Merger Control

Leading global competition merger practice

Timely, accurate and incisive commercial advice is essential for successfully managing merger control issues in global transactions. Ashurst has a long track record of advising clients on complex international mergers across a very wide variety of sectors. We are experts in the efficient management of merger notification processes, ensuring multi-jurisdictional filings are executed in a co-ordinated and consistent manner. Increasingly, we advise on and achieve clearance for major Asia-based transactions, drawing on our specialist expertise across the Asian region.

We can be relied upon to contest the ‘hard cases’ very effectively. We have developed strong working relationships with the European Commission, national competition authorities in the EU and other competition authorities around the world. We have also developed a network of local firms that replicate our strength at the local level for any potentially relevant jurisdictions in which we are not active.

At the forefront of market developments

We have been involved in cutting-edge developments in EU merger control, including successfully advising on the first European Court of Justice appeal of an EU merger regulation decision. Elsewhere, we have an unrivalled track record in appealing merger decisions of the Australian competition regulator. We can be relied upon to contest the "hard cases" very effectively.

Insightful multi-disciplinary expertise

Our integrated global team of lawyers and economists consistently anticipates the analytical approach of the competition authorities, and provides a clear strategic framework for compelling merger submissions to the regulator. Our team prides itself on providing practical, incisive advice, both on filing obligations around the world and on the substantive competition issues. In merger control, our focus is always on providing robust, commercial advice on the key issues raised and ensuring that these issues are identified at the outset and addressed effectively and efficiently.

Ashurst is still one of the only European law firm able to offer clients fully integrated legal and economic expertise. Clients consistently identify this as a crucial differentiating factor that adds significant value across the board, particularly in complex matters involving detailed economic analysis and is an invaluable resource in the context of transactions that may raise substantive concerns. This integrated function also mirrors the multi-disciplinary structure within the European Commission and other competition authorities. We have first-hand knowledge of how the competition authorities and sector regulators operate having held positions within competition authorities, sector regulators and/ or government departments. The team is also equipped with the latest quantitative and analytical techniques and is skilled at assembling detailed evidence to the requisite legal standard to present the most robust and persuasive case possible for clients. The team is at the cutting edge of competition and regulatory economics and has contributed extensively to the practical and academic literature. Publications by team members have appeared in the European Competition Law Review, the International Comparative Legal Guide to Merger Control, World Competition Law & Economics Review, Journal of Competition Law and Policy, the Competition Law Journal, and numerous other professional publications.
A dedicated global team

A dedicated global team

Partners in our competition team are consistently recognised as leading advisers in merger control – across EMEA and Asia Pacific. The Ashurst Competition team is ranked in the Global Elite (i.e. top 20 firms globally) by Global Competition Review, the only legal directory which focuses exclusively on competition/anti-monopoly law.

The Law Reviews

Peter Armitage, Partner, and Amanda Tesvic, Senior Associate, Sydney recently contributed to Edition 11 of The Merger Control Review. Please click on the logo (below) to read more.