Enterprise Act 2002

120 Review of decisions under Part 3 U.K.

(1) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the [F1 CMA], [F2 OFCOM,] [F3 or the Secretary of State] under this Part in connection with a reference or possible reference in relation to a relevant merger situation or a special merger situation may apply to the Competition Appeal Tribunal for a review of that decision.

(2) For this purpose “decision”—

(a) does not include a decision to impose a penalty under [F4 section 94A(1) or 110(1) or (3)]; but

(b) includes a failure to take a decision permitted or required by this Part in connection with a reference or possible reference.

(3) Except in so far as a direction to the contrary is given by the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the effect of the decision is not suspended by reason of the making of the application.

(4) In determining such an application the Competition Appeal Tribunal shall apply the same principles as would be applied by a court on an application for judicial review.

(5) The Competition Appeal Tribunal may—

(a) dismiss the application or quash the whole or part of the decision to which it relates; and

(b) where it quashes the whole or part of that decision, refer the matter back to the original decision maker with a direction to reconsider and make a new decision in accordance with the ruling of the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

(6) An appeal lies on any point of law arising from a decision of the Competition Appeal Tribunal under this section to the appropriate court.

(7) An appeal under subsection (6) requires the permission of the Tribunal or the appropriate court.

(8) In this section—

• “the appropriate court” means the Court of Appeal or, in the case of Tribunal proceedings in Scotland, the Court of Session; and

• “Tribunal rules” has the meaning given by section 15(1).

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 120(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 155(a) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F2 Word in s. 120(1) inserted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 389(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 16 para. 22 (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F3 Words in s. 120(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 155(b) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

F4 Words in s. 120(2)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 31(2), 103(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(b) (with Sch.)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 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.)

C2 S. 120(5)(b) modified by S.I. 2003/1592, art. 5A(h) (as inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/891), arts. 1, 7 (with arts. 20-23))

C3 S. 120 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)(z)(21) (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))

C4 S. 120(6)-(8) applied (1.9.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 141, 198(2), Sch. 18 para. 15; S.I. 2004/2184, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

C5 S. 120(6)-(8) applied (N.I.) (3.7.2007) by Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/321), reg. 28

C6 S. 120(6)-(8) applied (N.I.) (prosp.) by The Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I 2007/913 (N.I. 7)), arts. 1, 5, {Sch. 1 para. 15}

C7 S. 120(6)-(8) applied (N.I.) (15.4.2011) by The Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 14