Conference programme

The panel will explore how tightening regulatory controls on mergers and acquisitions are transforming deal-making in a world where economic power is shifting toward Asia and the broader Global South. It will look at how competition authorities and foreign investment review bodies are becoming more assertive and more coordinated across borders. Finally, it will analyse whether the global M&A landscape is moving from a historically West centric reference point toward a more multipolar regulatory equilibrium, and what that means for businesses, advisers and policymakers.

Intellectual property (IP) assets are increasingly at the heart of M&A transactions, driving value and shaping deal structures across industries and jurisdictions. This panel brings together leading experts from the US, UK, South Korea and Japan to explore the critical issues and emerging trends in managing IP rights in cross-border deals. Subjects will include effective IP due diligence, strategies for risk allocation and valuation, handling complex licensing arrangements, addressing data and technology transfer challenges and navigating local legal nuances. The session will also highlight practical approaches to post-completion integration and dispute resolution, equipping dealmakers with the tools to unlock and protect IP value in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

This session will take the form of an interactive negotiation of an international M&A transaction by counsel for the seller and buyer. Successful negotiation is an art that comes naturally to some, but must be learnt by most of us. This session will provide a unique opportunity to witness and question the negotiation positions, perspectives and alternatives of M&A counsel from several jurisdictions as they work to develop the best deal available, thus highlighting key strategies and pitfalls to avoid. Emphasis will be placed on the seller’s liability.