Section 169 Certain duties of relevant authorities to consult: Part 4

United Kingdom

(1)

Subsection (2) applies where the relevant authority is proposing to make a relevant decision in a way which the relevant authority considers is likely to have a substantial impact on the interests of any person.

(2)

The relevant authority shall, so far as practicable, consult that person about what is proposed before making that decision.

(3)

In consulting the person concerned, the relevant authority shall, so far as practicable, give the reasons of the relevant authority for the proposed decision.

(4)

In considering what is practicable for the purposes of this section the relevant authority shall, in particular, have regard to—

(a)

any restrictions imposed by any timetable for making the decision; and

(b)

any need to keep what is proposed, or the reasons for it, confidential.

(5)

The duty under this section shall not apply in relation to the making of any decision so far as particular provision is made elsewhere by virtue of this Part for consultation before the making of that decision.

(6)

In this section—

“the relevant authority” means the F1CMA, the appropriate Minister F2or the Secretary of State; and
“relevant decision” means—
1. (a)
  in the case of the F3CMA, any decision by the CMA—
  1. (i)
    
    F4to make a reference under section 131 in a case where the CMA has not published a market study notice under section 130A in relation to the matter concerned;
  2. (ia)
    
    as to whether to accept undertakings F5in lieu of a reference under section 154A;
  3. (ii)
    
    to vary under section 135 such a reference F6; or—
  4. (iii)
    
    on the questions mentioned in section 134, 141 or 141A; F7...
  5. (iv)
    
    F8to accept undertakings or make orders under section 161C; and
  6. (v)
    
    F9to take action under section 162A(5); and
2. (b)
  in the case of the appropriate Minister F10(other than the Secretary of State acting alone), any decision by the appropriate Minister—
  1. (i)
    
    F11... to make a reference under section 132; or
  2. (ii)
    to vary under section 135 such a reference; F12...
    
    F13in the case of the Secretary of State, any decision by the Secretary of State—
    
    (i)
    
    to make a reference under section 132;
    
    (ii)
    
    to vary under section 135 such a reference;
    
    (iii)
    
    in a case where the Secretary of State is required to make a reference under section 140A, whether to make a reference under subsection (5) or (6) of that section; or
    
    (iv)
    
    to vary under section 140B a reference made under section 140A(6).
3. (c)
  
  ...

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 169(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 199(a) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F2: Words in s. 169(6) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 10 para. 29(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F3: Words in s. 169(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 199(b) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F4: Words in s. 169(6) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 12 para. 13(a); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F5: Words in s. 169(6) substituted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 8 para. 14; S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(12)
F6: Words in s. 169(6) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 199(c) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F7: Word in s. 169(6) omitted (1.1.2025) by virtue of Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(2); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(13) (with Sch. para. 10, 20)
F8: Words in s. 169(6) inserted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), s. 339(1), Sch. 9 para. 10(3); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(13) (with Sch. para. 10, 20)
F9: Words in s. 169(6) inserted (1.1.2025) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), ss. 139(6), 339(1); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(2) (with Sch. para. 11, 20)
F10: Words in s. 169(6) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 10 para. 29(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F11: Words in s. 169(6) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 12 para. 13(b); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F12: Words in s. 169(6) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 199(d) (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)
F13: Words in s. 169(6) inserted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 10 para. 29(c); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)

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 4

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))