Merger Fees
The Enterprise Act 2002 provides for fees to be payable to recover the costs of the regulatory consideration of mergers. Section 121 of the Act provides the power to make orders defining the amount of such fees and the scope of their application.
Merger fees were first introduced in 1990.
The DTI announced on 6 January 2006 that merger fees would increase on 6 April 2006. Fees vary according to the value of the UK turnover of the acquired enterprise. The following fees now apply:
£15,000 where the value of the UK turnover of the enterprises being acquired is £20 million or less.
£30,000 where the value of the UK turnover of the enterprises being acquired is over £20 million but not over £70 million.
£45,000 where the value of the UK turnover of the enterprises being acquired exceeds £70 million.
For futher infoirmation about paying merger fees please see the OFT information sheet.