About
Rafique specialises in antitrust and regulatory aspects of global M&A transactions, international antitrust investigations, and other behavioural and regulatory matters.
He has over 25 years of experience of: managing large-scale transactions that require a global regulatory and merger-control strategy; and co-ordinating multijurisdictional defences in international investigations and ensuing litigation.
He acts for clients across a number of sectors including global financial investors, sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises, and advises on transactions involving institutional investors.
Rafique speaks English, Arabic and French.
Additional Information
- Teck Resrouces on the regulatory aspects of its $53bn merger with Anglo American.
- Suzano on the regulatory aspects of its $3.4bn global tissue joint venture with Kimberly-Clark.
- UBS on the global regulatory strategy for its $3.25bn acquisition of Credit Suisse.
- Ericsson on the global antitrust and foreign investment strategy for its $6.2bn acquisition of Vonage.
- AstraZeneca on the global antitrust and foreign investment strategy for its $39bn acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, one of the first transactions to be reviewed in parallel by each of the EU and UK authorities following Brexit; and on the antitrust aspects of its $8bn strategic oncology collaboration with Merck.
- BASF on its €7.6bn acquisition of significant components of Bayer’s seed and crop protection businesses and related assets, which Bayer divested ahead of its planned acquisition of Monsanto.
- Suzano Papel e Celulose, the Brazilian paper and pulp manufacturer, on the global merger control aspects of its $11bn acquisition of rival Fibria Celulose, including in the EU, US, China and Brazil.
- Johnson & Johnson on the global merger control aspects of its $30bn public takeover of Actelion, including in relation to an innovative remedy package in the EU.
- Holcim on its $43bn merger of equals with Lafarge, including in relation to a complex global remedy package in order to gain approvals in the EU and a number of other jurisdictions.
- Defending clients in recent and on-going investigations, by multiple authorities around the globe, of suspected cartels in a number of industries including bioethanol, precious metals, capacitors and optical disk drive (ODD), including exclusion from cartel allegations and fines in the European Commission’s ODD decision.
"Rafique is a well-seasoned antitrust lawyer who stands out due to his strategic, creative and pragmatic approach and excellent client care."
— Who’s Who Legal Global Elite Thought Leader | 2023
Rafique Bachour
Partner
Brussels Office
Bastion Tower
Place du Champ de Mars/Marsveldplein 5
B-1050 Brussels