Mergers

Abstract

This chapter explains how mergers may have anticompetitive consequences and therefore why competition authorities are concerned about them. Some countries (such as Hong Kong) do not have a specific provision in their competition law that directly addresses mergers. The treatment of mergers in three jurisdictions - the United States, the European Union and Australia - is the focus of the balance of the chapter. The merger control provisions for each are outlined. Then the processes used to analyse the competition effects of mergers in the three jurisdictions are discussed. Finally, some brief conclusions are drawn about the treatment of mergers under competition law.