The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 No. 3336 (NI. 21)

PART III N.I. APPOINTMENT AND REGULATION OF UNDERTAKERS

CHAPTER I N.I. APPOINTMENTS

Making of appointments N.I.

Appointment of relevant undertakers N.I.

13.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Chapter, a company may be appointed—

(a) by the Department; or

(b) with the consent of or in accordance with a general authorisation given by the Department, by the Authority,

to be the water undertaker or sewerage undertaker for any area.

(2) Without prejudice to the obligation of a company holding an appointment under this Chapter to comply with the conditions of its appointment, the appointment of a company to be the water undertaker or sewerage undertaker for any area shall have the effect, while the appointment remains in force—

(a) of requiring the company to perform any duty imposed by or under any statutory provision on an undertaker of the relevant description (that is to say, a water undertaker or, as the case may be, sewerage undertaker);

(b) of authorising the company, for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of any of the functions of an undertaker of the relevant description, to exercise any power conferred by or under any statutory provision on an undertaker of that description;

(c) of requiring statutory provisions authorising or requiring anything to be done in relation to an undertaker of the relevant description to be construed as authorising or requiring that thing to be done in relation to that company; and

(d) of requiring other references in any statutory provision to an undertaker of the relevant description, or to the area of that undertaker, to be construed, so far as necessary for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out by that company of the functions of an undertaker of that description, as references to that company or, as the case may be, to that area.

(3) The appointment of a company to be a relevant undertaker shall be by service on the company of an instrument in writing containing the appointment and describing the area for which it is made.

(4) A single instrument may contain the appointment of a company to be the sewerage undertaker for an area and the appointment of the same company to be the water undertaker for the whole or any part of that area or for an area which includes the whole or any part of that area.

(5) A company shall not be appointed to be a water undertaker or a sewerage undertaker unless it is a limited company.

(6) As soon as practicable after making an appointment under this Chapter, the Department shall send a copy of the appointment to the Authority.

Commencement Information

I1 Art. 13 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007; art. 13 not in operation at date of making see art. 1(2); art. 13 in operation (except art. 13(1)(b)(6)) at 22.3.2007 and in operation at 1.4.2007 insofar as not already in operation by S.R. 2007/194, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Continuity of appointments, replacement appointments, etc. N.I.

14.—(1) It shall be the duty of the Department to secure that such appointments are made under this Chapter as will ensure that for every area of Northern Ireland there is at all times both—

(a) a company holding an appointment under this Chapter as water undertaker; and

(b) whether or not the same company in relation to the whole or any part of that area, a company holding an appointment as sewerage undertaker.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this Article—

(a) the Department; and

(b) with the consent of or in accordance with a general authorisation given by the Department, the Authority,

shall have power, by notice to a company holding an appointment under this Chapter, to terminate the appointment or to vary the area to which it relates.

(3) The appointment of a company to be a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker shall not be terminated or otherwise cease to relate to or to any part of any area except with effect from the coming into force of such appointments and variations replacing that company as a relevant undertaker as secure either—

(a) that another company becomes the water undertaker or, as the case may be, sewerage undertaker for that area or part or for an area that includes that area or part; or

(b) that two or more companies each become the water undertaker or, as the case may be, sewerage undertaker for one of a number of different areas that together constitute or include that area or part.

(4) An appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker shall not be made in relation to the whole or any part of the area to which that company's appointment as water undertaker or, as the case may be, sewerage undertaker relates except where—

(a) that company consents to the appointment or variation;

(b) the appointment or variation relates only to parts of that area none of the premises in which is served by that company;

(c) the appointment or variation relates only to parts of that area and the conditions mentioned in paragraph (5) are satisfied in relation to each of the premises in those parts which are served by that company; or

(d) the appointment or variation is made in such circumstances as may be set out for the purposes of this paragraph in the conditions of that company's appointment.

(5) The conditions are that—

(a) the premises are, or are likely to be, supplied with not less than 100 megalitres of water in any period of 12 months; and

(b) the person who is the customer in relation to the premises consents in writing to the appointment or variation.

(6) The Department may, after consulting the Authority, make regulations amending paragraph (5)(a) by substituting, for the quantity of water for the time being specified there, such smaller quantity as the Department considers appropriate.

Commencement Information

I2 Art. 14 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007; art. 14 in operation at 1.1.2007 in so far as it confers power on a Northern Ireland department to make regulations or orders or makes provision with respect to the exercise of any such power, see art. 1(3)(e); art. 14 in operation at 1.4.2007 insofar as not already in operation by S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Procedure with respect to appointments and variations N.I.

15.—(1) An application for an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) Within 14 days after making an application under this Article, the applicant shall—

(a) serve notice of the application on the existing appointee and DOE; and

(b) publish a copy of the notice in such manner as may be prescribed.

(3) Before making an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker, the Department or the Authority shall give notice—

(a) stating that it proposes to make the appointment or variation;

(b) stating the reasons why it proposes to make the appointment or variation; and

(c) specifying the period (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed appointment or variation may be made.

(4) A notice under paragraph (3) shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Department or, as the case may be, the Authority considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the proposed appointment or variation; and

(b) by serving a copy of the notice on the existing appointee and DOE.

(5) As soon as practicable after making an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker, the Department or the Authority shall—

(a) serve a copy of the appointment or variation on the existing appointee; and

(b) serve notice of the making of the appointment or variation on DOE.

(6) As soon as practicable after exercising any power to vary the area to which an appointment under this Chapter relates, the Department shall send a copy of the variation to the Authority.

(7) In this Article “the existing appointee”, in relation to an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker, means the company which is replaced in relation to the whole or any part of the area to which the appointment or variation relates or, where there is more than one such company, each of them.

(8) The Department may by regulations impose such additional procedural requirements as it considers appropriate for any case where the conditions mentioned in Article 14(5) are required to be satisfied in relation to an application for an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker.

Commencement Information

I3 Art. 15 partly in force; art. 15 in force at 1.1.2007 in so far as it confers power on a Northern Ireland department to make regulations or orders or makes provision with respect to the exercise of any such power, see art. 1(3)(e)

Prospective

Duties affecting making of appointments and variations N.I.

16.—(1) Before making an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker, the Department or the Authority shall consider any representations or objections which have been duly made in pursuance of the notice under Article 15(3) and have not been withdrawn.

(2) Before making an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker, the Department shall consult the Authority.

(3) In determining whether to make an appointment or variation by virtue of Article 14(4)(b) or (c) in relation to any part of an area, the Department or, as the case may be, the Authority shall have regard, in particular, to any arrangements made or expenditure incurred by the existing appointee for the purpose of enabling premises in that part of that area to be served by that appointee.

(4) It shall be the duty of the Department or, as the case may be, of the Authority—

(a) in making an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker; and

(b) where it makes such an appointment or variation, in determining what provision is to be made with respect to the fixing by the new appointee of any water or sewerage charges,

to ensure, so far as may be consistent with its duties under Part II, that the interests of the members and creditors of the existing appointee are not unfairly prejudiced as respects the terms on which the new appointee could accept transfers of property, rights and liabilities from the existing appointee.

(5) In this Article—

“existing appointee”, in relation to an appointment or variation replacing a company as a relevant undertaker in relation to any area or part of an area, means the company which is replaced by that appointment or variation;

“new appointee”, in relation to such an appointment or variation, means the company which by virtue of the appointment or variation becomes a relevant undertaker for the area or part of an area in question;

“water or sewerage charges” means—

(a)

charges in respect of any services provided in the course of the carrying out of the functions of a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker; or

(b)

amounts of any other description which such an undertaker is authorised by or under any statutory provision to require any person to pay.

Transitional provision with respect to replacement appointments N.I.

17.—(1) Schedule 1 shall have effect for enabling provision to be made with respect to cases in which a company is replaced by another as a relevant undertaker by an appointment or variation under this Chapter.

(2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) apply where, by such an appointment or variation, one company (“the new undertaker”) is to replace another company as a relevant undertaker, but the appointment or variation has not come into force.

(3) Such provisions of this Order as the Department may prescribe shall apply (with any prescribed modifications) in relation to the new undertaker as if the appointment or variation had come into force.

(4) Such of the conditions imposed on the new undertaker under Article 18 as the Authority may specify in a notice given by it to the undertaker shall have effect, in relation to the operation of any provision prescribed under paragraph (3) before the appointment or variation comes into force, as if the appointment or variation had come into force.

Commencement Information

I4 Art. 17 partly in force; art. 17 in force at 1.1.2007 in so far as it confers power on a Northern Ireland department to make regulations or orders or makes provision with respect to the exercise of any such power, see art. 1(3)(e)

Conditions of appointment N.I.

Power to impose conditions N.I.

18.—(1) An appointment under this Chapter may include—

(a) such conditions as appear to the Department or, as the case may be, the Authority to be requisite or expedient having regard to the duties imposed on it by Part II;

(b) conditions for the purposes of Article 14(4)(d); and

(c) conditions requiring the rendering to the Department or, as the case may be, the Authority of a payment on the making of an appointment, or payments while such an appointment is in force, or both, of such amount or amounts as may be determined by or under the conditions.

(2) Conditions may be included by virtue of paragraph (1)(a) in an appointment under this Chapter whether or not they are connected with the supply of water, the provision of sewerage services or the carrying out of the functions under any statutory provision of water undertakers or sewerage undertakers.

(3) Conditions included in an appointment under this Chapter may contain provision for the conditions to cease to have effect or be modified at such times, in such manner and in such circumstances as may be specified in or determined by or under the conditions.

(4) Any provision included by virtue of paragraph (3) in an appointment under this Chapter shall have effect in addition to the provision made by this Chapter with respect to the modification of the conditions of an appointment.

(5) For the purposes of this Order where the same instrument contains an appointment of the same company to be both a water undertaker and a sewerage undertaker (whether or not for the same area), all the conditions included in that instrument by virtue of this Article shall have effect, irrespective of their subject-matter, as conditions of both appointments.

(6) Where an instrument of appointment has been served under paragraph (3) of Article 13 on any company, the coming into force of the appointment for the purposes specified in paragraph (2) of that Article shall not be affected by any contravention of the requirements of this Order with respect to the provision contained by way of conditions of appointment in that instrument.

