Mergers (LAWS90072)

This subject will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the legal rules and economic principles that underpin the review of mergers and acquisitions and the types of information and analyses used to assess the competitive effects of these transactions. Students will examine how ‘special’ cases, such as joint ventures, failing firms, strategic and minority stakes, and creeping acquisitions are dealt with, and will learn about the procedures used by competition authorities and the strategies employed by merger parties in the review context.

Highlights of the subject include:

• Critical examination of the approaches taken to the design and application of merger laws, review processes and remedies, drawing on examples from different jurisdictions around the world;
• Use of the rich body of theoretical and empirical research relating to mergers as well as analysis of actual cases and competition authority policy documents and guidelines to aid this examination; and
• Insights and perspectives from leading stakeholders such as competition authority officials and practitioners to assist students in grappling with the challenges posed by the design and enforcement of merger rules and processes.

Important note on delivery

The teaching and learning activities in LAWS90072 Mergers run online across an 8-week extended study period.

This subject will primarily feature asynchronous online learning activities, including discussion boards. In addition, there will be 2-3 optional and essential live online classes delivered by the subject coordinator.

Make sure to check LMS Canvas for the latest information on the subject schedule, webinars and discussion board activities.