{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/competition-act-1998/schedule-5/paragraph-3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/competition-act-1998/schedule-5/paragraph-3.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1998/41",
  "legislation_title": "Competition Act 1998",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/competition-act-1998",
  "path": "schedule/5/paragraph/3",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "3",
  "heading": null,
  "text": "(1) If, after a preliminary investigation of an application, the OFT considers that it is likely—\n(a) that the agreement concerned will infringe the Chapter I prohibition, and\n(b) that it would not be appropriate to grant the agreement an individual exemption,\nit may make a decision (“a provisional decision”) under this paragraph.\n(2) If the OFT makes a provisional decision—\n(a) the OFT must notify the applicant in writing of its provisional decision; and\n(b) section 13(4) or (as the case may be) section 14(4) is to be taken as never having applied.\n(3) When making a provisional decision, the OFT must follow such procedure as may be specified.\n(4) A provisional decision does not affect the final determination of an application.\n(5) If the OFT has given notice to the applicant under sub-paragraph (2) in respect of an application for a decision, he may continue with the application under section 14.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Sch. 5 ceased to have effect (1.5.2004) by virtue of The Competition Act 1998 and Other Enactments (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1261), reg. 1(a), Sch. 1 para. 51 (with reg. 6(2))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 5 substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(52)(a); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 5 para. 3 substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 38(52)(b); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/41/schedule/5/paragraph/3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:22:18.972999+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}