Mergers and Acquisitions

For every company, and its board and shareholders, an M&A transaction is a significant step. Having the right legal advisers alongside is key to a successful outcome.

Whether the transaction is an acquisition, a merger, a joint venture or a disposal of a company or business, our clients look to us for advice on structuring, for guidance on the unexpected complexities which so often arise and for support on negotiation. They also look to us for the execution skills needed to document and complete deals efficiently.

So whenever our clients are looking to grow through acquisition, or to sell a shareholding, or business, we work closely with them to understand their particular objectives, and then use our vast experience to help in achieving them.

What we do

M&A transactions, public or private, have several components and go through a variety of phases. These typically include agreeing the deal in outline, structuring, due diligence, documentation and its negotiation, pre-transaction reorganisation steps, signing, satisfying conditions precedent, closing and post-closing integration. There are frequently linked transactions too, such as equity fundraisings, co-investment arrangements and/or bank financings.

We can help with all components and all phases, and with linked transactions, in each case as much or as little as our clients want us to. We have, literally, seen it all (or almost all) before, and our clients therefore benefit from our experience of what we have seen work and not work on other transactions. We collaborate closely with our clients and their other advisers so that we do what they want us to do, and don't do what they don't want us to do. By doing so, we ensure that the right outcome is achieved in an efficient and cost-effective way.

What we are known for

Our UK Corporate team comprises over 40 lawyers, and acted on more than 90 completed transactions in 2017 with an aggregate value of more than £1 billion. Many of the deals were cross-border, involving clients from the US, Canada, Malaysia and Germany amongst others.

The team works within the firm's key industry areas; insurance, healthcare and real estate, and is also very active in a wide variety of other sectors including technology, financial services, energy, natural resources and retail.

The team has extensive experience of public company takeovers, whether effected by offer or scheme of arrangement. We act for bidders and targets, advising on strategy and bid tactics, announcements, offer documentation and compliance with the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

We are also renowned for acting for entrepreneurs and other owner-managers in selling their businesses. We understand their particular needs, including around taxation, and help guide them through the sale process. 

Our clients include:

• Allianz Insurance plc
• Castleton Technology plc
• RedstoneConnect plc
• Crest Nicholson plc
• Deutsche Post AG
• DHI Group, Inc.
• Fidelity
• Linden Homes
• MXC Capital
• Octopus
• Old Mutual Wealth
• Partnerships in Care
• Adept4 plc
• St. James's Place plc
• CORETX Holdings plc