Public Interest Mergers

Posted by D. Daniel Sokol

Cosmo Graham, University of Leicester analyzes Public Interest Mergers.

ABSTRACT: This paper examines mergers in the UK which fall outside of the normal merger control system because they raise public interest considerations. It sets out the legal framework and focuses mainly on two controversial cases: the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds TSB in 2008 and the proposed acquisition by NewsCorp of the shares that it did not own in BSkyB between 2010-2011. It suggests that, as far and transparency and accountability are concerned, the record is mixed.