Hostile bids for Irish companies will almost certainly lead to a lengthy court battle under the current regulatory regime, according to Arthur Cox partner, Mr Stephen Hegarty.

Speaking at the third annual Irish Mergers and Competition Workshop yesterday, Mr Hegarty warned that a similar chain of litigation could become the norm in Ireland in a contested bid situation, something which has yet to come before the Takeover Panel.

"We have a regime which has real teeth, and a Panel which has the autonomy and breadth of experience. However with hostile bids I believe we may go down the road of our US counterparts where almost every bid involves some form of litigation."