Part 3 U.K. Mergers

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 3 (ss. 22-130) modified (20.6.2003) by 1998 c. 41, Sch. 7 para. 20(3) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 185, 279, {Sch. 11 para. 11(2)-(4)(8)}; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

C2 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (29.12.2004) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), Sch. 4ZA paras. 1, 2 (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 70(2), 279, Sch. 6); S.I. 2004/3233, art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions and savings in arts. 3-5)

C3 Pt. 3 (ss. 22-130) applied (1.10.2005) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), s. 17M(4) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 56, 105(3), Sch. 4 para. 2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(h) (with Sch. para. 5)

C4 Pt. 3 applied (1.10.2005) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), s. 17Q(9) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 56, 105(3), Sch. 4 para. 2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(h) (with Sch. para. 5)

C5 Pt. 3 applied in part (N.I.) (1.4.2007) by The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)), arts. 1(2)(3), 23(4), 27(9); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with Sch. 2)

C6 Pt. 3 excluded in part (29.9.2008) by The Bradford & Bingley plc Transfer of Securities and Property etc. Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2546), arts. 1(2), 40

C7 Pt. 3 modified (1.7.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 79, 306(4); S.I. 2012/1319, art. 2(3)

C8 Pt. 3 modified (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 4 para. 56; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(c) (with Sch.)

C9 Pt. 3 modified (31.12.2020) by The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/93), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 paras. 28-33; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C10 Pt. 3 excluded (28.6.2022) by 1992 c. 13, s. 56E(9B) (as inserted (E.W.) by Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (c. 21), ss. 23(3)(f), 36(2))

C11 Pt. 3 excluded (28.6.2022) by 1992 c. 13, s. 56A(9B) (as inserted (E.W.) by Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (c. 21), ss. 23(2)(f), 36(2))

C12 Pt. 3 modified (1.7.2022) by 2006 c. 41, s. 72A (as inserted by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 83(1), 186(6); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30))

C13 Pt. 3 modified (E.W.) (29.12.2004) by The Water Mergers (Modification of Enactments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3202), regs. 2-35 (as amended (1.4.2014) by S.I. 2014/549, art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 22 (with art. 3); (18.12.2015) by S.I. 2015/1936, regs. 1, 3-20; (6.12.2023) by S.I. 2023/1185, arts. 1(2), 9-27); and (23.8.2024) by S.I. 2024/840, regs. 1(1), 3-7; and (1.1.2025) by S.I. 2024/1234, regs. 1(1), 3-10 (with reg. 11))

Chapter 5 U.K. Supplementary

Investigation powers U.K.

117 False or misleading information U.K.

(1) A person commits an offence if—

(a) he supplies any information to [F1 the appropriate authority] in connection with any of their functions under this Part;

(b) the information is false or misleading in a material respect; and

(c) he knows that it is false or misleading in a material respect or is reckless as to whether it is false or misleading in a material respect.

(2) A person commits an offence if he—

(a) supplies any information to another person which he knows to be false or misleading in a material respect; or

(b) recklessly supplies any information to another person which is false or misleading in a material respect;

knowing that the information is to be used for the purpose of supplying information to [F2 the appropriate authority] in connection with any of their functions under this Part.

[F3 (2A) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1) or (2) by reason of any act or omission if the appropriate authority has proceeded against the person under section 110(1) or (1A) in relation to that act or omission.]

(3) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.F4

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 117(1)(a) substituted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 24(2); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14) (with Sch. paras. 14(1)(2), 20)

F2 Words in s. 117(2) substituted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 24(3); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14) (with Sch. paras. 14(1)(2), 20)

F3 S. 117(2A) inserted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 10 para. 24(4); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(14) (with Sch. paras. 14(1)(2), 20)

F4 Ss. 111-115 amendment to earlier affecting provision 2007 c. 29, s. 60(9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 117 modified (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2), art. 23(7) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 9 para. 22(5); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.)

