Sale of Business and Assets
When selling a business, it is crucial that any agreement is properly structured and all key aspects are considered. We can assist in selling your business wherever you are based, and our expert team are on hand to help you through the process.
The sale of a business usually involves the transfer of assets, which may be in the form of shares. Most businesses will accumulate substantial assets over time. If you want to sell your business, you may want to offload your assets quickly. There are essentially two ways in which you can do this, through an ‘asset sale’ or a ‘share sale’.
Free Initial Telephone Discussion
Contact us today for a no-obligation, free initial discussion about your circumstances. Simply call us on 0345 901 0445 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will give you a call back as soon as possible.
Our corporate team possess all the relevant expertise needed to support you during the sale of your business.
- structuring the deal
- conducting the due diligence and disclosure process
- drafting and negotiating terms
- dealing with post-completion matters
Instructing solicitors at an early stage helps to avoid significant difficulties during the process.
Share Sale or Asset Sale
There are two common ways of transferring the business to new ownership, ‘share sale’ or ‘asset sale’.
The key difference between the two is what a potential buyer acquires.
Share sale – The buyer acquires the shares of the company that owns the trade and assets of the business. The new owner of the company acquires all assets, liabilities and obligations, meaning its business as usual.
Asset sale – The buyer acquires the assets which make up the business. This is where the buyer acquires the assets, both tangible (property, land, machinery and stock) and intangible (intellectual property and goodwill).
Tax
A share sale is typically more attractive from a tax perspective to a seller than to a buyer.
An asset sale will often be more tax-efficient for a buyer than a seller. However, following recent tax changes, it is best to speak to us for up to date information.
Planning is everything, so before embarking on the sale process you should aim to get your business in the best possible shape, whilst considering if you want to make a ‘clean break’ or continue to be involved with the business after the sale.
How We Can Help
We understand that corporate transactions including the sale of a business can be stressful. Using our experience and wealth of knowledge, we are able to offer expert advice on a range of sale related matters.
We are committed to providing you with a first-class service and helping guide you through the process. We are able to clearly explain the legal issues and provide open, honest and professional advice.
How to Contact our Solicitors
To speak to our solicitors, simply call us on 0345 901 0445, or allow a member of the team to get back to you by filling in our online contact form. We are well known across the country and can assist wherever you are based. We also have offices based in Cheshire and London.
