By Simon Barnes

On 13 September 2018, the UK government published guidance on the application of competition law and merger control if there is no Brexit deal. The guidance forms part of the Government’s broader publication of technical notices to help businesses and individuals understand and prepare for a possible no-deal Brexit scenario.

Consistent with current government policy, the guidance starts with a reminder that a no-deal scenario remains unlikely given the mutual interests of the UK and the EU in securing a negotiated outcome. The guidance is therefore positioned as relevant only in the ‘unlikely’ scenario that there is no Brexit deal.