The European Court of First Instance is delaying rulings on two controversial takeover cases that were vetoed by the European Commission, and will announce its verdicts on the same day in view of their 'exceptional importance', a court spokesman said.

The move affects appeals against the Commission-blocked mergers of Tetra Laval, the paper packaging group, and Sidel, the French plastic bottling company, as well as that of French electrical manufacturers Schneider Electric and Legrand. Both cases were heard this summer, with the ruling on Tetra Laval initially set for early next month.