When are M&As Most Likely?

Companies are inclined to accept M&As during challenging times. Conversely, companies seek acquisitions when in a strong position or aiming for enhanced competitiveness. Despite financial stability, a company may engage in M&As attracted by competitive offers or to overcome uncertainty.

Should I get legal advice about an acquisition?

Several benefits drive M&As, including: Acquiring competitors for a larger market share. Cost reduction through eliminating duplicated overhead costs, involving staff reductions, economies of scale, and gaining new technologies. Diversification by purchasing companies in unrelated fields, expanding distribution, and generating new sales avenues.

What makes an M&A Worthwhile?

Quality legal advice is crucial for selling a business: When opting for competitive bidding, a confidentiality agreement safeguards sensitive information. After reaching an outline agreement, a signed heads of terms agreement is recommended, followed by legal advice on final terms' wording during due diligence.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Navigating M&A transactions can be complex, but we’re here to help. With tailored strategies and comprehensive support, we maximise your growth potential. Our expertise ensures precise legal advice and documentation as well as thorough handling of government filings. Partner with us to unlock new avenues for success.

Key Contact: Gareth O’Hara

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How We Can Help

Merging or acquiring a business is a significant event with wide-reaching implications. Here’s how we can help you benefit from the expansion opportunities they provide:

M&A Strategy Development: We help you develop comprehensive strategies tailored to your merger and acquisition objectives, aligning them with your long-term business goals.
Due Diligence: Our meticulous due diligence uncovers risks and opportunities, enabling you to make informed decisions.
Shareholder and Investor Issues: We navigate complex shareholder and investor concerns, guiding you on voting rights, equity structures, and investor relations for smooth transactions.
Negotiation Support: Our adept negotiation support ensures you secure favourable terms and agreements while protecting your interests.
Legal Document Preparation: We draft and review all necessary legal documentation, including agreements, contracts, and regulatory filings, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Real Estate Assets Management: Collaborating with our real estate team we will provide specialised support in managing real estate assets involved in M&A transactions, addressing property ownership, leases, and regulatory compliance.
Competition Law Compliance: We ensure your compliance with competition laws and regulations, guiding you through antitrust considerations and assisting with necessary approvals.
Earn-Out Arrangements: We help structure and negotiate earn-out arrangements, aligning interests and facilitating smooth post-acquisition integration.
Warranties and Indemnities: Our advice on warranties and indemnities helps mitigate risks and liabilities, protecting your investments and assets.
Employee Transition Management: With the support of our employment solicitors, we will support you in managing employee transitions, and addressing HR-related issues such as employment contracts, benefits, and organisational restructuring.
Seller Assistance: We offer dedicated support to sellers, guiding them through the entire M&A process from initial negotiations to finalising the deal, ensuring optimal outcomes and minimising disruptions.

Additionally, we can advise on tax and accounting matters to ensure efficiency throughout the process.

Speak to a lawyer today

On 0121 233 4333 or request a callback

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Why Choose Us

When you choose us, you gain comprehensive support for your M&A endeavours and more:

Tailored Solutions: We provide practical, customised solutions focused on achieving your specific objectives.
Personal Approach: Receive focused attention from our experienced solicitors who understand your unique requirements.
Recognised Excellence: Our commitment to excellence is acknowledged by Legal 500.
Quality Assurance: Accredited by Lexcel and authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we uphold stringent quality and ethical standards.
Deep Expertise: Our profound understanding of corporate law allows us to address your unique challenges effectively.
Seasoned Team: Benefit from the support of our highly experienced solicitors, esteemed both regionally and nationally.
Global Insights: Through our international associations in 40 countries, we offer global insights to enhance our local expertise.

Partner with us to ensure your M&A success with personalised, expert support.

Testimonials

We greatly appreciated Rick and the team’s pragmatic and proactive approach – helping us navigate both the process and overcome some tricky technical issues. We look forward to working with them again on our future corporate acquisitions and view them as very much part of our team.

