“arrangement” means any type of arrangement, agreement, and understanding, and in respect of an arrangement made by undertakings includes a decision by an association of undertakings and a concerted practice involving undertakings;

“Authority” means the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority established by the Competition Regulatory Authority (Jersey) Law 2001;

“business” includes any economic activity, trade or profession whether or not carried on for profit;

“company” means a body corporate (other than a limited liability company registered as a body corporate under the Limited Liability Companies (Jersey) Law 2018) incorporated with or without limited liability in any part of the world;

“Court” means the Royal Court;

“direction” means a direction given by the Authority under Article 36, 37, 38, 38A or 40;

“director”, in relation to an undertaking, means a person occupying the position of a director in the undertaking (whatever title is given to that position), and if the affairs of an undertaking are managed by its members includes a member of the undertaking;

“document” includes information recorded in any form and, in relation to information recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to its provision or production include references to providing or producing a copy of the information in legible form;

“group”, in relation to a company, means that company, any other company that is its holding company or subsidiary and any other company that is a subsidiary of the holding company;

“hinder”, in respect of competition, means prevent, restrict or distort competition, or, in each case, attempt to do so;

“holding company” has the meaning given to that expression by Article 2 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991;

“land agreement” means any agreement relating to land and includes a land purchase and sale agreement, a mortgage of land and an agreement to lease land;

“make an arrangement” includes “enter into an understanding”;

“merger” and “acquisition” have the meaning given to those expressions by Article 2;

“Minister” means the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development;

“officer”, in respect of an undertaking, means –

(a) a person who is a director, manager, secretary or other similar position within the undertaking; or

(b) any person purporting to act in any such capacity;

“prescribed” means prescribed by an Order made by the Minister;

“price” includes any charge, discount or margin or any other element of a price;

“publish”, in respect of any information, means publish in a manner that is likely to bring the information or how the information may be obtained to the attention of the public;

“relevant competition or regulatory authority”, in relation to a country or territory outside Jersey, means an authority discharging in that country or territory competition or regulatory functions corresponding to those of the Authority;

“relevant information”, in relation to an investigation under Article 26, means information that the Authority considers is, or is likely to be, relevant to that investigation;

“services” includes any benefits, advices, privileges or facilities that are, or are to be, provided, granted or conferred in the course of business;

“States Authority” means –

(a) a body corporate established for a purpose of the States by or under a Law; or

(b) a company in which the States, a Minister or a body corporate referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has a controlling interest;

“subsidiary”, in relation to a company, has the meaning given to that expression by Article 2 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991;

“supply” includes –

(a) in relation to goods – supply (including re-supply) by way of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase; and

(b) in relation to services – provide, grant or confer;

“undertaking” means a person who is carrying on a business and includes an association, whether or not incorporated, that consists of or includes such persons.

2 Mergers and acquisitions defined[3]

(1) For the purposes of this Law, a merger or acquisition occurs if –

(a) 2 or more undertakings that were previously independent of one another merge;

(b) 1 or more individuals who already control at least 1 undertaking, or 1 or more undertakings, acquire direct or indirect control of the whole or part of another undertaking; or

(i) involves the acquisition of assets that constitute a business to which a turnover can be attributed; but

(ii) does not involve the acquisition of a corporate legal entity.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a person has control in relation to an undertaking if, by holding securities, rights under a contract or by any other means (either separately or in any combination), they are capable of exercising decisive influence with regard to the activities of the undertaking, in particular by –

(a) ownership of the assets of the undertaking, or the right to use all or part of those assets; or

(b) rights or contracts that enable them to exercise decisive influence on the composition, voting or decisions of the board of directors, committee or other management body of the undertaking.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), “assets” includes goodwill.

(4) The creation of a joint venture that performs all the functions of an autonomous economic entity on a lasting basis constitutes a merger or acquisition within the meaning of paragraph (1)(b), regardless of whether the undertaking to be jointly controlled existed prior to the formation of the joint venture.

(5) The Minister may by Order, after consulting the Authority, prescribe any class of transaction that is not to be treated as a merger or acquisition for the purposes of this Law, despite being described in paragraph (1).

3 Power to vary definitions by Regulations

(1) The States may by Regulations amend the definitions and ancillary provisions in Articles 1 and 2.

(2) Regulations under this Article may contain such transitional, incidental, consequential or supplementary provisions as the States thinks necessary or expedient and such provisions may have retrospective effect where so prescribed.

4 Application to the States and other persons[4]

This Law applies to the States, a Minister, a body created by Act of the States and to any States Authority in so far as the States, Minister, body or States Authority is carrying on a business, but it does not apply to the States or such a Minister, body or States Authority when acting in any other capacity.

5 Employment contracts exempted

Nothing in this Law applies to bona fide arrangements involving employers and employees relating to contracts of employment.

6 Saving of customary law relating to restraint of trade

This Law does not affect the operation of the customary law relating to restraint of trade in so far as it is capable of operating concurrently with this Law.

7 Authority may publish guidelines

(1) The Authority may publish in such manner as it considers most appropriate a guideline on any aspect of this Law.

(2) A guideline may be prepared by the Authority or may be a document prepared by another person with the approval of the Authority.

(3) If it is a document prepared by another person it may be published with deletions, amendments and additions made by the Authority.

(4) Before publishing a guideline the Authority may consult any person with an interest or concern in respect of the relevant aspect of this Law.

(5) Proof that a person has failed to comply with a guideline published in respect of a requirement of this Law is not proof that the person has failed to comply with that requirement.

(6) However in proceedings where it is alleged that a person has failed to comply with a requirement of this Law –

(a) proof of a failure to comply with a guideline published by the Authority in respect of the requirement may be relied upon as tending to establish non-compliance with the requirement; and

(b) proof of compliance with the guideline may be relied upon as tending to establish compliance with the requirement.

PART 2

PROHIBITION OF ANTI-COMPETITIVE ARRANGEMENTS

8 Prohibition on hindering competition

(1) Except as otherwise provided by this Part, an undertaking must not make an arrangement with one or more other undertakings that has the object or effect of hindering to an appreciable extent competition in the supply of goods or services within Jersey or any part of Jersey.

(2) Paragraph (1) applies, in particular, to an arrangement if its object or effect is to –

(a) directly or indirectly fix purchase or selling prices or any other trading conditions;

(b) limit or control production, markets, technical development, or investment;

(d) apply dissimilar conditions to equivalent transactions with other trading parties, thereby placing them at a competitive disadvantage;

(e) make the conclusion of contracts subject to acceptance by the other parties of supplementary obligations which, by their nature or according to commercial usage, have no connection with the subject of such contracts.

(3) An arrangement prohibited by paragraph (1) is in this Law referred to as an anti-competitive arrangement.

(4) An arrangement is void to the extent that it is, or contains or is tainted by an anti-competitive arrangement.

(5) The fact that an arrangement may have no legal effect, does not bind the parties to it or could not be enforced by action in any court or by any other means does not prevent the arrangement being prohibited by paragraph (1).

(6) An arrangement may be prohibited by paragraph (1) although not every party to it is an undertaking so long as at least 2 are.

9 Authority may grant exemptions

(1) The Authority may exempt from Article 8(1) an arrangement to which that Article would otherwise apply.

(2) An application for an exemption may be made to the Authority by any party to the arrangement.

(3) The Authority must not grant the exemption unless it has satisfied itself that having regard to any relevant circumstances the arrangement –

(a) is likely to improve the production or distribution of goods or services, or to promote technical or economic progress in the production or distribution of goods or services;

(b) will allow consumers of those goods or services a fair share of any resulting benefit;

(c) does not impose on the undertakings concerned terms that are not indispensable to the attainment of the objectives mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b); and

(d) does not afford the undertakings concerned the ability to eliminate competition in respect of a substantial part of the goods or services in question.[5]

(4) To satisfy itself for the purpose of paragraph (3) the Authority –

(a) must publish details of the application; and

(b) must consider any representations made to it within any reasonable period to be specified by the Authority when it publishes details of the application.

(5) The Authority must publish notice of an exemption it grants under this Article.

(6) The Authority may grant an exemption under this Article –

(a) subject to compliance with such conditions and obligations; and

(b) for such period,

as it considers appropriate, which it must specify in the exemption.[6]

(7) An exemption may be granted so as to have effect from a date earlier than that on which it is granted.

(8) The Authority may on the application to it of a party to the arrangement extend the period of validity of an exemption on any terms it considers appropriate.

(9) The Authority may in any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (10) –

(a) cancel an exemption;

(b) vary or remove a condition or obligation of an exemption;

(10) Those circumstances are –

(a) the Authority has reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a material change in the circumstances since the exemption was granted;

(b) the Authority has reasonable grounds to suspect that the information on which it based its decision to grant the exemption was incomplete, false or misleading in a material particular;

(11) The Authority must publish notice of any action it takes under paragraph (8) or (9).

(12) An exemption granted under this Article ceases to have effect if a condition or obligation of it is breached.

