Merger control definition

The merger control rules of the UK are contained in the enterprise Act 2002, as amended. Under the UK merger control rules, the competition and markets authority has jurisdiction to review both completed and anticipated merger transactions provided there is a ‘relevant merger situation’. The UK rules do not generally apply to mergers in relation to which the European Commission has exclusive jurisdiction under the EU Merger Regulation. Where the transaction falls within the scope of any national or supranational (eg the EU or COMESA) merger control rules, it is common for the parties to the agreement to agree that the transaction shall be conditional upon merger control approvals having been received and no relevant competition authority having raised objections to the transaction (Enterprise Act 2002).