(7) If the Department considers it appropriate to do so in consequence of any legal proceedings with respect to any such provision as is mentioned in paragraph (6), it may by order direct that such conditions as may be specified in the order are to be treated as included in the appointment in question until there is an opportunity for the provision to which the proceedings relate to be replaced by virtue of any of the other provisions of this Chapter.

(8) Any sums received by the Department or the Authority in consequence of the provisions of any condition of an appointment under this Chapter shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Commencement Information

I5 Art. 18 wholly in operation at 22.3.2007; art. 18 in operation at 1.1.2007 in so far as it confers power on a Northern Ireland department to make regulations or orders or makes provision with respect to the exercise of any such power, see art. 1(3)(e); art. 18 in operation at 22.3.2007 insofar as not already in operation by S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Determinations under conditions of appointment N.I.

19.—(1) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (a) of Article 18(1), conditions included in an appointment by virtue of that sub-paragraph may—

(a) require the appointed company to comply with any direction given by the Authority as to such matters as are specified in the appointment or are of a description so specified; and

(b) require the appointed company, except in so far as the Authority consents to the company's doing or not doing them, not to do or to do such things as are specified in the appointment or are of a description so specified.

(2) Without prejudice as aforesaid, such conditions may provide for the reference to and determination by—

(a) the Department or the Authority; or

(b) on a reference by the Authority, the [F1 CMA],

of such questions arising under the appointment and of such other matters, including (in the case of references to [F2 the CMA]) disputes as to determinations by the Authority, as are specified in the appointment or are of a description so specified.

(3) Where any question or other matter falls to be determined by the [F3 CMA] in pursuance of a provision contained in an appointment under this Chapter—

(a) it shall be the duty of the Authority, on being required to do so by the company holding that appointment, to refer that question or matter to [F4 the CMA]; and

(b) it shall be the duty of [F4 the CMA] to determine any question or other matter referred by virtue of sub-paragraph (a) in accordance with the principles which apply, by virtue of Part II, in relation to determinations under this Chapter by the Authority.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), where—

(a) the question or matter referred to the [F5 CMA] concerns the review of a price control imposed on the company holding the appointment; and

(b) [F6 the CMA] is to decide to what extent it is reasonable to take into account in its determination costs incurred or borne by the company in connection with the reference,

[F6 the CMA] shall also have regard to the extent to which, in its view, its determination is likely to support the company's (rather than the Authority's) claims in relation to the question or matter referred to it.

(5) Paragraphs (4) and (5) of Article 21, and Articles 26 and 27 apply to references to the [F7 CMA] under this Article as they apply to references under Article 21.

(6) A report of the [F8 CMA] on a reference under this Article—

(a) shall be made to the Authority; and

(b) shall include definite conclusions on the questions or other matters comprised in the reference, together with such an account of its reasons for those conclusions as, in the opinion of [F9 the CMA], is expedient for facilitating a proper understanding of those questions or other matters and of its conclusions,

and paragraphs (10) and (11) of Article 24 apply to such a report as they apply to a report on a reference under Article 21.

[F10 (7) The functions of the CMA with respect to a reference under this Article are to be carried out on behalf of the CMA by a group constituted for the purpose by the chair of the CMA under Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (including functions relating to the making of modifications following a report on a reference, and functions under sections 109 to 115 of the Enterprise Act, as applied by paragraph (5) read with Article 27).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in art. 19(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(2)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F2 Words in art. 19(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(2)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F3 Word in art. 19(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(3)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F4 Words in art. 19(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(3)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F5 Word in art. 19(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(4)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F6 Words in art. 19(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(4)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F7 Word in art. 19(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(5); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F8 Word in art. 19(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(6)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F9 Words in art. 19(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(6)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F10 Art. 19(7) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 183(7); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Commencement Information

I6 Art. 19 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007; art. 19 in operation at 1.1.2007 in so far as it confers power on a Northern Ireland department to make regulations or orders or makes provision with respect to the exercise of any such power, see art. 1(3)(e); art. 19(1)(2) in operation at 22.3.2007 and art. 19 in operation at 1.4.2007 insofar as not already in operation by S.R. 2007/194, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Modification of appointment conditions N.I.

Modification by agreement N.I.

20.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Article, the Authority may modify the conditions of a company's appointment under this Chapter if the company consents to the modifications.

(2) Before making modifications under this Article, the Authority shall give notice—

(a) stating that it proposes to make the modifications and setting out their effect;

(b) stating the reasons why it proposes to make the modifications; and

(c) specifying the period (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,

and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(3) A notice under paragraph (2) shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the notice to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications; and

(b) by serving a copy of the notice on the company and on the Department.

(4) The Authority shall not under this Article make any modifications which the Department has, within the time specified in the notice under paragraph (2), directed the Authority not to make.

(5) The Department shall not give a direction under paragraph (4) in relation to any modification unless—

(a) the modification is a modification of provision contained in the appointment for the purposes of Article 14(4)(d);

(b) the modification is a modification of a provision of the appointment which relates to the disposal of a company's protected land and is stated in the appointment to be a provision which cannot be modified; or

(c) it appears to the Department that the modification should be made, if at all, under Article 25.

Commencement Information

I7 Art. 20 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Modification references to [F11 CMA] N.I.