(13) The Authority may take action under paragraph (9) of its own volition or on a complaint made by any person.

(14) The Authority must not grant an exemption in respect of an arrangement except on an application made to it in accordance with this Article.

(15) A reference in this Article to an arrangement includes, where appropriate, a proposed arrangement.

10 Block exemptions

(1) The Minister may, after consulting the Authority, by Order exempt from Article 8(1) a class of arrangements to which that Article would otherwise apply.

(2) When advising the Minister, the Authority must, in particular, advise the Minister whether in the Authority’s opinion the exemption of the class of arrangements –

(a) is likely to improve the production or distribution of goods or services, or to promote technical or economic progress in the production or distribution of goods or services;

(b) will allow consumers of those goods or services a fair share of any resulting benefit;

(c) does not impose on the undertakings concerned terms that are not indispensable to the attainment of the objectives mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b); and

(d) does not afford the undertakings concerned the ability to eliminate competition in respect of a substantial part of the goods or services in question.[7]

(3) Before advising the Minister the Authority must –

(a) publish a draft of the advice it intends to give; and

(b) consider any representations made to it within any reasonable period to be specified by the Authority when it publishes its draft advice.

(4) The Authority must publish the advice it gives to the Minister.

(5) An Order made under this Article may –

(a) impose conditions or obligations subject to which an exemption granted by the Order is to have effect;

(b) contain different provisions for different classes of arrangements;

(c) provide that a breach of a condition imposed by the Order has the effect of cancelling the exemption in respect of the relevant arrangement;

(d) provide that if there is a failure to comply with an obligation imposed by the Order, the Authority may cancel the exemption in respect of the relevant arrangement;

(e) provide that if the Authority considers that a particular arrangement is not one to which paragraph (2) applies, it may declare that the exemption does not apply to the arrangement;

(f) provide for the manner in which the Authority may cancel an exemption in accordance with sub-paragraph (d) or issue a declaration in accordance with paragraph (e) and the manner in which notice of the cancellation or declaration is to be published;

(g) provide for an exemption to have effect from a date earlier than the date on which the Order was made;

(h) provide that the Order or any provision of it is to cease to have effect at the end of a period specified in the Order.[8]

11 Small undertakings exemption

(1) The Minister may, after consulting the Authority, by Order, exempt from the scope of Article 8(1) small undertakings, as prescribed by the Order.

(2) The Order may prescribe what constitutes a small undertaking by reference, for example, to –

(a) turnover, earnings, market share or similar measures; or

(b) number of employees.

(3) An Order made under this Article may –

(a) impose conditions or obligations subject to which an exemption granted by the Order is to have effect;

(b) contain different provisions for different types of undertakings or different economic activities;

(c) provide that a breach of a condition imposed by the Order has the effect of cancelling the exemption in respect of the relevant undertaking;

(d) provide that if there is a failure to comply with an obligation imposed by the Order the Authority may cancel the exemption in respect of the relevant undertaking;

(e) provide that if the Authority considers that a particular undertaking is not one to which the Order applies it may with the approval of the Minister make a declaration to that effect;

(f) provide for the manner in which the Authority may cancel an exemption in accordance with sub-paragraph (d) or issue a declaration in accordance with sub-paragraph (e) and the manner in which notice of the cancellation or declaration is to be published;

(g) provide for an exemption to have effect from a date earlier than the date on which the Order was made;

(h) provide that the Order or any provision of it is to cease to have effect at the end of a period specified in the Order.[9]

(4) An Order made under this Article has no effect if the object or effect of the arrangement is to –

(a) directly or indirectly fix purchase or selling prices or any other trading conditions;

(b) limit or control production, markets, technical development, or investment; or

(5) Where a small undertaking prescribed by an Order made under this Article is a party to an arrangement mentioned in Article 8(1) the arrangement is void unless all the parties to it are also so prescribed.

(6) When, in accordance with paragraph (1), the Minister consults the Authority the Authority must publish the advice it gives to the Minister.

12 Exemption by Minister on grounds of public policy (Part 2)[10]

(1) The Minister may, after consulting the Authority, exempt an arrangement or a class of arrangements from Article 8(1).[11]

(2) The Minister must not exempt an arrangement unless satisfied that there are exceptional and compelling reasons of public policy that make it desirable to do so.[12]

(3) When, in accordance with paragraph (1), the Minister consults the Authority on a proposed exemption –

(a) the Authority must publish the advice it gives to the Minister; and

(b) the Minister must publish their reasons for granting or refusing to grant the exemption, as the case may be.[13]

13 Land agreement exemptions (Part 2)

The Minister may exempt a prescribed land agreement from Article 8(1).

14 Group exclusion

Article 8(1) does not apply to an arrangement if all the parties to it are, directly or indirectly, under the control of the same undertaking.

15 Mergers and acquisitions excluded

An arrangement is not an anti-competitive arrangement in so far as it is entered into for the purpose of or as part of a merger or acquisition.

PART 3

ABUSE OF DOMINANT POSITION

16 Abuse of dominant market position

(1) Except as otherwise provided by this Part, any abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in trade for any goods or services in Jersey or in any part of Jersey is prohibited.

(2) An abuse of a dominant position may, in particular, consist in –

(a) directly or indirectly imposing unfair purchase or selling prices or other unfair trading conditions;

(b) limiting production, markets or technical development to the prejudice of consumers;

(c) applying dissimilar conditions to equivalent transactions with other trading parties and thereby placing them at a competitive disadvantage;

(d) making the conclusion of contracts subject to acceptance by the other parties of supplementary obligations that by their nature or according to commercial usage have no connection with the subject of the contracts.

(3) For the purpose of this Article an abuse of a dominant position may consist of a failure or refusal to do something.

17 Mergers and acquisitions excluded

A merger or an acquisition involving an undertaking having a dominant position in a market is not an abuse of that dominant position contrary to Article 16(1).

18 Exemption by Minister on grounds of public policy (Part 3)[14]

(1) The Minister may, after consulting the Authority, exempt an undertaking or undertakings from Article 16(1).

(2) The Minister must not exempt an undertaking unless satisfied that there are exceptional and compelling reasons of public policy that make it desirable to do so.[15]

(3) When, in accordance with paragraph (1), the Minister consults the Authority on a proposed exemption –

(a) the Authority must publish the advice it gives to the Minister; and

(b) the Minister must publish their reasons for granting or refusing to grant the exemption, as the case may be.[16]

19 Land agreement exemptions (Part 3)

The Minister may exempt a prescribed undertaking or undertakings from Article 16(1) in respect of any prescribed land agreement.

PART 4

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

20 Certain mergers or acquisitions not to be executed without approval

(1) A person must not execute a merger or acquisition of a type prescribed by an Order made under paragraph (3) except with and in accordance with the approval of the Authority.

(2) If there is a breach of paragraph (1) –

(a) where any party to the merger or acquisition is a company incorporated in Jersey, the title to any shares in the company does not pass in accordance with the terms of the merger or acquisition; and

(b) the title of any property in Jersey does not pass in accordance with the terms of the merger or acquisition.[17]

(3) The Minister may, after consulting the Authority, by Order, prescribe the types of mergers and acquisitions to which paragraph (1) applies.[18]

(4) When, in accordance with paragraph (3), the Minister consults the Authority the Authority must publish the advice it gives to the Minister.

21 Application for approval for merger or acquisition

(1) An application for approval for the purpose of Article 20(1) must –

(a) be made at the time and in such form as the Authority may from time to time determine;

(b) contain or be accompanied by such information and documents as the Authority may require relating to the merger or acquisition, the persons involved in it and their businesses, in each case verified in such manner as the Authority may require; and

(c) be accompanied by an undertaking in a form approved by the Authority to pay the Authority’s reasonable fees or costs in connection with the application, whether or not it is successful.

(2) At any time after receiving an application and before determining it the Authority may request the applicant to provide additional information or documents the Authority may need to enable it to determine the application, verified in such manner as the Authority may require.

21A Application for retrospective approval of merger or acquisition[19]

(1) This Article applies if a person executes a merger or acquisition in breach of Article 20(1).

(2) A person may make an application for retrospective approval of the merger or acquisition, whether or not at the request of the Authority.

(3) Articles 21 and 22 apply in relation to an application for retrospective approval under paragraph (2) as they apply in relation to an application for approval for the purpose of Article 20(1) (with the exception of the requirement as to the timing of the application in Article 21(1)(a)).

22 Grant or refusal of approval

(1) On an application under Article 21(1), the Authority may either approve the merger or acquisition, with or without attaching conditions or may refuse to approve it.

(2) The Authority’s approval must be given in writing and must contain any conditions attached to it.

(3) Those conditions may be of a continuing nature and, if expressed to be so, are binding on and enforceable against –

(a) a party to the merger or acquisition;

(b) any undertaking formed as a result of the merger or acquisition; or

(3A) The Authority may vary, remove or substitute a condition if –

(a) it has reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a material change in circumstances since the approval was given;

(b) it has reasonable grounds to suspect that the information on which it based its decision to give the approval was incomplete, false or misleading in a material particular; or

(3B) If the Authority makes a decision under paragraph (3A) it must give that decision in writing.[22]

(4) The Authority may refuse to approve a merger or acquisition if it is satisfied that the merger or acquisition would substantially lessen competition in Jersey or any part of Jersey.

