(p) any enforcement undertaking accepted by it under section 80;

(q) any variation, release or revocation of such an order or undertaking; and

(r) any decision made by it to dispense with the requirements of Schedule 10.

(3) The Secretary of State shall publish-

(a) any intervention notice or special intervention notice given by him;

(b) any report of the OFT under section 44 or 61 which has been received by him;

(d) any variation made by him under section 49 of a reference under section 45 or under section 64 of a reference under section 62;

(e) any report of the Commission under section 50 or 65 which has been received by him;

(f) any decision made by him neither to accept an undertaking under paragraph 9 of Schedule 7 nor to make an order under paragraph 11 of that Schedule;

(g) any notice given by him under section 56(1);

(h) any enforcement undertaking accepted by him under paragraph 1 of Schedule 7;

(i) any variation or release of such an undertaking;

(j) any decision made by him as mentioned in paragraph 6(6)(b) of Schedule 7; and

(k) any decision made by him to dispense with the requirements of Schedule 10.

(4) Where any person is under a duty by virtue of subsection (1), (2) or (3) to publish the result of any action taken by that person or any decision made by that person, the person concerned shall, subject to subsections (5) and (6), also publish that person's reasons for the action concerned or (as the case may be) the decision concerned.

(5) Such reasons need not, if it is not reasonably practicable to do so, be published at the same time as the result of the action concerned or (as the case may be) as the decision concerned.

(6) Subsections (4) and (5) shall not apply in relation to any information published under subsection (1)(c).

(7) The Secretary of State shall publish his reasons for-

(a) any decision made by him under section 54(2) or 66(2); or

(b) any decision to make an order under section 58(3) or vary or revoke such an order.

(8) Such reasons may be published after-

(a) in the case of subsection (7)(a), the publication of the decision concerned; and

(b) in the case of subsection (7)(b), the making of the order or of the variation or revocation;

if it is not reasonably practicable to publish them at the same time as the publication of the decision or (as the case may be) the making of the order or variation or revocation.

(9) The Secretary of State shall publish-

(a) the report of the OFT under section 44 in relation to a matter no later than publication of his decision as to whether to make a reference under section 45 in relation to that matter; and

(b) the report of the Commission under section 50 in relation to a matter no later than publication of his decision under section 54(2) in relation to that matter.

(10) The Secretary of State shall publish-

(a) the report of the OFT under section 61 in relation to a matter no later than publication of his decision as to whether to make a reference under section 62 in relation to that matter; and

(b) the report of the Commission under section 65 in relation to a matter no later than publication of his decision under section 66(2) in relation to that matter.

(11) Where the Secretary of State has decided under section 55(2) or 66(6) to accept an undertaking under paragraph 9 of Schedule 7 or to make an order under paragraph 11 of that Schedule, he shall (after the acceptance of the undertaking or (as the case may be) the making of the order) lay details of his decision and his reasons for it, and the Commission's report under section 50 or (as the case may be) 65, before each House of Parliament.

108

Defamation

For the purposes of the law relating to defamation, absolute privilege attaches to any advice, guidance, notice or direction given, or decision or report made, by the OFT, the Commission or the Secretary of State in the exercise of any of their functions under this Part.

Investigation powers

109

Attendance of witnesses and production of documents etc.

(1) The Commission may, for the purpose of any investigation on a reference made to it under this Part, give notice to any person requiring him-

(a) to attend at a time and place specified in the notice; and

(b) to give evidence to the Commission or a person nominated by the Commission for the purpose.

(2) The Commission may, for the purpose of any investigation on a reference made to it under this Part, give notice to any person requiring him-

(a) to produce any documents which-

(i) are specified or described in the notice, or fall within a category of document which is specified or described in the notice; and

(ii) are in that person's custody or under his control; and

(b) to produce them at a time and place so specified and to a person so specified.

(3) The Commission may, for the purpose of any investigation on a reference made to it under this Part, give notice to any person who carries on any business requiring him-

(a) to supply to the Commission such estimates, forecasts, returns or other information as may be specified or described in the notice; and

(b) to supply it at a time and place, and in a form and manner, so specified and to a person so specified.

(4) A notice under this section shall include information about the possible consequences of not complying with the notice.

(5) The Commission or any person nominated by it for the purpose may, for the purpose of any investigation on a reference made to it under this Part, take evidence on oath, and for that purpose may administer oaths.

