Table of Contents
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13)Introductory TextPart 1 Digital Markets (ss. 1-118)Chapter 1 Overview (s. 1)1 OverviewChapter 2 Strategic Market Status (ss. 2-18)Power to designate undertaking as having SMS (ss. 2-8)2 Designation of undertaking3 Digital activities4 Link to the United Kingdom5 Substantial and entrenched market power6 Position of strategic significance7 The turnover condition8 Turnover of an undertakingProcedure (ss. 9-18)9 Initial SMS investigations10 Further SMS investigations11 Procedure relating to SMS investigations12 Closing an initial SMS investigation without a decision13 Consultation on proposed decision14 Outcome of SMS investigations15 Notice requirements: decisions about whether to designate16 Notice requirements: decisions to revoke a designation17 Existing obligations18 Designation periodChapter 3 Conduct Requirements (ss. 19-45)Imposition of conduct requirements (ss. 19-25)19 Power to impose conduct requirements20 Permitted types of conduct requirement21 Content of notice imposing a conduct requirement22 Revocation of conduct requirements23 Transitional provision relating to conduct requirements etc24 Consultation in relation to a conduct requirement25 Duty to keep conduct requirements under reviewEnforcement of conduct requirements (ss. 26-35)26 Power to begin a conduct investigation27 Consideration of representations28 Closing a conduct investigation without making a finding29 Countervailing benefits exemption30 Notice of findings31 Enforcement orders32 Interim enforcement orders33 Duration of enforcement orders34 Revocation of enforcement orders35 Duty to keep enforcement orders under reviewCommitments relating to conduct requirements (ss. 36-37)36 Commitments37 Duty to keep commitments under reviewFinal offer mechanism (ss. 38-45)38 Power to adopt final offer mechanism39 Collective submissions40 Final offer mechanism41 Final offers: outcome42 Final offer orders: supplementary43 Decision not to make final offer order44 Duration and revocation of final offer orders45 Duty to keep final offer orders under reviewChapter 4 Pro-Competition Interventions (ss. 46-56)46 Power to make pro-competition interventions47 Power to begin a PCI investigation etc48 Procedure relating to PCI investigations49 Consultation on proposed PCI decision50 PCI decision51 Pro-competition orders52 Replacement of pro-competition orders53 Duration and revocation etc of pro-competition orders54 Consultation55 Duty to review pro-competition orders etc56 CommitmentsChapter 5 Mergers (ss. 57-68)57 Duty to report possible mergers etc58 Qualifying status59 Value of consideration60 Content of report etc61 Application of the duty to report etc62 Acceptance of report63 Delay to possible mergers etc64 Timing of a reportable event65 Authorisation for one person to act for another66 Applications for review of decisions relating to mergers67 Regulations about duty to report68 Duty to keep compliance under reviewChapter 6 Investigatory Powers etc and Compliance Reports (ss. 69-84)Investigatory powers etc (ss. 69-82)69 Power to require information70 Requirement to name a senior manager71 Power of access72 Power to interview73 Use of interview statements in prosecution74 Power to enter business premises without a warrant75 Power to enter premises under a warrant76 Power to enter premises under a warrant: supplementary77 Amendments to the Criminal Justice and Police Act 200178 Application for a warrant79 Reports by skilled persons80 Duty to preserve information81 Privileged communications82 Power of CMA to publish notice of investigative assistanceCompliance reports etc (ss. 83-84)83 Nominated officer84 Compliance reportsChapter 7 Enforcement and Appeals (ss. 85-103)Civil penalties (ss. 85-92)85 Penalties for failure to comply with competition requirements86 Amount of penalties under section 8587 Penalties for failure to comply with investigative requirements88 Amount of penalties under section 8789 Procedure and appeals etc90 Calculation of daily rates and turnover91 Statement of policy on penalties92 Monetary penalties: criminal proceedings and convictionsOffences (ss. 93-98)93 Destroying or falsifying information94 False or misleading information95 Obstructing an officer96 Offences by officers of a body corporate etc97 Offences: limits on extra-territorial jurisdiction98 SentencesFurther enforcement provisions etc (ss. 99-102)99 