What is merger control?
Some transactions (typically mergers and acquisitions) are subject to merger control, which means that the Norwegian Competition Authority ("the NCA") must be notified of the transaction prior to its implementation. Thus, a merger notification must be submitted before closing. If the NCA believes that the transaction could significantly reduce competition in the market, the NCA may intervene. The NCA can either prohibit the transaction in its entirety or allow it on certain conditions (remedies). However, the majority of the notified transactions are cleared without any risk of intervention. This process is called "merger control".
The assessments of whether a transaction is notifiable and the probability of the NCA's intervention are often complex and subject to comprehensive analysis. This publication provides the basic information concerning the merger control procedure. However, it should not serve as legal advice for any specific cases.
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