Part 3

Mergers
Chapter 4

Enforcement

Powers exercisable before references under section 22, 33, 68B or 68C

Initial enforcement orders: completed or anticipated mergers
72
1
Subsection (2) applies where—
a
the CMA is considering whether to make a reference under
section 22, 33, 68B or 68C
; and
b
the CMA has reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is or may be the case that two or more enterprises have ceased to be distinct or that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in two or more enterprises ceasing to be distinct.
2
The CMA may by order, for the purpose of preventing pre-emptive action—
a
prohibit or restrict the doing of things which the CMA considers would constitute pre-emptive action;
b
impose on any person concerned obligations as to the carrying on of any activities or the safeguarding of any assets;
c
provide for the carrying on of any activities or the safeguarding of any assets either by the appointment of a person to conduct or supervise the conduct of any activities (on such terms and with such powers as may be specified or described in the order) or in any other manner;
d
do anything which may be done by virtue of paragraph 19 of Schedule 8.
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3A
Subsection (3B) applies where—
a
subsection (1)(a) and (b) applies; and
b
the CMA also has reasonable grounds for suspecting that pre-emptive action has or may have been taken.
3B
The CMA may by order, for the purpose of restoring the position to what it would have been had the pre-emptive action not been taken or otherwise for the purpose of mitigating its effects—
a
do anything mentioned in subsection (2)(b) to (d);
b
impose such other obligations, prohibitions or restrictions as it considers appropriate for that purpose.
3C
A person may, with the consent of the CMA, take action or action of a particular description where the action would otherwise constitute a contravention of an order under this section.
4
An order under this section—
a
shall come into force at such time as is determined by or under the order; and
b
may be varied or revoked by another order.
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
So far as made in relation to a reference under section 22, 33, 68B or 68C, an order under this section which has not previously ceased to be in force and which has not been adopted under paragraph 2 of Schedule 7 ceases to be in force in relation to the reference concerned—
a
where the CMA has decided to make the reference concerned ... —
i
if the CMA accepts an undertaking under section 80 or makes an order under section 81, on the acceptance of the undertaking or the making of the order, and
ii
otherwise on the final determination of the reference concerned;
b
where the CMA has decided to accept an undertaking under section 73 instead of making that reference, on the acceptance of that undertaking;
c
where an intervention notice is in force, at the end of the period of 7 days beginning with the giving of that notice; and
d
where the CMA has otherwise decided not to make the reference concerned under section 22, 33, 68B or 68C, on the making of that decision.
7
The CMA shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, consider any representations received by it in relation to varying or revoking an order under this section.
8
In this section “
pre-emptive action
” means action which might prejudice the reference concerned or impede the taking of any action under this Part which may be justified by the CMA's decisions on the reference.
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)
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
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)
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.)
Words in s. 72 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 30(9), 103(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(b) (with Sch.)
S. 72(3A)(3B) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 30(5), 103(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(b) (with Sch.)
S. 72(3C) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 30(6), 103(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(b) (with Sch.)
S. 72(1) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 30(3), 103(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(b) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 72(2)(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 112 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
S. 72(3) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 30(4), 103(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(b) (with Sch.)
S. 72(5) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 7 para. 5(2); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 72(6)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 7 para. 5(3)(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 72(7) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 112 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 72(8) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 30(8), 103(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(b) (with Sch.)
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)
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))
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))
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))
Words in s. 72(6)(d) substituted (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(j), Sch. 16 para. 11(3)
Words in s. 72(1)(a) substituted (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(j), Sch. 16 para. 11(2)
Words in Pt. 3 Ch. 4 heading substituted (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(j), Sch. 16 para. 10
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)
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)
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)
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)
Words in s. 72(6) substituted (24.7.2024) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(3), Sch. 6 para. 6(2)
Words in s. 72(6)(a) omitted (24.7.2024) by virtue of Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(3), Sch. 6 para. 6(3)
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))