Director disqualification100 Enforcement of requirements101 Rights to enforce requirements of this Part102 Treatment of CMA breach decisions etcApplications for review (s. 103)103 Applications for review etcChapter 8 Administration ETC (ss. 104-118)Administration (ss. 104-106)104 Extension etc of periods105 Extensions: supplementary106 Exercise and delegation of functionsRegulatory coordination and information sharing (ss. 107-109)107 Coordination with relevant regulators108 Recommendations to the CMA109 Information sharingMiscellaneous (ss. 110-116)110 Power to charge levy111 Extra-territorial application112 Defamation113 Consultation and publication of documents114 Guidance115 Protected disclosures116 Restriction on disclosure ordersInterpretation (ss. 117-118)117 Groups118 General interpretationPart 2 Competition (ss. 119-146)Chapter 1 Anti-Trust (ss. 119-126)The Chapter 1 and 2 prohibitions (ss. 119-120)119 Removal of requirement for agreements etc to be implemented in the UK120 Repeal of exclusions relating to the European Coal and Steel CommunityInvestigations (ss. 121-123)121 Duty to preserve documents relevant to investigations122 Production of information authorised by warrant123 Additional powers of seizure from domestic premisesProceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (ss. 124-126)124 Standard of review on appeals against interim measures directions125 Declaratory relief126 Exemplary damagesChapter 2 Mergers (ss. 127-133)127 Relevant merger situations and special merger situations128 Fast-track references under sections 22 and 33 of EA 2002129 Mergers of energy network enterprises130 Mergers involving newspaper enterprises and foreign powers131 Mutual agreements to extend time-limits: duty to make reference cases132 Mutual agreements to extend time-limits: public interest cases133 Publication of merger notices onlineChapter 3 Markets (ss. 134-140)134 Market studies: removal of time-limit on pre-reference consultation135 Power to make a reference after previously deciding not to do so136 Scope of market investigations137 Acceptance of undertakings at any stage of a market study or investigation138 Final undertakings and orders: power to conduct trials139 Duty of CMA to monitor undertakings and orders140 Taking action in relation to regulated marketsChapter 4 Cartels (s. 141)141 Production of information authorised by warrantChapter 5 Miscellaneous (ss. 142-146)142 Attendance of witnesses etc143 Civil penalties etc in connection with competition matters144 Service and extra-territoriality of notices under CA 1998 and EA 2002145 Orders and regulations under CA 1998 and EA 2002146 Meaning of "working day" in Parts 3 and 4 of EA 2002Part 3 Enforcement of Consumer Protection Law (ss. 147-223)Chapter 1 Overview (s. 147)147 OverviewChapter 2 Relevant Infringements (ss. 148-150)148 Relevant infringements149 The UK connection condition150 The specified prohibition conditionChapter 3 Consumer Protection Orders and Undertakings (ss. 151-179)Enforcers for purposes of Chapter (ss. 151-152)151 Enforcers152 Designation criteriaApplications for enforcement orders and interim enforcement orders (ss. 153-155)153 Applications154 CMA directions to other enforcers155 ConsultationPowers of court on application under section 153 (ss. 156-159)156 Enforcement orders and undertakings157 Enforcement orders and undertakings: enhanced consumer measures158 Enforcement orders: requirement to pay monetary penalty159 Interim enforcement orders and undertakingsOnline interface orders and interim online interface orders (ss. 160-162)160 Applications161 Online interface orders162 Interim online interface ordersUndertakings and further proceedings (ss. 163-168)163 Acceptance of undertakings by enforcers164 Undertakings under section 163: enhanced consumer measures165 Undertakings under section 163: procedural requirements166 Consumer protection orders or undertakings to court: further proceedings167 Undertakings to public designated enforcers: further proceedings168 Monetary penalties under sections 166 and 167: amountNotification of CMA (ss. 169-172)169 Notification requirements: applications170 Notification requirements: undertakings171 Notification requirements: proceedings172 Notification requirements: convictions and judgmentsJurisdiction etc (ss. 173-175)173 Appropriate court174 Effect of orders in other parts of the United Kingdom175 EvidenceMiscellaneous (ss. 176-179)176 Interconnected bodies corporate177 Enhanced consumer measures: private designated enforcers178 Substantiation of claims179 Crown applicationChapter 4 Direct Enforcement Powers of CMA (ss. 180-202)Investigations (ss. 180)180 Power of CMA to investigate suspected infringementsInfringement notices and penalties (ss. 181-183)181 Provisional infringement notice182 Final infringement notice183 Final infringement notice: directions to take enhanced consumer measuresOnline interface notices (s. 184)184 Online interface noticesUndertakings (ss. 185-190)185 Undertakings186 Effect of undertakings under section 185187 Undertakings under section 185: procedural requirements188 Provisional breach of undertakings enforcement notice189 Final breach of undertakings enforcement notice190 Monetary penalties under section 189: amountDirections (ss. 191-196)191 Provisional breach of directions enforcement notice192 Final breach of directions enforcement notice193 Monetary penalties under section 192: amount194 Powers of court to enforce directions195 Substantiation of claims196 Variation or revocation of directionsFalse or misleading information (ss. 197-198)197 Provisional false information enforcement notice198 Final false information enforcement noticeMiscellaneous and appeals (ss. 199-202)199 Statement of policy in relation to monetary penalties200 Interconnected bodies corporate201 Record-keeping and reporting requirements202 AppealsChapter 5 Monetary penalties: General provisions (ss. 203-207)203 Information to accompany orders or notices imposing monetary penalties204 Determination of turnover205 Power to amend amounts206 Recovery of monetary penalties207 Monetary penalties: further provisionChapter 6 Investigatory powers (s. 208)208 Investigatory powers of enforcersChapter 7 Miscellaneous (ss. 209-216)209 Powers to amend Schedule 15 and Schedule 16210 Rules211 Procedural requirements for making of rules212 Guidance213 Defamation214 Minor and consequential amendments relating to this Part215 Transitional and saving provision relating to this Part216 Enforcement of requirements relating to secondary ticketingChapter 8 Interpretation of Part (ss. 217-223)217 Supply of goods or digital content218 Supply of services219 Accessories220 Special relationships221 Enhanced consumer measures222 Other interpretative provisions223 Index of defined expressionsPart 4 Consumer rights and disputes (ss. 224-310)Chapter 1 Protection from unfair trading (ss. 224-252)Introduction (s. 224)224 OverviewProhibition of unfair commercial practices (ss. 225-230)225 Prohibition of unfair commercial practices226 Misleading actions227 Misleading omissions228 Aggressive practices229 Contravention of the requirements of professional diligence230 Omission of material information from invitation to purchasePublic enforcement (s. 231)231 Public enforcementConsumers' rights of redress relating to unfair commercial practices (ss. 232-235)232 Rights of redress233 Rights of redress: further provision234 Enforcement of rights of redress235 Relationship between rights of redress and other claims relating to prohibited practicesInertia selling (s. 236)236 Inertia sellingOffences relating to unfair commercial practices (ss. 237-241)237 Offences238 Defence of due diligence and innocent publication239 Offences: criminal liability of others240 Penalty for offences241 Time limit for prosecutionMiscellaneous (ss. 242-244)242 Powers to amend this Chapter243 Crown application244 Validity of agreementsInterpretation (ss. 245-250)245 Meaning of "transactional decision"246 Meaning of "average consumer": general247 Meaning of "average consumer": vulnerable persons248 Meaning of "product"249 General interpretation250 Index of defined termsConsequential amendments and transitional provision (ss. 251-252)251 Consequential amendments relating to this Chapter252 Transitional and saving provision relating to this ChapterChapter 2 Subscription Contracts (ss. 253-281)Introduction (ss. 253-255)253 Overview254 Meaning of "subscription contract"255 Excluded contractsDuties of traders (ss. 256-261)256 Pre-contract information257 Pre-contract information: additional requirements258 Reminder notices259 Content and timing etc of reminder notices260 Arrangements for consumers to exercise right to end contract261 Duties of trader on cancellation or end of subscription contractRights of consumers to cancel contract for