(5) The Authority may also refuse to approve a merger or acquisition if any information or document it has requested in connection with the application for the approval is not provided to it within a reasonable time of being requested.

(6) The Authority’s refusal must be given in writing and must specify the reasons for the refusal.

(7) The Authority must publish a decision it makes under this Article.

22A Power to require application for approval of certain other mergers and acquisitions[23]

(1) The Authority may require a person to make an application for approval of a merger or acquisition of a type prescribed by an Order under paragraph (4).

(2) Articles 21 and 22 apply in relation to an application for the purpose of paragraph (1) as they apply in relation to an application for approval for the purpose of Article 20(1) (with the exception of the requirement as to the timing of the application in Article 21(1)(a)).

(3) If an application is not made in relation to a merger or acquisition as required by the Authority under paragraph (1), the Authority may –

(a) consider the merger or acquisition; and

(b) determine whether to grant or refuse approval of the merger or acquisition under Article 22, as if an application had been made.

(4) The Minister may by Order, after consulting the Authority, prescribe types of mergers and acquisitions, other than those prescribed under Article 20(3), for the purposes of paragraph (1).

(5) An Order under paragraph (4) may include –

(a) the test to be applied by the Authority in deciding whether to require a person to make an application under paragraph (1);

(b) the time within which, and the procedure by which, the Authority may require a person to make an application under paragraph (1);

(6) If the Minister consults the Authority under paragraph (4) the Authority must publish the advice it gives to the Minister.

23 Exemption by Minister on grounds of public policy (Part 4)[24]

(1) The Minister may, after consulting the Authority, exempt a merger or acquisition of a type prescribed by an Order made under Article 20(3) from the requirement that it be approved by the Authority before execution.

(1A) If the Minister considers it necessary in the interests of public policy, the Minister may attach conditions to an exemption.[25]

(1B) Article 22(3), (3A) and (3B) applies in relation to conditions attached to an exemption under paragraph (1A) as it does in relation to conditions attached to an approval under Article 22(1) as if references to the Authority were references to the Minister.[26]

(1C) The Minister may require a person to provide information and documents relating to the merger or acquisition that the Minister considers is necessary to determine whether to grant an exemption or attach a condition.[27]

(1D) The Minister’s exemption, and any conditions attached to it, must be given in writing.[28]

(2) The Minister must not give an exemption unless satisfied that there are exceptional and compelling reasons of public policy that make it desirable to do so.[29]

(3) When, in accordance with paragraph (1), the Minister consults the Authority on a proposed exemption –

(a) the Authority must publish the advice it gives to the Minister; and

(b) the Minister must publish their reasons for granting or refusing to grant the exemption, as the case may be.[30]

24 Land agreement exemptions (Part 4)

The Minister may exempt a prescribed merger or acquisition of a type prescribed by an Order made under Article 20(3) from the requirement that it be approved by the Authority before execution where the merger or acquisition is in respect of a prescribed land agreement.

25 Offence of providing false information[31]

A person who, in connection with an application under Article 21(1), 21A(2) or 22A(1), knowingly or recklessly provides the Authority with information that is false or misleading in a material particular commits an offence and is liable to a fine.

PART 5

INVESTIGATIONS

26 Authority may conduct investigations[32]

The Authority may conduct an investigation if it has reasonable cause to suspect that a person –

(a) is in breach of Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1) or of a direction; or

(b) intends to breach Article 20(1) (executing a prescribed merger or acquisition without the approval of the Authority or otherwise than in accordance with the approval of the Authority).

27 General power to require provision of information and documents

(1) If Article 26 applies the Authority may serve a written notice on –

(a) a person mentioned in Article 26; or

(b) any other person that appears to the Authority to be in possession of relevant information or documents.[33]

(2) The notice may require the person upon whom it is served to do both or either of the things mentioned in paragraph (3).

(3) Those things are –

(a) to provide to the Authority within a time specified in the notice information or documents that the Authority requires to carry out the investigation;

(b) to answer questions in respect of information the Authority requires in respect of its investigation either forthwith or at a time and place specified in the notice.

(4) An undertaking or person –

(a) who fails to comply with a notice served under paragraph (1); or

(b) who knowingly or recklessly provides information that is false, misleading or incomplete,

commits an offence and is liable to a fine.[34]

(5) In proceedings against an undertaking or person for an offence under paragraph (4)(a) it is a defence for the accused to show that there was a reasonable excuse for the accused failing to comply with the notice.[35]

28 Power to obtain information stored on a computer

(1) If Article 26 applies the Authority may serve a written notice on a person who has control of a computer that the Authority has reasonable cause to suspect is used to store relevant information relating to a person mentioned in Article 26.[36]

(2) The notice may require the person –

(a) to provide the Authority with access to the computer;

(b) to provide the Authority with any assistance it may require to do so; and

(c) to produce to the Authority in a form in which it may be taken away relevant information relating to the business of the person mentioned in Article 26 that is stored on the computer or may be accessed by virtue of the computer.[37]

(3) [38]

(4) [39]

(5) A person –

(a) who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a notice served under paragraph (1); or

(b) who knowingly or recklessly provides information that is false, misleading or incomplete,

commits an offence and is liable to a fine.[40]

(6) In proceedings against a person for an offence under paragraph (5)(a) it is a defence for the accused to show that there was a reasonable excuse for the accused failing to comply with the notice.[41]

(7) In this Article “computer” means any instrument capable of storing information in electronic form.

29 General power to enter premises

(1) This Article applies where the Authority has reasonable cause to suspect that a person –

(a) is in breach of Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1) or of a direction; or

(b) intends to breach Article 20(1) (executing a prescribed merger or acquisition without the approval of the Authority or otherwise than in accordance with the approval of the Authority).[42]

(2) An officer or agent of the Authority authorised in writing by the Authority to do so may enter any premises where the officer or agent reasonably believes there is kept relevant information.[43]

(3) Premises occupied by a person who is not suspected of being a party to the breach or intended breach or whose behaviour is not the subject of the investigation must not be entered in accordance with paragraph (2) unless the person has been given a written notice that –

(a) gives at least 2 days’ notice of the intended entry;

(b) indicates the subject matter of the purpose of the entry; and

but premises may otherwise be entered at any time under paragraph (2) on production by the officer or agent of evidence of their authorization and a document containing the information mentioned in sub-paragraph (c).[44]

(4) Entry may be made under paragraph (1) –

(a) to obtain the information or documents mentioned in Article 27(3)(a);

(b) to put the questions referred to in Article 27(3)(b); or

(5) The power under paragraph (4) to require documents to be provided includes a power –

(a) if the documents are provided, to retain the documents or to take copies of them or extracts from them; and

(b) if the documents are not provided, to require the person to whom the requirement was directed to state, to the best of their knowledge and belief, where they are.[46]

(6) If documents are retained a list of the documents must be supplied to the person from whom they were obtained.

30 Entry and search of premises

(1) Where this Article applies the Bailiff may grant a warrant that authorizes an entry onto premises.

(2) This Article applies where the Bailiff, on application by the Authority, is satisfied by information on oath that there is reasonable cause to suspect that an undertaking or, as the case may be, a person –

(a) is in breach of Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1), or of a direction; or

(b) intends to breach Article 20(1),

and that at least one of the circumstances specified in paragraph (3) exists.

(3) Those circumstances are –

(a) that a specified person has failed in any respect to comply with a notice served on the person under Article 27(1) or 28(1);

(b) that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting the completeness of any information or documents provided in response to such a notice;

(c) that the Authority is conducting an investigation under Article 26 and that if a notice under Article 27(1) or 28(1) were to be served on a specified undertaking or person upon whom it might be served under either of those Articles there is a serious risk that it would not be complied with or that a document to which it might relate would be concealed, removed, tampered with or destroyed.[47]

(4) A warrant under paragraph (1) may authorize an officer or agent of the Authority named in the warrant together with any other person named in the warrant to enter the premises specified in the warrant, using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (6).

(5) A warrant issued under paragraph (1) may be expressed to authorize entry onto premises in accordance with paragraph (4) on more than one occasion during the period of its validity.

(6) A person who has entered premises in accordance with a warrant under paragraph (1) may –

(a) search the premises;

(b) obtain relevant information and retain documents that appear to be relevant to the investigation;

(d) take copies of or extracts from documents that appear to be relevant to the investigation;

(e) require a person named in the warrant or found on the premises to answer questions relevant to the investigation; and

(f) if information or documents cannot be found, require a person appearing to be in possession of relevant information to state where they are and how they may be retrieved.[48]

(7) If documents are retained a list of the documents must be supplied to the person from whom they were obtained.

(8) A warrant under paragraph (1) is valid for one month from its date of issue.