(6) The person to whom any document is produced in accordance with a notice under this section may, for the purpose of any investigation on a reference made to the Commission under this Part, copy the document so produced.

(7) No person shall be required under this section-

(a) to give any evidence or produce any documents which he could not be compelled to give or produce in civil proceedings before the court; or

(b) to supply any information which he could not be compelled to supply in evidence in such proceedings.

(8) No person shall be required, in compliance with a notice under this section, to go more than 10 miles from his place of residence unless his necessary travelling expenses are paid or offered to him.

(9) Any reference in this section to the production of a document includes a reference to the production of a legible and intelligible copy of information recorded otherwise than in legible form.

(10) In this section "the court" means-

(a) in relation to England and Wales or Northern Ireland, the High Court; and

(b) in relation to Scotland, the Court of Session.

110

Enforcement of powers under section 109: general

(1) Where the Commission considers that a person has, without reasonable excuse, failed to comply with any requirement of a notice under section 109, it may impose a penalty in accordance with section 111.

(2) The Commission may proceed (whether at the same time or at different times) under subsection (1) and section 39(4) or (as the case may be) 51(4) (including that enactment as applied by section 65(3)) in relation to the same failure.

(3) Where the Commission considers that a person has intentionally obstructed or delayed another person in the exercise of his powers under section 109(6), it may impose a penalty in accordance with section 111.

(4) No penalty shall be imposed by virtue of subsection (1) or (3) if more than 4 weeks have passed since the publication of the report of the Commission on the reference concerned; but this subsection shall not apply in relation to any variation or substitution of the penalty which is permitted by virtue of this Part.

(5) A person, subject to subsection (6), commits an offence if he intentionally alters, suppresses or destroys any document which he has been required to produce by a notice under section 109.

(6) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (5) in relation to any act which constitutes a failure to comply with a notice under section 109 if the Commission has proceeded against that person under subsection (1) above in relation to that failure.

(7) A person who commits an offence under subsection (5) shall be liable-

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.

(8) The Commission shall not proceed against a person under subsection (1) in relation to an act which constitutes an offence under subsection (5) if that person has been found guilty of that offence.

(9) In deciding whether and, if so, how to proceed under subsection (1) or (3) or section 39(4) or 51(4) (including that enactment as applied by section 65(3)), the Commission shall have regard to the statement of policy which was most recently published under section 116 at the time when the failure concerned or (as the case may be) the obstruction or delay concerned occurred.

(10) The reference in this section to the production of a document includes a reference to the production of a legible and intelligible copy of information recorded otherwise than in legible form; and the reference to suppressing a document includes a reference to destroying the means of reproducing information recorded otherwise than in legible form.

111

Penalties

(1) A penalty imposed under section 110(1) or (3) shall be of such amount as the Commission considers appropriate.

(2) The amount may, in the case of a penalty imposed under section 110(1), be a fixed amount, an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate or a combination of a fixed amount and an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate.

(3) The amount shall, in the case of a penalty imposed under section 110(3), be a fixed amount.

(4) No penalty imposed under section 110(1) shall-

(a) in the case of a fixed amount, exceed such amount as the Secretary of State may by order specify;

(b) in the case of an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate, exceed such amount per day as the Secretary of State may so specify; and

(c) in the case of a fixed amount and an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate, exceed such fixed amount and such amount per day as the Secretary of State may so specify.

(5) In imposing a penalty by reference to a daily rate-

(a) no account shall be taken of any days before the service of the notice under section 112 on the person concerned; and

(b) unless the Commission determines an earlier date (whether before or after the penalty is imposed), the amount payable shall cease to accumulate at the beginning of-

(i) the day on which the requirement of the notice concerned under section 109 is satisfied or (as the case may be) the obstruction or delay is removed; or

(ii) if earlier, the day on which the report of the Commission on the reference concerned is published (or, in the case of a report under section 50 or 65, given) or, if no such report is published (or given) within the period permitted for that purpose by this Part, the latest day on which the report may be published (or given) within the permitted period.

(6) No penalty imposed under section 110(3) shall exceed such amount as the Secretary of State may by order specify.

(7) An order under subsection (4) or (6) shall not specify-

(a) in the case of a fixed amount, an amount exceeding £30,000;

(b) in the case of an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate, an amount per day exceeding £15,000; and

(c) in the case of a fixed amount and an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate, a fixed amount exceeding £30,000 and an amount per day exceeding £15,000.

