Buying, Selling or Restructing a Business

Buying, Selling or Restructing a Business

Selling your business, buying a new business or taking over an existing business can be a complex and often time-consuming process. Our experienced corporate team makes this process as easy as possible for you with minimal disruption to your business, to ensure that you get the outcome you want from the transaction.

We take you through the process of buying and selling a business from heads of terms, to negotiation of documents and disclosure of material issues, through to completion, working hand-in-hand with our specialist property and employment lawyers, as well as external financial and tax advisors, to ensure that you receive a comprehensive service.

Getting the most out of any transaction, be it a merger, acquisition or sale of a company, means that you will have to complete the key stages of a corporate sale or purchase:

  • Agreeing the basic terms (Heads of Agreement / Heads of Terms)
  • Completing Due Diligence enquiries or responses
  • Drafting a Purchase / Sale Agreement
  • Completing any corporate formalities
  • Dealing with employment issues
  • Liaising with your accountants and tax advisers

Our Corporate lawyers have a wealth of experience in dealing with UK and international mergers and acquisitions from SMEs to larger, more complex international transactions, and across a wide range of sectors and industries. We also advise on corporate finance and funding arrangements, including reviewing loan and security documentation.

Choosing the right legal advisors is paramount in any company or share sale or purchase. Our approach to your company means that we are in the best position possible to offer a complete package to help you, not just with your transaction, but also the work that is required once the deal has gone through.

"When I decided to sell the Company I didn’t really realise what was involved. The due diligence process was onerous but thanks to you, Julian, and your colleagues at Downs you made my job relatively easy. Whilst I obviously had to provide the paperwork, you collated it all. For me that would have been impossible. Revising, agreeing and securing the best possible terms for me clearly involved you and Magda a great deal of work for which I am truly grateful. I recall with some discomfort that I asked a number of questions and sent numerous e-mails. Your prompt attention and patience was very appreciated.

I am delighted with the outcome of the sale and will definitely recommend Downs to any of my clients looking to sell their business."

Bob Whiteway, Selling shareholder, Robert Alexander Limited


Our Team