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The legal mechanics

Regulatory clearance

How deals get signed off by competition regulators like the CMA.

Step 1 of 6

Meet the regulator

Big enough deals need sign-off from a competition regulator — in the UK, usually the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) — before they’re allowed to complete.

This is a simplified illustration of how regulatory clearance typically works, not legal advice or a description of any specific transaction — the exact process varies by jurisdiction and regulator. For real examples, read the daily issues.