Competition Act 1998

Changes over time for: Section 27

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Competition Act 1998, Section 27 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 04 February 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 27:

s. 60A(10) inserted by 2023 c. 28 s. 6(10)

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

s. 60A(10) inserted by 2023 c. 28 s. 6(10)

27 [F1Power to enter business premises without a warrant] U.K.

(1)Any officer of the [F2CMA] who is authorised in writing by the [F2CMA] to do so (“an investigating officer”) may enter [F3any business premises] in connection with an investigation [F4under section 25].

(2)No investigating officer is to enter any premises in the exercise of his powers under this section unless he has given to the occupier of the premises a written notice which—

(a)gives at least two working days’ notice of the intended entry;

(b)indicates the subject matter and purpose of the investigation; and

[F5(c)includes information about the possible consequences of failing to comply with the notice.]

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply—

(a)if the [F6CMA] has a reasonable suspicion that the premises are, or have been, occupied by—

(i)a party to an agreement which [F7it] is investigating [F8section 25]; or

(ii)an undertaking the conduct of which [F7it] is investigating under [F9section 25]; or

(b)if the investigating officer has taken all such steps as are reasonably practicable to give notice but has not been able to do so.

(4)In a case falling within subsection (3), the power of entry conferred by subsection (1) is to be exercised by the investigating officer on production of—

(a)evidence of his authorisation; and

(b)a document containing the information referred to in subsection (2)(b) and (c).

(5)An investigating officer entering any premises under this section may—

(a)take with him such equipment as appears to him to be necessary;

(b)require any person on the premises—

(i)to produce any document which he considers relates to any matter relevant to the investigation; and

(ii)if the document is produced, to provide an explanation of it;

(c)require any person to state, to the best of his knowledge and belief, where any such document is to be found;

(d)take copies of, or extracts from, any document which is produced;

(e)require any information which is [F10stored in any electronic form] and is accessible from the premises and which the investigating officer considers relates to any matter relevant to the investigation, to be produced in a form—

(i)in which it can be taken away, and

(ii)in which it is visible and legible [F11or from which it can readily be produced in a visible and legible form].

[F12(f)take any steps which appear to be necessary for the purpose of preserving or preventing interference with any document which he considers relates to any matter relevant to the investigation.]

[F13(6)In this section “business premises” means premises (or any part of premises) not used as a dwelling.]

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 27 sidenote substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 12(6)

F2Word in s. 27(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 7 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F3Words in s. 27(1) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 12(2)(a)

F4Words in s. 27(1) cease to have effect (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 12(2)(b) (with reg. 6(2))

F5S. 27(2)(c) substituted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 4; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14)

F6Word in s. 27(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 7 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F7Word in s. 27(3) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(21)(b); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)

F8Words in s. 27(3)(a)(i) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 12(3)(a)

F9Words in s. 27(3)(a)(ii) substituted (1.5.2004) by The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 12(3)(b)

F10Words in s. 27(5)(e) substituted (1.4.2003) by Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (c. 16), s. 138(2), Sch. 2 para. 21(a); S.I. 2003/708, art. 2(k)