LL235: International Mergers and Acquisitions: Law and Practice

Discover the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in an international context. This course offers a clear and engaging introduction to M&A Law, with a focus on key jurisdictions—the United Kingdom, the United States (with emphasis on Delaware law), and the European Union—while exploring how major transactions such as mergers, takeovers, and asset sales are structured in practice.

Students will investigate how major transactions are structured in practice, including mergers, takeovers, and asset sales, and will consider why companies pursue these deals. The course examines the economic forces that drive M&A activity, together with core financial and valuation questions that shape negotiation strategy and deal design. It also reflects on the conditions that support an active market for corporate control both domestically and when businesses operate across borders.

Alongside this commercial perspective, the course analyses the regulatory framework that governs mergers and takeovers, with an emphasis on international transactions and the legal preconditions that enable corporate mobility and cross-border reorganisations in the European Union and the United States. Students will work with leading cases and key materials and will become familiar with the contractual terms used to allocate risk between buyer and seller, equipping them with a solid foundation for further study or careers involving complex corporate transactions.

Prerequisites: An introductory law course, and familiarity with company law would be an advantage. Students with no previous exposure to company law may find it useful to first take LL135 Introduction to Corporate Law and Governance.

Level: 200 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One examination and one essay

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

This course is designed for students who are curious about the legal frameworks that shape cross-border transactions. It will be of particular interest to those who wish to understand how commercial objectives, financial considerations, and legal constraints interact in complex corporate deals.

Prior legal study may be an advantage but is not a prerequisite. The course is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students in law and related fields who are keen to engage with the law and practice of international M&A transactions.

• Students will acquire familiarity with the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern cross-border M&A transactions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
• They will develop a grounded understanding of how mergers and takeovers are structured in practice.
• They will learn to interpret and evaluate key contractual provisions used in M&A transactions.
• They will gain insight into the economic and strategic drivers that shape corporate deals and engage with financial and valuation questions that arise in M&A transactions.

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.