Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40)

(The document as of February, 2008)

-- Back --

Page 1

Pages: P.1 | P.2 | P.3 | P.4 | P.5 | P.6 | P.7 | P.8 | P.9 | P.10 | P.11 | P.12 | P.13 | P.14 | P.15 | P.16 | P.17 | P.18 | P.19 | P.20 | P.21 | P.22 | P.23 | P.24 | P.25 | P.26 | P.27 | P.28 | P.29 | P.30 | P.31 | P.32 | P.33 | P.34 | P.35 | P.36 | P.37 | P.38 | P.39

Enterprise Act 2002

2002 CHAPTER 40

Content

Part 1

The Office of Fair Trading
1. Establishment of OFT
  1. 1. The Office of Fair Trading
  2. 2. The Director General of Fair Trading
  3. 3. Annual plan
  4. 4. Annual and other reports
2. General functions of OFT
  1. 5. Acquisition of information etc.
  2. 6. Provision of information etc. to the public
  3. 7. Provision of information and advice to Ministers etc.
  4. 8. Promoting good consumer practice
3. Miscellaneous
  1. 9. Repeal of certain powers of direction
  2. 10. Part 2 of the 1973 Act
  3. 11. Super-complaints to OFT
Part 2

The Competition Appeal Tribunal
1. The Competition Appeal Tribunal
  1. 12. The Competition Appeal Tribunal
  2. 13. The Competition Service
  3. 14. Constitution of Tribunal for particular proceedings and its decisions
  4. 15. Tribunal rules
  5. 16. Transfers of certain proceedings to and from Tribunal
2. Proceedings under Part 1 of 1998 Act
  1. 17. Third party appeals
  2. 18. Monetary claims
  3. 19. Claims on behalf of consumers
3. Other amendments of 1998 Act
  1. 20. Findings of infringements
  2. 21. Amendment of 1998 Act relating to the Tribunal
Part 3

Mergers
1. Chapter 1
  
  Duty to make references
  1. Duty to make references: completed mergers
    1. 22. Duty to make references in relation to completed mergers
    2. 23. Relevant merger situations
    3. 24. Time-limits and prior notice
    4. 25. Extension of time-limits
    5. 26. Enterprises ceasing to be distinct enterprises
    6. 27. Time when enterprises cease to be distinct
    7. 28. Turnover test
    8. 29. Obtaining control by stages
    9. 30. Relevant customer benefits
    10. 31. Information powers in relation to completed mergers
    11. 32. Supplementary provision for purposes of sections 25 and 31
  2. Duty to make references: anticipated mergers
    1. 33. Duty to make references in relation to anticipated mergers
    2. 34. Supplementary provision in relation to anticipated mergers
  3. Determination of references
    1. 35. Questions to be decided in relation to completed mergers
    2. 36. Questions to be decided in relation to anticipated mergers
    3. 37. Cancellation and variation of references under section 22 or 33
    4. 38. Investigations and reports on references under section 22 or 33
    5. 39. Time-limits for investigations and reports
    6. 40. Section 39: supplementary
    7. 41. Duty to remedy effects of completed or anticipated mergers
2. Chapter 2
  
  Public interest cases
  1. Power to make references
    1. 42. Intervention by Secretary of State in certain public interest cases
    2. 43. Intervention notices under section 42
    3. 44. Investigation and report by OFT
    4. 45. Power of Secretary of State to refer matter to Commission
    5. 46. References under section 45: supplementary
  2. Reports on references
    1. 47. Questions to be decided on references under section 45
    2. 48. Cases where references or certain questions need not be decided
    3. 49. Variation of references under section 45
    4. 50. Investigations and reports on references under section 45
    5. 51. Time-limits for investigations and reports by Commission
    6. 52. Section 51: supplementary
    7. 53. Restrictions on action where public interest considerations not finalised
  3. Decisions of the Secretary of State
    1. 54. Decision of Secretary of State in public interest cases
    2. 55. Enforcement action by Secretary of State
  4. Other
    1. 56. Competition cases where intervention on public interest grounds ceases
    2. 57. Duties of OFT and Commission to inform Secretary of State
    3. 58. Specified considerations
3. Chapter 3
  