31 General provisions in respect of entry to premises

(1) A document retained under Article 29(5)(a) or 30(6)(b) –

(a) may be retained for one year; but

(b) if within that year proceedings to which the document is relevant are commenced against any person, may be retained until the conclusion of those proceedings.

(2) A person –

(a) who reasonably requires a retained document for their business; and

(b) who asks the person who has retention of it for the document,

must be provided by that person with a copy of it as soon as reasonably practicable.[49]

(3) A person –

(a) who fails to comply with a requirement imposed on them under Article 29(5)(b), Article 30(6)(e) or Article 30(6)(f); or

(b) who obstructs a person exercising a power conferred by Article 29 or Article 30,

commits an offence and is liable to a fine.[50]

(4) In proceedings against a person for an offence under paragraph (3)(a) it is a defence for the accused to show that there was a reasonable excuse for the accused failing to comply with the requirement.[51]

32 Privilege and self-incrimination[52]

(1) Nothing in this Part requires a person to disclose or produce information or a document the person would in an action in the Court be entitled to refuse to disclose or produce on the grounds of legal professional privilege.

(2) However a lawyer must disclose the name and address of a client if required to do so by a person acting in accordance with this Part.

(3) An answer given by a person to a question put to the person in exercise of a power conferred by this Law may be used in evidence against the person.

(4) However in criminal proceedings in which the person is charged with an offence other than an offence under Article 25, 27(4)(b), 28(5)(b), 54D(8) or 55(1) (which relate to the provision of information that is false, misleading or incomplete) –

(a) no evidence relating to the answer may be adduced; and

(b) no question relating to it may be asked,

by or on behalf of the prosecution, unless evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of that person.[53]

33 Obstruction of investigations

(1) This Article applies to a person who knows or suspects –

(a) that an investigation is being or is likely to be carried out under this Part; or

(b) that information or documents are being or are likely to be required under this Part.

(2) The person commits an offence and is liable to a fine if they –

(a) falsify, conceal, destroy or otherwise dispose of any relevant information or document; or

(b) cause or permit any relevant information or document to be falsified, concealed, destroyed or disposed of.[54]

(3) For the purposes of this Article, information or a document is relevant if the person knows or suspects –

(a) that it would be relevant to the investigation; or

(b) that it is or is likely to be required for the purposes of the investigation.

34 Co-operation with competition or regulatory authorities

(1) The Authority may make an arrangement with a relevant competition or regulatory authority that provides that each party to the arrangement may assist the other in the performance of its functions, including furnishing information to the other party.

(2) To provide that assistance the Authority may exercise all or any of the powers mentioned in paragraph (3).

(3) Those powers are –

(a) the power to conduct an investigation mentioned in Article 26;

(b) the powers to require the provision of information and documents mentioned in Articles 27 and 28;

(d) the power to communicate to the relevant competition or regulatory authority information that is in the possession of the Authority, whether or not as a result of the exercise of any of the powers mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).[55]

(4) The Authority must not exercise a power mentioned in paragraph (3) unless it has satisfied itself that the assistance is required by the relevant competition or regulatory authority solely to enable it to exercise its competition or regulatory functions.[56]

(5) In deciding whether to exercise a power mentioned in paragraph (3) the Authority may take into account, in particular –

(a) whether corresponding assistance would be given to the Authority;

(b) whether the case concerns the possible breach of a law or other requirement that has no close parallel in Jersey or involves the assertion of a jurisdiction not recognized by Jersey;

(d) whether the assistance could be obtained by other means; and

(e) whether it is otherwise appropriate in the public interest to give the assistance sought.

(6) The Authority may require the relevant competition or regulatory authority to provide the Authority with an undertaking to pay the Authority’s fees or costs before the Authority exercises a power under this Article.

(7) The Authority must not disclose information under this Article unless it has satisfied itself that the relevant competition or regulatory authority will comply with any conditions subject to which the disclosure is to be made, being conditions intended to ensure that the information is not used for any purpose other than that for which it was disclosed.

Part 5A[57]

Commitments to take or refrain from taking action

34A Authority may accept commitments

(1) This Part applies if the Authority –

(a) has begun an investigation under Article 26 into a suspected breach of Article 8(1) or 16(1); and

(b) has not made a decision under Article 35(2) in relation to the investigation.

(2) For the purpose of addressing the competition concerns it has identified, the Authority may accept a commitment from a person to take action or to refrain from taking action.

(3) The Authority may accept from a person who gave a commitment –

(a) a variation of the commitment, if the Authority is satisfied that the commitment as varied will address its current competition concerns;

(b) a commitment in substitution, if the Authority is satisfied that the substituted commitment will address its current competition concerns.

(4) A commitment –

(a) comes into effect when it is accepted by the Authority; and

(b) remains in effect until –

(i) the expiry date, if any, specified in the commitment;

(ii) another commitment is accepted in substitution for it, under paragraph (3)(b); or

(iii) the person who gave the commitment is released from it under paragraph (5).

(5) The Authority may release a person from their commitment if –

(a) the person requests that the Authority does so; or

(b) the Authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the competition concerns addressed by the commitment no longer exist.

(6) The Authority must publish commitments that are in effect.

(7) Before accepting a commitment, the Authority must –

(a) publish details of the commitment and specify a reasonable period within which representations may be made; and

(b) consider any representations made to it within that period.

(8) Before releasing a person from a commitment, the Authority must –

(a) publish a notice of its intention to release the person from the commitment and specify a reasonable period within which representations may be made; and

(b) consider any representations made to it within that period.

34B Effect of commitment

(1) If the Authority accepts a commitment, it must suspend its investigation under Article 26.

(2) While the investigation is suspended the Authority must not –

(a) make a decision under Article 35(2) in relation to it; or

(b) take action under Article 40 in relation to the matter that was under investigation.

(3) But nothing in paragraph (1) or (2) prevents the Authority from taking action in relation to competition concerns that are not addressed by commitments that it has accepted.

(4) The investigation ceases to be suspended and paragraph (2) ceases to apply if the Authority –

(a) has reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a material change of circumstances since the commitment was accepted;

(b) has reasonable grounds to suspect that the person who gave the commitment has failed to adhere to it; or

(c) has reasonable grounds to suspect that the information on which it accepted the commitment was incomplete, false or misleading in a material particular.

(5) If, as a result of paragraph (4), the Authority makes a decision under Article 35(2) or takes action under Article 40, the person who gave the commitment is treated as being released from it.

PART 6

ENFORCEMENT

35 Decisions following an investigation

(1) Paragraph (2) applies if, as the result of an investigation conducted under Article 26, the Authority proposes to make a decision that a person –

(a) is in breach of Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1), or of a direction; or

(b) intends to breach Article 20(1).[58]

(2) The Authority must give the person written notice of its proposed decision and allow the person a reasonable time to make representations to it before making any decision.

(3) The Authority must follow any prescribed procedures when receiving or considering representations made to it under paragraph (2).

36 Directions in relation to anti-competitive arrangements

(1) If the Authority decides that an undertaking is in breach of Article 8(1) it may give the undertaking such direction as it considers appropriate to bring the breach to an end.

(2) A direction given to an undertaking under this Article may, in particular, require the undertaking to terminate or modify the arrangement suspected of being an anti-competitive arrangement.

(3) A direction given under this Article must be given in writing.

(4) The Authority may impose a financial penalty on the undertaking by notice, in addition to or in place of giving a direction.[59]

37 Directions in relation to abuse of dominant position

(1) If the Authority decides that conduct by an undertaking is in breach of Article 16(1) it may give the undertaking such directions as it considers appropriate to bring the breach to an end.

(2) A direction may, in particular, require the undertaking to cease or modify the conduct in question.

(3) A direction given under this Article must be given in writing.

(4) The Authority may impose a financial penalty on the undertaking by notice, in addition to or in place of giving a direction.[60]

38 Directions in relation to mergers and acquisitions

(1) If the Authority decides that there has been a breach of Article 20(1) it may give the relevant person such directions as it considers appropriate to bring the breach to an end.

(2) If the Authority decides that a condition attached to its approval to a merger or acquisition, or a condition attached to an exemption under Article 23(1A), has not been or is not being complied with, it may give the relevant person such directions as it considers appropriate to ensure compliance with the condition.[61]

(3) A direction under paragraph (1) or (2) may, in particular –

(a) require the person to take all such action as it may be possible to take to nullify the merger or acquisition;

(b) impose on the person a condition as to the manner in which the person conducts business;

(c) require the person to sell or otherwise dispose of any part of the person’s assets or business as directed by the Authority.

(4) A condition imposed by virtue of paragraph (3)(b) or (c) has effect as if it had been attached to the Authority’s approval to the merger or acquisition or the exemption under Article 23(1A) (as the case may be).[62]

(5) If the Authority decides that a person intends to breach Article 20(1) by executing a prescribed merger or acquisition without the approval of the Authority or otherwise than in accordance with the approval of the Authority, it may give the person such directions as it considers appropriate to ensure that the merger or acquisition is not executed or is not executed except in accordance with the approval of the Authority.

