Ranked Tier 3 in The Legal 500 UK 2027, our cross-border acquisitions and disposals lawyers advise UK and international businesses on buying and selling companies, businesses and assets across national borders.
The UK remains an important market for international businesses seeking expansion, investment and acquisition opportunities.
An overseas purchaser acquiring a UK company will need to understand the applicable legal framework, the target’s contractual commitments and any regulatory requirements affecting the transaction.
Our lawyers advise international buyers on the UK legal aspects of acquisitions, including:
We work closely with overseas management teams, in-house counsel and professional advisers to explain UK transaction requirements and maintain an efficient process.
Our experience includes advising a major European manufacturer on the approximately £10 million acquisition of a UK competitor.
Acquiring a business in another jurisdiction can create significant growth opportunities but requires careful planning.
A UK purchaser may need to consider unfamiliar corporate laws, regulatory regimes, employment arrangements and approaches to contractual risk.
The legal structure of the acquisition may also be influenced by local restrictions on foreign ownership or investment.
Our cross-border acquisitions and disposals lawyers assist UK businesses with the UK elements of overseas acquisitions and coordinate with local legal advisers on matters governed by foreign law.
We help clients manage transaction documentation, financing arrangements, corporate approvals and the relationship between the UK acquisition structure and the overseas target.
Our role is to provide a clear point of coordination and help clients understand how the different legal requirements affect the transaction.
Selling a business to an overseas purchaser can provide access to a wider range of potential buyers and investment opportunities.
However, international disposals may involve additional negotiations concerning payment arrangements, governing law, completion procedures and the seller’s continuing liability.
We advise shareholders and corporate groups on the sale of UK businesses and assets to international purchasers.
We also assist international groups disposing of UK subsidiaries or business operations.
Our experience includes advising a European internet services business on the US$36 million sale of assets to a UK AIM-listed company.
We focus on protecting the seller’s commercial position, managing the due diligence process and negotiating clear contractual protections.
Due diligence is particularly important where an acquisition involves businesses operating across several jurisdictions.
The purchaser needs to understand the legal position of the target and identify matters that could affect valuation, ownership, operations or future liabilities.
Depending on the transaction, due diligence may cover:
Our lawyers manage the UK legal due diligence process and coordinate with overseas advisers where local law advice is required.
We provide commercially focused reporting that identifies significant risks and explains how they may be addressed in the transaction.
Cross-border acquisitions can involve regulatory requirements that do not arise in purely domestic transactions.
Depending on the businesses and jurisdictions involved, these may include foreign investment screening, competition law approvals and sector specific regulatory consents.
Where applicable, notification or approval requirements can affect the transaction timetable and completion arrangements.
Our cross-border acquisitions and disposals lawyers help identify relevant UK corporate and regulatory considerations and work with specialist advisers where required.
We encourage clients to assess these issues early to reduce the risk of unexpected delays.
Cross-border acquisitions and disposals often involve parties accustomed to different legal systems and transaction practices.
This can create differences in expectations concerning warranties, indemnities, disclosure, liability limitations and completion mechanics.
Our lawyers advise on negotiating transaction documentation governed by English law and coordinating the UK elements of wider international agreements.
We consider matters such as:
Our objective is to establish clear, commercially workable agreements that reflect the parties’ intentions and allocate risk appropriately.
International acquisitions frequently involve several sets of legal advisers, accountants, tax specialists and corporate stakeholders.
Effective coordination is essential to maintaining transaction momentum and ensuring that the different workstreams progress consistently.
IMD Corporate advises on all aspects of multi-jurisdictional transactions and works alongside overseas advisers to coordinate the wider process.
Our experience includes advising a NYSE-listed risk exchange platform valued at approximately US$4 billion on multiple acquisitions in the UK and Europe.
We understand the importance of clear communication, advice and managing the different legal requirements involved in international transactions.
IMD Corporate’s Corporate & Commercial team is ranked Tier 3 in The Legal 500 UK 2027.
Our international corporate work involves advising businesses, shareholders and investors on transactions with connections to multiple jurisdictions.
We combine a boutique, responsive service with direct access to experienced corporate lawyers who remain actively involved throughout the transaction.
We focus on identifying the issues that matter commercially, coordinating effectively with other advisers and helping clients progress acquisitions and disposals with confidence.
Whether you are an overseas business acquiring a UK company, a UK purchaser expanding internationally or a shareholder selling to an international buyer, we can advise on the legal aspects of your transaction.