  Other special cases
  1. Special public interest cases
    1. 59. Intervention by Secretary of State in special public interest cases
    2. 60. Special intervention notices under section 59
    3. 61. Initial investigation and report by OFT
    4. 62. Power of Secretary of State to refer the matter
    5. 63. Questions to be decided on references under section 62
    6. 64. Cancellation and variation of references under section 62
    7. 65. Investigations and reports on references under section 62
    8. 66. Decision and enforcement action by Secretary of State
  2. European mergers
    1. 67. Intervention to protect legitimate interests
    2. 68. Scheme for protecting legitimate interests
  3. Other
    1. 69. Newspaper mergers
    2. 70. Water mergers
4. Chapter 4
  
  Enforcement
  1. Powers exercisable before references under section 22 or 33
    1. 71. Initial undertakings: completed mergers
    2. 72. Initial enforcement orders: completed mergers
    3. 73. Undertakings in lieu of references under section 22 or 33
    4. 74. Effect of undertakings under section 73
    5. 75. Order-making power where undertakings under section 73 not fulfilled etc.
    6. 76. Supplementary interim order-making power
  2. Interim restrictions and powers
    1. 77. Restrictions on certain dealings: completed mergers
    2. 78. Restrictions on certain share dealings: anticipated mergers
    3. 79. Sections 77 and 78: further interpretation provisions
    4. 80. Interim undertakings
    5. 81. Interim orders
  3. Final powers
    1. 82. Final undertakings
    2. 83. Order-making power where final undertakings not fulfilled
    3. 84. Final orders
  4. Public interest and special public interest cases
    1. 85. Enforcement regime for public interest and special public interest cases
  5. Undertakings and orders: general provisions
    1. 86. Enforcement orders: general provisions
    2. 87. Delegated power of directions
    3. 88. Contents of certain enforcement orders
    4. 89. Subject-matter of undertakings
    5. 90. Procedural requirements for certain undertakings and orders
    6. 91. Register of undertakings and orders
  6. Enforcement functions of OFT
    1. 92. Duty of OFT to monitor undertakings and orders
    2. 93. Further role of OFT in relation to undertakings and orders
  7. Other
    1. 94. Rights to enforce undertakings and orders
    2. 95. Rights to enforce statutory restrictions
5. Chapter 5
  
  Supplementary
  1. Merger notices
    1. 96. Merger notices
    2. 97. Period for considering merger notices
    3. 98. Section 97: supplementary
    4. 99. Certain functions of OFT and Secretary of State in relation to merger notices
    5. 100. Exceptions to protection given by merger notices
    6. 101. Merger notices: regulations
    7. 102. Power to modify sections 97 to 101
  2. General duties in relation to references
    1. 103. Duty of expedition in relation to references
    2. 104. Certain duties of relevant authorities to consult
  3. Information and publicity requirements
    1. 105. General information duties of OFT and Commission
    2. 106. Advice and information about references under sections 22 and 33
    3. 107. Further publicity requirements
    4. 108. Defamation
  4. Investigation powers
    1. 109. Attendance of witnesses and production of documents etc.
    2. 110. Enforcement of powers under section 109: general
    3. 111. Penalties
    4. 112. Penalties: main procedural requirements
    5. 113. Payments and interest by instalments
    6. 114. Appeals in relation to penalties
    7. 115. Recovery of penalties
    8. 116. Statement of policy
    9. 117. False or misleading information
  5. Reports
    1. 118. Excisions from reports
    2. 119. Minority reports of Commission
  6. Miscellaneous
    1. 120. Review of decisions under Part 3
    2. 121. Fees
    3. 122. Primacy of Community law
    4. 123. Power to alter share of supply test
  7. Other
    1. 124. Orders and regulations under Part 3
    2. 125. Offences by bodies corporate
    3. 126. Service of documents
    4. 127. Associated persons
    5. 128. Supply of services and market for services etc.
    6. 129. Other interpretation provisions
    7. 130. Index of defined expressions
Part 4

Market Investigations
1. Chapter 1
  
  Market investigation references
  1. Making of references
    1. 131. Power of OFT to make references
    2. 132. Ministerial power to make references
    3. 133. Contents of references
  2. Determination of references
    1. 134. Questions to be decided on market investigation references
    2. 135. Variation of market investigation references
    3. 136. Investigations and reports on market investigation references
    4. 137. Time-limits for market investigations and reports
    5. 138. Duty to remedy adverse effects
2. Chapter 2
  