breach (ss. 262-263)262 Terms implied into contracts263 Right to cancel for breach of implied termCooling-off rights (ss. 264-266)264 Right to cancel during cooling-off periods265 Meaning of "initial cooling-off period" and "renewal cooling-off period"266 Cooling-off noticeCancellation of contracts under this Chapter: further provision (s. 267)267 Cancellation of subscription contract: further provisionOffence of failing to provide information about cooling-off rights (ss. 268-271)268 Offence of failing to provide information about initial cooling-off rights269 Defence of due diligence270 Offences by officers of a body corporate etc271 Penalty for offence and enforcementGeneral and miscellaneous provision (ss. 272-277)272 Information and notices: timing and burden of proof273 Terms of a subscription contract which are of no effect274 Other remedies for breach by trader275 Application of this Chapter276 Crown application277 Power to make further provision in connection with this ChapterConsequential amendments (ss. 278-279)278 Consequential amendments to the Consumer Rights Act 2015279 Other consequential amendmentsGeneral interpretation (ss. 280-281)280 Interpretation281 Index of defined expressionsChapter 3 Consumer Savings Schemes (ss. 282-290)282 Meaning of "consumer savings scheme contract"283 Other defined terms284 Excluded arrangements285 Insolvency protection requirement286 Insurance arrangements287 Trust arrangements288 Information requirements289 Consequential amendments290 InterpretationChapter 4 Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Contract Disputes (ss. 291-310)Interpretation of Chapter 4 (ss. 291-292)291 Meaning of "ADR" and related terms292 Other definitionsProhibition on acting as ADR provider without accreditation etc (ss. 293-294)293 Prohibitions relating to acting as ADR provider294 Prohibitions relating to charging fees to consumersExempt ADR providers (s. 295)295 Exempt ADR providersAccreditation: procedure etc (ss. 296-301)296 Applications for accreditation or variation of accreditation297 Determination of applications for accreditation or variation of accreditation298 Revocation or suspension of accreditations etc299 Fees payable by accredited ADR providers300 ADR fees regulations301 Accreditation criteriaEnforcement of prohibitions etc (s. 302)302 Enforcement noticesProvision of Information etc (ss. 303-306)303 ADR information regulations304 ADR information directions305 Disclosure of ADR information by the Secretary of State306 Meaning of "ADR information" and other terms in sections 303 to 305Involvement of other bodies in the regulation of ADR providers (s. 307)307 Power to provide for other persons to have accreditation functions etcComplaints by consumers to traders (s. 308)308 Duty of trader to notify consumer of ADR arrangements etcConsequential amendments etc and transitional provision (ss. 309-310)309 Consequential amendments etc relating to this Chapter310 Transitional provision relating to this ChapterPart 5 Miscellaneous (ss. 311-329)Chapter 1 Competition in connection with motor fuel (ss. 311-318)311 Provision of information about competition in connection with motor fuel312 Penalties for failure to comply with notices under section 311313 Procedure and appeals314 Statement of policy on penalties315 Offences etc316 Penalties under section 312 and offences under section 315317 Information sharing318 Expiry of this ChapterChapter 2 Provision of Investigative Assistance to Overseas Regulators (ss. 319-325) 319 Provision of investigative assistance to overseas regulators320 Requests for investigative assistance321 The appropriateness of providing investigative assistance322 Authorisation of the provision of investigative assistance323 Notifications in respect of requests for investigative assistance324 Guidance in connection with investigative assistance325 Amendments to other legislationChapter 3 Miscellaneous (ss. 326-329)326 Disclosing information overseas327 Duty of expedition on the CMA and sectoral regulators328 Offenders assisting investigations and prosecutions: powers of the CMA329 Removal of limit on the tenure of a chair of the Competition Appeal TribunalPart 6 General (ss. 330-340)330 Interpretation331 Data protection332 Notices333 Consultation334 Financial provision335 Minor and consequential amendments336 Power to make further consequential provision337 Regulations338 Extent339 Commencement340 Short titleSchedulesSchedule 1 Procedure relating to commitments (paras. 