C15 S. 117 modified (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, s. 67(9) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 9 para. 21(7); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.)

C16 S. 117 modified (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1992/231 (N.I. 1), art. 46(6A) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 9 para. 20(5); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.)

C17 S. 117 modified (20.6.2003) by 1991 c. 56, s. 31(8A) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 9 para. 19(6); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.)

C18 S. 117 modified (20.6.2003) by 1989 c. 29, s. 43(6A) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 9 para. 18(5); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 10; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C19 S. 117 modified (20.6.2003) by 1986 c. 44, s. 36A(8) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 9 para. 17(6); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.)

C20 S. 117 modified (20.6.2003) by 1984 c. 12, s. 50(6A) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 9 para. 16(5); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.)

S. 117 modified (N.I.) (1.4.2007) by The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)), arts. 1(2)(3), 29(10) (with arts. 8(9), 121, 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with Sch. 2)

C21 S. 117 modified (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 370(10), 411 (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with arts. 3-6 (as amended (8.12.2003) by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2)

C22 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 38, s. 18(9)-(11) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 44(5); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)) (as amended (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 94(4)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.))

C23 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 38, s. 12B(4)-(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 44(3); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)) (as amended (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 88(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.))

C24 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 26, s. 19A(9)-(11) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 42(4); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8))

C25 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 26, s. 15B(4)-(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 42(2); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8))

C26 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, Sch. 4A para 15(2G)-(2I) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 30(15)(c); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)) (as amended (E.W.S.) (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 81(13)(c)(ii); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.); and (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 23; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C27 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, Sch. 4A para. 10A(4)-(6) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 30(15)(a); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)) (as amended (E.W.S.) (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 81(6)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.); and (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 22; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C28 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, s. 15C(2G)-(2I) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 30(6); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)) (as amended (E.W.S.) (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 77(4)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.); and (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 19; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C29 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, s. 13B(4)-(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 30(4); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)) (as amended (E.W.S.) (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 72(1)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.); and (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 18; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C30 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 1989 c. 29, s. 56CB(4)-(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 20(12); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8))

C31 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 1986 c. 44, s. 41EB(4)-(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 15(12); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)) (as amended (E.W.S.) (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 6 para. 26(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.); and (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 8; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C32 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 1980 c. 21, s. 11C(1) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 10(3); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8); and as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 3; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C33 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by 2000 c. 8, Sch. 14 para. 2A(4)-(6) (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 278, 279, Sch. 25 para. 40(20)(b); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8))

S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1592), art. 15, Sch. 3 para. 1(1)(w)(18) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/891), arts. 1, 18(1)-(17) (with arts. 20-23))

S. 117 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by The Energy (Northern Ireland) Order (S.I. 2003/419 (N.I. 6)), art. 2, {Sch. 2 para. 5(4)(6)}; S.R. 2003/203, art. 2, Sch. (as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 36; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

S. 117 applied (with modifications) (S.) (11.11.2005) by The Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3172), arts. 5, 10(3)-(7) (as amended (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 paras. 38, 39; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C34 S. 117 applied (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1990/1715, reg. 5 (as inserted by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Consequential and Supplemental Provisions) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1398), art. 2, Sch. para. 17(5))

C35 S. 117 applied (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 193(8), 411(2)(3) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with arts. 3-6 (as amended (8.12.2003) by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2)

C36 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (15.1.2012) by The Postal Services (Appeals to the Competition Commission) (Investigations and Extension of Time Limits) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2749), arts. 1, 3(i), 4 (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/549), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 45(3)(4) (with art. 3); and (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 30 para. 44; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(22))

C37 S. 117 applied (with modifications) (1.11.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), para. 10(2), (12), s. 306(4), Sch. 10 para. 10(1)(i); S.I. 2012/2657, art. 2(2)

C38 S. 117 modified (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 73(6), 306(4); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)