(8) Before making an order under subsection (4) or (6) the Secretary of State shall consult the Commission and such other persons as he considers appropriate.

112

Penalties: main procedural requirements

(1) As soon as practicable after imposing a penalty under section 110(1) or (3), the Commission shall give notice of the penalty.

(2) The notice shall state-

(a) that the Commission has imposed a penalty on the person concerned;

(b) whether the penalty is of a fixed amount, of an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate or of both a fixed amount and an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate;

(c) the amount or amounts concerned and, in the case of an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate, the day on which the amount first starts to accumulate and the day or days on which it might cease to accumulate;

(d) the failure or (as the case may be) the obstruction or delay which the Commission considers gave it the power to impose the penalty;

(e) any other facts which the Commission considers justify the imposition of a penalty and the amount or amounts of the penalty;

(f) the manner in which, and place at which, the penalty is required to be paid to the Commission;

(g) the date or dates, no earlier than the end of the relevant period beginning with the date of service of the notice on the person concerned, by which the penalty or (as the case may be) different portions of it are required to be paid;

(h) that the penalty or (as the case may be) different portions of it may be paid earlier than the date or dates by which it or they are required to be paid; and

(i) that the person concerned has the right to apply under subsection (3) below or to appeal under section 114 and the main details of those rights.

(3) The person against whom the penalty was imposed may, within 14 days of the date of service on him of a notice under subsection (1), apply to the Commission for it to specify a different date or (as the case may be) different dates by which the penalty or (as the case may be) different portions of it are to be paid.

(4) A notice under this section shall be given by-

(a) serving a copy of the notice on the person on whom the penalty was imposed; and

(b) publishing the notice.

(5) In this section "relevant period" means the period of 28 days mentioned in subsection (3) of section 114 or, if another period is specified by the Secretary of State under that subsection, that period.

113

Payments and interest by instalments

(1) If the whole or any portion of a penalty is not paid by the date by which it is required to be paid, the unpaid balance from time to time shall carry interest at the rate for the time being specified in section 17 of the Judgments Act 1838 (c. 110).

(2) Where an application has been made under section 112(3), the penalty shall not be required to be paid until the application has been determined, withdrawn or otherwise dealt with.

(3) If a portion of a penalty has not been paid by the date required for it, the Commission may, where it considers it appropriate to do so, require so much of the penalty as has not already been paid (and is capable of being paid immediately) to be paid immediately.

(4) Any sums received by the Commission in or towards the payment of a penalty, or interest on a penalty, shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

114

Appeals in relation to penalties

(1) This section applies if a person on whom a penalty is imposed under section 110(1) or (3) is aggrieved by-

(a) the imposition or nature of the penalty;

(b) the amount or amounts of the penalty; or

(c) the date by which the penalty is required to be paid or (as the case may be) the different dates by which portions of the penalty are required to be paid.

(2) The person aggrieved may apply to the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

(3) If a copy of the notice under section 112(1) was served on the person on whom the penalty was imposed, the application to the Competition Appeal Tribunal shall, subject to subsection (4), be made within-

(a) the period of 28 days starting with the day on which the copy was served on the person concerned; or

(b) such other period as the Secretary of State may by order specify.

(4) If the application relates to a decision of the Commission on an application by the person on whom the penalty was imposed under section 112(3), the application to the Competition Appeal Tribunal shall be made within-

(a) the period of 28 days starting with the day on which the person concerned is notified of the decision; or

(b) such other period as the Secretary of State may by order specify.

(5) On an application under this section, the Competition Appeal Tribunal may-

(a) quash the penalty;

(b) substitute a penalty of a different nature or of such lesser amount or amounts as the Competition Appeal Tribunal considers appropriate; or

(c) in a case falling within subsection (1)(c), substitute for the date or dates imposed by the Commission an alternative date or dates;

if it considers it appropriate to do so.

(6) The Competition Appeal Tribunal shall not substitute a penalty of a different nature under subsection (5)(b) unless it considers that the person on whom the penalty is imposed will, or is likely to, pay less under the substituted penalty than he would have paid under the original penalty.

(7) Where an application has been made under this section-

(a) the penalty shall not be required to be paid until the application has been determined, withdrawn or otherwise dealt with; and

(b) the Commission may agree to reduce the amount or amounts of the penalty in settlement of the application.

(8) Where the Competition Appeal Tribunal substitutes a penalty of a different nature or of a lesser amount or amounts it may require the payment of interest on the substituted penalty at such rate or rates, and from such date or dates, as it considers appropriate.

