7(1)The CMA must determine an appeal within the period of 6 months beginning with the permission date.
(2)If—
(a)the CMA has received representations on the timing of the determination from a party to the appeal, and
(b)it is satisfied that there are special reasons why the determination cannot be made within the period specified in sub-paragraph (1),
the CMA must determine the appeal within the period specified by it, which must not be longer than the period of 7 months beginning with the permission date.
(3)In a case where sub-paragraph (2) applies, the CMA must also—
(a)inform the parties to the appeal of the time limit for determining the appeal, and
(b)publish that time limit in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of any other persons likely to be affected by the determination.
(4)In this paragraph the “permission date” is the date on which the CMA gave permission to bring the appeal in accordance with section 76(8).