21.—(1) The Authority may make to the [F12 CMA] a reference which is so framed as to require [F13 the CMA] to investigate and report on the questions—

(a) whether any matters which—

(i) relate to the carrying out of any function which is a function of any company by virtue of an appointment of that company under this Chapter; and

(ii) are specified in the reference,

operate, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest; and

(b) if so, whether the effects adverse to the public interest which those matters have or may be expected to have could be remedied or prevented by modifications of the conditions of the company's appointment.

(2) The Authority may, at any time, by notice given to the [F14 CMA] vary a reference under this Article by—

(a) adding to the matters specified in the reference; or

(b) excluding from the reference some or all of the matters so specified;

and on receipt of any such notice [F15 the CMA] shall give effect to the variation.

(3) The Authority may specify in a reference under this Article, or a variation of such a reference, for the purpose of assisting the [F16 CMA] in carrying out the investigation on the reference—

(a) any effects adverse to the public interest which, in its opinion, the matters specified in the reference or variation have or may be expected to have; and

(b) any modifications of the conditions of any appointment mentioned in the reference or variation by which, in its opinion, those effects could be remedied or prevented.

(4) As soon as practicable after making a reference under this Article or a variation of such a reference, the Authority shall—

(a) serve a copy of the reference or variation on the company whose appointment is mentioned in the reference or variation; and

(b) publish particulars of the reference or variation in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the reference or variation to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it.

(5) It shall be the duty of the Authority, for the purpose of assisting the [F17 CMA] in carrying out an investigation on a reference under this Article or in carrying out functions under Article 26, to give to [F18 the CMA]—

(a) any information in the Authority's possession which relates to matters falling within the scope of the investigation or the carrying out of those functions, and which is either—

(i) requested by [F18 the CMA] for that purpose; or

(ii) information which, in the Authority's opinion, it would be appropriate for that purpose to give to [F18 the CMA] without any such request; and

(b) any other assistance which [F18 the CMA] may require, and which it is within the Authority's power to give, in relation to any such matters;

and [F18 the CMA], for the purpose of carrying out any such investigation or such functions, shall take account of any information given to them for that purpose under this paragraph.

(6) In determining for the purposes of this Article whether any particular matter operates, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest, the [F19 CMA] shall have regard to the matters as respects which duties are imposed on the Department and the Authority by Part II.

[F20 (7) The functions of the CMA with respect to a reference under this Article are to be carried out on behalf of the CMA by a group constituted for the purpose by the chair of the CMA under Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (including functions relating to the making of modifications following a report on a reference, and functions under sections 109 to 115 of the Enterprise Act 2002, as applied by Articles 23 and 27).]

Textual Amendments

F11 Word in art. 21 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(8); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F12 Word in art. 21(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(2)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F13 Words in art. 21(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(2)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F14 Word in art. 21(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(3)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F15 Words in art. 21(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(3)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F16 Word in art. 21(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(4); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F17 Word in art. 21(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(5)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F18 Words in art. 21(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(5)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F19 Word in art. 21(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(6); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F20 Art. 21(7) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 184(7); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Commencement Information

I8 Art. 21 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

References under Article 21: time limits N.I.

22.—(1) Every reference under Article 21 shall specify a period (not longer than 6 months beginning with the date of the reference) within which a report on the reference is to be made.

(2) A report of the [F21 CMA] on a reference under Article 21 shall not have effect (and no action shall be taken in relation to it under Article 25) unless the report is made before the end of the period specified in the reference or such further period (if any) as may be allowed by the Authority under paragraph (3).

(3) The Authority may, if it has received representations on the subject from the [F21 CMA] and is satisfied that there are special reasons why the report cannot be made within the period specified in the reference, extend that period by no more than 6 months.

(4) No more than one extension is possible under paragraph (3) in relation to the same reference.

(5) The Authority shall, in the case of an extension made by it under paragraph (3)—

(a) publish that extension in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it; and

(b) send a copy of what has been published by the Authority under sub-paragraph (a) to the company whose appointment is mentioned in the reference.

Textual Amendments

F21 Word in art. 22(2)(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 185; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Commencement Information

I9 Art. 22 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

References under Article 21: powers of investigation N.I.

23.—(1) The following sections of Part 3 of the Enterprise Act shall apply, with the modifications mentioned in paragraphs [F22 (1A),] (2) and (3), for the purposes of references under Article 21 as they apply for the purposes of references under that Part—

(a) section 109 (attendance of witnesses and production of documents etc.);

(b) section 110 (enforcement of powers under section 109: general);

(c) section 111 (penalties);

(d) section 112 (penalties: main procedural requirements);

(e) section 113 (payments and interest by instalments);

(f) section 114 (appeals in relation to penalties);

(g) section 115 (recovery of penalties); and

(h) section 116 (statement of policy).

[F23 (1A) Section 109 shall, in its application by virtue of paragraph (1), have effect as if—

(a) for subsection (A1), there were substituted—

“(A1) For the purposes of this section, a permitted purpose is assisting the CMA in carrying out any functions exercisable by it in connection with a reference under Article 21 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.”, and

(b) subsection (8A) were omitted.]

(2) Section 110 shall, in its application by virtue of paragraph (1), have effect as if—

(a) subsection (2) were omitted; F24 ...

