Shearman & Sterling Represents General Healthcare Group in “Fix It First” OFT Merger Clearance
2 May 2008
Matthew Readings

London, May 2, 2008—Shearman & Sterling has successfully represented General Healthcare Group (GHG) in obtaining clearance from the UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for the acquisition of seven former Nuffield private hospitals.

GHG, advised by Shearman & Sterling’s antitrust lawyers, originally purchased nine hospitals but considered that two of these hospitals might well create competition problems in their local markets. As a result GHG arranged to sell these hospitals before the completion of the merger review. This “fix it first” approach, combined with the fact that the OFT was convinced that no further problems arose, meant that the delay and difficulty associated with traditional undertakings in lieu of a reference was avoided.

This is the first time that the OFT has cleared a merger on a “fix it first” basis.

The Shearman & Sterling team included London based partner Matthew Readings (Antitrust) and associate James Webber (Antitrust).

GHG’s in-house team was lead by General Counsel Stephen Collier, with legal advisors Catherine Vickery and Drew Allen.

For additional information contact:
Matthew Readings | Antitrust Partner | T +44 20 7655 5937 |
Hayley Martin | Marketing | +44 20 7655 5986|