ACCC Merger Reforms Explained: What You Need to Know Before 2026

  • July 29, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  • AUS Eastern Standard Time

Register Now
Description

Hosted by Johnson Winter Slattery and Law Ninjas, join us for an exclusive webinar unpacking the major changes to Australia’s merger control regime, set to commence on 1 January 2026. This landmark reform introduces a mandatory, suspensory regime that replaces the current voluntary system, bringing in new thresholds, timelines, and approval requirements that will fundamentally reshape how deals are done in Australia.

 

Led by leading competition expert Sar Katdare, this session will break down what the changes mean, how to prepare, and whether it’s worth accelerating your transaction in 2025.

 

In this session, you’ll:

  1. Understand the key features of the new mandatory ACCC merger regime
  2. Learn how the new thresholds and review timelines will impact deal structuring and execution
  3. Gain clarity on transitional provisions—and whether to bring forward your transaction to 2025
  4. Get practical insights on preparing for ACCC engagement under the new framework

 

Speaker:
Sar Katdare, Head of Competition & Antitrust, Johnson Winter Slattery
Sar has over 25 years' experience as a trusted advisor to major multinational and ASX-listed companies on cartels, mergers, infrastructure access, and competition and consumer law. He has led clearance strategies for major deals involving Are Media, Pepsi, Qantas, Spotify, Unilever, and Yahoo!, and is regarded as a preeminent expert on merger control, cartel defence, and regulatory access—particularly in the FMCG, gas and rail sectors.

 

Date: 29th July, Tuesday
Time: 12 to 1 PM

 

This webinar is ideal for General Counsels, legal advisors, dealmakers, and compliance professionals involved in M&A, antitrust, and corporate strategy across Australia region. The event link will be shared closer to the date via email and a calendar invite.

 

About Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS):
JWS is a leading Australian law firm known for advising corporates and funds on their most complex transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. With over 450 people—including 80+ partners—across six offices nationwide, we’re known for our pragmatic, strategic and collaborative approach. JWS was recognised as Technology, Media and Telecom M&A Legal Adviser of the Year (Mergermarket 2023) and Australian Law Firm of the Year (Beaton Client Choice Awards 2025). Learn more at www.jws.com.au.

Date & Time

Tue, Jul 29, 2025 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Law Ninjas

Law Ninjas was established in 2017 as a WhatsApp group for in-house lawyers.  

Since then, it has transformed into a community for thousands of lawyers and law students around the world where one can build relationships and learn everything about being a successful lawyer.  

We host conferences and workshops featuring world-class speakers, run coaching sessions, and provide invaluable resources on a range of topics, such as drafting an effective CV and cover letter, applying for an LLM, succeeding as an in-house lawyer, acing a legal job interview, and much, much more.  

Our speakers have come from the African Development Bank, Amazon, Citi, Deutsche Bank, H&M, Harvard Law School, Infosys, KFC, Mercedes-Benz, Oxford University, PepsiCo, SIAC, SpiceJet, TikTok, Twitter, UNIQLO, Volvo Cars, and many more global organizations.  
 
We have received Businessworld’s Legal Entrepreneur of the Year award, we were named as finalists in two categories at the Australian Law Awards 2022, and we have hosted large GC conferences in Bengaluru, Cape Town, Dubai, London, Mumbai, New Delhi, Singapore and Sydney.

Please visit lawninjas.co or e-mail rohan@lawninjas.co if you would like more information.