A buyer should review ownership, assets, liabilities, contracts, licences, tax position, employees, disputes and regulatory compliance, and decide whether the transaction is a share purchase or an asset purchase.
Share purchase
The buyer acquires ownership of the company itself, together with its existing legal position subject to the transaction terms and law.
Asset purchase
The buyer acquires specified assets and assumes agreed liabilities, subject to transfer rules.
Key checks
- title to assets
- debts
- material contracts
- tax
- employees
- litigation
- licences
- IP
- third-party consents
- change-of-control clauses