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ARTICLE · 03 FEBRUARY 2020

Brexit And Merger Control: Expect A More Active UK Authority

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As the UK is leaving the European Union on 31 January 2020, we examine what that means for mergers that are currently...

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Ludovica Pizzetti
Ludovica Pizzetti
John Schmidt
John Schmidt
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As the UK is leaving the European Union on 31 January 2020, we examine what that means for mergers that are currently under the European Commission's review or that will be announced in the coming weeks or months.

'Brexit day' on 31 January does not fully separate the UK from the EU. Instead, it marks the start of a transition period that lasts until the end of 2020. During that period the UK remains in the single market and continues to follow EU rules.

I. Key Takeaways1

  • Brexit will not affect merger control jurisdiction until 31 December 2020
    • The "one-stop-shop" principle continues to apply: mergers that satisfy the EU jurisdictional tests (see Annex) will continue to be reviewed exclusively by the European Commission, including the UK aspects of the deal.

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