The legal side of selling a company can feel especially overwhelming if it is not something you are familiar with – which is just one of many things to think about when exiting.
An experienced adviser like Knightsbridge will take care of the legal aspects, so you can focus your time and attention elsewhere.
Due diligence
A key legal aspect. Buyers will want to take a close look at everything, which means you will need to prepare and share all the relevant details about your business.
This includes the pulling together of financial records, contracts, and a clear list of your assets. All of which is easier with the help of an experienced adviser:
You can get everything in order ahead of time, which makes the process smoother, more efficient, and more likely to attract serious, high-quality buyers that produce strong offers.
Sale agreement
Next up is putting together a detailed sale agreement. This outlines all the terms of the deal, including things like the transfer of intellectual property and employee contracts.
Intellectual property can include trademarks and copyrights – which need to be fully disclosed to the buyer.
When it comes to employee contracts, these usually need to be handed over to the new owner, and you might also need to sort out any severance arrangements.
The sale agreement will also cover which assets and liabilities are being transferred, along with any important tax details.
At its core, the sale agreement is a legally binding contract that spells out the value of the deal and how everything is structured.
Expert help
Getting this right is essential, so it is important to bring in a professional who can handle the legal side of selling your business while keeping your best interests front and centre.
They will help you manage tax liabilities, including the upcoming rise in capital gains tax, and flag any deductions or reliefs you may be eligible for.
They will also ensure everything stays compliant throughout the process, handling industry regulations and securing any necessary permits or approvals.
As the seller, you will need to provide warranties confirming the information you have shared is accurate, and the buyer might ask for a contractual indemnity for extra peace of mind.
It is important to have a clear grasp of these steps so you can strike the right balance between meeting the buyer’s needs and protecting your own.
Confidentiality
At Knightsbridge, we understand that keeping things confidential is absolutely key when searching for a buyer.
That is why we use a three-tier system that offers different levels of discretion, whether you would like us to handle everything confidentially on your behalf, or prefer to approve each information request individually.
We also use non-disclosure agreements at every stage to make sure any sensitive details about your business stay fully protected.
Knightsbridge
We don’t just take care of the paperwork – we also connect you with a trusted legal partner as part of our full-service offering.
Through our UK-wide network, we will introduce you to top law firms whose contingent fees are included in our success fee.
These experienced partners specialise in corporate transactions; whether domestic, cross-border, investment, or plc, helping to take the pressure off the legal process.
They will manage the legal side from start to finish, guide you through due diligence, and handle any issues directly with the buyer.
Legal considerations are a key part of any business sale, which is why we work only with proven professionals.
For help with every step of your sale from the UK’s no.1 business sales specialist (source: LSEG), speak to a Knightsbridge expert.