  Public interest cases
  1. Intervention notices
    1. 139. Public interest intervention by Secretary of State
  2. Intervention notices under section 139(1)
    1. 140. Intervention notices under section 139(1)
    2. 141. Questions to be decided by Commission
    3. 142. Investigations and reports by Commission
    4. 143. Publication etc. of reports of Commission
    5. 144. Time-limits for investigations and reports: Part 4
    6. 145. Restrictions where public interest considerations not finalised: Part 4
    7. 146. Decision of Secretary of State
    8. 147. Remedial action by Secretary of State
    9. 148. Reversion of the matter to the Commission
  3. Intervention notices under section 139(2)
    1. 149. Intervention notices under section 139(2)
    2. 150. Power of veto of Secretary of State
  4. Other
    1. 151. Further interaction of intervention notices with general procedure
    2. 152. Certain duties of OFT and Commission
    3. 153. Specified considerations: Part 4
3. Chapter 3
  
  Enforcement
  1. Undertakings and orders
    1. 154. Undertakings in lieu of market investigation references
    2. 155. Undertakings in lieu: procedural requirements
    3. 156. Effect of undertakings under section 154
    4. 157. Interim undertakings: Part 4
    5. 158. Interim orders: Part 4
    6. 159. Final undertakings: Part 4
    7. 160. Order-making power where final undertakings not fulfilled: Part 4
    8. 161. Final orders: Part 4
  2. Enforcement functions of OFT
    1. 162. Duty of OFT to monitor undertakings and orders: Part 4
    2. 163. Further role of OFT in relation to undertakings and orders: Part 4
  3. Supplementary
    1. 164. Enforcement undertakings and orders under this Part: general provisions
    2. 165. Procedural requirements for certain undertakings and orders: Part 4
    3. 166. Register of undertakings and orders: Part 4
    4. 167. Rights to enforce undertakings and orders under this Part
4. Chapter 4
  
  Supplementary
  1. Regulated markets
    1. 168. Regulated markets
  2. Consultation, information and publicity
    1. 169. Certain duties of relevant authorities to consult: Part 4
    2. 170. General information duties
    3. 171. Advice and information: Part 4
    4. 172. Further publicity requirements: Part 4
    5. 173. Defamation: Part 4
  3. Investigation powers
    1. 174. Investigation powers of OFT
    2. 175. Enforcement of powers under section 174: offences
    3. 176. Investigation powers of the Commission
  4. Reports
    1. 177. Excisions from reports: Part 4
    2. 178. Minority reports of Commission: Part 4
  5. Other
    1. 179. Review of decisions under Part 4
    2. 180. Offences
    3. 181. Orders under Part 4
    4. 182. Service of documents: Part 4
    5. 183. Interpretation: Part 4
    6. 184. Index of defined expressions: Part 4
Part 5

The Competition Commission
1. 185. The Commission
2. 186. Annual report of Commission
3. 187. Commission rules of procedure
Part 6

Cartel offence
1. Cartel offence
  1. 188. Cartel offence
  2. 189. Cartel offence: supplementary
  3. 190. Cartel offence: penalty and prosecution
  4. 191. Extradition
2. Criminal investigations by OFT
  1. 192. Investigation of offences under section 188
  2. 193. Powers when conducting an investigation
  3. 194. Power to enter premises under a warrant
  4. 195. Exercise of powers by authorised person
  5. 196. Privileged information etc.
  6. 197. Restriction on use of statements in court
  7. 198. Use of statements obtained under Competition Act 1998
  8. 199. Surveillance powers
  9. 200. Authorisation of action in respect of property
  10. 201. Offences
  11. 202. Interpretation of sections 192 to 201
Part 7

Miscellaneous Competition Provisions
1. Powers of entry under 1998 Act
  1. 203. Powers of entry
2. Directors disqualification
  1. 204. Disqualification
3. Miscellaneous
  1. 205. Super-complaints to regulators other than OFT
  2. 206. Power to modify Schedule 8
  3. 207. Repeal of Schedule 4 to the 1998 Act
  4. 208. Repeal of Part 6 of Fair Trading Act 1973
  5. 209. Reform of Community competition law
Part 8

