Sample Antitrust-Related Provisions in M&A Agreements--2013 Edition

This note provides a much expanded sample of antitrust-related provisons in M&A agreements over the one we posted in August 2012. As before, the sample provisions have been taken (sometimes with a little modification) from actual M&A agreements.

This sample will give you with a good idea of the wide variety of provisions parties have used in dealing with

the jurisdictions and the timing where merger control filings are to be made;
the level of cooperation the parties owe each other in defending the transaction;
who controls the defense strategy
the antitrust-related conditions precedent
whether the parties are obligated to litigate an adverse agency decision and, if so, who controls the litigation strategy and how long will the parties have to litigate before the drop-dead date;
whether the buyer is obligated to "fix" any antitrust concerns through consent decree relief and how far this obligations goes;
whether an antitrust reverse termination fee is to be paid in the event of a failure of the antitrust conditions; and
the conditions under which the agreement may be terminated or the drop-dead date extended

Of course, every deal stands on its own. The language that has been used in one deal may not be appropriate for another deal, and inclusion of a provision in this sample does not constitute an endorsement of the language. Still, I find the collection helpful in drafting and negotiating the antitrust provisions in M&A agreements.

Dale Collins
+1.212.848.4127
dale.collins@shearman.com

Downloads:
Sample Antitrust-Related Provisions in M&A Agreements--2013 Edition

Categories: EU Mergers, US Mergers