FTC Announces Resumption of Early Termination for HSR Filings

The Federal Trade Commission announced on Friday that it will return to processing requests for early termination for HSR filings following a suspension of such grants for the last two weeks.  On March 13, the FTC and DOJ announced the adoption of a temporary e-filing program for HSR filings as part of the agency’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the agency’s shift to a remote working environment.  Among the changes implemented, the agencies announced they would suspend the processing of requests for early termination of the HSR Act’s waiting periods. 

Citing success with the temporary e-filing program, the Commission announced that effective Monday, March 30, both the FTC and DOJ will resume the practice of assessing and granting early termination where appropriate.  The agency warned, however, that early termination will only be granted as time and resources allow and there are likely to be fewer grants and those grants will likely happen later in the waiting period than they have historically. 

Clients should be advised that while this development increases the chances parties can truncate the HSR waiting period, they should continue to be cautious in relying on a likely grant of early termination until the COVID-19 situation is resolved. 

Click here to read a full the Commission’s announcement.