Enforcement of certain consumer legislation
1. Introduction
  1. 210. Consumers
  2. 211. Domestic infringements
  3. 212. Community infringements
  4. 213. Enforcers
2. Enforcement procedure
  1. 214. Consultation
  2. 215. Applications
  3. 216. Applications: directions by OFT
  4. 217. Enforcement orders
  5. 218. Interim enforcement order
  6. 219. Undertakings
  7. 220. Further proceedings
  8. 221. Community infringements: proceedings
  9. 222. Bodies corporate: accessories
  10. 223. Bodies corporate: orders
3. Information
  1. 224. OFT
  2. 225. Other enforcers
  3. 226. Notices: procedure
  4. 227. Notices: enforcement
4. Miscellaneous
  1. 228. Evidence
  2. 229. Advice and information
  3. 230. Notice to OFT of intended prosecution
  4. 231. Notice of convictions and judgments to OFT
5. Interpretation
  1. 232. Goods and services
  2. 233. Person supplying goods
  3. 234. Supply of services
  4. 235. Injunctions Directive
6. Crown
  1. 236. Crown
Part 9

Information
1. Restrictions on disclosure
  1. 237. General restriction
  2. 238. Information
2. Permitted disclosure
  1. 239. Consent
  2. 240. Community obligations
  3. 241. Statutory functions
  4. 242. Criminal proceedings
  5. 243. Overseas disclosures
  6. 244. Specified information: considerations relevant to disclosure
3. Offences
  1. 245. Offences
4. General
  1. 246. Subordinate legislation
  2. 247. Repeals
Part 10

Insolvency
1. Companies etc.
  1. 248. Replacement of Part II of Insolvency Act 1986
  2. 249. Special administration regimes
  3. 250. Prohibition of appointment of administrative receiver
  4. 251. Abolition of Crown preference
  5. 252. Unsecured creditors
  6. 253. Liquidator's powers
  7. 254. Application of insolvency law to foreign company
  8. 255. Application of law about company arrangement or administration to non-company
2. Individuals
  1. 256. Duration of bankruptcy
  2. 257. Post-discharge restrictions
  3. 258. Investigation by official receiver
  4. 259. Income payments order
  5. 260. Income payments agreement
  6. 261. Bankrupt's home
  7. 262. Powers of trustee in bankruptcy
  8. 263. Repeal of certain bankruptcy offences
  9. 264. Individual voluntary arrangement
  10. 265. Disqualification from office: justice of the peace
  11. 266. Disqualification from office: Parliament
  12. 267. Disqualification from office: local government
  13. 268. Disqualification from office: general
  14. 269. Minor and consequential amendments
3. Money
  1. 270. Fees
  2. 271. Insolvency Services Account: interest
  3. 272. Insolvency Services Accounts
Part 11

Supplementary
1. 273. Interpretation
2. 274. Provision of financial assistance for consumer purposes
3. 275. Financial provision
4. 276. Transitional or transitory provision and savings
5. 277. Power to make consequential amendments etc.
6. 278. Minor and consequential amendments and repeals
7. 279. Commencement
8. 280. Extent
9. 281. Short title
1. Schedule 1
  
  The Office of Fair Trading
2. Schedule 2
  
  The Competition Appeal Tribunal
3. Schedule 3
  
  The Competition Service
  1. Part 1
    
    Constitution etc.
  2. Part 2
    
    Transfers of property etc. between the Commission and the Service
  3. Part 3
    
    Miscellaneous
4. Schedule 4
  
  Tribunal: procedure
  1. Part 1
    
    General
  2. Part 2
    
    Tribunal rules
5. Schedule 5
  
  Proceedings under Part 1 of the 1998 Act
6. Schedule 6
  
  Schedule to be inserted in the Water Industry Act 1991
7. Schedule 7
  
  Enforcement regime for public interest and special public interest cases
8. Schedule 8
  
  Provision that may be contained in certain enforcement orders
9. Schedule 9
  
  Certain amendments of sectoral enactments
  1. Part 1
    
    Power of enforcement orders to amend licence conditions etc.
  2. Part 2
    
    Application of Part 4 of this Act to sectoral regulators
10. Schedule 10
  
  Procedural requirements for certain enforcement undertakings and orders
11. Schedule 11
  
