Alistair White

Senior Associate
About

Alistair White has wide experience advising multinational and UK businesses in relation to merger control and other investment control regimes, including national security and foreign direct investment. His experience spans both public and private deals, private equity and venture capital investments and joint ventures.

Alistair also advises on the behavioural aspects of competition law, including compliance matters, and on investigations and related appeals and litigation.

Alistair has acted for leading corporates in a number of sectors, with particular experience in sports, media and life sciences. His work has contributed to DLA Piper being recognised as Life Sciences Antitrust & Competition Firm of the Year for two years running at the LMG Life Sciences Awards.

Alistair is recognised on the Pro Bono Recognition List of England and Wales.

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and WalesAdmitted to the Roll of Solicitors in the Republic of Ireland

EXPERIENCE

Alistair’s recent experience includes advising:

Merger and investment control

  • Keywords Studios on its GBP2.1 billion public takeover by EQT.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global on their sale of All3Media to RedBird IMI for GBP1.15bn.
  • General Electric on its extensive reorganisation, formation and spin-off of GE HealthCare, GE Vernova and GE Aerospace.
  • Dechra Pharmaceuticals on its GBP4.5bn public takeover by EQT.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery on its USD773m sports broadcasting joint venture with the BT Group, forming TNT Sports.
  • Eagle Football on its acquisition of a majority stake in Olympique Lyonnais for EUR530m.
  • John Menzies on its GBP571m public takeover by Agility.
  • Phillip Morris on its USD1.45bn public takeover of Vectura.
  • Phillip Morris on its acquisition of Fertin Pharma for USD820m.
  • Dechra Pharmaceuticals on its global acquisition of Elanco's Osurnia business for USD135m.

Investigations and related appeals and litigation

  • Lupin on its appeal of the European Commission's perindopril "pay for delay" decision, which imposed fines totalling EUR428m.
  • A confidential client on the CMA's construction services investigation and related commercial matters.
  • A leading insurer on an investigation by the Romanian Competition Council regarding alleged anti-competitive behaviour.
  • A confidential client in a follow-on damages mediation relating to a CMA infringement decision.
  • Merck KGaA on its appeal of the CMA's paroxetine "pay for delay" decision, which imposed fines totalling GBP45m, as well as the related reference to the European Court of Justice.
  • A confidential client on follow-on damages claims in the UK and the Netherlands following a European Commission decision.
  • The Premier League on Ofcom's investigation into its sale of domestic broadcasting rights.

Notable advisory matters

  • The Premier League on regulatory matters relating to its sale of domestic and international broadcasting rights, as well as numerous other sports governing bodies on similar considerations.
  • World Rugby on its establishment of the Nations Championship.
  • A leading media business on its interactions with the European Commission in the context of significant pan-European M&A activity in the broadcasting sector.
Education
  • King's College London, Post Graduate Diploma in EU Competition Law, 2018
  • University of Law, LLB Hons in Law, 2014
  • University of Bristol, BEng Hons in Mechanical Engineering, 2012

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Solicitors Regulation Authority
  • Law Society of England and Wales
  • Law Society's Competition Group

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