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The French government has taken preventive measures due to COVID-19, thereby forcing the members of the French Competition Authority to work remotely since 17 March 2020.

This situation is already impacting on merger control: “Although we are striving to ensure continuity of public service, (…) the Authority will not be able to guarantee the usual processing delays in view of the situation, and the delays and procedures for examining the transactions which have already been notified or which would be notified in the next few weeks may be adapted in view of the exceptional circumstances”, said the French Competition Authority in a press release.

Beyond those increased delays, companies are “(…) invited to delay any contemplated merger that is not urgent”.

The European Commission has shared the same concerns and encourages companies to delay merger notifications until further notice.

We remain at your disposal.

Link to the French Competition Authority here

Link to the European Commission here

Author

Léna Sersiron leads Baker McKenzie’s French Competition and Distribution practice. She joined Baker McKenzie in 2003 and was co-opted as a Partner in 2012. She is a worldwide Baker McKenzie Competition Steering Committee member.
With over 20 years' experience, Léna Sersiron has a strong track record of successfully handling difficult and sensitive competition cases (investigations and subsequent litigation) at both EU and national level. She has extensive knowledge related to inspections and the collection of digital evidence (forensic IT). She advises various clients on a wide array of competition subjects, including complex merger control operations (at a French and EU level). She also works on distribution law cases.
Léna Sersiron also advises blue-chip clients from multiple sectors such as Daunat, Demeco, Lubrizol, Servier, Wonderbox, EDF, TDF, Crédit Agricole, Avis Budget Group, CGI, etc.
She is also well-established in the agricultural and food sector, advising various clients and professional trade associations (FNPSM, CNIEL, Nutrixo, FNIL, etc.) on a wide array of competition subjects.
She frequently contributes to various law conferences and seminars.
Léna Sersiron has been praised by one rival practitioner as an "excellent litigator." Acritas 2021 recognizes Léna as a "stellar professional lawyer" based on interviews and testimonials of more than 2,500 companies decision-makers. Clients interviewed have called her "very talented. The work provided is irreproachable and of high quality." She is also reported to be "the most impressive on contentious matters currently" and "a remarkable lawyer," according to sources. She is highly sought after for her expertise in handling abuse of dominance and cartel investigations. Clients also say that they are "extremely happy about her way of practising," going on to add, "She knows the ins and outs of the law."

Author

Romain Travade is an Associate in Baker McKenzie's Paris office.