Seminar | EU & Competition

Merger Control Update
Wednesday 24th May 2006
at 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE

SJ Berwin has pleasure in inviting you to an Evening Seminar which will provide a concise update on the latest developments in UK and EU merger control.

Speakers
Simon Pritchard - Head of Mergers at the OFT

Simon Holmes - Partner, SJ Berwin's EU & Competition Department

Matt Evans - Senior Associate, SJ Berwin's EU & Competition Department

James Dilley - Senior Associate, SJ Berwin's EU & Competition Department

Background

It is now almost three years since the UK introduced the new "substantial lessening of competition" test for the OFT to refer deals to the Competition Commission (and, in some cases, for the Competition Commission to block them). It is also over two years since the IBA health case which lowered the threshold for such references.

How is the OFT applying the test? Are more deals being referred and/or blocked? What is the latest position on confidential guidance? The head of the OFT's merger secretariat, Simon Pritchard, will answer these and other questions.

It is also nearly two years since the EU system of merger control had its most systematic overhaul. SJ Berwin's merger control experts will give an update on this, including:

• Reminder of key changes.
• How it is working out in practice?
• Emerging trends across Europe.
• Increasing protectionism.

Timetable
17:15 Registration and drinks
17:45 Seminar begins
19:15 Refreshments

Programme
17:15 Registration and refreshments
17:45 Chairman's introduction
17:55 Merger Control at the OFT
18:20 Developments in EU Merger Control
18:45 Panel discussion and Q&A
19:15 Seminar ends/refreshments

Training
SJ Berwin is accredited as a provider of continuing professional development by the Law Society and other professional bodies. Attendance at each seminar qualifies as 1.5 CPD hours, quoting reference 012/SJBE.

RSVP
RSVP by E-mail to dorota.wozniak@sjberwin.com including in the message your name and organisation. Alternatively by fax on 020 7111 2000. Your colleagues are also welcome to come.

If you do not receive our Community Week bulletin but would like to, please send your details to dorota.wozniak@sjberwin.com