Merger control – the system for assessing mergers and acquisitions to ensure they don’t weaken competition – continues to evolve in the UK and internationally. The CMA is at the centre of UK merger control, and this event will help you better understand how it reaches decisions.

Last year we heard detailed analyses of Phase 1 decisions such as Theramex/Viatris and Phase 2 decisions such as Vodafone/Three. This year, we’ll be joined by Sorcha O’Carroll, Senior Director in the CMA’s mergers team. As the decision-maker on complex Phase 1 merger cases, her insights on recent and ongoing high-profile cases are invaluable. As well as breaking down key decisions, she’ll be answering your most pressing questions in the Q&A section.

This in-person event, held at the Law Society, will be followed by a drinks reception where you’ll have the opportunity to network with peers working across competition law.

Mergers 2025

Learning objectives

SRA Competencies A1

  • Gain insights into the CMA’s current approach to UK merger control and how it’s being applied in practice
  • Network with peers working in M&A and across competition law
  • Learn more about the Competition Section and how it can support your career development

Who should attend?

  • Competition Section members
  • Solicitors practicing in competition law, corporate and M&A work - both in private practice and in-house
  • Academics and trade journalists
  • Finance professionals

Speakers

sorcha-ocarroll

Sorcha O’Carroll, Senior Director - Mergers, CMA

Sorcha O’Carroll is a Senior Director - Mergers at UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) since April 2022. Before that, she has worked as a Director of Mergers at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for 3 years. Between the years 2011 and 2019, Sorcha was a Senior Associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Since 2007 for 4 years, she has occupied the post of an Associate at McMillan. Finally, between the years 2005 and 2006, Sorcha O’Carroll was a Law Clerk at the Federal Court of Canada.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday 23 April 2026

Time: 6pm to 8:30pm

Location: Law Society’s Hall, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL.

Price:

Section Membership - Competition: Free

Law Society Members: £75.00 (ex. VAT)

Standard: £175.00 (ex. VAT)

Book your place here via My LS.

Registration for this event will close at 11:50pm on Friday 17 April 2026.