Business Matters
Corporate & Business:
Company Sales & Purchases

Delivering the deal on disposals or acquisitions.

The sale or purchase of, or investment in a business/company requires significant effort and input from the relevant management whether it be MBO, MBI, venture capital or corporate finance.

At times like these, it would help to have an in-house legal team working to look after your interests, but if you would prefer not to have the overhead of the team all the time, then why not instruct the right team as and when you need it?

The growth of our commercial practice has enabled us to group together those with relevant experience to form a highly effective team dedicated to your deal.

Of course, deals come in all shapes and sizes and we are responsive to the need to tailor the approach to the transaction. We consider that we are particularly in tune with the needs of owner-managed businesses / companies, although our client base includes an Ofex-listed client. We have also been involved in certain issues addressed in the run up to share placings on NASDAQ and to listing on the Alternative Investment Market (AiM).

Our approach

We will meet with you to gain an understanding of:

• where the real issues and value are likely to lie;
• the approach that would best suit your needs;
• the make-up of the best team of professionals;
• who will be responsible for project management;
• the expected sources of funding, and
• the timescales and costs involved.

To help all concerned we have developed INSTRUCTION SHEETS to draw out the issues and allow an informed decision to be made on the method and level of charges. If you would like a complimentary copy of one of the sheets please send your request through to one of the Team listed on the right.

We would hope to be involved at an early stage in your special project so that opportunities of adding value and avoiding difficulties can be identified and acted on promptly.

FAQs - please see our Disclaimer

1. Is it better to sell/acquire the target company's business and assets or its shares?
This is a key question. There are significant issues here involving exposure to risk, continuity of trading and other relationships as well as tax treatment and funding structure.

Each situation needs reviewing separately. Please contact us for advice on your particular circumstances.

2. At what stage should I bring in a lawyer?
Broadly, the way in which we are usually brought into a corporate finance deal is:
1. putting in place or approving a form of confidentiality agreement;
2. drafting of the Heads of Agreement / Letter of Intent (either with or without an exclusivity period);
3. assistance with funding structures and, possibly, sources;. scoping and completion of legal due diligence by making appropriate investigations, searches and the raising of enquiries, coupled with the review and assessment with the client of the results;

This leads on to:
1. preparation of the Acquisition Agreement and Tax Deed with supporting funding and other documentation to give effect to the deal;
2. negotiation of the documentation to bring the deal to a conclusion and
3. handling the completion and dealing with elements of after-care.

On the basis that prevention is better than cure, it will help to seek appropriate advice sooner rather than later.