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Buying and selling businesses, company shares and business assets are all complex transactions that must be carried out with exceptional attention to detail. This ensures the right terms are achieved and that regulatory compliance is maintained at all times.
A core part of our Corporate practice is advising on the sale and purchase of companies across a wide range of industries, whether this is a sale or purchase of a whole company or the sale or purchase of the whole or a particular part of the business.
Our corporate lawyers can help with negotiating heads of terms, carry out due diligence, drafting contracts of sales and advising on related issues, including commercial contracts, property and employment matters.
With many years of experience and the high levels of legal expertise, we can ensure no detail is overlooked and that your transaction can go ahead smoothly on a sound legal basis. Drawing on our keen commercial understanding, we can also ensure any deal you make reflects the overall goals and interests of your business.
For expert help with a corporate transaction, please contact our corporate solicitors in Chichester, Fareham, Havant or Petworth or use our simple enquiry form to ask us a question and get a quick response.
A company sale involves the sale of the entire share capital of a company limited by shares, meaning the business continues as normal but under different ownership. All the benefits of the company transfer to the purchaser, but so do all the debts and liabilities.
A share sale tends to be more complex and involves greater time, effort and professional costs than a business sale, but this is not always the case. The main sale document is a share purchase agreement.
Find out more about our expertise with share transactions.
A business sale is the sale of particular assets in a company and means that the purchaser can negotiate with the seller as to which assets are sole and which responsibilities they wish to take on. This can include particular business information, goodwill, intellectual property rights and customer contracts.
Purchasers do not generally take on the existing debts and liabilities of the business. The main sale document is generally referred to as either a business purchase agreement or an asset sale agreement.
Whether acting for the vendor or the purchaser, we have the experience and expertise to advise and represent clients through the initial planning stage, heads of terms, due diligence, disclosure, contract negotiation, drafting and completion.
We also assist with post-completion steps such as filing the appropriate forms at Companies House, dealing with the payment of stamp duty and updating the company registers if required.
We can also advise on the relative merits and demerits of entering into a share sale as opposed to a business sale as there are both legal and commercial issues that can affect which route you decide to take.
The value of a business is often tied up in its brand and commercial relationships, including with clients and suppliers. Our team can help to protect the value of your business with advice on matters such as commercial contracts and agreements and trade marks. We can also advise on matters such as terms and conditions and data protection.
Find out more about our expertise with company and commercial law.
The sale or purchase of a business or its assets often involves various property considerations. Our Commercial Property team can assist with matters including sale and purchase of commercial property and commercial leases.
Find out more about our expertise with commercial property law.
Employment matters often arise during the sale or purchase of a business or part of a business. Our Employment Team can advise on matters including redundancy and TUPE, helping to ensure you treat your employees fairly and comply with all relevant laws.
Find out more about our expertise with employment law for employers.
Our Company and Commercial team have many years of experience helping businesses and investors with buying and selling businesses, share sales and sale of company assets.
As such, we have seen all of the common issues that can arise and exactly how to deal with them, helping your transaction to go ahead smoothly and on schedule.
With broad expertise across a range of areas, including employment law and commercial property, we can provide a comprehensive legal service covering all of your needs.
Our Company and Commercial law team includes associate solicitor Scott Richardson, who works between our Chichester and Fareham offices.
At our Chichester office, we are happy to offer start-ups, entrepreneurs and early stage businesses a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your legal needs.
For more information, you can email Scott directly on scott.richardson@glanvilles.co.uk.
When you use our commercial law services, we promise:
Glanvilles LLP is Lexcel accredited by the Law Society in recognition of the high standards of our practice management and client care. We are independently regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
For expert help with a business acquisition or disposal, please contact your local Glanvilles office in Chichester, Fareham, Havant or Petworth or use our simple enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.
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