The term 'acquisitions' is used to describe a wide variety of transactions involving the sale and purchase of either a business as a going concern or a company.

A business acquisition involves the buyer acquiring the assets that make up the business. The contract is made between the buyer and the owner of the business, who may be an individual, a partnership or a company. The business is purchased as a going concern together with all its assets, including goodwill.

A share acquisition is where the buyer acquires shares in the company that own the business. The contract is made between the buyer and the owner of the shares. In such a transaction the shares in the company are transferred; there is no change in ownership of the business - the business remains in the ownership of the company.

Mergers are sometimes called amalgamations and are a type of company reorganisation involving two or more companies transferring their businesses and assets to one of their members or to a new company set up for the purpose.

Many legal and taxation issues arise from acquisitions and mergers and professional advice is essential. For advice on Company and Commercial matters please contact:

Glyn Evans on 01934 637911 e-mail evans@powellslaw.com or
Stephen Soper on 01934 637915 e-mail soper@powellslaw.com.