Section 136 Investigations and reports on market investigation references

United Kingdom

(1)

The F1CMA shall prepare and publish a report on a market investigation reference within the period permitted by section 137.

(2)

The report shall, in particular, contain—

(a)

the decisions of the CMA on the questions which it is required to answer by virtue of section 134;

F2(aa)

any decision of the CMA under section 154A to accept an undertaking partially in lieu of a report;

(b)

its reasons for its decisions; and

(c)

such information as the CMA considers appropriate for facilitating a proper understanding of those questions and of its reasons for its decisions.

(3)

The CMA shall carry out such investigations as it considers appropriate for the purposes of preparing a report under this section.

F3(4)

Where a reference has been made by the appropriate Minister under section 132 the CMA shall, at the same time as the report under this section is published, give it to the appropriate Minister.

(5)

Where a reference has been made by the F4CMA under section 131 or by the appropriate Minister under section 132 in circumstances in which a reference could have been made by a relevant sectoral regulator under section 131 as it has effect by virtue of a relevant sectoral enactment, the F5CMA shall, at the same time as the report under this section is published, give a copy of it to the relevant sectoral regulator concerned.

F6(6)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)

In this Part “relevant sectoral enactment” means—

(a)

~~F7in relation to the Director General of Telecommunications, section 50 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12);~~

(b)

in relation to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, section 36A of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) F8, section 43 of the Electricity Act 1989 or (as the case may be) section 36 of the Energy Act 2023;

(c)

in relation to F9the Water Services Regulation Authority , section 31 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56);

(d)

F10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)

in relation to the F11Office of Rail and Road, section 67 of the Railways Act 1993 (c. 43);

F12(ea)

in relation to the Financial Conduct Authority, section 234I of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

(f)

F13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g)

in relation to the Civil Aviation Authority, section 86 of the Transport Act 2000 (c. 38). F14 or section 60 of the Civil Aviation Act 2012;

F15(h)

in relation to the Office of Communications, sections 370 and 371 of the Communications Act 2003.

F16(h)

in relation to the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, Article 46 of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, Article 23 of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 or Article 29 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

F17(i)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18(j)

in relation to the Payment Systems Regulator, section 59 of the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013.

(8)

In this Part “relevant sectoral regulator” means ~~F19the Director General of Telecommunications~~ , the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, the Water Services Regulation Authority, F20. . . , the Office of Rail and Road, F21the Financial Conduct Authority,F22. . . , the Civil Aviation Authority or the Office of F23Communications, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation F24F25... or the Payment Systems Regulator.

(9)

The Secretary of State may by order modify subsection (7) or (8).

F26(10)

In this section “the Payment Systems Regulator” means the body established under section 40 of the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Word in s. 136(1)-(3) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (2013 c. 24), s. 26(3), Sch. 5 para. 169(2) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) Sch.
F2: S. 136(2)(aa) inserted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 8 para. 4; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(12)
F3: S. 136(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 169(3) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F4: Word in s. 136(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 169(4)(a) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F5: Word in s. 136(5) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 169(4)(b) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F6: S. 136(6) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 169(5) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F7: S. 136(7)(a) repealed (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain further purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 19(1) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18 and with Sch. 19 Note 1); 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(1)(2) (with art. 11)
F8: Words in s. 136(7)(b) substituted (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(3)(a), Sch. 5 para. 7
F9: Words in s. 136(7)(c)(8) substituted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 101(1), 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 36(2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 4(f)
F10: S. 136(7)(d) repealed (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), 308, Sch. 13 (arts. 8(9), 121(3), 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)
F11: Words in s. 136(7)(e)(8) substituted (16.10.2015) by The Office of Rail Regulation (Change of Name) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1682), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 4(q)(i)
F12: S. 136(7)(ea) inserted (1.4.2015) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), s. 148(5), Sch. 8 para. 10(2); S.I. 2014/2458, art. 3(b)(v)
F13: S. 136(7)(f) repealed (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), 308, Sch. 13 (arts. 8(9), 121(3), 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)
F14: Words in s. 136(7)(g) inserted (6.4.2013) by Civil Aviation Act 2012 (c. 19), ss. 61(11), 110(1) (with s. 77(1)-(3), Sch. 10 paras. 12, 17); S.I. 2013/589, art. 2(1)-(3)
F15: S. 136(7)(h) inserted (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain further purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 17 para. 174(4)(a) (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(1)(2) (with art. 11)
F16: S. 136: para. (h) added "at the end" of s. 136(7) (N.I.) (1.4.2007) by virtue of The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)), arts. 1(2)(3), 408, Sch. 12 para. 46(1) (with arts. 8(9), 121(3), 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)
F17: S. 136(7)(i) omitted (1.7.2022) by virtue of Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 12 para. 3(2); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
F18: S. 136(7)(j) inserted (1.4.2014) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), ss. 67(3)(a), 148(5); S.I. 2014/823, art. 2(g)
F19: S. 136(8): words "the Director of Telecommunications" are repealed (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain further purposes) by virtue of Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 406(1), 411(2)(3), Sch. 19(1) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18 and with Sch. 19 Note 1); 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(1)(2) (with art. 11)
F20: Words in s. 136(8) repealed (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), 308, Sch. 13 (arts. 8(9), 121(3), 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)
F21: Words in s. 136(8) inserted (1.4.2015) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), s. 148(5), Sch. 8 para. 10(3); S.I. 2014/2458, art. 3(b)(v)
F22: Words in s. 136(8) repealed (N.I.) (1.4.1007) by The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)), arts. 1(2)(3), 308, Sch. 13 (arts. 8(9), 121(3), 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (subject to art. 3, Sch. 2)
F23: Words in s. 136(8) substituted (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 74(6)(b), 306(4); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)
F24: Word in s. 136(8) omitted (1.7.2022) by virtue of Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 12 para. 3(3); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)
F25: Words in s. 136(8) substituted (1.4.2014) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), ss. 67(3)(b), 148(5); S.I. 2014/823, art. 2(g)
F26: S. 136(10) inserted (1.4.2014) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), ss. 67(3)(c), 148(5); S.I. 2014/823, art. 2(g)

