Experian Limited / Credit Laser Holdings (Clearscore)

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Experian Limited of Credit Laser Holdings Limited (ClearScore)

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of referral: 31.7.18

Statutory deadline: 11.3.19

Contact

general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Merger reference cancelled

27 February 2019: The CMA has cancelled its merger investigation into Experian’s anticipated acquisition of Credit Laser Holdings Limited (ClearScore)

Provisional findings

Response to remedies notice

Response to provisional findings

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Response to issues statement

Response to phase 1 decision

Third party evidence

Merger notice

Issues statement

28 August 2018: 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.

Inquiry group appointed

31 July 2018: The CMA appointed the inquiry group on 31 July 2018.

Roland Green (Group Chair), Gareth Davies, Sheila McClelland and David Thomas.

Terms of reference

31 July 2018: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Experian Limited of Credit Laser Holdings Limited (ClearScore).

Phase 1

Reference decision

31 July 2018: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Experian Limited of Credit Laser Holdings Limited (ClearScore).

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date Action
20 July 2018 Decision announced
23 July 2018 Deadline for phase 1 decision
25 May to 11 June 2018 Invitation to comment
25 May 2018 Launch of merger inquiry

Reference unless undertakings accepted

20 July 2018: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that 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. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision will be available shortly.

Invitation to comment: now closed

25 May 2018: 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.

Launch of merger inquiry

25 May 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Published 25 May 2018
Last updated 27 February 2019 + show all updates
  1. Cancellation of merger reference published following the companies’ decision to abandon the transaction.

  2. The parties' response to the provisional findings and the response to the remedies notice have been published.

  3. The following documents have been published: - Notice of provisional findings - Summary of provisional findings - Notice of extension - Notice of possible remedies - Merger notice - Summary of third parties' views - Response to the phase 1 decision - Response to the issues statement - Updated administrative timetable

  4. Full administrative timetable, issues statement and full text decision published.

  5. Decision to refer published.

  6. Decision to refer published.

  7. Reference unless undertakings accepted decision announced.

  8. First published.