GovWire

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of reference : 9 December 2022

Statutory deadline: 25 May 2023

• Administrative timetable (PDF, 103 KB) (22.12.22)

Contact

copart.hills-motors@cma.gov.uk

Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee

On 20 January 2023, pursuant to an initial enforcement order dated 9 August 2022, the CMA directed Copart, Inc to appoint a monitoring trustee.

• Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee (PDF, 134 KB) (20.1.23)

Issues statement

13 January 2023: The issues statement sets out the scope of the inquiry. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions. The deadline for submissions on the issues statement is 5pm on Friday 27 January 2023.

• Issues statement (PDF, 214KB) (13.1.23)

Inquiry group appointed

9 December 2022: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group.

Kirstin Baker (Chair), Roland Green, Juliet Lazarus and Paul Muysert.

Terms of reference

9 December 2022: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Copart, Inc. of Green Parts Specialist Holdings Ltd (Hills Motors) for an in-depth investigation.

• Terms of reference (PDF, 103KB) (9.12.22)

Phase 1

Statutory timetable

Reference decision

9 December 2022: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Copart, Inc. of Green Parts Specialist Holdings Ltd (Hills Motors) for an in-depth investigation, on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom.

• Decision to refer (PDF, 109KB) (09.12.22)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

28 November 2022: 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, 422KB) (4.1.23)
• Summary of phase 1 decision (PDF, 114 KB) (28.11.22)
• Press release: Vehicle salvage merger reduces choice and may limit access to salvage vehicles for green parts

Launch of merger inquiry

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

• Commencement notice (3.10.22)

Invitation to comment: closed 17 October 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 2002 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.

Initial enforcement order

9 August 2022: The Competition and Markets Authority has served an initial enforcement order under section 72 (2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Copart, Inc., CPRT LLP, Copart UK Limited and Green Parts Specialist Holdings Ltd.

• Initial enforcement order (10.8.22)