  The Competition Commission
12. Schedule 12
  
  Competition Commission: certain procedural rules
13. Schedule 13
  
  Listed Directives
  1. Part 1
    
    Directives
  2. Part 2
    
    Provisions of directives
14. Schedule 14
  
  Specified functions
15. Schedule 15
  
  Enactments conferring functions
16. Schedule 16
  
  Schedule B1 to Insolvency Act 1986
17. Schedule 17
  
  Administration: minor and consequential amendments
18. Schedule 18
  
  Schedule 2A to Insolvency Act 1986
19. Schedule 19
  
  Duration of bankruptcy: transitional provisions
20. Schedule 20
  
  Schedule 4A to Insolvency Act 1986
21. Schedule 21
  
  Effect of bankruptcy restrictions order and undertaking
22. Schedule 22
  
  Individual voluntary arrangement
23. Schedule 23
  
  Individual insolvency: minor and consequential amendments
24. Schedule 24
  
  Transitional and transitory provisions and savings
25. Schedule 25
  
  Minor and consequential amendments
26. Schedule 26
  
  Repeals and revocations

An act to establish and provide for the functions of the Office of Fair Trading, the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the Competition Service; to make provision about mergers and market structures and conduct; to amend the constitution and functions of the Competition Commission; to create an offence for those entering into certain anti-competitive agreements; to provide for the disqualification of directors of companies engaging in certain anti-competitive practices; to make other provision about competition law; to amend the law relating to the protection of the collective interests of consumers; to make further provision about the disclosure of information obtained under competition and consumer legislation; to amend the Insolvency Act 1986 and make other provision about insolvency; and for connected purposes.

[7th November 2002]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:--

Part 1 The Office of Fair Trading

Establishment of OFT

1 The Office of Fair Trading

(1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as the Office of Fair Trading (in this Act referred to as "the OFT").

(2) The functions of the OFT are carried out on behalf of the Crown.

(3) Schedule 1 (which makes further provision about the OFT) has effect.

(4) In managing its affairs the OFT shall have regard, in addition to any relevant general guidance as to the governance of public bodies, to such generally accepted principles of good corporate governance as it is reasonable to regard as applicable to the OFT.

2 The Director General of Fair Trading

(1) The functions of the Director General of Fair Trading (in this Act referred to as "the Director"), and his property, rights and liabilities, are transferred to the OFT.

(2) The office of the Director is abolished.

(3) Any enactment, instrument or other document passed or made before the commencement of subsection (1) which refers to the Director shall have effect, so far as necessary for the purposes of or in consequence of anything being transferred, as if any reference to the Director were a reference to the OFT.

3 Annual plan

(1) The OFT shall, before each financial year, publish a document (the "annual plan") containing a statement of its main objectives and priorities for the year.

(2) The OFT shall for the purposes of public consultation publish a document containing proposals for its annual plan at least two months before publishing the annual plan for any year.

(3) The OFT shall lay before Parliament a copy of each document published under subsection (2) and each annual plan.

4 Annual and other reports

(1) The OFT shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, make to the Secretary of State a report (the "annual report") on its activities and performance during that year.

(2) The annual report for each year shall include--

(a) a general survey of developments in respect of matters relating to the OFT's functions;

(b) an assessment of the extent to which the OFT's main objectives and priorities for the year (as set out in the annual plan) have been met;

(c) a summary of the significant decisions, investigations or other activities made or carried out by the OFT during the year;

(d) a summary of the allocation of the OFT's financial resources to its various activities during the year; and

(e) an assessment of the OFT's performance and practices in relation to its enforcement functions.

(3) The OFT shall lay a copy of each annual report before Parliament and arrange for the report to be published.

(4) The OFT may--

(a) prepare other reports in respect of matters relating to any of its functions; and

(b) arrange for any such report to be published.

General functions of OFT

5 Acquisition of information etc.

(1) The OFT has the function of obtaining, compiling and keeping under review information about matters relating to the carrying out of its functions.

(2) That function is to be carried out with a view to (among other things) ensuring that the OFT has sufficient information to take informed decisions and to carry out its other functions effectively.

(3) In carrying out that function the OFT may carry out, commission or support (financially or otherwise) research.

6 Provision of information etc. to the public

(1) The OFT has the function of--

(a) making the public aware of the ways in which competition may benefit consumers in, and the economy of, the United Kingdom; and

(b) giving information or advice in respect of matters relating to any of its functions to the public.