(6) A direction given under this Article must be given in writing.

(7) The Authority may impose a financial penalty on the person by notice, in addition to or in place of giving a direction.[63]

38A Directions in relation to commitments[64]

(1) If the Authority decides that a person is in breach of a commitment that was accepted under Article 34A(2) or (3) it may give the person a direction that it considers appropriate to ensure compliance with the commitment.

(2) A direction under this Article must be given in writing.

(3) The Authority may impose a financial penalty on the person by notice, in addition to or in place of giving a direction.

39 Financial penalties

(1) The Authority must not impose a financial penalty under Article 36(4), 37(4), 38(7) or 38A(3) unless it is satisfied that the breach of the prohibition or the commitment was committed intentionally, negligently or recklessly.[65]

(2) The amount of the penalty must not exceed 10% of the turnover of the undertaking during the period of the breach of the prohibition up to a maximum period of 3 years.

(3) The Minister may prescribe the manner in which the turnover is to be calculated for the purposes of paragraph (2).

(4) A notice imposing a penalty must be in writing and must specify the date before which the penalty is required to be paid.[66]

(5) If the penalty has not been paid and the specified date has passed the Authority may apply to the Court for an order to enforce the notice imposing the penalty against the undertaking concerned.[67]

(6) The order of the Court may provide for all of the costs of, or incidental to, the application to be borne by all or any of the following –

(a) the person required to pay the penalty; or

(b) where the person required to pay the penalty is an undertaking, a shareholder or officer of the undertaking whose actions led to the imposition of the penalty.[68]

(7) The Authority must pay to the Treasurer of the States any money received by it in payment of a financial penalty.[69]

40 Interim measures

(1) This Article applies if the Authority has reasonable cause to suspect that –

(a) there has been a breach of Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1), or of a direction under Article 36, 37 or 38;

(b) a condition attached to its approval to a merger or acquisition, or a condition attached to an exemption under Article 23(1A), has not been or is not being complied with; or

but has not completed any investigation into the matter.[70]

(1A) This Article also applies if the Authority –

(a) has required a person to make an application for approval of a merger or acquisition under Article 22A(1); and

(b) has not made a decision under Article 22 in relation to the merger or acquisition (whether or not an application has been made).[71]

(2) The Authority may give any direction it considers appropriate if as a matter of urgency it considers it necessary to do so –

(a) to prevent serious, irreparable damage to a particular person or class of persons; or

(b) to protect the public interest.

(3) Before giving a direction under paragraph (2) the Authority must give each person upon whom it intends to serve the direction written notice of its intention to do so and allow the person a reasonable time to make representations to it.

(4) A notice under paragraph (3) must indicate the nature of the direction that the Authority is proposing to give and its reasons for giving it.

(5) A direction given under this Article –

(a) may be varied by the Authority under Article 40A, and any reference in this Law to a direction given under this Article includes reference to a direction varied under Article 40A; and

(b) has effect until it is revoked under Article 40A.[72]

(6) A direction given under this Article must be in writing.

(7) In the case of a suspected breach of Article 8(1), a direction given to an undertaking under this Article may, in particular, require the undertaking not to execute an arrangement except insofar as it does not hinder competition in a manner contrary to that Article.

(8) In the case of a suspected breach of Article 16(1), a direction given under this Article may, in particular, require the undertaking not to continue any conduct the Authority considers to be an abuse of a dominant position.

(9) In the case of a suspected breach of Article 20(1), a direction given under this Article may, in particular –

(a) require the relevant person to take all such action as it may be possible to take to nullify or suspend the effect of the merger or acquisition;

(b) impose on a relevant person a condition as to the manner in which the person conducts business.

(10) Where the Authority suspects that a person intends to breach Article 20(1) by executing a prescribed merger or acquisition without the approval of the Authority or otherwise than in accordance with the approval of the Authority, a direction given under this Article may, in particular, prohibit the execution of the merger or acquisition or prohibit its execution except in accordance with the approval of the Authority.

(11) In a case described in paragraph (1A), a direction given under this Article may, in particular, prohibit the execution or further execution of the merger or acquisition, or prohibit its execution except in accordance with the approval of the Authority.[73]

40A Variation and revocation of directions under Article 40[74]

(1) The Authority may vary a direction given under Article 40 if –

(a) Article 40(1) or (1A) applies in relation to the subject matter of the direction; and

(b) the direction has not been revoked under paragraph (3) or (4) of this Article.

(2) Paragraphs (2) to (4) and (6) to (11) of Article 40 apply to the variation of a direction under this Article as they apply to the giving of a direction.

(3) The Authority must revoke a direction given under Article 40 if –

(a) Article 40(1) or (1A) no longer applies;

(b) in the case of a breach of Article 20(1), the Authority retrospectively approves the merger or acquisition on an application under Article 21A; or

(4) The Authority must revoke a direction given under Article 40 (other than in a case described in Article 40(1A)) if, and to the extent that –

(a) the concerns addressed by the direction are addressed by a direction given under Article 36, 37 or 38; or

(b) the direction is replaced by a commitment accepted under Article 34A(2) or (3).

(5) If the Authority revokes a direction it must give written notice of the revocation to each person who was notified of the direction under Article 40(6).

41 Enforcement of directions

(1) If the Authority decides that a person has failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a direction, the Authority may apply to the Court for an order –

(a) requiring the person to make good the default within a time specified in the order; or

(b) if the direction related to anything to be done in the management or administration of a person that is an undertaking, requiring an officer of the undertaking to do it within the time specified in the order.[75]

(2) The order may provide for all of the costs of, or incidental to, the application to be borne by all or any of the following –

(a) the person in default; or

(b) where the person in default is an undertaking, a shareholder or officer of the undertaking whose actions led to the default.[76]

42 Attorney General to be notified of breach

(1) If the Authority in the course of any investigation is satisfied that a person has committed an offence whether under this Law or otherwise it must inform the Attorney General.[77]

(2) The notification must contain sufficient information to enable the Attorney General to determine whether to proceed with a prosecution.

(3) If the Attorney General decides to proceed with a prosecution the Authority must provide the Attorney General with any information and help requested that it is able to obtain or supply.

43 Requests for guidance

(1) This Article applies where an undertaking wishes to seek the guidance of the Authority on whether a proposed course of action it is considering taking would be a breach of Article 8(1) or 16(1).

(2) The Authority’s guidance cannot be sought under this Article as to whether a course of action would be a breach of Article 20(1) and guidance by the Authority that a course of action is unlikely to be a breach of Article 8(1) or 16(1) does not imply that the same course of action would not be a breach of Article 20(1).

(3) An application for guidance must –

(a) be made in such form as the Authority may from time to time determine;

(b) contain or be accompanied by such information and documents as the Authority may require relating to the course of action proposed; and

(c) be accompanied by an undertaking, in a form approved by the Authority, to pay the Authority’s reasonable fees or costs in connection with the application, whatever the outcome.

(4) At any time after receiving an application and before giving its guidance the Authority may request the applicant to provide additional information or documents the Authority reasonably requires in order to give the guidance.

(5) If information or documents requested under paragraph (4) are not provided within a reasonable time the Authority need not proceed with the application.

(6) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Authority, by Order, prescribe the manner in which an application for guidance is to be dealt with by the Authority.[78]

(7) The Order may, in particular require the Authority –

(a) to publish in a prescribed form and manner details of applications it receives;

(b) to seek representations in respect of an application and to take into account any it receives when preparing its guidance;

(8) If the Authority gives guidance that a course of action is unlikely to be a breach of Article 8(1) or 16(1) the Authority must not take action under Part 5 (investigations) or this Part in respect of that course of conduct unless –

(a) it has reasonable cause to suspect that there has been a material change of circumstance since it gave its guidance;

(b) it has reasonable cause to suspect that the information on which it based its guidance was incomplete, false or misleading in a material particular;

(d) a complaint about the course of action taken by the relevant undertaking or person has been made to it.[79]

PART 7

RESTRICTIONS ON DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

44 Restricted information

(1) This Article applies to a person who receives information relating to the business or other affairs of a person –

(a) under or for the purposes of this Law; or

(b) directly or indirectly from a person who has so received it.

(2) Subject to Article 45, the person commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of 2 years and to a fine, if they disclose the information without the consent of the person to whom it relates and, where paragraph (1)(b) applies, the person from whom it was received.[80]

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to –

(a) information that at the time of its disclosure was already available to the public; or

(b) the disclosure of information in the form of a summary or collection of information so framed as not to enable information relating to a particular person to be ascertained from it.

45 Permitted disclosures

(1) Despite Article 44 the Authority or a person acting on its behalf may disclose information mentioned in that Article –

(a) to enable or assist a person acting on behalf of the Authority to discharge a function under this Law;

(b) to a relevant competition regulatory authority in accordance with Article 34;

(d) in connection with criminal proceedings, whether or not under this Law;

(e) in connection with any other proceedings to enforce this Law;

(f) to the Attorney General;

(g) to a person exercising professional skills where the Authority considers it necessary to seek professional advice to enable or assist it to discharge a function under this Law.