1-7)Schedule 2 Mergers: Holding of interests and rights (paras. 1-7)Schedule 3 Power of Competition Appeal Tribunal to grant declaratory relief (paras. 1-9)Schedule 4 Relevant and special merger situations (paras. 1-10)Schedule 5 Mergers: fast-track references under sections 22 and 33 of EA 2002 (paras. 1-15)Schedule 6 Mergers of energy network enterprises (paras. 1-13)Schedule 7 Mergers involving newspaper enterprises and foreign powers (paras. 1-4)Schedule 8 Acceptance of undertakings at any stage of a market study or investigation (paras. 1-17)Schedule 9 Final undertakings and orders: power to conduct trials (paras. 1-11)Schedule 10 Civil penalties etc in connection with competition investigationsSchedule 10, Part 1 Investigations under Part 1 of CA 1998 (competition) (paras. 1-13)Schedule 10, Part 2 Investigations under Part 3 of EA 2002 (Mergers) (paras. 14-25)Schedule 10, Part 3 Investigations under Part 4 of EA 2002 (market studies and market investigations) (paras. 26-34)Schedule 11 Civil penalties ETC in connection with breaches of remediesSchedule 11, Part 1 Commitments and directions under Part 1 of CA 1998 (competition) (paras. 1-6)Schedule 11, Part 2 Undertakings and orders under Part 3 of EA 2002 (mergers) (paras. 7-13)Schedule 11, Part 3 Undertakings and orders under Part 4 of EA 2002 (market studies and market investigations) (paras. 14-19)Schedule 12 Civil penalties: Amendments relating to sectoral regulators (paras. 1-23)Schedule 13 Service and Extra-territoriality of notices under CA 1998 and EA 2002 (paras. 1-17)Schedule 14 Orders and regulations under CA 1998 and EA 2002 (paras. 1-3)Schedule 15 Consumer protection enactmentsSchedule 15, Part 1 EnactmentSchedule 15, Part 2 Obligations and rules of lawSchedule 16 Direct enforcement enactmentsSchedule 17 Investigatory powers (paras. 1-6)Schedule 18 Part 3: minor and consequential amendments (paras. 1-11)Schedule 19 Part 3: transitional and saving provisions (paras. 1-6)Schedule 20 Commercial practices which are in all circumstances considered unfair (paras. 1-32)Schedule 21 Chapter 1 of Part 4: consequential amendmentsSchedule 22 Excluded contractsSchedule 23 Pre-contract information and reminder noticesSchedule 23, Part 1 Key pre-contract information (paras. 1-11)Schedule 23, Part 2 Full pre-contract information (paras. 12-28)Schedule 23, Part 3 Reminder notices (paras. 29-39)Schedule 24 Excluded arrangements (paras. 1-7)Schedule 25 Exempt ADR providersSchedule 25, Part 1 List of exempt personsSchedule 25, Part 2 Exempt redress schemesSchedule 25, Part 3 Supplementary (para. 1)Schedule 26 Accreditation criteriaSchedule 26, Part 1 The criteria applicable to an accredited ADR provider (paras. 1-7)Schedule 26, Part 2 Supplementary (paras. 8-11)Schedule 27 Chapter 4 of Part 4: consequential amendments etc (paras. 1-10)Schedule 28 Provision of investigative assistance to overseas regulator (paras. 1-11)Schedule 29 Duty of expedition on sectoral regulators in respect of their competition functions (paras. 1-12)Schedule 30 Minor and consequential amendmentsSchedule 30, Part 1 Amendments to Acts of Parliament (paras. 1-33)Schedule 30, Part 2 Amendments to other legislation (paras. 34-45)
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Version status: Partly in force | Document consolidation status: Updated to reflect all known changes
Version date: 24 May 2024 - onwards
238 Defence of due diligence and innocent publication
(1) It is a defence for a person ("the defendant") charged with an offence under subsection (1), (2), (3), (6) or (7) of section 237 to prove -
(a) that the commission of the offence was due to -
(i) the act or omission of another person,
(ii) reliance on information given by another person,
(iii) a mistake or accident, or
(iv) another cause beyond the defendant's control, and
(b) that the defendant took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence by the defendant or any other person under the defendant's control.
(2) Subsection (3) applies in a case where a person ("the defendant") has been charged with an offence under subsection (1), (2), (3), (6) or (7) of section 237 alleged to have been committed by the publication of an advertisement.
(3) It is a defence for the defendant to prove that -
(a) the defendant's business is to publish or arrange for the publication of advertisements,