[F25 (aa) after subsection (3), there were inserted—

“(3A) 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 CMA 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.”; and]

(b) in subsection (9) the words from “or section” to “section 65(3))” were omitted.

[F26 (3) Section 111(5)(b) shall, in its application by virtue of paragraph (1), have effect as if for sub-paragraph (ii) there were substituted—

“(ii) if earlier, the day on which the report of the CMA on the reference concerned is made or, if no such report is made within the period permitted for that purpose, the latest day on which the report may be made within the permitted period.”.]

(4) Provisions of Part 3 of the Enterprise Act which have effect for the purposes of sections 109 to 116 of that Act (including, in particular, provisions relating to offences and the making of orders) shall, for the purposes of the application of those sections by virtue of paragraph (1), have effect in relation to those sections as applied by virtue of that paragraph.

(5) Accordingly, corresponding provisions of this Order shall not have effect in relation to those sections as applied by virtue of that paragraph.

Textual Amendments

F22 Word in art. 23(1) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 250(2) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

F23 Art. 23(1A) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 250(3) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

F24 Word in art. 23(2)(a) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 250(4)(a) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

F25 Art. 23(2)(aa) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 250(4)(b) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

F26 Art. 23(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 250(5) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

Commencement Information

I10 Art. 23 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Reports on modification references N.I.

24.—(1) In making a report on a reference under Article 21, the [F27 CMA]—

(a) shall include in the report definite conclusions on the questions comprised in the reference together with such an account of its reasons for those conclusions as, in its opinion, is expedient for facilitating a proper understanding of those questions and of its conclusions;

(b) where it concludes that any of the matters specified in the reference operate, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest, shall specify in the report the effects adverse to the public interest which those matters have or may be expected to have; and

(c) where it concludes that any adverse effects so specified could be remedied or prevented by modifications of the conditions of a company's appointment under this Chapter, shall specify in the report modifications by which those effects could be remedied or prevented.

(2) For the purposes of Article 25, a conclusion contained in a report of the [F28 CMA] is to be disregarded if the conclusion is not that of at least two-thirds of the members of the group constituted [F29 by the chair of the CMA for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the CMA with respect to the reference in question].

(3) If a member of a group so constituted disagrees with any conclusions contained in a report made on a reference under Article 21 as the conclusions of the [F30 CMA], the report shall, if the member so wishes, include a statement of his disagreement and of his reasons for disagreeing.

(4) For the purposes of the law relating to defamation, absolute privilege attaches to any report made by the [F30 CMA] on a reference under Article 21.

(5) In making any report on a reference under Article 21 the [F30 CMA] must have regard to the following considerations before disclosing any information.

(6) The first consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable) any information whose disclosure the [F31 CMA] thinks is contrary to the public interest.

(7) The second consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable)—

(a) commercial information whose disclosure the [F31 CMA] thinks might significantly harm the legitimate business interests of the undertaking to which it relates; or

(b) information relating to the private affairs of an individual whose disclosure the [F31 CMA] thinks might significantly harm the individual's interests.

(8) The third consideration is the extent to which the disclosure of the information mentioned in paragraph (7)(a) or (b) is necessary for the purposes of the report.

(9) A report of the [F32 CMA] on a reference under Article 21 shall be made to the Authority.

(10) Subject to paragraph (11), the Authority—

(a) shall, on receiving such a report, send a copy of it to the company to whose appointment under this Chapter the report relates and to the Department; and

(b) shall, not less than 14 days after that copy is received by the Department, publish another copy of that report in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for bringing the report to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it.

(11) If it appears to the Department that the publication of any matter in such a report would be against the public interest or the commercial interests of any person, it may, before the end of the period of 14 days mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (10), direct the Authority to exclude that matter from every copy of the report to be published by virtue of that sub-paragraph; and the Authority shall comply with any such direction.

Textual Amendments

F27 Word in art. 24(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 186(2); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F28 Word in art. 24(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 186(3)(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F29 Words in art. 24(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 186(3)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F30 Words in art. 24(3)-(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 186(4); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F31 Words in art. 24(6)(7) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 186(5); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F32 Word in art. 24(9) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 186(6); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Commencement Information

I11 Art. 24 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Modifications following report N.I.

25.—(1) Where a report of the [F33 CMA] on a reference under Article 21—

(a) includes conclusions to the effect that any of the matters specified in the reference operate, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest;

(b) specifies effects adverse to the public interest which those matters have or may be expected to have;

(c) includes conclusions to the effect that those effects could be remedied or prevented by modifications of the conditions of a company's appointment under this Chapter; and

(d) specifies modifications by which those effects could be remedied or prevented,

the Authority shall, subject to the following provisions of this Article, make such modifications of the conditions of that appointment as appear to the Authority requisite for the purpose of remedying or preventing the adverse effects specified in the report.

(2) Before making modifications under this Article, the Authority shall have regard to the modifications specified in the report.

(3) Before making modifications under this Article, the Authority shall give notice—

(a) stating that it proposes to make the modifications and setting out their effect;

(b) stating the reasons why it proposes to make the modifications; and

(c) specifying the period (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,

and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(4) A notice under paragraph (3) shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters to which the notice relates to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications; and

(b) by serving a copy of the notice on the company whose appointment it is proposed to modify.

