On 3 July 2025, the UK Takeover Panel (Panel) published a new Practice Statement 36 (PS 36), which provides formal guidance on how the Panel will interpret and apply the Takeover Code to an “unlisted share alternative” (known...more
The Takeover Panel has published a consultation paper on dual class share structures, IPOs and share buybacks. The proposed amendments to the Takeover Code clarify how the mandatory offer requirements apply to a company with...more
In June 2025, there were twelve Rule 2.7 announcements made across the UK public M&A market and five further possible offers announced. Recommended cash offer by HGGC LLC for Inspired plc – £183.6 million – public to private....more
In its latest annual Market Cleanliness report published yesterday, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found that 38% of UK takeover targets in 2024 experienced an abnormal increase in their share price in the two days...more
In May 2025, there were eleven Rule 2.7 announcements made across the UK public M&A market and ten further possible offers announced. Firm Offers announced this month: Recommended cash offer by Tristan Capital Partners for...more
In 2024, in line with our predictions from last year, the UK public takeover market saw a sharp increase in the number of megadeals, i.e., those valued in excess of £1 billion. Seventeen such transactions were announced in...more
Welcome to the Corporate Briefing, where we review the latest developments in UK corporate law that you need to know about. In this month’s issue we discuss...more
A peaceful election and slowing inflation have put M&A markets in South Africa in a more advantageous position. However, taking advantage of South African deal opportunities requires a clear understanding of a rapidly...more
On 24 April 2024, the UK Takeover Panel published PCP 2024/1 ("PCP 2024/1"), in which it is consulting on a significant narrowing of the types of companies that will be subject to the Takeover Code (the “Code”) - i.e., as...more
Global M&A Activity Endures Headwinds in 2023 and Displays Resilience Going Into 2024 - Despite market headwinds, dealmakers have looked to carveouts, spin-offs, joint ventures and other creative deal structures to engage...more
In this update, we provide four predictions for the UK public M&A landscape in 2024, considering key statistics, trends, developments and highlights regarding UK public takeovers announced during 2023....more
Welcome to the Corporate Briefing, where we review the latest developments in UK corporate law that you need to know about. In this month’s issue, we discuss...more
On 16 October 2023, Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA, delivered a speech at the City Dinner at Mansion House which describes the FCA’s work in supporting international competitiveness and growth. Amongst other things,...more
On 15 May 2023, the UK Takeover Panel published a public consultation on proposed changes to the Takeover Code's Rule 21.1 (which prevents a target under offer (or where an offer is imminent) from taking action that may lead...more
This edition covers the FCA’s priorities for the next 12 months, the ICGN statement on post-pandemic AGM practices, Takeover Code changes affecting competitive bids, and a proposed new corporate “failure to prevent fraud”...more
Following a consultation launched in May 2022[1], the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Panel”) effected changes to the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Code”) on 20 February 2023[2], including the circumstances...more
This first edition of 2023 covers recent guidance from the FCA’s Primary Market Bulletin 42 and Market Watch 71, major changes to the Takeover Code’s “acting in concert” presumptions, an FCA penalty for publishing misleading...more
In this update, we consider key statistics, trends, developments and highlights regarding UK public M&A transactions governed by the UK Takeover Code that were announced during the first half (H1) of 2022....more
Private equity’s growing appetite for UK-listed targets comes with the need for Takeover Code-savvy dealmakers. Amid stiff competition for attractive private targets, PE firms are competing more regularly against...more
Favorable valuations are fueling opportunistic purchases by overseas bidders- Spiraling COVID rates, supply chain issues and food and fuel shortages have all hit the headlines in the months since the end of the Brexit...more
In this update, we consider key statistics, trends, developments and highlights regarding U.K. public M&A transactions governed by the U.K. City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the Takeover Code) that were announced during the...more
In our first UK Public Markets Snapshot, we cover the key market trends in the first half of 2021, and share our predictions for H2. The UK and international M&A markets are booming, with a wave of takeover offers, including...more
The Takeover Panel has just published its response statement (2020/1) making important changes to the Takeover Code regarding offer conditionality and timetable. They take effect on 5 July 2021 and will apply in relation to...more
Last year the Takeover Panel (the “Panel”) published a consultation paper proposing a number of amendments to (i) simplify the offer timetable under the Code (ii) provide certainty that once a firm offer has been announced it...more
In this update, we consider certain key statistics, trends, developments and highlights regarding U.K. public M&A transactions governed by the U.K. City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the Takeover Code) that were announced...more