GovWire

Statutory timetable

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

20 March 2023: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference to a Phase 2 investigation offered by Portman Healthcare (Group) Limited and Dentex Healthcare Group Limited.

• Full text decision (PDF, 253KB) (20.3.23)

• Final undertakings (PDF, 364KB) (20.3.23)

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: closed

2 March 2023: The CMA is consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference to a Phase 2 investigation offered by Portman Healthcare (Group) Limited and Dentex Healthcare Group Limited.

• Notice of consultation (PDF, 175KB) (2.3.23)
• Proposed undertakings (PDF, 214KB) (2.3.23)

CMA to consider undertakings offered

17 February 2023: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Portman Healthcare (Group) Limited and Dentex Healthcare Group Limited, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.

• Full text decision (PDF, 204KB) (2.3.23)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

3 February 2023: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.

• Full text decision (PDF, 440KB) (2.3.23)
• Summary of phase 1 decision (PDF, 11KB) (3.2.23)
• Press release: Merger could worsen dental service options for patients in the South West and North East (3.2.23)

Launch of merger inquiry

16 December 2022: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (PDF, 97KB) (16.12.22)

Invitation to comment: now closed

9 December 2022: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2022 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest issues to Sophie Halls, sophie.halls@cma.gov.uk