(5) After considering any representations or objections made in response to proposals set out in a notice under paragraph (3), the Authority shall give notice to the [F34 CMA]—

(a) setting out the modifications it proposes to make to remedy or prevent the adverse effects specified in the report; and

(b) stating the reasons for making the modifications.

(6) The Authority shall include with the notice under paragraph (5) a copy of any representations or objections received in relation to the notice under paragraph (3).

(7) If the period of 4 weeks from the date on which the notice under paragraph (5) is given elapses without a direction under Article 26(1)(a) having been given to it, the Authority shall—

(a) make the modifications set out in the notice; or

(b) if a direction under Article 26(1)(b) has been given, make the modifications which are not specified in the direction.

(8) The Authority shall not under this Article make any modification of any provisions of a company's appointment under this Chapter which—

(a) are contained in that appointment for the purposes of Article 14(4)(d); or

(b) being provisions relating to the disposal of a company's protected land, are stated in the appointment to be provisions which cannot be modified.

Textual Amendments

F33 Word in art. 25(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 187; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F34 Word in art. 25(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 187; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Commencement Information

I12 Art. 25 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

[F35 CMA's] power of veto following report N.I.

26.—(1) The [F36 CMA] may, within the period of 4 weeks after the date on which it is given a notice under Article 25(5), direct the Authority—

(a) not to make the modifications set out in that notice; or

(b) not to make such of the modifications as may be specified in the direction;

and the Authority shall comply with any such direction.

(2) The Department may, within the period of 4 weeks after the date on which the [F37 CMA] is given a notice under Article 25(5) and on the application of the [F37 CMA], direct that the period for giving a direction under paragraph (1) (and, accordingly, the period mentioned in Article 25(7)) shall be extended by 14 days.

(3) The power to give a direction under paragraph (1) may only be exercised in respect of such of the modifications set out in the notice under Article 25(5)(a) as appear to the [F37 CMA] not to be the modifications which are requisite for the purpose of remedying or preventing all or any of the adverse effects specified in the report as effects which could be remedied or prevented by modifications.

(4) If the [F37 CMA] gives a direction under paragraph (1), it—

(a) shall give notice setting out the modifications proposed by the Authority, the terms of the direction and the reasons for giving it; and

(b) shall itself make such modifications as appear to it to be requisite for the purpose of remedying or preventing—

(i) if the direction was given under paragraph (1)(a), the adverse effects specified in the report as effects which could be remedied or prevented by modifications;

(ii) if the direction was given under paragraph (1)(b), such of those adverse effects as are not remedied or prevented by the modifications made by the Authority under Article 25(7)(b).

(5) In exercising its power under paragraph (4)(b), the [F37 CMA] shall have regard to the matters to which the Authority is required to have regard when determining the conditions of a company's appointment.

(6) Before making modifications under paragraph (4)(b) the [F37 CMA] shall give notice—

(a) stating that it proposes to make the modifications and setting them out;

(b) stating the reason why it proposes to make them;

(c) specifying the period (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,

and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(7) A notice under paragraph (4)(a) or (6) shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the [F37 CMA] considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications; and

(b) by serving a copy on the Authority and the company whose conditions of appointment it is proposed should be modified.

(8) The [F37 CMA] may not make any modification under this Article which the Authority could not make under Article 25.

(9) After making modifications under this Article the [F37 CMA] shall publish a notice stating that the modifications have been made and setting them out, with the reasons for making them.

Textual Amendments

F35 Word in art. 26 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 188(4); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F36 Word in art. 26(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 188(2); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F37 Word in art. 26(2)-(9) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 188(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Commencement Information

I13 Art. 26 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

[F38 CMA's] power of veto following report: supplementary N.I.

27.—(1) For the purposes of the law relating to defamation, absolute privilege attaches to any notice under paragraph (4)(a), (6) or (9) of Article 26.

(2) In giving any notice under paragraph (4)(a) or (6) of Article 26, or publishing any notice under paragraph (9) of that Article, the [F39 CMA] must have regard to the following considerations before disclosing any information.

(3) The first consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable) any information whose disclosure the [F40 CMA] thinks is contrary to the public interest.

(4) The second consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable)—

(a) commercial information whose disclosure the [F40 CMA] thinks might significantly harm the legitimate business interests of the undertaking to which it relates; or

(b) information relating to the private affairs of an individual whose disclosure the [F40 CMA] thinks might significantly harm the individual's interests.

(5) The third consideration is the extent to which the disclosure of the information mentioned in paragraph (4)(a) or (b) is necessary for the purposes of the notice.

(6) The following sections of Part 3 of the Enterprise Act shall apply, with the modifications mentioned in paragraphs[F41 (6A),] (7) and (8), for the purposes of any investigation by the [F42 CMA] for the purposes of the exercise of its functions under Article 26, as they apply for the purposes of any investigations on references under that Part—

(a) section 109 (attendance of witnesses and production of documents etc);

(b) section 110 (enforcement of powers under section 109: general);

(c) section 111 (penalties);

(d) section 112 (penalties: main procedural requirements);

(e) section 113 (payments and interest by instalments);

(f) section 114 (appeals in relation to penalties);

(g) section 115 (recovery of penalties); and

(h) section 116 (statement of policy).

