Published on: 28 May 2026
Published by a LexisNexis Competition expert
On 30 April 2026, the Commission unveiled draft updated Merger Guidelines and launched a public consultation. The proposal supersedes the 2004 Horizontal and 2008 Non‑Horizontal Merger Guidelines, constituting the most far‑reaching overhaul of EU merger control guidance in two decades. It reflects a shifted geopolitical and trade landscape, where scale, global competitiveness, innovation, investment, sustainability and resilience are weighed more overtly in merger reviews. Against this setting, the Commission has pursued change. President von der Leyen cast the move in competitiveness terms, saying the Guidelines are intended to better help companies grow, scale and innovate, so they can respond to a fiercely competitive global economy and enhance Europe’s competitiveness, while maintaining the predictability and certainty investors prize in Europe. For dealmakers, the signal is even‑handed: the Commission shows greater receptiveness to robustly evidenced efficiencies from scale and innovation, yet it remains intent on stopping the build‑up of harmful market power, as parties must still prove that competition would not be significantly hindered.
The draft merges the horizontal and non‑horizontal guidance into a single, unified, effects‑based framework...
When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...