(2) In carrying out those functions the OFT may--

(a) publish educational materials or carry out other educational activities; or

(b) support (financially or otherwise) the carrying out by others of such activities or the provision by others of information or advice.

7 Provision of information and advice to Ministers etc.

(1) The OFT has the function of--

(a) making proposals, or

(b) giving other information or advice,

on matters relating to any of its functions to any Minister of the Crown or other public authority (including proposals, information or advice as to any aspect of the law or a proposed change in the law).

(2) A Minister of the Crown may request the OFT to make proposals or give other information or advice on any matter relating to any of its functions; and the OFT shall, so far as is reasonably practicable and consistent with its other functions, comply with the request.

8 Promoting good consumer practice

(1) The OFT has the function of promoting good practice in the carrying out of activities which may affect the economic interests of consumers in the United Kingdom.

(2) In carrying out that function the OFT may (without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1)) make arrangements for approving consumer codes and may, in accordance with the arrangements, give its approval to or withdraw its approval from any consumer code.

(3) Any such arrangements must specify the criteria to be applied by the OFT in determining whether to give approval to or withdraw approval from a consumer code.

(4) Any such arrangements may in particular--

(a) specify descriptions of consumer code which may be the subject of an application to the OFT for approval (and any such description may be framed by reference to any feature of a consumer code, including the persons who are, or are to be, subject to the code, the manner in which it is, or is to be, operated and the persons responsible for its operation); and

(b) provide for the use in accordance with the arrangements of an official symbol intended to signify that a consumer code is approved by the OFT.

(5) The OFT shall publish any arrangements under subsection (2) in such manner it considers appropriate.

(6) In this section "consumer code" means a code of practice or other document (however described) intended, with a view to safeguarding or promoting the interests of consumers, to regulate by any means the conduct of persons engaged in the supply of goods or services to consumers (or the conduct of their employees or representatives).

Miscellaneous

9 Repeal of certain powers of direction

Section 12 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 (c. 41) (in this Act referred to as "the 1973 Act") and section 13 of the Competition Act 1980 (c. 21) (powers of Secretary of State to give directions) shall cease to have effect.

10 Part 2 of the 1973 Act

(1) The following provisions of the 1973 Act shall cease to have effect--

(a) section 3 and Schedule 2 (which establish, and make provision with respect to, the Consumer Protection Advisory Committee);

(b) sections 13 to 21 (which relate to references made to, and reports of, that Committee); and

(2) But subsection (1)(c) does not affect--

(a) any order under section 22 of the 1973 Act which is in force immediately before the commencement of this section;

(b) the continued operation of that section so far as applying to the revocation of any such order.

(3) If the orders saved by subsection (2)(a) have been revoked, the Secretary of State may by order--

(a) repeal any unrepealed provision of Part 2 of the 1973 Act and subsection (2) above; and

(b) make such other consequential modifications of any Act or subordinate legislation (whenever passed or made) as he thinks fit.

(4) An order under subsection (3)--

(a) may make transitional or saving provision in connection with any modification made by the order; and

(b) shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

11 Super-complaints to OFT

(1) This section applies where a designated consumer body makes a complaint to the OFT that any feature, or combination of features, of a market in the United Kingdom for goods or services is or appears to be significantly harming the interests of consumers.

(2) The OFT must, within 90 days after the day on which it receives the complaint, publish a response stating how it proposes to deal with the complaint, and in particular--

(a) whether it has decided to take any action, or to take no action, in response to the complaint, and

(b) if it has decided to take action, what action it proposes to take.

(3) The response must state the OFT's reasons for its proposals.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (2) by substituting any period for the period for the time being specified there.

(5) "Designated consumer body" means a body designated by the Secretary of State by order.

(6) The Secretary of State--

(a) may designate a body only if it appears to him to represent the interests of consumers of any description, and

(b) must publish (and may from time to time vary) other criteria to be applied by him in determining whether to make or revoke a designation.

(7) The OFT--

(a) must issue guidance as to the presentation by the complainant of a reasoned case for the complaint, and

(b) may issue such other guidance as appears to it to be appropriate for the purposes of this section.