[F43 (6A) Section 109 shall, in its application by virtue of paragraph (6), have effect as if—

(a) for subsection (A1), there were substituted—

“(A1)  For the purposes of this section, a permitted purpose is assisting the CMA in carrying out any functions exercisable by it in connection with an investigation for the purposes of the exercise of its functions under Article 26 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. ”, and

(b) subsection (8A) were omitted.]

(7) Section 110 shall, in its application by virtue of paragraph (6), have effect as if—

(a) subsection (2) were omitted;

[F44 (b) after subsection (3), there were inserted—

“(3A)  No penalty shall be imposed by virtue of subsection (1) or (3) if more than 4 weeks have passed since the publication by the CMA of a notice under Article 26(9) of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 in connection with the reference concerned or, if no direction has been given by the CMA under Article 26(1) of that Order in connection with the reference concerned and within the period permitted for that purpose, the latest day on which it was possible to give such a direction within the permitted period; but this subsection shall not apply in relation to any variation or substitution of the penalty which is permitted by virtue of this Part. ”; and]

(c) in subsection (9) the words from “or section” to “section 65(3))” were omitted.

(8) Section 111(5)(b) shall, in its application by virtue of paragraph (6), have effect as if for sub-paragraph (ii) there were substituted—

“(ii) if earlier, the day on which a notice is published by the [F45 CMA] under Article 26(9) of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 in connection with the reference concerned or, if no direction is given by the [F45 CMA] under Article 26(1) of that Order in connection with the reference concerned and within the period permitted for that purpose, the latest day on which such a direction may be given within the permitted period.”

(9) Provisions of Part 3 of the Enterprise Act which have effect for the purposes of sections 109 to 116 of that Act (including, in particular, provisions relating to offences and the making of orders) shall, for the purposes of the application of those sections by virtue of paragraph (6), have effect in relation to those sections as applied by virtue of that paragraph.

(10) Accordingly, corresponding provisions of this Order shall not have effect in relation to those sections as applied by virtue of that paragraph.

Textual Amendments

F38 Word in art. 27 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 189(4); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F39 Word in art. 27(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 189(2); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F40 Word in art. 27(3)(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 189(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F41 Word in art. 27(6) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 251(2) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

F42 Word in art. 27(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 189(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F43 Art. 27(6A) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 251(3) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

F44 Art. 27(7)(b) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 251(4) (with art. 3, Sch. 2 para. 2)

F45 Word in art. 27(8) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 189(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Commencement Information

I14 Art. 27 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Modification by order under other statutory provisions N.I.

28.—(1) Where the [F46 CMA] or (as the case may be) the Secretary of State makes a relevant order, the order may, subject to paragraph (3), also provide for the modification of the conditions of a company's appointment under this Chapter to such extent as may appear to the [F47 CMA] or (as the case may be) the Secretary of State to be requisite or expedient for the purpose of giving effect to, or taking account of, any provision made by the order.

(2) In paragraph (1) “relevant order” means—

(a) an order under section 75, 83 or 84 of, or paragraph 5, 10 or 11 of Schedule 7 to, the Enterprise Act where—

(i) one or more than one of the enterprises which have, or may have, ceased to be distinct enterprises was carried on by a relevant undertaker; or

(ii) one or more than one of the enterprises which will or may cease to be distinct enterprises is carried on by a relevant undertaker; or

(b) an order under section 160 or 161 of the Enterprise Act where the feature, or combination of features, of the market [F48 or markets] in the United Kingdom for goods or services which prevents, restricts or distorts competition is—

(i) the structure or an aspect of the structure of a market for the supply of goods or services by a relevant undertaker; or

(ii) the conduct of a relevant undertaker or of customers of a relevant undertaker.

(3) No modification shall be made by virtue of this Article of any provisions of a company's appointment under this Chapter which—

(a) are contained in that appointment for the purposes of Article 14(4)(d); or

(b) being provisions relating to the disposal of a company's protected land, are stated in the appointment to be provisions which cannot be modified.

(4) Expressions used in paragraph (2) and in Part 3 or (as the case may be) Part 4 of the Enterprise Act have the same meanings in that paragraph as in that Part.

Textual Amendments

F46 Word in art. 28(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 190(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F47 Word in art. 28(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 190(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F48 Words in art. 28(2)(b) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 252 (with art. 3)

Commencement Information

I15 Art. 28 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)

Competition N.I.

Functions of the Authority with respect to competition N.I.

29.—(1) The functions to which paragraph (2) apply shall be concurrent functions of the Authority and the [F49 CMA].

(2) This paragraph applies to the functions of the [F50 CMA] under Part 4 of the Enterprise Act (other than sections 166 [F51 , 171 and 174E]) so far as [F52 those functions—

(a) are exercisable by the CMA Board (within the meaning of Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013), and

(b) relate to] commercial activities connected with the supply of water or the provision of sewerage services.

(3) The Authority shall be entitled to exercise, concurrently with the [F53 CMA], the functions of the [F53 CMA] under the provisions of Part 1 of the Competition Act 1998 (c. 41) (other then sections 31D(1) to (6), 38(1) to (6) and 51), so far as relating to—

(a) agreements, decisions or concerted practices of the kind mentioned in section 2(1) of that Act,

(b) conduct of the kind mentioned in section 18(1) of that Act, [F54 or]

[F55 (c) transferred EU anti-trust commitments or transferred EU anti-trust directions (as defined in section 40ZA of that Act),]

in relation to commercial activities connected with the supply of water or securing the supply of water or the provision or securing the provision of sewerage services.

