Megadeal resurgence: strategy, scale and scrutiny

October 2026  |  COVER STORY

Megadeals continue to dominate the strategic landscape as companies pursue scale and capability in a rapidly changing business environment. Acquirers are seeking to expand operations, close capability gaps and secure critical technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence.

Bridging valuation gaps

October 2026  |  FEATURE

Even as broader market conditions improve and confidence gradually returns, valuation gaps continue to frustrate dealmaking across many sectors. Sellers remain reluctant to abandon expectations shaped by previous market highs, while buyers are applying stricter pricing discipline.

New era for merger control: EC overhauls merger guidelines

October 2026  |  FEATURE

The draft guidelines seek to adapt EU merger control to a dramatically changed economic and geopolitical landscape. The modern global economy is increasingly driven by digital platforms, AI, data, intellectual property and innovation.

Inharmonious: exploring the board-chief executive dynamic

October 2026  |  FEATURE

As boards face mounting scrutiny from investors, regulators and stakeholders, organisations should treat board effectiveness as more than a governance exercise.

Merger control

October 2026  |  WORLDWATCH

As policy and geopolitical priorities shift, antitrust agencies will seek to enhance legal certainty and procedural flexibility while preventing anti-competitive market concentration, balancing robust enforcement with a pro-growth agenda. FW moderates a discussion between Joshua L. Shapiro at Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, Amir Nabil at Ibrachy & Dermarkar, David-Julien dos Santos Goncalves at Linklaters LLP, Bernhard Lauterburg at Prager Dreifuss Ltd., and Jacqueline Arena and Bill Batchelor at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.

ATAD 3 and re-engineering economic substance

October 2026  |  SPECIAL REPORT

Over the next three to five years, we can expect substance requirements to become more integrated with broader tax transparency and compliance frameworks rather than through a standalone ‘Unshell’ regime. FW discusses ATAD 3 and re-engineering economic substance with Romain Tiffon at ATOZ Tax Advisers.

Q&A: Tax disputes in Africa

October 2026  |  SPECIAL REPORT

Tax dispute activity across Africa has intensified, driven by fiscal pressures and revenue authorities’ efforts to maximise domestic collections. FW discusses tax disputes in Africa with Dominic Stuttaford at Norton Rose Fulbright, Elle-Sarah Rossato at PwC South Africa and Jashwin Baijoo at Tax Consulting South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Avoiding IP pitfalls that can sink M&A deals

October 2026  |  SPOTLIGHT

In a world where the value of IP is constantly increasing, IP counsel and valuation experts should be involved from the early stages of an M&A transaction, not as an afterthought, especially on deals where the core value of the target lies in its intangible assets.

Operational resilience in the current global environment

October 2026  |  TALKINGPOINT

The most effective organisations look at resilience through the lens of total landed cost and long-term value creation. FW discusses operational resilience in the current global environment with Piers Bowley, Craig Edge and Alessandra Alleto at KPMG.

Evolving AML for the digital payments era

October 2026  |  TALKINGPOINT

AML programmes are not stagnant and failure to timely invest can create compounding problems down the line. The question becomes: how is that investment spent? FW discusses how AML is evolving for the digital payments era with Anna Kostus, Michael Peters, Dylan Ryan, Jaco Sadie and Michael Buffardi at FTI Consulting LLP.

The energy transition at a crossroads

October 2026  |  MARKET PULSE

Grid modernisation, nuclear development, advanced transmission technologies, critical minerals supply chains, resilience investments and digital infrastructure all represent significant areas for long-term capital deployment. With Clint Vince and Jennifer Morrissey at Dentons.

Energy transition and infrastructure M&A

September 2026  |  BRIEFING ROOM

Platform strategies create repeatable acquisition and financing frameworks that reach beyond generation into storage and other enabling infrastructure. FW discusses the energy transition and infrastructure M&A with Jonathan See at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Frank Aquila at Sullivan & Cromwell and Thyl Hassler at White & Case LLP.

Navigating global restructurings – three key considerations for multinational employers

October 2026  |  SPOTLIGHT

Given the complex legal landscapes within which global companies must conduct workforce restructurings, it is critical that employers take the time to develop and implement nimble reorganisation programmes.

Trade secret law and noncompete restrictions: navigating an evolving landscape

October 2026  |  SPOTLIGHT

Recent developments in trade secret law have accelerated two complementary trends: courts are demanding greater precision from trade secret plaintiffs and legislatures are continuing to narrow the enforceability of noncompete agreements.

From insight to execution: how AI is reshaping corporate treasury decision making

September 2026  |  SPOTLIGHT

Rather than replacing treasury professionals, today’s most practical AI applications improve visibility, forecasting, risk monitoring and workflow efficiency, enabling treasury teams to become more proactive and capital efficient while preserving appropriate human oversight.

Discovery disrupted: will generative AI prompt more civil lawsuits to go to trial?

September 2026  |  SPOTLIGHT

AI has already had a dramatic impact on the practice of law and may have the potential to transform discovery to the point that it ceases to be a driving factor in the decision whether to try a case or settle it.

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