Competition & Regulatory
Merger control, ECA investigations, distribution arrangements and sector regulation.
Request a consultation on this practice
What we do
- Merger control filings and clearance with the ECA
- Dawn raid preparedness and response
- Investigations and leniency applications
- Distribution, agency and pricing arrangements
- Compliance programmes and training
- Sector regulator licensing and dealings
- Consumer protection compliance
- Public procurement and tender challenges
How a matter runs
01
What we do
We assess whether the transaction is notifiable and what the timetable does to your closing date.
What you provide
Turnover and asset figures for all parties and their groups.
Typical duration
3–5 days
02
What we do
Preparation and filing of the notification, with the market definition argued rather than assumed.
What you provide
Market data, internal strategy documents, and honesty about overlaps.
Typical duration
2–4 weeks to file
03
What we do
Engagement with the authority through review, including remedies if required.
What you provide
Decisions on what you would accept as a remedy.
Typical duration
30–90 working days
What it typically costs
| Structure | Indicative band |
|---|---|
| HourlyFor matters whose shape is not known at the outset. We agree a cap before starting. | Partner EGP 3,500–5,500 · Associate EGP 1,200–2,200 per hour |
| Fixed fee — notifiability assessmentA written answer on whether you must file, before the deal timetable is set. | EGP 20,000 – 45,000 |
| Fixed fee — merger filingPreparation and submission, excluding a Phase II review. | EGP 120,000 – 350,000 |
What moves the number
- Whether the parties actually overlap in any market
- Whether the review goes beyond the first phase
- The number of markets and the quality of available market data
- Whether an investigation is already open
These are indicative ranges, published so you can budget before you call. A fixed quote follows the first meeting, once we know the facts. Fees are agreed in writing before any work begins.
Questions we're asked
Do we have to notify our acquisition?
Egypt moved to a pre-closing merger control regime with turnover thresholds. If you meet them, closing before clearance is unlawful — check before signing, not after.
How long does clearance take?
30 working days for a straightforward first-phase review, extendable. Build it into the conditions precedent rather than hoping.
Can we set our distributors’ resale prices?
Fixing resale prices is a serious infringement. Recommended prices are possible if genuinely non-binding — the distinction lies in how the arrangement is enforced in practice, not in what the contract says.
The authority arrived at our office. What now?
Call us immediately, verify the warrant’s scope, do not delete anything, and do not obstruct. What happens in the first hour shapes the whole case.
Is a leniency application worth it?
It can eliminate or substantially reduce the penalty, but only for the first to apply. If you suspect a cartel exists in your market, the calculation is about timing.
Do exclusive distribution agreements need clearance?
Not a filing, but they must not have an anti-competitive object or effect. Territory and customer restrictions are where these agreements usually go wrong.
Lawyers in this practice
Sectors
- FMCG
- Retail & Distribution
- Technology & Telecoms
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals