The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released draft merger process guidelines for consultation ahead of laws that will begin next year.

It says the guidelines are intended to help businesses, advisers and other parties understand how to engage with the new merger control regime. 

“It outlines the ACCC’s usual processes when assessing acquisitions and the ACCC’s expectations for how relevant stakeholders may engage in those processes,” the consultation paper says.

“The ACCC will have regard to these guidelines in assessing acquisitions, although it intends to apply them in a flexible manner.

“The ACCC may deviate from its usual processes in circumstances where it is reasonable and appropriate to do so.”

See the merger process guidelines consultation paper here. Submissions close on April 28.

The commission is holding a separate consultation on draft merger assessment guidelines that closes on April 17.