INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRMS - ASHURST GROUP & PERKINS COIE PROPOSE TO COMBINE
The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (“ICCC”) wishes to inform legal service providers, relevant stakeholders and the general public that it has received a Clearance Application from Ashurst Group (“Ashurst”), in respect of its proposal to combine with Perkins Coie (“Perkins”) (the “Proposed Transaction”).
Ashurst is an international law firm providing legal services to corporates, financial institutions and governments across a range of industries. The firm has particular strength in cross-border transactions and in the energy and infrastructure, financial services, and real estate sectors. Ashurst operates from 30 offices in 18 countries, including four offices in Australia and one in Papua New Guinea (“PNG”). In PNG, it operates as a separate partnership under the business name ‘Ashurst PNG’, currently comprising four individuals, offering legal services across most areas of legal practice.
Perkins, on the other hand, is also an international law firm based in the United States (“US”) and operates from 21 offices, including 17 in the US and offices in London (United Kingdom), Shenzhen (China) and Taipei (Taiwan). The firm has strong technology sector capability and deep corporate litigation and intellectual property expertise, along with privacy, fintech, environmental and life sciences practices. Perkins does not have any offices in Australia or PNG.
According to the Application, the Proposed Transaction is intended to bring together two firms of similar scale to combine their resources and accelerate investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and talent, which is expected to enhance their ability to deliver insight, quality, and efficiency to clients.
Based on the information currently available, the ICCC notes that Perkins does not currently operate in PNG and that the Proposed Transaction primarily involves the combination of the parties’ international legal services operations. Accordingly, the ICCC’s preliminary view is that the Proposed Transaction is not likely to have harmful effects on competition in any domestic market, particularly through structural changes to the market or the raising of barriers to entry.
The ICCC invites all legal service providers, relevant stakeholders and the general public to provide your views on whether the Proposed Transaction is likely to substantially lessen competition in any markets in PNG.
The non-confidential version of the Application, including details of the Proposed Acquisition, can be accessed, and downloaded from the ICCC website: www.iccc.gov.pg.
Please note that the submissions provided to the ICCC will be treated as public information unless a specific request for confidentiality is expressly made.
Kindly address your comments to Mr. Roy Daggy, Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer on the address provided below.
All comments and submissions must reach the ICCC on or before Tuesday, 24th March 2026.
All queries relating to this matter should be directed to Mr. Steven Sugl, Executive Manager – Competition Law Enforcement Division on telephone 312 4642 or email to: ssugl@iccc.gov.pg
Independent Consumer and Competition Commission
Level 2, Post Office Building
Nita Street
P.O. Box 6394
BOROKO
National Capital District
Telephone : (675) 312 4600
Facsimile : (675) 325 3980