Early advice can help identify the appropriate structure, regulatory considerations and transaction requirements before negotiations become advanced.
Contact IMD Corporate on 0330 107 0106 or request a free call back.
We pride ourselves on delivering commercially minded legal solutions grounded in integrity, collaboration and a genuine commitment to client success.
We provide:
There are many reasons why you might consider restructuring your business or changing the way you are organized. You may need to streamline operations, reposition yourself in the market, prepare for an exit, facilitate growth, raise capital, ringfence your exposure to risk and liability, refinance borrowing, consolidate debt or avoid a collapse into insolvency.
Every business needs a corporate governance and compliance strategy to direct and control the way in which business is run and to ensure that any generic or sector specific rules and regulations are adhered to. This is the case whether you are a start-up business or an established enterprise and whether you operate as a company, a partnership or an LLP.
Our corporate solicitors draft and negotiate directors service agreements to align with your commercial goals, governance requirements and legal obligations.
Nobody likes nasty surprises, particularly in business, which is why due diligence has developed as a necessary prerequisite for commercial transactions where it is vital that you know what you are letting yourself in for before you commit to proceed.
Converting your business from a privately owned company to one in which the public car invest, is a complex process that can only be navigated with the help of specialist advisors. This is particularly true where your chosen route to becoming a plc is to apply to be listed on the London Stock Exchange where you will need the support of a sponsor, and underwriter, a lawyer, a broker and a reporting accountant.
If you are on the brink of setting up a business then your focus is likely to be on key issues like securing the money you need to get off the ground, finding premises from which to trade, recruiting members of staff and building a loyal customer base.
Why us?
Our team is adept at handling intricate cases involving international elements, such as division of assets across borders, child abduction and child relocation. This makes us particularly suited for individuals with international family or business ties.
We are proud recipients of multiple national awards, a testament to our commitment to legal excellence. Our awards reflect our high standards and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for our clients. You can check the list of our awards by clicking here.
Our clients’ satisfaction speaks volumes about our services. We invite you to read the glowing testimonials on ReviewSolicitors, which showcase our ability to exceed client expectations.
Our firm has a proven track record of successfully handling complex legal cases, particularly those involving cross-border elements. Our expertise is especially beneficial for individuals seeking sophisticated legal solutions.
At IMD Corporate, we recognise the significance of cultural nuances in legal matters. Our team, with its diverse cultural backgrounds, is uniquely positioned to understand and empathetically address the specific needs of clients from various international communities.
We believe in a client-centric approach, offering personalised and compassionate legal advice. Understanding that each case is unique, we tailor our strategies to suit individual client needs.
Beyond family law, we offer a wide range of legal services, making us a one-stop solution for all your legal needs, whether personal or business-related.
We believe in empowering our clients with knowledge. Our team ensures that you are well informed about the legal processes and your options, enabling you to make educated decisions.
Our extensive network of international legal and professional contacts allows us to efficiently handle cases that span multiple jurisdictions, providing a seamless legal experience for our clients.
As a reputable law firm, we adhere to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, integrity, and professionalism in all our dealings.
If you need legal advice, contact us today to request a free callback. Please note that all meetings are by appointment only in all our offices.
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A cross-border acquisition involves a purchaser acquiring a company, business or assets in a different jurisdiction. The transaction may involve legal requirements in more than one country.
Yes. Overseas companies can generally acquire UK businesses, although certain transactions may be subject to regulatory approvals, investment screening or sector specific requirements.
Yes. UK companies can acquire overseas businesses, subject to the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant jurisdiction. Local legal and tax advice will usually be required.
Common issues include corporate ownership, due diligence, foreign investment restrictions, regulatory approvals, tax considerations, contractual risk allocation and coordination between legal systems.
It can. The UK regime may apply to qualifying acquisitions involving entities or assets with a sufficient UK connection, regardless of the purchaser’s nationality. Mandatory notification requirements apply to certain acquisitions in specified sectors.
The parties may agree on a governing law, subject to applicable legal requirements. However, some matters, such as corporate ownership and regulatory approvals, may remain subject to the laws of the relevant jurisdiction.
The timetable depends on the transaction’s complexity, the number of jurisdictions involved, due diligence findings, financing and any required regulatory approvals.
Ideally, before agreeing substantive transaction terms. Early advice can help identify structural, regulatory and contractual issues that may affect the proposed acquisition or disposal.