(8) An order under this section--

(a) shall be made by statutory instrument, and

(b) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(9) In this section--

(a) references to a feature of a market in the United Kingdom for goods or services have the same meaning as if contained in Part 4, and

(b) "consumer" means an individual who is a consumer within the meaning of that Part.

Part 2 The Competition Appeal Tribunal

The Competition Appeal Tribunal

12 The Competition Appeal Tribunal

(1) There shall be a tribunal, to be called the Competition Appeal Tribunal (in this Part referred to as "the Tribunal").

(2) The Tribunal shall consist of--

(a) a person appointed by the Lord Chancellor to preside over the Tribunal (in this Part referred to as "the President");

(b) members appointed by the Lord Chancellor to form a panel of chairmen; and

(3) The Tribunal shall have a Registrar appointed by the Secretary of State.

(4) The expenses of the Tribunal shall be paid by the Competition Service.

(5) Schedule 2 (which makes further provision about the Tribunal) has effect.

13 The Competition Service

(1) There shall be a body corporate called the Competition Service (in this Part referred to as "the Service").

(2) The purpose of the Service is to fund, and provide support services to, the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

(3) In subsection (2) "support services" includes the provision of staff, accommodation and equipment and any other services which facilitate the carrying out by the Tribunal of its functions.

(4) The activities of the Service are not carried out on behalf of the Crown (and its property is not to be regarded as held on behalf of the Crown).

(5) The Secretary of State shall pay to the Service such sums as he considers appropriate to enable it to fund the activities of the Tribunal and to carry out its other activities.

(6) Schedule 3 (which makes further provision about the Service) has effect.

14 Constitution of Tribunal for particular proceedings and its decisions

(1) For the purposes of any proceedings before it the Tribunal shall consist of a chairman and two other members.

(2) The chairman must be the President or a member of the panel of chairmen.

(3) The other members may be chosen from either the panel of chairmen or the panel of ordinary members.

(4) If the members of the Tribunal as constituted in accordance with this section are unable to agree on any decision, the decision is to be taken by majority vote.

(5) This section has effect subject to paragraph 18 of Schedule 4 (consequences of a member of the Tribunal being unable to continue after the proceedings have begun to be heard).

(6) Part 1 of Schedule 4 (which makes further provision about the decisions of the Tribunal and their enforcement) has effect.

15 Tribunal rules

(1) The Secretary of State may, after consulting the President and such other persons as he considers appropriate, make rules (in this Part referred to as "Tribunal rules") with respect to proceedings before the Tribunal.

(2) Tribunal rules may make provision with respect to matters incidental to or consequential upon appeals provided for by or under any Act to the Court of Appeal or the Court of Session in relation to a decision of the Tribunal.

(3) Tribunal rules may--

(a) specify qualifications for appointment as Registrar;

(b) confer functions on the President or the Registrar in relation to proceedings before the Tribunal; and

(4) The power to make Tribunal rules is exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5) Part 2 of Schedule 4 (which makes further provision about the rules) has effect, but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1).

16 Transfers of certain proceedings to and from Tribunal

(1) The Lord Chancellor may by regulations--

(a) make provision enabling the court--

(i) to transfer to the Tribunal for its determination so much of any proceedings before the court as relates to an infringement issue; and

(ii) to give effect to the determination of that issue by the Tribunal; and

(b) make such incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional or saving provision as the Lord Chancellor may consider appropriate.

(2) The power to make regulations under subsection (1) is exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(3) Rules of court may prescribe the procedure to be followed in connection with a transfer mentioned in subsection (1).

(4) The court may transfer to the Tribunal, in accordance with rules of court, so much of any proceedings before it as relates to a claim to which section 47A of the 1998 Act applies.

(5) Rules of court may make provision in connection with the transfer from the Tribunal to the High Court or the Court of Session of a claim made in proceedings under section 47A of the 1998 Act.

(6) In this section--

"the court" means--
(a)
the High Court or a county court; or
(b)
the Court of Session or a sheriff court; and
"infringement issue" means any question relating to whether or not an infringement of --
(a)
the Chapter I prohibition or the Chapter II prohibition; or
(b)
Article 81 or 82 of the Treaty,

has been or is being committed;

but otherwise any terms used in this section and Part 1 of the 1998 Act have the same meaning as they have in that Part.

-- Back --

Stat