An interim report will now be published earlier than the provisional findings, offering merging parties a chance to comment sooner. This adjustment is designed to facilitate earlier discussions about potential remedies to antitrust concerns, streamlining the entire process.
UK Antitrust Arm Frontloads In-Depth Merger Probes: Positive Feedback and Raising Thresholds
Martin Coleman, Chair of the CMA’s independent panel of experts, highlighted the new process’s benefits, which are designed to encourage early engagement with merging entities and allow them to present their cases for merger clearance at preliminary stages.
Moreover, the CMA has raised the threshold for ignoring mergers that are considered too trivial (de minimis) to warrant investigation, from £15 million to £30 million. This change is intended to focus the agency’s resources on mergers that pose the most significant implications for UK consumers and businesses.
Conclusion
The CMA’s revamped approach to UK antitrust arm frontloads in-depth merger probes has been met with enthusiasm from the business community. This strategy not only enhances the efficiency of the investigative process but also aligns more closely with the needs and realities of modern businesses engaged in merger activities.