(9) Where the Competition Appeal Tribunal specifies as a date by which the penalty, or a portion of the penalty, is to be paid a date before the determination of the application under this section it may require the payment of interest on the penalty, or portion, from that date at such rate as it considers appropriate.

(10) An appeal lies to the appropriate court-

(a) on a point of law arising from a decision of the Tribunal in proceedings under this section; or

(b) from a decision of the Tribunal in such proceedings as to the amount or amounts of a penalty.

(11) An appeal under subsection (10)-

(a) may be brought by a party to the proceedings before the Tribunal; and

(b) requires the permission of the Tribunal or the appropriate court.

(12) In this section "the appropriate court" means the Court of Appeal or, in the case of Tribunal proceedings in Scotland, the Court of Session.

115

Recovery of penalties

Where a penalty imposed under section 110(1) or (3), or any portion of such a penalty, has not been paid by the date on which it is required to be paid and-

(a) no application relating to the penalty has been made under section 114 during the period within which such an application may be made, or

(b) any such application which has been made has been determined, withdrawn or otherwise dealt with,

the Commission may recover from the person on whom the penalty was imposed any of the penalty and any interest which has not been paid; and in England and Wales and Northern Ireland such penalty and interest may be recovered as a civil debt due to the Commission.

116

Statement of policy

(1) The Commission shall prepare and publish a statement of policy in relation to the enforcement of notices under section 109.

(2) The statement shall, in particular, include a statement about the considerations relevant to the determination of the nature and amount of any penalty imposed under section 110(1) or (3).

(3) The Commission may revise its statement of policy and, where it does so, it shall publish the revised statement.

(4) The Commission shall consult such persons as it considers appropriate when preparing or revising its statement of policy.

117

False or misleading information

(1) A person commits an offence if-

(a) he supplies any information to the OFT, the Commission or the Secretary of State in connection with any of their functions under this Part;

(b) the information is false or misleading in a material respect; and

(c) he knows that it is false or misleading in a material respect or is reckless as to whether it is false or misleading in a material respect.

(2) A person commits an offence if he-

(a) supplies any information to another person which he knows to be false or misleading in a material respect; or

(b) recklessly supplies any information to another person which is false or misleading in a material respect;

knowing that the information is to be used for the purpose of supplying information to the OFT, the Commission or the Secretary of State in connection with any of their functions under this Part.

(3) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable-

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.

Reports

118

Excisions from reports

(1) Subsection (2) applies where the Secretary of State is under a duty to publish-

(a) a report of the OFT under section 44 or 61; or

(b) a report of the Commission under section 50 or 65.

(2) The Secretary of State may exclude a matter from the report concerned if he considers that publication of the matter would be inappropriate.

(3) In deciding what is inappropriate for the purposes of subsection (2) the Secretary of State shall have regard to the considerations mentioned in section 244.

(4) The body which has prepared the report shall advise the Secretary of State as to the matters (if any) which it considers should be excluded by him under subsection (2).

(5) References in sections 38(4) and 107(11) to the giving or laying of a report of the Commission shall be construed as references to the giving or laying of the report as published.

119

Minority reports of Commission

(1) Subsection (2) applies where, on a reference to the Commission under this Part, a member of a group constituted in connection with the reference in pursuance of paragraph 15 of Schedule 7 to the Competition Act 1998 (c. 41), disagrees with any decisions contained in the report of the Commission under this Part as the decisions of the Commission.

(2) The report shall, if the member so wishes, include a statement of his disagreement and of his reasons for disagreeing.

Miscellaneous

120

Review of decisions under Part 3

(1) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the OFT, the Secretary of State or the Commission under this Part in connection with a reference or possible reference in relation to a relevant merger situation or a special merger situation may apply to the Competition Appeal Tribunal for a review of that decision.

(2) For this purpose "decision"-

(a) does not include a decision to impose a penalty under section 110(1) or (3); but

(b) includes a failure to take a decision permitted or required by this Part in connection with a reference or possible reference.

(3) Except in so far as a direction to the contrary is given by the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the effect of the decision is not suspended by reason of the making of the application.

(4) In determining such an application the Competition Appeal Tribunal shall apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review.

(5) The Competition Appeal Tribunal may-

(a) dismiss the application or quash the whole or part of the decision to which it relates; and

(b) where it quashes the whole or part of that decision, refer the matter back to the original decision maker with a direction to reconsider and make a new decision in accordance with the ruling of the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

(6) An appeal lies on any point of law arising from a decision of the Competition Appeal Tribunal under this section to the appropriate court.

