Section 1 — Call-in notice for national security purposes

This version in force from 2022-01-04

Snapshot: 2026-08-24

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .

(1) The Secretary of State may give a notice if the Secretary of State reasonably suspects that—

(a) a trigger event has taken place in relation to a qualifying entity or qualifying asset, and the event has given rise to or may give rise to a risk to national security, or

(b) arrangements are in progress or contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in a trigger event taking place in relation to a qualifying entity or qualifying asset, and the event may give rise to a risk to national security.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, in considering whether a trigger event has taken place, or whether arrangements are in progress or contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in a trigger event taking place, the effect of section 13(1) (notifiable acquisitions that are void) must be disregarded.

(3) A notice under subsection (1) is referred to in this Act as a call-in notice.

(4) If the Secretary of State decides to give a call-in notice, the notice must be given to—

(a) the acquirer,

(b) if the trigger event relates to a qualifying entity, the entity, and

(5) The call-in notice must include a description of the trigger event to which it relates and state the names of the persons to whom the notice is given.

(6) The Secretary of State may not give a call-in notice unless a statement has been published (and not withdrawn) for the purposes of section 3.

(7) The Secretary of State must have regard to that statement before giving a call-in notice.

(8) But nothing in the statement limits the power to give a call-in notice.