Notes on Part 4

Textual amendments

F1: Words in Pt. 4 heading inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 12 para. 8; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Modifications

C1

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by 1988 c. 41, Sch. 7 para. 20(5)-(8) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 185, 279, Sch. 11 para. 11(3); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

C2

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1996/275 (N.I. 2), art. 23(2A)(2B) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 168(9), 279, Sch. 9 para. 22(2)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

C3

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by 1993 c. 43, s. 67(2A)(2B) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 168(9), 279, Sch. 9 para. 21(2)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

C4

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by S.I. 1992/231 (N.I. 1), art. 46(2A)(2B) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 168(9), 279, Sch. 9 para. 20(2)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

C5

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by 1991 c. 56, s. 31(4) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 168(9), 279, Sch. 9 para. 19(3)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

C6

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by 1991 c. 56, s. 31(2A) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 168(9), 279, Sch. 9 para. 19(2)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

C7

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by 1984 c. 12, s. 50(2B) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 168(9), 279, Sch. 9 para. 16(2)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

C8

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (20.6.2003) by 1989 c. 29, s. 43(2B) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 168(9), 279, Sch. 9 para. 18(2)); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) modified (25.7.2003 for certain purposes and 29.12.2003 for certain purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 370(3), 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)

Pt. 4 (ss. 131-184) 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(4) (with arts. 8(9), 121, 307); S.R. 2007/194, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with Sch. 2)

C9

Pt. 4 modified (1.4.2013) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 73(3), 306(4); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

C10

Pt. 4 modified in part (6.4.2013) by Civil Aviation Act 2012 (c. 19), ss. 60(3), 110(1) (with ss. 60(4), 77(1)-(3), Sch. 10 paras. 12, 17); S.I. 2013/589, art. 2(1)-(3)

C11

Pt. 4 functions made exercisable concurrently (6.4.2013) by Civil Aviation Act 2012 (c. 19), ss. 60(2), 110(1) (with s. 77(1)-(3), Sch. 10 paras. 12, 17); S.I. 2013/589, art. 2(1)-(3)

C12

Pt. 4 modified by 2012 c. 7, s. 73(3)(b) (as substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 189(4)(c) (with art. 3))

C13

Pt. 4 modified by 2000 c. 38, s. 86(4A) (as inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 154(6) (with art. 3))

C14

Pt. 4 modified (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 4 para. 57; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(c) (with Sch.)

C15

Pt. 4 modified by 2012 c. 19, s. 60(3A) (as inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 197(5) (with art. 3))

C16

Pt. 4 certain functions made exercisable concurrently (1.4.2014) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), s. 59(1)-(5), 148(5); S.I. 2014/823, art.

C17

Pt. 4 modified by 1991 c. 56, s. 31(4) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 84(5)(d) (with art. 3))

C18

Pt. 4 modified by 1989 c. 29, s. 43(2B) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 65(4)(d) (with art. 3))

C19

Pt. 4 modified by 1986 c. 44, s. 36A (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 50(4)(d) (with art. 3))

C20

Pt. 4 modified by 1993 c. 43, s. 67(4)(d) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 105(4)(d) (with art. 3))

C21

Pt. 4: certain functions made exercisable concurrently (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), ss. 36(1)-(3), 334(3)(a) (with s. 38)

C22

Pt. 4 modified (E.W.S.) (27.1.2026 for specified purposes) by The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/269), regs. 1(4)(5), 46(3)(b)(c)

C23

Pt. 4: certain functions made exercisable concurrently (E.W.S.) (27.1.2026 for specified purposes) by The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/269), regs. 1(4)(5), 46(2)(b)

Notes on Chapter 1

Textual amendments

F1: Words in Pt. 4 Ch. 1 heading inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 12 para. 9; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

Modifications

C1: Pt. 4 modified by 2012 c. 7, s. 73(3)(b) (as substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 189(4)(c) (with art. 3))
C2: Pt. 4 modified by 2000 c. 38, s. 86(4A) (as inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 154(6) (with art. 3))
C3: Pt. 4 modified (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 4 para. 57; S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(c) (with Sch.)
C4: Pt. 4 modified by 2012 c. 19, s. 60(3A) (as inserted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 197(5) (with art. 3))
C5: Pt. 4 certain functions made exercisable concurrently (1.4.2014) by Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 (c. 33), s. 59(1)-(5), 148(5); S.I. 2014/823, art.
C6: Pt. 4 modified by 1991 c. 56, s. 31(4) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 84(5)(d) (with art. 3))
C7: Pt. 4 modified by 1989 c. 29, s. 43(2B) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 65(4)(d) (with art. 3))
C8: Pt. 4 modified by 1986 c. 44, s. 36A (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 50(4)(d) (with art. 3))
C9: Pt. 4 modified by 1993 c. 43, s. 67(4)(d) (as amended (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 105(4)(d) (with art. 3))
C10: Pt. 4: certain functions made exercisable concurrently (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), ss. 36(1)-(3), 334(3)(a) (with s. 38)