57Reports by the OFT
(1)If the OFT is of the opinion that the regulatory arrangements of an approved regulator (or any part of them) prevent, restrict or distort competition within the market for reserved legal services to any significant extent, or are likely to do so, the OFT may prepare a report to that effect.
(2)A report under subsection (1)—
(a)must state what, in the OFT’s opinion, is the effect, or likely effect, on competition of the regulatory arrangements or part of them to which the report relates, and
(b)may contain recommendations as to the action which the Board should take for the purpose of ensuring that the regulatory arrangements of the approved regulator do not prevent, restrict or distort competition.
(3)Where the OFT makes a report under subsection (1), it must—
(a)give a copy of the report to the Board, the Consumer Panel and the approved regulator, and
(b)publish the report.
(4)Before publishing a report under subsection (3)(b), the OFT must, so far as practicable, exclude any matter which relates to the private affairs of a particular individual the publication of which, in the opinion of the OFT, would or might seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual.
(5)The OFT may exercise any of the powers conferred on it by section 174(3) to (5) of the Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40) (investigation powers) for the purpose of assisting it in exercising its functions under this section.
(6)For the purposes of the law of defamation, absolute privilege attaches to any report of the OFT under this section.