News & Events

Partner Antonio Bavasso was quoted in a Global Competition Review article which discussed a proposed merger blocked by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority, marking the first time the CMA has prohibited a deal already approved by the European Commission. Antonio explained that signs of divergence between the CMA and the Commission have become more visible in the post-Brexit landscape, noting that, before the U.K. left the EU, the agencies never reviewed a merger at the same time because it either had an EU dimension so was examined by the Commission or was U.K.-only so was left to the CMA. He further noted that while most of the recent divergence has centered around remedies, this case shows that the CMA is comfortable reaching a different final outcome altogether. “We will soon have another data point to measure the degree of EU/UK divergence – so watch this space,” he said.

To read the full article, please click here (subscription required).