Part 3

Mergers
Chapter 4

Enforcement

Enforcement functions of CMA

Further role of CMA in relation to undertakings and orders
93
1
Subsections (2) and (3) apply where—
a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
b
the Secretary of State is considering whether to accept undertakings under paragraph ...3 or 9 of Schedule 7.
2
The Secretary of State may require the CMA to consult with such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate with a view to discovering whether they will offer undertakings which the Secretary of State would be prepared to accept under ... paragraph ... 3 or 9 of Schedule 7.
3
The Secretary of State may require the CMA to report to the relevant authority on the outcome of the CMA's consultations within such period as the relevant authority may require.
4
A report under subsection (3) shall, in particular, contain advice from the CMA as to whether any undertakings offered should be accepted by the Secretary of State under ... paragraph ... 3 or 9 of Schedule 7.
5
The powers conferred on the relevant authority by subsections (1) to (4) are without prejudice to the power of the relevant authority to consult the persons concerned itself.
6
If asked by the Secretary of State for advice in relation to the taking of enforcement action (whether or not by way of undertaking) in a particular case, the CMA shall give such advice as it considers appropriate.
S. 93 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)(h)(8) (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. 93 applied (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(6), 411(2)(3), Sch. 18 para. 62(7)(d) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)
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.)
Word in s. 92 cross-heading substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 127 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93 heading substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(7) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
S. 93(1)(a) and word omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(2) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(1)(b) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 15 para. 33(2); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(f) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 93(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(3)(a) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(3)(b) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 93(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(3)(c) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 93(2) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(3)(d) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(2) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 15 para. 33(3); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(f) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 93(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(4)(a) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(4)(b) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(4)(c) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(5)(a) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 93(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(5)(b) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 93(4) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(5)(c) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(4) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 15 para. 33(4); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(f) (with Sch.)
Words in s. 93(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(6)(a) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
Word in s. 93(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 129(6)(b) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (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))
Ss. 85-95: functions made exercisable concurrently (3.5.2023) by The Secretaries of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for Science, Innovation and Technology, for Business and Trade, and for Culture, Media and Sport and the Transfer of Functions (National Security and Investment Act 2021 etc) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/424), arts. 1(2), 15(2) (with arts. 16(5)(6), 17)
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)
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))