A sudden upsurge in corporate activity in Spain has excited lawyers and businessmen alike. Mergers and acquisitions worth billions of euros, such as E.ON’s e47bn (£31.85bn) takeover of Endesa and the e23bn (£15.58bn) tie up between Autostrade and Abertis Infraestructuras, have led the way.

Spain’s national independent law firms have particularly benefited, with Uría Menéndez bagging the lead role for Abertis Infraestructuras on its merger.

The government has taken an interest in the activity and is in the process of introducing new laws and regulations to adapt to the changing business environment.

This Iberia Special Report examines draft proposals that could change the way companies look at their impact on the environment and explains legal measures taken against money laundering. It also looks at how Spain’s revamp of its competition law might have affected Gas Natural’s bid for Endesa.