Highlights: On 28 January 2012 a new law came into force relating to the merger and demerger procedure under Belgian law. The new law simplifies the existing procedure by reducing the administrative reporting and documentation requirements to an absolute minimum while safeguarding the interests of shareholders and other parties. This simplification implements the European Directive … Continued
Executive summary: The U.K .government confirms the anticipated merger of the Competition Commission and the competition functions of the OFT into a single Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) to be effective by April 2014. The U.K. government has decided to retain the current voluntary regime of merger notifications, albeit with a tightening of administrative measures. … Continued
Highlights: A review of the Swedish Takeover Rules has resulted in a proposal to amend and update the Rules in a number of respects including, deal protection, top ups, and the put up or shut up regime. The revision has also resulted in the codification of a number of Securities Council statements including disclosure of … Continued
Executive summary: The following article Trends in Merger Control analyses the principles and trends enunciated by the Competition Commission of India (“CCI”) in the merger control orders passed to date. Introduction: Legal Framework The merger control regime in India is governed by the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 (“Act”) along with the Competition Commission … Continued
Highlights: Changes have been proposed to the Competition Commission of Singapore’s Guidelines on Merger Procedures. The changes give parties greater guidance on the self-assessment of mergers, obtaining a confidential opinion, and the treatment of confidential information. MAIN ARTICLE On 20 February 2012, the Competition Commission of Singapore (“CCS”) issued a consultation paper (“Consultation Paper”) proposing … Continued
Highlights: This article looks at the legal processes involved in amalgamating (merging) two public joint stock companies listed on either of the main stock exchanges in the UAE. The Companies Law provides that an amalgamation can be implemented either by an “acquisition” or by a “merger”. One of the two main stock exchanges, the ADX, … Continued
China China’s unprecedented infrastructure building spree is stampeding ahead. The country is able to fund projects totaling trillions of dollars because it was largely unaffected by the recent global economic downturn. Infrastructure growth plans on a large scale Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have some of the most sophisticated and integrated transport systems in the world. … Continued
Highlights: The new Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue encourages foreign investment in more areas by removing several restrictions and adding several encouraged industries. Caps on foreign equity are lifted in some industries. The New Catalogue promotes investment in energy-saving, environmental protection, new-generation information technology, biology, high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy, new materials, and new energy … Continued
Highlights: M&A activity in Ireland has been affected by global and national economic difficulties experienced over the past three years, but Ireland’s M&A activity has recovered from the historic lows experienced in 2009. This recovery looks set to gather pace in 2012. Much of Ireland’s M&A activity during 2011 was driven by the restructuring of … Continued
Highlights: On January 16, 2012, the Public Private Partnerships Act (“PPP Act”) was published and amendments were made to several related laws (the Law of Acquisitions, Law of Public Works, Expropriation Law, and National Assets Law) with the intention to consolidate a market practice that has been carried out without a clear legal framework. The … Continued