(2) The Authority must not disclose information under this Article unless it has satisfied itself that the recipient will comply with any conditions subject to which the disclosure is to be made, being conditions intended to ensure that the information is not used for any purpose other than that for which it is to be disclosed.

46 Information supplied to Authority by relevant competition or regulatory authority

Articles 44 and 45 also apply to information supplied to the Authority for the purpose of a function under this Law by a relevant competition or regulatory authority in a country or territory outside Jersey.

PART 8

EVIDENCE

47 Evidence of behaviour admissible

(1) This Article applies in respect of an action where it is alleged that there has been a breach of Article 8(1), 16(1), 20(1) or a direction.

(2) Evidence may be admitted to show that a person or an employee, an agent or, where the person is an undertaking, an officer of the person behaved in a manner that would not have been expected if –

(a) an arrangement that was in breach of Article 8(1) did not exist;

(b) an abuse of a dominant position in breach of Article 16(1) was not being pursued;

(d) a merger or acquisition had been executed in accordance with the approval of the Authority; or

(e) a direction was being complied with.[81]

48 Expert witnesses

(1) The opinion of an expert witness is admissible in evidence in proceedings under this Law.

(2) The evidence may, in particular, relate to –

(a) the effect that an arrangement, transaction or practice may have on competition in Jersey; and

(b) the relevant economic principles and their application.

(3) Despite paragraph (1), the Court may direct, if it is satisfied that the interests of justice so require, that the opinion of an expert witness is not admissible or is not admissible except for a specified purpose.

(4) In this Article an expert witness means a person who appears to the Court to possess the appropriate qualifications or experience in respect of the matter to which their evidence relates.[82]

49 Presumptions in evidence

(1) This Article applies in respect of an action where it is alleged that there has been a breach of Article 8(1), 16(1), 20(1) or a direction.

(2) A presumption specified in this Article is taken as a fact unless it is shown not to be true.[83]

(3) It is presumed in respect of a document that purports to have been created by a person –

(a) that the document was created by the person; and

(b) that a statement in the document was made by the person unless the document expressly attributes its making to another person.[84]

(4) It is presumed in respect of a document that purports to have been created by one person and addressed and sent to another person –

(a) that the document was created and sent by the first person and received by the other person; and

(b) that a statement in the document was made by the first person, unless the document expressly attributes its making to another person, and came to the notice of the other person.[85]

(5) It is presumed that the person who ordinarily uses a computer is the author of a document retrieved from it.[86]

(6) The presumption in paragraph (7) applies when a person authorized under this Law to remove anything from premises states in evidence that in the exercise of that power they removed a document or other material from premises and that to the best of their knowledge and belief the document or other material is the property of a specified person.[87]

(7) It is presumed that the document or other material is the property of the specified person.[88]

(8) The presumption in paragraph (9) applies when the presumption in paragraph (7) applies and the person making the statement referred to in paragraph (6) also states in evidence that to the best of their knowledge and belief the document or other material relates to a business carried on by the specified person.[89]

(9) It is presumed that the document or other material relates to a business carried on by the specified person.[90]

50 Admissibility of statements contained in certain documents by co-conspirators

(1) This Article applies when a document contains a statement by a relevant person that asserts that an act has been done, or is or was proposed to be done, by another person, being an act (the “relevant act”) that relates to one of the matters mentioned in paragraph (2).

(2) Those matters are –

(a) the making or implementation of an anti-competitive arrangement; or

(b) the doing of an act that constitutes an abuse of a dominant position contrary to Article 16(1),

that is the subject of proceedings under this Law.

(3) For the purpose of paragraph (1) a relevant person is one who has –

(a) made or implemented an anti-competitive arrangement; or

(b) done an act that constitutes an abuse of a dominant position contrary to Article 16(1).

(4) Paragraph (5) has effect if the document mentioned in paragraph (1) –

(a) came into existence before the commencement of the proceedings referred to in paragraph (2); and

(b) it was prepared otherwise than in response to an enquiry made or question put by an employee, officer or agent of the Authority or a police officer.

(5) The statement referred to in paragraph (1) is admissible as evidence in the proceedings referred to in paragraph (2)(a) or (b) that the relevant act was done or was proposed to be done by that other person.[91]

(6) The Court must in estimating the weight, if any, it attaches to the statement have regard to all the circumstances from which any inference can reasonably be drawn as to the statement’s accuracy or otherwise.[92]

(7) If a statement is admitted in evidence by virtue of paragraph (5) –

(a) any evidence that would have been admissible as relevant to the person’s credibility as a witness if the person who made the statement had been called as a witness is admissible for that purpose;

(b) evidence may with the leave of the Court be given of any matter that could have been put to the person in cross-examination as relevant to their credibility if the person who made the statement had been called as a witness; and

(c) evidence tending to prove that the person who made the statement, whether before or after making it, made, orally or otherwise, another statement inconsistent with the first is admissible to show that the person has contradicted themself.[93]

PART 9

PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF PROCEEDINGS

51 Civil liability for breach of duty[94]

(1) A person has a duty not to breach Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1), or a direction.

(2) A breach of that duty is actionable by an aggrieved person.

(3) The Court may grant such relief as it considers appropriate, including awarding punitive or exemplary damages.

(4) If a breach of duty mentioned in paragraph (1) is committed by an undertaking with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to neglect on the part of an officer of the undertaking, that officer is also liable in the same manner as the undertaking for the breach of duty.[95]

(5) The Authority or an aggrieved person may seek from the Court –

(a) an injunction to restrain any actual or apprehended breach of the duty mentioned in paragraph (1); or

(b) a declaration that a person has breached Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1), or a direction.

(6) If the Authority or an aggrieved person has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there will be a breach of the duty mentioned in paragraph (1) by an undertaking the Authority or person may seek an injunction from the Court to restrain any action by an officer of the undertaking that could cause the breach of duty by the undertaking.[96]

(7) The Court may grant an injunction under this Article on such terms as it considers appropriate.

(7A) A final decision that a person has breached a duty imposed by this Law may be relied on in an action under this Article as establishing that the breach occurred.[97]

(7B) For the purposes of paragraph (7A) a final decision is –

(a) a decision by the Authority described in Article 53(1)(a), where no appeal is made against the decision within the time specified in Article 53(2); or

(b) a decision of the Court on an appeal under Article 53(2).[98]

(8) This Article has effect whether or not the Authority or aggrieved person has exercised or is proposing to exercise any other powers under this Law.

(9) In this Article, “aggrieved person” means a person who has suffered or is likely to suffer economic loss or damage as a result of an actual or apprehended breach of Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1), or of a direction.[99]

52 Limit on costs awarded against Authority[100]

In proceedings under this Law brought by the Authority the Court must not award costs against the Authority unless it is satisfied that the Authority had no reasonable grounds for bringing the proceedings.

53 Appeals

(1) A person may appeal to the Court against –

(a) a decision by the Authority that the person is in breach of Article 8(1), 16(1) or 20(1);

(b) the giving of a direction to the person by the Authority or a requirement of, or a condition imposed by any such direction;

(c) the imposition on the person by the Authority, under Article 36(4), 37(4), 38(7), 38A(3) or 54D(3), of a financial penalty or the amount of any such financial penalty.[101]

(2) A person may appeal in accordance with paragraph (1) within the 28 days after notice of the decision, the giving of the direction or the imposition of the fine is given to the person by the Authority or within such further period as the Court may allow if it considers it desirable to do so in the interest of justice.

(3) In determining an appeal under this Article the Court is not restricted to a consideration of questions of law or to any information that was before the Authority.

(4) When determining an appeal under this Article the Court may –

(a) confirm the decision of the Authority appealed against, revoke the decision or substitute for the decision any decision the Authority could have made;

(b) confirm the direction of the Authority appealed against, revoke the direction or substitute for the direction any direction the Authority could have given imposing such requirement and conditions as the Authority could have imposed; or

(c) confirm the imposition of the financial penalty appealed against, revoke the imposition of the penalty or substitute for the penalty any penalty, whether more or less than the penalty imposed by the Authority, that the Authority could have imposed.

(5) The Court may make such orders as it thinks appropriate, including ancillary orders and orders as to costs.

(6) Except in the case of an appeal against the imposition or amount of a financial penalty, the making of an appeal under this Article does not suspend the effect of the decision or direction to which the appeal relates unless the Court orders otherwise.

54 Service of notices

(1) This Article applies to a notice, direction or other document required or authorized by or under this Law to be given to or served on a person.

(2) It may be given or served –

(a) by delivering it to the person;

(b) by leaving it at the person’s proper address;

(d) by sending it to the person at that address by facsimile, electronic transmission or other similar means that produce a document containing the text of the communication in legible form or is capable of doing so; or

(e) in the case of a company incorporated in Jersey, by being delivered to the company’s registered office.

