Working Group on Competitive Dialogue

The Competitive Dialogue Working Group is co-chaired by John Houlden of Burges Salmon LLP and David McGowan of Maclay Murray & Spens LLP.  The group is currently considering a number of difficult issues regarding the procedure including: when use of the competitive dialogue is appropriate; the degree of bid maturity required at the close of dialogue; and to what extent changes to bids are permitted between close of the dialogue and financial close.  There are no immediate plans to publish any material resulting from these deliberations, but the group intends to liaise further with a number of interested third parties regarding these and other issues.

The group hopes to complete the initial phase of its work by the end of November 2010.

Anyone wishing to become involved should contact David McGowan: david.mcgowan@mms.co.uk