(7) An appeal under subsection (6) requires the permission of the Tribunal or the appropriate court.

(8) In this section-

"the appropriate court" means the Court of Appeal or, in the case of Tribunal proceedings in Scotland, the Court of Session; and

"Tribunal rules" has the meaning given by section 15(1).

121

Fees

(1) The Secretary of State may by order require the payment to him or the OFT of such fees as may be prescribed by the order in connection with the exercise by the Secretary of State, the OFT and the Commission of their functions under or by virtue of this Part, Part V of the Fair Trading Act 1973 (c. 41) and sections 32 to 34 of, and Schedule 4ZA to, the Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56).

(2) An order under this section may, in particular, provide for fees to be payable-

(a) in respect of a merger notice;

(b) in respect of an application for the consent of the Secretary of State under section 58(1) of the Act of 1973 to the transfer of a newspaper or of newspaper assets; or

(3) The events that may be specified in an order under this section by virtue of subsection (2)(c) include, in particular-

(a) the decision by the OFT in relation to a possible reference under section 22 or 33 that it is or may be the case that a relevant merger situation has been created or (as the case may be) that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation;

(b) the decision by the Secretary of State in relation to a possible reference under section 45 that it is or may be the case that a relevant merger situation has been created or (as the case may be) that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation;

(i) it is or may be the case that a special merger situation has been created or (as the case may be) that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a special merger situation; and

(ii) one or more than one consideration mentioned in the special intervention notice is relevant to a consideration of the special merger situation concerned; and

(d) the decision by the OFT in relation to a possible reference under section 32 of the Act of 1991 that it is or may be the case that arrangements are in progress which, if carried into effect, will result in a merger of any two or more water enterprises or that such a merger has taken place otherwise than as a result of the carrying into effect of arrangements that have been the subject of a reference by virtue of paragraph (a) of that section.

(4) An order under this section may, in particular, contain provision-

(a) for ascertaining the persons by whom fees are payable;

(b) specifying whether any fee is payable to the Secretary of State or the OFT;

(i) in a case involving functions of the Secretary of State under sections 57 to 61 of the Act of 1973, the number of newspapers concerned, the number of separate editions (determined in accordance with the order) of each newspaper and the average circulation per day of publication (within the meaning of Part V of that Act) of each newspaper; and

(ii) in any other case, the value of the turnover of the enterprises concerned;

(d) as to the time when any fee is to be paid; and

(e) for the repayment by the Secretary of State or the OFT of the whole or part of any fee in specified circumstances.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4)(c)(ii) the turnover of an enterprise shall be determined in accordance with such provisions as may be specified in an order under this section.

(6) Provision made by virtue of subsection (5) may, in particular, include provision-

(a) as to the amounts which are, or which are not, to be treated as comprising an enterprise's turnover;

(b) as to the date or dates by reference to which an enterprise's turnover is to be determined;

(c) restricting the turnover to be taken into consideration to turnover which has a connection of a particular description with the United Kingdom.

(7) An order under this section may, in particular, in connection with provisions of the kind mentioned in subsection (5) make provision enabling the Secretary of State or the OFT to determine matters of a description specified in the order (including any of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (6)).

(8) In determining the amount of any fees to be prescribed by an order under this section, the Secretary of State may take into account all costs incurred by him and by the OFT in respect of the exercise by him, the OFT and the Commission of their respective functions under or by virtue of this Part, Part V of the Act of 1973 and sections 32 to 34 of, and Schedule 4ZA to, the Act of 1991.

(9) Fees paid to the Secretary of State or the OFT under this section shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

(10) In this section "newspaper" has the same meaning as in Part V of the Act of 1973.

122

Primacy of Community law

(1) Advice and information published by virtue of section 106(1) or (3) shall include such advice and information about the effect of Community law, and anything done under or in accordance with it, on the provisions of this Part as the OFT or (as the case may be) the Commission considers appropriate.

(2) Advice and information published by the OFT by virtue of section 106(1) shall, in particular, include advice and information about the circumstances in which the duties of the OFT under sections 22 and 33 do not apply as a result of the European Merger Regulations or anything done under or in accordance with them.

