Many of our lawyers have decades of experience obtaining merger control clearances from the European Commission, the UK Competition and Markets Authority, the Belgian Competition Authority and other EU national competition authorities.

Our team of Brussels and London-based experts handles every step in the merger control process, from determining where merger control filings are required (in Europe, as well as globally) to preparing the filings and advocating before the regulators throughout the regulatory review process to obtain all required approvals.

We assess the risk of regulators raising concerns and help draft language in deal documents to appropriately allocate antitrust risk and protect the interests of our clients. We also advise on permissible implementation planning before clearance has been received in order to avoid “gun-jumping” fines.

Clients frequently task us not only to secure deal approval throughout the EU and in the UK, but also to coordinate the merger control clearance process globally. We work with local “best in class” firms to ensure positive, timely outcomes in every jurisdiction where approval is required, serving as a “one-stop shop” for our clients.

We also have significant experience representing third parties, including complainants, in merger control cases. We have succeeded in preventing deals from receiving regulatory approval, as well as extracting remedies from the merging parties, such as divestments, to the benefit of our clients.