(3) In the case of an undertaking, the notice, direction or other document may be given to or served on –

(a) a person who is the secretary or other similar officer of the undertaking;

(b) a person with the control or management of the undertaking; or

(4) For the purposes of this Article and of Article 7 of the Interpretation (Jersey) Law 1954 in its application to this Article, the proper address of a person to or upon whom a document is to be given or served by post is the person’s last known address.

(5) However where paragraph (3) applies that address is the registered or principal office in Jersey of the undertaking.[103]

Part 9A[104]

Market studies

54A Authority to carry out market studies

(1) The Authority may carry out a market study on its own initiative if it is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.

(2) The Minister may require the Authority to carry out a market study if the Minister is satisfied that it is in the public interest for it to do so.

(3) In determining whether it is in the public interest for the Authority to carry out a market study, the decision-maker –

(a) must have regard to the need to promote competition in the supply of goods and services in Jersey; and

(b) may have regard to any other matter the decision-maker considers relevant, including whether –

(i) the market in question is of strategic importance to the economy or consumers in Jersey;

(ii) there are indications that the market in question is not working as competitively as it could;

(iii) it is likely that there will be viable solutions to any issues identified by the market study;

(iv) a market study is the most appropriate method to assess whether there are competition problems in the market;

(v) the Authority is best placed to carry out the study.

(4) In this Part, “market study” means a study of factors that may affect competition for the supply or acquisition of goods or services in Jersey.

54B Notice of proposed market study

(1) Before carrying out a market study on its own initiative, the Authority must publish a notice that –

(a) sets out the terms of reference of the market study; and

(b) specifies the date by which the Authority will publish its report.

(2) The Authority may vary or revoke a notice published under paragraph (1) by publishing a notice to that effect.

(3) Before requiring the Authority to carry out a market study, the Minister must publish a notice that complies with sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1).

(4) The Minister may vary or revoke a notice published under paragraph (3) by publishing a notice to that effect.

(5) Before publishing a notice under paragraph (3) or (4), the Minister must consult the Authority about the notice.

54C Terms of reference

(1) The terms of reference of a market study must –

(a) specify the goods and services to which the market study relates; and

(b) describe the scope of the market study.

(2) The terms of reference may include –

(a) in the case of a market study carried out on its own initiative, the name of a person the Authority intends to consult as part of the market study; and

(b) in the case of a market study required by the Minister, the name of a person the Minister requires the Authority to consult as part of the market study.

(3) The Authority must carry out a market study in accordance with its terms of reference but may include in the scope of the market study other matters that are related to, but not mentioned in, the terms of reference if it is satisfied it is in the public interest to do so.

54D Power to require provision of information and documents

(1) Paragraph (2) applies if –

(a) it appears to the Authority that a person is in possession of information or documents that are, or are likely to be, relevant to a market study; and

(b) the Authority considers that it is desirable for it to have the information or documents for the purposes of carrying out the market study.

(2) The Authority may serve a written notice on the person, requiring them –

(a) to provide the information or documents to the Authority within a time specified in the notice; and

(b) to answer questions relating to the information or documents, either as soon as reasonably practicable or at a time and place specified in the notice.

(3) If a person fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a notice served on them under paragraph (2), the Authority may impose a financial penalty on them by notice.

(4) A financial penalty imposed under paragraph (3) –

(a) must be an amount that the Authority considers appropriate;

(b) may be a fixed amount, an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate, or a combination of a fixed amount and an amount calculated by reference to a daily rate;

(d) may not be calculated by reference to a daily rate that exceeds £1,000.

(5) In imposing a penalty calculated by reference to a daily rate on a person –

(a) the Authority must not take account of any day before the day on which the notice is served on the person under paragraph (2);

(b) if the person complies with the notice served on them under paragraph (2), the amount payable must not accumulate on or after the day they comply.

(6) The States may by Regulations amend the maximum amounts specified in paragraph (4)(c) and (d).

(7) Article 39(4) to (7) applies in relation to a financial penalty imposed on a person under paragraph (3) as it applies to a financial penalty imposed on a person under Article 36(4), 37(4), 38(7) or 38A(3).

(8) A person commits an offence and is liable to a fine if without reasonable excuse they knowingly or recklessly provide information in response to the notice that is false, misleading or incomplete.

54E Market study report

(1) The Authority must prepare a written report that records its findings from the market study.

(2) The Authority may make recommendations in the report.

(3) Before finalising a report, the Authority must –

(a) publish a draft of the report;

(b) allow a reasonable time for comments on the draft, which must be no less than 6 weeks; and

(4) The Authority must –

(a) provide the final report to the Minister; and

(b) publish the final report not less than 5 working days after it is provided to the Minister.

(5) As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the final report, the Minister must publish their response to it.

(6) In paragraph (4)(b), “working day” means a day that is not –

(a) a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Day or Good Friday;

(b) specified as a public holiday in the Schedule to the Public Holidays and Bank Holidays (Jersey) Act 2010; or

PART 10

SUPPLEMENTARY

55 Offence of supplying false information

(1) A person (“P”) commits an offence if P –

(a) knowingly or recklessly provides the Authority, or any other person entitled to information under this Law, with information that is false or misleading in a material particular; and

(b) provides the information in circumstances in which P intends the information to be used, or could reasonably be expected to know the information would be used, by the Authority or any other person to exercise a function under this Law.[105]

(2) A person who commits an offence under paragraph (1) is liable to imprisonment for a term of 5 years and to a fine.[106]

56 Responsibility

(1) If an offence under this Law committed by an undertaking is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of an officer of the undertaking, that officer also commits the offence and is liable in the same manner as the undertaking to the penalty provided for that offence.[107]

(2) A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence under this Law also commits the offence and is liable in the same manner as a principal offender to the penalty provided for that offence.[108]

(3) If it appears to the Authority that it would be in the public interest that a person mentioned in paragraph (1) or (2) should not without the leave of the Court –

(a) be a director of a company;

(b) be in any other way directly or indirectly concerned or take part in the management of a company;

(c) be in Jersey in any way directly or indirectly concerned or take part in the management of a body incorporated outside Jersey,

the Authority may apply to the Court for an order to that effect against that person.

(4) Article 78 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 applies to and in respect of an application made under paragraph (3) of this Article as if it were an application made under paragraph (1) of that Article.[109]

57 Authority to keep legislation under review

(1) The Authority may advise the relevant Minister on the effect an enactment is having or a proposed enactment is likely to have on competition in Jersey.

(2) If after considering an enactment or proposed enactment the Authority is satisfied that on balance the disadvantages suffered by the public by virtue of the constraint on competition in Jersey imposed by the enactment or proposed enactment outweigh or are likely to outweigh the benefits gained by the public by virtue of the enactment or proposed enactment it must advise the relevant Minister accordingly.[110]

(3) If after a reasonable time the Authority is satisfied that the relevant Minister has taken no action or insufficient action on its advice or if the Authority is satisfied that the relevant Minister has acted contrary to that advice the Authority must prepare and present a report on the subject to the Minister.[111]

(4) The Minister must present the report to the States at the first reasonable opportunity.

(5) In this Article –

“enactment” includes this Law;

“relevant Minister”, in respect of an enactment or proposed enactment, means the Minister with responsibility for the enactment or proposed enactment.

58 Power to amend enactments by Regulations

(A1) The States may by Regulations amend any provision of this Law (other than this Article) to make alternative or supplementary provision that appears to the States to be appropriate.[112]

(B1) Paragraph (A1) does not limit any other power to amend this Law by Regulations.[113]

(1) The States may, by Regulations, amend other enactments as they consider necessary or expedient to encourage competition in the supply of goods and services in Jersey.

(2) Regulations made under this Article may contain such transitional, incidental, consequential, or supplementary provisions as the States thinks necessary or expedient.

59 Right of Authority to intervene

(1) Where the Court is considering civil proceedings brought by virtue of this Law, other than by the Authority, the Authority must be notified in accordance with Rules of Court made by the Court.[114]

(2) In a case to which paragraph (1) applies, the Authority must, on giving notice in accordance with the Rules referred to in that paragraph at any time during the proceedings, be joined as a party to the proceedings.[115]

(3) Where the Authority has been joined as a party to proceedings as a result of a notice under paragraph (2) it may, with leave, appeal against the decision in the proceedings.

(4) The power to make Rules of Court under –

(a) Article 13 of the Royal Court (Jersey) Law 1948; or

(b) Article 19 of the Court of Appeal (Jersey) Law 1961,

is treated as including a power to make Rules for the purposes of this Law.[116]

(5) In this Article “Court” includes the Court of Appeal.

60 Authority and Court to have regard to European Union precedents[117]

The Authority and the Court must attempt to ensure that so far as possible questions arising in relation to competition are dealt with in a manner that is consistent with the treatment of corresponding questions arising under European Union law in relation to competition within the European Union.

