Corporate mergers and acquisitions

Expert legal advice throughout a business acquisition or disposal

Buying or selling a business can be a complex process with a number of important decisions to be made along the way. There are many legal, financial considerations and the right legal advice can help a business make the most of a merger or acquisition transaction and ensure the deal runs as smoothly as possible. Clarke Willmott’s specialist team of M&A solicitors advises corporate clients on complex and transformational transactions.

How our M&A specialist corporate solicitors can help

Our corporate solicitors regularly advise on:

• Share acquisitions
• Business and asset acquisitions
• Management buy outs
• Funding for acquisitions
• Buying or selling a business
• Employee ownership trusts

Who we can help and how

Clarke Willmott’s specialist team of mergers and acquisitions solicitors advises public and private companies, institutional investors and private individuals.

Working with expert advisors makes a real difference to the success of a transaction. Our team will work with you to identify your objectives so that you can proceed with the transaction that is right for you and your business.

A key consideration when acquiring or disposing of a business will be whether the sale and purchase should proceed by way of a sale of shares or assets. Each scenario has a unique structure and we will work closely with your tax and accounting advisers to agree the most beneficial solution.

When preparing to sell your business, the type of ownership will affect the type of sale transaction. If you are a sole trader or a partnership, an asset sale is the only option, unless the business is incorporated before selling it on to a third party. For an incorporated company, a sale of shares is usually the most tax efficient for the seller.

From a buyer’s view point, acquiring a business may seem more attractive than acquiring the shares. This is because the buyer can select which of the assets of the business it wishes to acquire and which of the seller’s liabilities (with some exceptions eg. employment liabilities), it is prepared to assume. However, as most sellers wish to sell shares due to the tax benefits, we work with buyers to minimise the risk of taking on unwanted liabilities when acquiring a company.

Some of our recent M&A transactions

Casino 36 Limited

Acted for Casino 36 Limited in its sale of three casinos to Genting Casinos UK Limited. The sale involved the transfer of licenses to the buyer, complex property advice as well as a transitional services agreement.

Balmoral Asset Management Limited

Balmoral Asset Management Limited is a leading financial advisor to high-net-worth clients in Scotland. We acted for the shareholders of the company in its sale to the Progeny Group.

CPS Building Services Limited

Acted for the majority shareholder in the sale of his shares in CPS Building Services Limited, a leading regional provider of mechanical and engineering services to Carp Bidco Limited, a buyout vehicle formed by HIG Capital.

James Nuttall Holdings Limited

Acted on behalf of the shareholders on the sale of the entire issued share capital of James Nuttall Holdings Limited, a company operating in the haulage sector, to the Bowker Group.

Penny Irrigation UK Limited and Penny Greenhouses Limited

Penny Irrigation UK Limited and Penny Greenhouses Limited operate in the agriculture and food manufacturing sector and supply irrigation and greenhousing to growers. We acted for the shareholder on the sale of the entire issued share capitals of both companies to Netherlands based Rutec Engineering.

Recommendations

‘Technically capable, friendly and approachable, the complete package.’ – Legal 500 2025

“Clarke Willmott have a deep knowledge of our preferred position on key negotiating points. We are yet to find a complex matter that they cannot deal with.” – Chambers 2025

Contact a mergers and acquisitions solicitor today

Our M&A solicitors based in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton, are ready to support you with the acquisition or disposal of a business. We can provide corporate legal advice to businesses located within the UK and internationally.

Call for a free initial consultation today on 0800 652 8025 or get in touch online.