Section 60: Duties of the CMA, Legal Services Act 2007

Where the Lord Chancellor makes a reference under section 59, the CMA under section 59, the Commission must investigate the matter.

The CMA must then make a report on the matter unless it considers that, as a result of any change of circumstances, no useful purpose would be served by a report.

If the CMA decides in accordance with subsection (2) not to make a report, it must make a statement setting out the change of circumstances which resulted in that decision.

The CMA must comply with subsection (2) or (3) within the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the reference in question is made to the chair of the CMA under section 59.

A report made under this section must state the CMA's conclusion as to whether any of the matters which is the subject of the report has or is likely to have the effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition within the market for reserved legal services to a significant extent.

A report under this section stating the CMA's conclusion that there is, or is likely to be, such an effect must also—

state whether or not the CMA considers that that effect is justified, and

if it states that the CMA considers that it is not justified, state its conclusion as to what action, if any, ought to be taken by the Board.

When determining under subsection (6)(b) any action to be taken by the Board, the CMA must ensure—

that the action stated is action which the Board has power to take, and

so far as reasonably possible, that the action stated is compatible with the functions conferred, and obligations imposed, on the Board by or under this Act.

A report under this section must contain such an account of the CMA's reasons for its conclusions as is expedient, in the opinion of the CMA , for facilitating proper understanding of them.

Sections 109 to 110A and 111 to 115 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40) (investigation powers) apply , as they had effect immediately before the date on which section 143 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 came into force, in relation to an investigation under this section as they applied immediately before that date in relation to an investigation made on a reference made to the CMA under Part 3 of that Act (mergers), but as if—

references in section 109 of that Act (attendance of witnesses and production of documents etc ) to a permitted purpose were references to the purpose of assisting the CMA in carrying out any of its functions in connection with an investigation under this section, and

the relevant day in any case for the purposes of section 110A of that Act (restriction on powers to impose penalties under section 110) were the day on which the CMA makes a report under subsection (2) or a statement under subsection (3) in connection with that case.

If the CMA makes a report or a statement under this section it must—

give a copy to the Lord Chancellor, the Board, the Consumer Panel and the approved regulator to which the report made by the CMA under section 57 relates, and

publish the report or statement.

Section 60: Duties of the CMA

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