61 Orders[118]

(1) The Minister may make Orders to carry this Law into effect and, in particular, to prescribe any matter that must or may be prescribed under this Law.[119]

(2) If the Minister considers that an Order should be made the Minister may direct the Authority to make recommendations in respect of the proposed Order to the Minister.[120]

62 Transitional provision – anti-competitive arrangements

(1) This Article applies where immediately before the commencement of this Law an undertaking was a party to an arrangement which if made after that commencement would be an anti-competitive arrangement.

(2) If 6 months immediately after the commencement of this Law the arrangement is still in force it is treated as having been made at the end of that period and accordingly to be prohibited under Article 8(1) and void in accordance with Article 8(4).[121]

63 Citation

This Law may be cited as the Competition (Jersey) Law 2005.

Endnotes

Table of Legislation History

Legislation	Year and No	Commencement
Competition (Jersey) Law 2005	L.6/2005	1 May 2005 (except Parts 2 and 3) 1 November 2005 (Parts 2 and 3) (R&O.22/2005)
States of Jersey (Amendment and Construction Provisions No. 12) (Jersey) Regulations 2005	R&O.133/2005	9 December 2005
European Union Legislation (Implementation) (Jersey) Law 2014	L.28/2014	31 October 2014
States of Jersey (Transfer of Functions No. 8) (Miscellaneous Transfers) (Jersey) Regulations 2015	R&O.158/2015	1 January 2016
States of Jersey (Transfer of Responsibilities and Functions) (Competition, Unregistered Rights and Trade Marks) (Jersey) Order 2020	R&O.93/2020	11 July 2020
Limited Liability Companies (Amendment) (Jersey) Regulations 2023	R&O.12/2023	14 February 2023
States of Jersey (Ministerial Offices – Minister for Sustainable Economic Development) Order 2023	R&O.102/2023	24 November 2023
Competition (Jersey) Amendment Law 2026	L.1/2026	1 May 2026 (R&O.75/2026)

Table of Renumbered Provisions

Original	Current
63	spent, omitted
64(1)	63
64(2) and (3)	spent, omitted

Table of Endnote References

[1] This Law has been amended by the States of Jersey (Amendments and Construction Provisions No. 12) (Jersey) Regulations 2005. The amendments replace all references to a Committee of the States of Jersey with a reference to a Minister of the States of Jersey, and remove and add defined terms appropriately, consequentially upon the move from a committee system of government to a ministerial system of government

[2] Article 1 amended by R&O.158/2015, R&O.93/2020, R&O.12/2023, R&O.102/2023, L.1/2026

[3] Article 2 substituted by L.1/2026

[4] Article 4 substituted by R&O.133/2005

[5] Article 9(3) amended by L.1/2026

[6] Article 9(6) amended by L.1/2026

[7] Article 10(2) amended by L.1/2026

[8] Article 10(5) amended by L.1/2026

[9] Article 11(3) amended by L.1/2026

[10] Article 12 substituted by R&O.133/2005

[11] Article 12(1) amended by L.1/2026

[12] Article 12(2) amended by L.1/2026

[13] Article 12(3) amended by L.1/2026

[14] Article 18 substituted by R&O.133/2005

[15] Article 18(2) amended by L.1/2026

[16] Article 18(3) amended by L.1/2026

[17] Article 20(2) amended by L.1/2026

[18] Article 20(3) amended by L.1/2026

[19] Article 21A inserted by L.1/2026

[20] Article 22(3) amended by L.1/2026

[21] Article 22(3A) inserted by L.1/2026

[22] Article 22(3B) inserted by L.1/2026

[23] Article 22A inserted by L.1/2026

[24] Article 23 substituted by R&O.133/2005

[25] Article 23(1A) inserted by L.1/2026

[26] Article 23(1B) inserted by L.1/2026

[27] Article 23(1C) inserted by L.1/2026

[28] Article 23(1D) inserted by L.1/2026

[29] Article 23(2) amended by L.1/2026

[30] Article 23(3) amended by L.1/2026

[31] Article 25 amended by L.1/2026

[32] Article 26 paragraph (2) deleted and paragraph (1) amended to unnumbered paragraph by L.1/2026

[33] Article 27(1) amended by L.1/2026

[34] Article 27(4) amended by L.1/2026

[35] Article 27(5) amended by L.1/2026

[36] Article 28(1) amended by L.1/2026

[37] Article 28(2) amended by L.1/2026

[38] Article 28(3) deleted by L.1/2026

[39] Article 28(4) deleted by L.1/2026

[40] Article 28(5) amended by L.1/2026

[41] Article 28(6) amended by L.1/2026

[42] Article 29(1) amended by L.1/2026

[43] Article 29(2) amended by L.1/2026

[44] Article 29(3) amended by L.1/2026

[45] Article 29(4) editorial change in sub-paragraph (a), “Articles 27(3)(a)” deleted, “Article 27(3)(a)” inserted instead

[46] Article 29(5) amended by L.1/2026

[47] Article 30(3) amended by L.1/2026

[48] Article 30(6) amended by L.1/2026

[49] Article 31(2) amended by L.1/2026

[50] Article 31(3) editorial change in sub-paragraph (a), “Article 36(6)(f)” deleted, “Article 30(6)(f)” inserted instead, amended by L.1/2026

[51] Article 31(4) amended by L.1/2026

[52] Article 32 heading amended by L.1/2026

[53] Article 32(4) editorial change, “proceeding” deleted, “proceedings” inserted instead, amended by L.1/2026

[54] Article 33(2) amended by L.1/2026

[55] Article 34(3) amended by L.1/2026

[56] Article 34(4) amended by L.1/2026

[57] Part 5A inserted by L.1/2026

[58] Article 35(1) amended by L.1/2026

[59] Article 36(4) substituted by L.1/2026

[60] Article 37(4) substituted by L.1/2026

[61] Article 38(2) amended by L.1/2026

[62] Article 38(4) amended by L.1/2026

[63] Article 38(7) substituted by L.1/2026

[64] Article 38A inserted by L.1/2026

[65] Article 39(1) amended by L.1/2026

[66] Article 39(4) amended by L.1/2026

[67] Article 39(5) amended by L.1/2026

[68] Article 39(6) amended by L.1/2026

[69] Article 39(7) amended by L.1/2026

[70] Article 40(1) amended by L.1/2026

[71] Article 40(1A) inserted by L.1/2026

[72] Article 40(5) substituted by L.1/2026

[73] Article 40(11) inserted by L.1/2026

[74] Article 40A inserted by L.1/2026

[75] Article 41(1) amended by L.1/2026

[76] Article 41(2) amended by L.1/2026

[77] Article 42(1) amended by L.1/2026

[78] Article 43(6) amended by L.1/2026

[79] Article 43(8) amended by L.1/2026

[80] Article 44(2) amended by L.1/2026

[81] Article 47(2) amended by L.1/2026

[82] Article 48(4) amended by L.1/2026

[83] Article 49(2) amended by L.1/2026

[84] Article 49(3) amended by L.1/2026

[85] Article 49(4) amended by L.1/2026

[86] Article 49(5) amended by L.1/2026

[87] Article 49(6) amended by L.1/2026

[88] Article 49(7) amended by L.1/2026

[89] Article 49(8) amended by L.1/2026

[90] Article 49(9) amended by L.1/2026

[91] Article 50(5) amended by L.1/2026

[92] Article 50(6) amended by L.1/2026

[93] Article 50(7) amended by L.1/2026

[94] Article 51 heading substituted by L.1/2026

[95] Article 51(4) amended by L.1/2026

[96] Article 51(6) amended by L.1/2026

[97] Article 51(7A) inserted by L.1/2026

[98] Article 51(7B) inserted by L.1/2026

[99] Article 51(9) editorial change, “breach or” deleted, “breach of” inserted instead

[100] Article 52 amended by L.1/2026

[101] Article 53(1) amended by L.1/2026

[102] Article 54(3) amended by L.1/2026

[103] Article 54(5) amended by L.1/2026

[104] Part 9A inserted by L.1/2026

[105] Article 55(1) substituted by L.1/2026

[106] Article 55(2) amended by L.1/2026

[107] Article 56(1) amended by L.1/2026

[108] Article 56(2) amended by L.1/2026

[109] Article 56(4) amended by L.1/2026

[110] Article 57(2) amended by L.1/2026

[111] Article 57(3) amended by L.1/2026

[112] Article 58(A1) inserted by L.1/2026

[113] Article 58(B1) inserted by L.1/2026

[114] Article 59(1) amended by L.1/2026

[115] Article 59(2) amended by L.1/2026

[116] Article 59(4) amended by L.1/2026

[117] Article 60 heading and text amended by L.28/2014, L.1/2026

[118] Article 61 substituted by R&O.133/2005

[119] Article 61(1) amended by L.1/2026

[120] Article 61(2) amended by L.1/2026

[121] Article 62(2) amended by L.1/2026

Page Last Updated: 01 May 2026

Jersey Legal Information Board

Promoting access to justice in Jersey

Search this site

Competition (Jersey) Law 2005

Showing the law from 01 May 2026 to Current