(4) So far as necessary for the purposes of, or in connection with, the provisions of paragraph [F56 (1) and (2)—

(a) references] in Part 4 of the Enterprise Act to the [F57 CMA] (including references in provisions of that Act applied by that Part) shall be construed as including references to the Authority (except in sections 166 [F58 , 171 and 174E] of that Act and in any other provision of that Act where the context otherwise [F59 requires);

(b) references in that Part to section 5 of the Act of 2002 are to be construed as including references to Article 60(1) and (2) of this Order. ]

[F60 (4A) Section 130A of the Enterprise Act 2002 is to have effect in its application to the Authority by virtue of paragraphs (1) and (2)—

(a) as if for subsection (1) of that section there were substituted—

“(1) Where the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation—

(a) is proposing to carry out its functions under Article 60(1) and (2) of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 in relation to a matter for the purposes mentioned in subsection (2), and

(b) considers that the matter is one in respect of which it would be appropriate for the Authority to exercise its powers under section 174 (investigation) in connection with deciding whether to make a reference under section 131,

the Authority must publish a notice under this section (referred to in this Part as a “market study notice”).”, and

(b) as if in subsection (2)(a) of that section, for “the acquisition or supply of goods or services of one or more than one description in the United Kingdom” there were substituted “commercial activities connected with the supply of water or the provision of sewerage services (within the meaning given by Article 2 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006)”.]

(5) So far as necessary for the purposes of, or in connection with, the provisions of paragraph (3), references in Part I of the Competition Act 1998 to the [F61 CMA] are to be read as including a reference to the Authority (except in sections 31D(1) to (6), 38(1) to (6), 51, 52(6) and (8) and 54 of that Act and in any other provision of that Act where the context otherwise requires).

(6) Before the [F61 CMA] or the Authority first exercises in relation to any matter functions which are exercisable concurrently by virtue of paragraph (1), it shall consult the other.

(7) Neither the [F61 CMA] nor the Authority shall exercise in relation to any matter any functions which are exercisable concurrently by virtue of paragraph (1) if functions which are so exercisable have been exercised in relation to that matter by the other.

(8) It shall be the duty of the Authority, for the purpose of assisting [F62 a CMA group] in carrying out an investigation on a [F63 market investigation reference made by the Authority (under section 131 of the Act of 2002), and] by virtue of paragraph (2), to give to the [F64 group]—

(a) any information which is in the Authority's possession and which relates to matters falling within the scope of the investigation, and which is either requested by the [F64 group] for that purpose or is information which in the Authority's opinion it would be appropriate for that purpose to give to the [F64 group] without any such request; and

(b) any other assistance which the [F64 group] may require, and which it is within the Authority's power to give, in relation to any such matters,

and the [F64 group] shall, for the purposes of carrying out any such investigation, take into account any information given to it for that purpose under this paragraph.

(9) If any question arises as to whether paragraph (2) or (3) applies to any particular case, that question shall be referred to and determined by the Secretary of State; and no objection shall be taken to anything done under—

(a) Part 4 of the Enterprise Act; or

(b) Part 1 of the Competition Act 1998 (other than sections 31D(1) to (6), 38(1) to (6) and 51),

by or in relation to the Authority on the ground that it should have been done by or in relation to the [F65 CMA].

(10) Section 117 of the Enterprise Act (offence of supplying false or misleading information) as applied by section 180 of that Act shall have effect so far as relating to functions exercisable by the Authority by virtue of paragraph (1) as if the reference in section 117(1)(a) and (2) to the [F65 CMA] included a reference to the Authority.

Textual Amendments

F49 Word in art. 29(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(2) (with art. 3)

F50 Word in art. 29(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(3)(a) (with art. 3)

F51 Words in art. 29(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(3)(b) (with art. 3)

F52 Words in art. 29(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(3)(c) (with art. 3)

F53 Word in art. 29(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(4) (with art. 3)

F54 Word in art. 29(3)(b) inserted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. 12(2) (as substituted by The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1343), regs. 1(1), 24)

F55 Art. 29(3)(c) substituted for art. 29(3)(c)(d) (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. 12(3) (as substituted by The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1343), regs. 1(1), 24)

F56 Words in art. 29(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(5)(a) (with art. 3)

F57 Word in art. 29(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(5)(b) (with art. 3)

F58 Words in art. 29(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(5)(c) (with art. 3)

F59 Words in art. 29(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(5)(d) (with art. 3)

F60 Art. 29(4A) inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(6) (with art. 3)

F61 Word in art. 29(5)-(7) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(4) (with art. 3)

F62 Words in art. 29(8) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(7)(a)(i) (with art. 3)

F63 Words in art. 29(8) substituted (1.4.2014) by virtue of The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(7)(a)(ii) (with art. 3)

F64 Word in art. 29(8) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(7)(b) (with art. 3)

F65 Word in art. 29(9)(10) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 253(8) (with art. 3)

Commencement Information

I16 Art. 29 wholly in operation at 1.4.2007, see art. 1(2) and S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)