Our Curious Amalgam

The analysis of mergers in the EU and UK is adapting to take account of a changed worldwide geo-political and trade context. But what does this mean in practice? Stuart Hudson, co-lead of Brunswick's global regulatory practice, joins Matthew Hall and James Hunsberger to discuss the European Commission's draft new EU Merger Guidelines and changes in the UK. Listen to this episode to learn more about what is in the draft EU guidelines, why the changes have been made, the UK's new approach, a prediction on EU/UK convergence or divergence and the risk of politicisation of merger control.
With special guest:
Stuart Hudson, co-lead global regulatory practice, Brunswick Group

Related Links:
Stuart Hudson, "Six types of politicisation", 4 May 2026
European Commission, Draft new EU Merger Guidelines, 30 April 2026
UK Government, Strategic steer to the UK Competition and Markets Authority, 15 May 2025
UK CMA, CMA launches review of its approach to merger efficiencies, 15 January 2026
UK CMA, Merger remedies CMA87, 19 December 2025
Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods and James Hunsberger, Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider

The OECD's Competition Division carries out the organisation's work on worldwide competition law, policy and enforcement. But what does this mean in practice? Ori Schwartz, Head of the Competition Division, joins Matthew Hall to discuss the Division's activities. Listen to this episode to learn more about the Division's recent and upcoming focus areas.
With special guest:
Ori Schwartz, Head, OECD Competition Division

Related Links:
OECD Competition Division webpage

Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods

What are the latest trends and developments in competition law enforcement in Ireland, Brazil, and Paraguay? Geoffrey Gray of the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), joins Lexi Michaud to discuss his agency's efforts to refine merger analysis and enhance competition in Ireland's taxi and ride-sharing sector. Brazilian CADE President Gustavo Augusto speaks with Matthew Hall about how his agency has been deploying AI to analyze market data and identify possible cartel activity. Finally, Eduardo Barros, President of Paraguay's CONACOM, talks to Alicia Downey about how his relatively young agency has been growing and successfully collaborating with other agencies. Listen to this episode to hear about how all three competition agencies are approaching competition law enforcement and advocacy in 2026.
With special guests:
Geoffrey Gray, Commission Member, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland
Gustavo Augusto Freitas de Lima, President, Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), Brazil
Eduardo Barros, President, CONACOM, Paraguay
Related Links:
Ireland Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), Brazil
Comisión Nacional de la Competencia (CONACOM), Paraguay


Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods, Lexi Michaud, Fried Frank, and Alicia Downey, Downey Law

Benchmarking and information sharing can be procompetitive, but modern data tools can also make it easier for rivals to coordinate on prices. But when does benchmarking cross the line into unlawful antitrust conduct? Norman Lee Morris, Attorney for Mississippi Attorney General, joins Panos Dimitrellos and Alysha Pannu to discuss the evolution of antitrust enforcement, the economic risks posed by real-time algorithmic pricing and data aggregation, and what recent cases like RealPage and Agri Stats reveal about enforcement priorities. Listen to this episode to learn more about how antitrust law applies to information exchanges, and why the economics of benchmarking matter so much in today's markets.
With special guest:
Norman Lee Morris, Attorney for Mississippi Attorney General

Hosted by:
Alysha Pannu, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt and Panos Dimitrellos, Secretariat Economists

What is happening in competition enforcement in Australia and New Zealand? Luke Woodward, Commissioner at the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), joins Lexi Michaud to discuss the ACCC's distinctive joint competition and consumer protection mandate, the ACCC's role in deregulation as a way to unlock innovation, growth, and productivity, and where the ACCC is focused to keep pace with changing markets. Next, Luke Becker, Chief Legal Counsel of Competition at the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC), speaks with Anora Wang on the NZCC's approach to digital markets, enforcement priorities, and the application of traditional regulatory tools in evolving market contexts. Join us for a look at how Australia and New Zealand are steering competition enforcement across the Asia‑Pacific, the key developments to watch in 2026, and what these shifts mean for businesses and practitioners.

With special guests:
Luke Woodward, Commissioner, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission and Luke Becker, Chief Legal Counsel (Competition), New Zealand Commerce Commission
Related Links:
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC)
Hosted by:
Lexi Michaud, Fried Frank and Anora Wang, Arnold & Porter