(3) The duty or power to make a reference under section 22 or 45(2) or (3), and the power to give an intervention notice under section 42, shall apply in a case in which the relevant enterprises ceased to be distinct enterprises at a time or in circumstances not falling within section 24 if the condition mentioned in subsection (4) is satisfied.

(4) The condition mentioned in this subsection is that, because of the European Merger Regulations or anything done under or in accordance with them, the reference, or (as the case may be) the reference under section 22 to which the intervention notice relates, could not have been made earlier than 4 months before the date on which it is to be made.

(5) Where the duty or power to make a reference under section 22 or 45(2) or (3), or the power to give an intervention notice under section 42, applies as mentioned in subsection (3), references in this Part to the creation of a relevant merger situation shall be construed accordingly.

123

Power to alter share of supply test

(1) The Secretary of State may by order amend or replace the conditions which determine for the purposes of this Part whether a relevant merger situation has been created.

(2) The Secretary of State shall not exercise his power under subsection (1)-

(a) to amend or replace the conditions mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of section 23;

(b) to amend or replace the condition mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of that section.

(3) In exercising his power under subsection (1) to amend or replace the condition mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 23 or any condition which for the time being applies instead of it, the Secretary of State shall, in particular, have regard to the desirability of ensuring that any amended or new condition continues to operate by reference to the degree of commercial strength which results from the enterprises concerned having ceased to be distinct.

(4) Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State shall consult the OFT and the Commission.

(5) An order under this section may provide for the delegation of functions to the decision-making authority.

Other

124

Orders and regulations under Part 3

(1) Any power of the Secretary of State to make an order or regulations under this Part shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) Any power of the Secretary of State to make an order or regulations under this Part-

(a) may be exercised so as to make different provision for different cases or different purposes; and

(b) includes power to make such incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitory, transitional or saving provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3) The power of the Secretary of State under section 34 or 123 (including that power as extended by subsection (2) above) may be exercised by modifying any enactment comprised in or made under this Act, or any other enactment.

(4) The power of the Secretary of State under section 40(8), 52(8) (including that enactment as applied by section 65(3)), 58(3), 68 or 102 as extended by subsection (2) above may be exercised by modifying any enactment comprised in or made under this Act, or any other enactment.

(5) An order made by the Secretary of State under section 28 (including that enactment as applied by section 42(5), 59(5) and 67(7)), 40(8), 52(8) (including that enactment as applied by section 65(3)), 111(4) or (6), 114(3)(b) or (4)(b) or 121 or Schedule 7 shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6) No order shall be made by the Secretary of State under section 34, 68, 102, 123 or 128(6) unless a draft of it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(7) An order made by the Secretary of State under section 58(3) shall be laid before Parliament after being made and shall cease to have effect unless approved, within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which it is made, by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(8) In calculating the period of 28 days mentioned in subsection (7), no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

(9) If an order made by the Secretary of State ceases to have effect by virtue of subsection (7), any modification made by it of an enactment is repealed (and the previous enactment revived) but without prejudice to the validity of anything done in connection with that modification before the order ceased to have effect and without prejudice to the making of a new order.

(10) If, apart from this subsection, an order made by the Secretary of State under section 58(3) would be treated for the purposes of the standing orders of either House of Parliament as a hybrid instrument, it shall proceed in that House as if it were not such an instrument.

125

Offences by bodies corporate

(1) Where an offence under this Part committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of-

(a) a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or

(b) a person purporting to act in such a capacity,

he as well as the body corporate commits the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) applies in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.

(3) Where an offence under this Part is committed by a Scottish partnership and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a partner, he as well as the partnership commits the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(4) In subsection (3) "partner" includes a person purporting to act as a partner.

126

Service of documents

(1) Any document required or authorised by virtue of this Part to be served on any person may be served-

(a) by delivering it to him or by leaving it at his proper address or by sending it by post to him at that address;

(b) if the person is a body corporate other than a limited liability partnership, by serving it in accordance with paragraph (a) on the secretary of the body;

(c) if the person is a limited liability partnership, by serving it in accordance with paragraph (a) on a member of the partnership; or

(d) if the person is a partnership, by serving it in accordance with paragraph (a) on a partner or a person having the control or management of the partnership business.

(2) For the purposes of this section and section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) (service of documents by post) in its application to this section, the proper address of any person on whom a document is to be served shall be his last known address, except that-

(a) in the case of service on a body corporate (other than a limited liability partnership) or its secretary, it shall be the address of the registered or principal office of the body;

(b) in the case of service on a limited liability partnership or a member of the partnership, it shall be the address of the registered or principal office of the partnership;

(c) in the case of service on a partnership or a partner or a person having the control or management of a partnership business, it shall be the address of the principal office of the partnership.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) the principal office of a company constituted under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom or of a partnership carrying on business outside the United Kingdom is its principal office within the United Kingdom.