David Walley – CEO Mobile Promotions

Having taken the decision to put our business up for sale, we were recommended to use The Wilkes Partnership LLP as our legal advisers. Their professionalism and attention to detail alongside their knowledge and understanding of our industry was critical in being able to complete on the sale in early February 2023. There were issues that needed to be dealt with along the way but these were attended to speedily and efficiently by the Wilkes team, with input from ourselves as required. Always quick to respond, it was a pleasure working with the Corporate team at Wilkes, in particular Gareth O’Hara, Christie Nelson and Katherine Proctor, who all made significant contributions to the successful sale of our business.

Client – Anonymous

I had the pleasure of working with Kiran at Wilkes and was thoroughly impressed by her expertise and professionalism. The technical advice I received for a corporate restructure was clear and insightful, and helped me navigate the matter with confidence. Kiran was dedicated, communicated well and delivered on documentation and advice in a timely manner. I felt well supported and guided and I highly recommend Kiran and Wilkes for anyone seeking reliable, expert legal representation.

Chris Vogtherr, Query Capital

Thank you to Rick Smyth and the Corporate team for a great service through this transaction (as was the same with the ICB transaction last month). They were all super helpful at all times and are a pleasure to work with.

Mark Winter, Managing Director, MW Business Consultancy Ltd.

We have worked with Lucy Freeman and the Wilkes corporate team on multiple transactions and have always enjoyed the process. Their expertise and dedication were instrumental in our recent investment into Wolf Eyewear, enabling it to acquire White Optics Limited. We have always benefited greatly from Lucy and her team’s pragmatic, flexible and commercial approach. We couldn’t have asked for a more effective and supportive collaboration and will continue to use their services in the future.

Simon Kelsall, FDC

Having decided to put our business up for sale, we were recommended to use The Wilkes Partnership LLP as our legal advisers. Their professionalism and attention to detail alongside their knowledge and understanding of our industry was critical in being able to complete one sale in early February 2023. There were issues that needed to be dealt with along the way but these were attended to speedily and efficiently by the Wilkes team, with input from ourselves as required. Always quick to respond, it was a pleasure working with the Corporate team at Wilkes, in particular Gareth O’Hara, Christie Nelson and Katherine Proctor, who all made significant contributions to the successful sale of our business.

Richard Stevens, Director of Allen Newport Limited

Meet the team

Lucy Freeman

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Senior Associate, Corporate

Matt Hartas

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Solicitor, Corporate

Kiran Munawar

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Associate Solicitor, Corporate

Christie Nelson

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Solicitor, Corporate

Gareth O’Hara

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Senior Partner, Corporate

Jeremy Parkin

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Consultant, Corporate

Suzanna Patalong

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Senior Associate, Corporate

Helen Smart

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Senior Associate, Corporate

Rick Smyth

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Partner, Corporate

Frequently asked questions

What types of mergers and acquisitions exist?

Mergers and acquisitions can take various forms, including horizontal mergers (between companies operating in the same industry), vertical mergers (between companies in different stages of the supply chain), conglomerate mergers (between unrelated businesses), friendly acquisitions (with the consent of the target company’s management), hostile takeovers (against the wishes of the target company’s management), asset acquisitions (purchasing specific assets of a company), and stock acquisitions (purchasing majority or all shares of a company).

What do Public Company Takeovers entail?

Public Company Takeovers involve the acquisition of a publicly traded company by another entity. This process typically involves a bidder making an offer to the shareholders of the target company to purchase their shares at a specified price. Public takeovers in the UK are regulated by the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, which sets out rules and procedures for conducting takeover bids fairly and transparently.

What fundamental aspects should I be aware of regarding mergers and acquisitions?

It’s crucial to be aware of several key aspects when considering mergers and acquisitions, including the strategic objectives behind the transaction, the valuation of the target company, regulatory compliance and approval requirements, due diligence investigations to assess risks and liabilities, negotiation and structuring of the deal terms, financing arrangements, shareholder approvals, employee considerations, post-merger integration planning, and potential legal challenges or disputes. We can provide guidance and assistance at every stage of the process, from initial strategy development to deal completion, ensuring that your interests are protected and that the transaction is conducted following applicable laws and regulations.

Speak to a lawyer today

On 0121 233 4333 or contact us below.

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