{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/enterprise-act-2002/section-24",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/enterprise-act-2002/section-24.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2002/40",
  "legislation_title": "Enterprise Act 2002",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/enterprise-act-2002",
  "path": "section/24",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "24",
  "heading": "Time-limits and prior notice",
  "text": "(1) For the purposes of section 23 two or more enterprises have ceased to be distinct enterprises at a time or in circumstances falling within this section if—\n(a) the two or more enterprises ceased to be distinct enterprises before the day on which the reference relating to them is to be made and did so not more than four months before that day; or\n(b) notice of material facts about the arrangements or transactions under or in consequence of which the enterprises have ceased to be distinct enterprises has not been given in accordance with subsection (2).\n(2) Notice of material facts is given in accordance with this subsection if—\n(a) it is given to the CMA prior to the entering into of the arrangements or transactions concerned or the facts are made public prior to the entering into of those arrangements or transactions; or\n(b) it is given to the CMA, or the facts are made public, more than four months before the day on which the reference is to be made.\n(3) In this section—\n“made public” means so publicised as to be generally known or readily ascertainable; and\n“notice” includes notice which is not in writing.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Word in s. 24(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 5 para. 69 (with s. 28); S.I. 2014/416, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "Ss. 23-32 amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2003/1592, Sch. 1 (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/891), arts. 1, 16 (with arts. 20-23)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C2",
      "text": "S. 24 modified in part (31.12.2020) by The Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/93), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 21(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C3",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C4",
      "text": "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.)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C5",
      "text": "Ss. 23-32 applied (with modifications) (20.6.2003) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1592), art. 2, Sch. 1"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/40/section/24",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:18:50.931325+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "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."
  }
}