(4) Subsection (5) applies if a person to be served under this Part with any document by another has specified to that other an address within the United Kingdom other than his proper address (as determined under subsection (2)) as the one at which he or someone on his behalf will accept documents of the same description as that document.

(5) In relation to that document, that address shall be treated as his proper address for the purposes of this section and section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 in its application to this section, instead of that determined under subsection (2).

(6) Any notice in writing or other document required or authorised by virtue of this Part to be served on any person may be served on that person by transmitting the text of the notice or other document to him by means of a telecommunication system (within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12)) or by other means but while in electronic form provided the text is received by that person in legible form and is capable of being used for subsequent reference.

(7) This section does not apply to any document if rules of court make provision about its service.

(8) In this section references to serving include references to similar expressions (such as giving or sending).

127

Associated persons

(1) Associated persons, and any bodies corporate which they or any of them control, shall be treated as one person-

(a) for the purpose of deciding under section 26 whether any two enterprises have been brought under common ownership or common control; and

(b) for the purpose of determining what activities are carried on by way of business by any one person so far as that question arises in connection with paragraph 13(2) of Schedule 8.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not exclude from section 26 any case which would otherwise fall within that section.

(3) A reference under section 22, 33, 45 or 62 (whether or not made by virtue of this section) may be framed so as to exclude from consideration, either altogether or for a specified purpose or to a specified extent, any matter which, apart from this section, would not have been taken into account on that reference.

(4) For the purposes of this section-

(a) any individual and that individual's spouse or partner and any relative, or spouse or partner of a relative, of that individual or of that individual's spouse or partner;

(b) any person in his capacity as trustee of a settlement and the settlor or grantor and any person associated with the settlor or grantor;

(d) two or more persons acting together to secure or exercise control of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate or to secure control of any enterprise or assets,

shall be regarded as associated with one another.

(5) The reference in subsection (1) to bodies corporate which associated persons control shall be construed in accordance with section 26(3) and (4).

(6) In this section "relative" means a brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal ancestor or descendant (the stepchild of any person, or anyone adopted by a person, whether legally or otherwise, as his child being regarded as a relative or taken into account to trace a relationship in the same way as that person's child); and references to a spouse or partner shall include a former spouse or partner.

128

Supply of services and market for services etc.

(1) References in this Part to the supply of services shall be construed in accordance with this section; and references in this Part to a market for services and other related expressions shall be construed accordingly.

(2) The supply of services does not include the provision of services under a contract of service or of apprenticeship whether it is express or implied and (if it is express) whether it is oral or in writing.

(3) The supply of services includes-

(a) performing for gain or reward any activity other than the supply of goods;

(b) rendering services to order;

(4) The supply of services includes making arrangements for the use of computer software or for granting access to data stored in any form which is not readily accessible.

(5) The supply of services includes making arrangements by means of a relevant agreement (within the meaning of section 189(2) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)) for sharing the use of telecommunications apparatus.

(6) The supply of services includes permitting or making arrangements to permit the use of land in such circumstances as the Secretary of State may by order specify.

129

Other interpretation provisions

(1) In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires-

"action" includes omission; and references to the taking of action include references to refraining from action;

"agreement" means any agreement or arrangement, in whatever way and whatever form it is made, and whether it is, or is intended to be, legally enforceable or not;

"business" includes a professional practice and includes any other undertaking which is carried on for gain or reward or which is an undertaking in the course of which goods or services are supplied otherwise than free of charge;

"change of circumstances" includes any discovery that information has been supplied which is false or misleading in a material respect;

"Community law" means-

(a) all the rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions from time to time created or arising by or under the Community Treaties; and

(b) all the remedies and procedures from time to time provided for by or under the Community Treaties;

"consumer" means any person who is-

(a) a person to whom goods are or are sought to be supplied (whether by way of sale or otherwise) in the course of a business carried on by the person supplying or seeking to supply them; or

(b) a person for whom services are or are sought to be supplied in the course of a business carried on by the person supplying or seeking to supply them;

and who does not receive or seek to receive the goods or services in the course of a business carried on by him;

"customer" includes a customer who is not a consumer;

