Responsive M&A Advice That Keeps Deals Moving
Corporate transactions rarely follow a predictable timetable. Issues can arise quickly, negotiations can change direction and decisions may need to be made within hours rather than days.
Our boutique structure allows us to respond quickly and work closely with clients and their other advisers throughout a transaction.
Clients have direct access to experienced lawyers who understand the deal, its commercial objectives and the issues that could prevent it from progressing.
We aim to identify problems early, provide recommendations and find practical solutions that keep the transaction moving.
This combination of senior level involvement, responsiveness and commercial focus is particularly valuable on transactions where timing and execution are critical.
M&A Due Diligence and Transaction Documents
Effective due diligence helps a buyer understand the business it is acquiring and identify issues that could affect the value, structure or terms of the transaction.
Our mergers & acquisitions lawyers conduct and coordinate legal due diligence covering areas such as:
- Corporate structure and ownership
- Material commercial contracts
- Employment
- Intellectual property
- Commercial property
- Existing or potential disputes
- Data protection and regulatory matters
- Other significant liabilities
We focus due diligence on identifying commercially significant issues and explaining what they mean for the transaction.
Our solicitors also prepare and negotiate the principal transaction documents, including heads of terms, confidentiality agreements, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, disclosure letters, warranties, indemnities, shareholders agreements and completion documents.
Where specialist input is required, our Corporate team works closely with colleagues in employment, commercial contracts, intellectual property, property, data protection and dispute resolution.
Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions
Our mergers & acquisitions lawyers advise established businesses with a global mindset on transactions involving the UK and other jurisdictions.
That includes UK businesses pursuing acquisitions, disposals and growth opportunities in the UK and internationally, as well as overseas businesses acquiring, investing in or selling businesses in the UK.
Cross-border transactions can involve additional legal and practical considerations. Different jurisdictions, advisers and commercial expectations need to be coordinated without slowing down the transaction.
Where legal advice is required outside of England and Wales, we work alongside overseas lawyers, accountants, tax advisers and other professionals, while providing a clear point of contact for the UK aspects of the transaction.
Our experience means we understand how to work effectively as part of a wider transaction team, coordinating across jurisdictions while remaining focused on the commercial objectives of the deal and getting the transaction completed.
Strategic Mergers, Investments and Corporate Transactions
An acquisition or disposal is not always the only route to growth, investment or exit.
Our corporate lawyers also advise on:
- Strategic mergers
- Joint ventures and partnerships
- Private equity and other investments
- Management buy outs and buy ins
- Corporate reorganisations
- Shareholder arrangements
- Group restructurings
We start by understanding what the client wants to achieve commercially. That allows us to concentrate on the legal issues that genuinely matter and develop a structure that supports the wider objectives of the transaction.
Our aim is to provide decisive advice rather than adding unnecessary layers to the deal.