EU mergers

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
This Overview guides practitioners through our EU mergers content, directing you to analysis, legislation and resources.

EU merger control allocates jurisdiction and review of concentrations with an EU dimension to the European Commission under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. Practitioners must assess at the outset whether a transaction is a concentration and whether control is acquired (including full‑function joint ventures), then determine if turnover thresholds are met or if a referral is appropriate.

Key issues include the operation of the referral mechanisms (Articles 4(4), 4(5), 9 and 22), following the Commission’s 2021 guidance expanding Article 22 use for below‑threshold cases; the standstill obligation and gun‑jumping risks under Articles 7 and 14; and procedural timetables (Phase I 25 working days, extendable to 35; Phase II 90 working days, with defined extensions).

Substantive assessment applies the significant impediment to effective competition test (Article 2), considering horizontal and non‑horizontal effects and potential competition. Remedies practice emphasises structural divestments, with fix‑it‑first or upfront buyer solutions and trustee oversight.

Procedural rights - access to file, confidentiality, and state‑of‑play engagement - are central. Interactions with national regimes, foreign direct investment screening and the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Competition News

EU Competition law—daily round-up (04/09/2026)

A round-up of EU competition law developments, including (amongst other things) the latest EUMR developments....

UK Competition law—daily round-up (04/09/2026)

A round-up of UK competition law developments, including the latest UK subsidy control developments....

EU Competition law—daily round-up (03/09/2026)

A round-up of EU competition law developments, including (amongst other things) (1) the Commission adopts EU Guidelines on exclusionary abuses of...

Competition weekly highlights—3 September 2026

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the Government appoints 12 new independent members to the...

View Competition by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an
Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an