"enactment" includes an Act of the Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland legislation and an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation, and includes an enactment whenever passed or made;

"enterprise" means the activities, or part of the activities, of a business;

"the European Merger Regulations" means Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 of 21st December 1989 on the control of concentrations between undertakings as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No. 1310/97 of 30th June 1997;

"goods" includes buildings and other structures, and also includes ships, aircraft and hovercraft;

"modify" includes amend or repeal;

"notice" means notice in writing;

"price" includes any charge or fee (however described);

"subordinate legislation" has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) and also includes an instrument made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament and an instrument made under Northern Ireland legislation;

"subsidiary" has the meaning given by section 736 of the Companies Act 1985 (c. 6);

"supply", in relation to the supply of goods, includes supply by way of sale, lease, hire or hire-purchase, and, in relation to buildings or other structures, includes the construction of them by a person for another person; and

"United Kingdom national" means an individual who is-

(a) a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen;

(b) a person who under the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61) is a British subject; or

(2) For the purposes of this Part any two bodies corporate are interconnected if-

(a) one of them is a body corporate of which the other is a subsidiary; or

(b) both of them are subsidiaries of one and the same body corporate;

and in this Part "interconnected bodies corporate" shall be construed accordingly and "group of interconnected bodies corporate" means a group consisting of two or more bodies corporate all of whom are interconnected with each other.

(3) References in this Part to a person carrying on business include references to a person carrying on business in partnership with one or more other persons.

(4) Any duty to publish which is imposed on a person by this Part shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as a duty on that person to publish in such manner as he considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matter concerned to the attention of those likely to be affected by it.

130

Index of defined expressions

In this Part, the expressions listed in the left-hand column have the meaning given by, or are to be interpreted in accordance with, the provisions listed in the right-hand column.

Expression	Provision of this Act
Action (and the taking of action)	Section 129(1)
Adverse public interest finding	Section 54(3)
Agreement	Section 129(1)
Anti-competitive outcome	Section 35(2)
Business (and carrying on business)	Section 129(1) and (3)
Change of circumstances	Section 129(1)
The Commission	Section 273
Community law	Section 129(1)
Consumer	Section 129(1)
Customer	Section 129(1)
Date of reference	Section 39(9)
The decision-making authority	Section 22(7)
Enactment	Section 129(1)
Enforcement order	Section 86(6)
Enforcement undertaking	Section 89(2)
Enterprise	Section 129(1)
Enterprises ceasing to be distinct	Section 26(1)
European Merger Regulations	Section 129(1)
Final determination of matter to which intervention notice relates	Section 43(4) and (5)
Final determination of matter to which special intervention notice relates	Section 60(4) and (5)
Final determination of reference under section 22 or 33	Section 79(1) and (2)
Goods	Section 129(1)
Interconnected bodies corporate (and a group of interconnected bodies corporate)	Section 129(2)
Intervention notice	Section 42(2)
Market for goods or services	Section 22(6)
Market in the United Kingdom	Section 22(6)
Merger notice	Section 96(2)
Modify	Section 129(1)
Notice	Section 129(1)
Notified arrangements	Section 96(6)
The OFT	Section 273
Orders under section 81	Section 81(6)
Orders under paragraph 2 of Schedule 7	Paragraph 2(7) of Schedule 7
The period for considering a merger notice	Sections 97 and 98
Price	Section 129(1)
Public interest consideration	Sections 42(3) and 67(9)
Public interest consideration being finalised	Section 42(8)
Publish	Section 129(4)
References under section 22, 33, 45 or 62	Sections 37(2), 49(1), 56(8) and 64(2)
Relevant customer benefit	Section 30
Relevant merger situation	Section 23 (as read with other enactments)
Reports of the Commission	Section 118(5)
Special intervention notice	Section 59(2)
Special merger situation	Section 59(3)
Subordinate legislation	Section 129(1)
Subsidiary	Section 129(1)
Supply (in relation to the supply of goods)	Section 129(1)
The supply of services (and a market for services etc.)	Section 128
The turnover in the United Kingdom of an enterprise	Section 28(2)
Undertakings under section 80	Section 80(6)
Undertakings under paragraph 1 of Schedule 7	Paragraph 1(7) of Schedule 7
United Kingdom national	Section 129(1)

[a] Amended by Correction Slip. Page 82: In section 107(2)(b) the reference to "section 32" should be to "section 33". back

Prepared 27 November 2002


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