About ClearCut Law
ClearCut Law explains the UK's biggest deals, court decisions and regulatory changes in plain English: what happened, why it matters and the law behind it.
It covers mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, competition and regulation and the business of sport, with new stories every week.
Younas Ficel
LLB (Hons), Royal Holloway
Who I Am
I'm Younas Ficel, a law graduate aiming to qualify as a commercial solicitor. I studied for an LLB at Royal Holloway, University of London, graduating with a 2:1.
I started ClearCut Law to write about the areas of law I follow most closely: mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, competition and regulation and the business side of sport. Each post breaks down a real deal or decision, explaining what happened and why it matters.
The goal is simple: clear commentary without the jargon, for anyone who wants to understand how law shapes business.
Why This Site Exists
Clarity: Big deals and rulings are often reported in jargon. Each post explains what happened in plain English.
Context: It isn't enough to know what happened. Each post looks at why a deal or decision matters for businesses, regulators and the wider market.
The legal angle: Most business news covers the numbers. Each post also explains the rules behind the story, from takeover law to merger control.
Accessibility: Good commercial law commentary shouldn't sit behind paywalls or subscriptions.
Areas of Focus
The four areas this site covers
Start Here
New to ClearCut Law? These four posts show what the site covers, one from each area.
Rio Tinto and Glencore's Failed Merger
Why the world's biggest mining merger collapsed hours before a Takeover Code deadline, and what Rule 2.8 meant for Rio Tinto.
Read the postVirgin Atlantic's Heathrow Slot Financing
How Virgin Atlantic borrowed $745 million from Apollo using its Heathrow landing slots as security.
Read the postVisa, Mastercard and Revolut v PSR
What the High Court decided about the Payment Systems Regulator's power to cap card fees.
Read the postFIFA's Failed World Cup Stake Sale and the Fallout for Infantino
How FIFA's plan to sell part of the World Cup collapsed in four days, and how Infantino could now be removed.
Read the postImportant Legal Notice
ClearCut Law is a commentary site, not a law firm. The posts are commentary and not legal advice. They should not be relied on for any specific situation.
I am a law graduate, not a practising solicitor. The views expressed are my own.
Posts are accurate at the date of publication, but the law and the deals discussed may have changed since. For advice on your own circumstances, consult a qualified solicitor.