STAGE 1: Auction opening and indicative offers The starting point in M&A auctions is usually the preparation of an information memorandum by the seller about the target and the opportunity to acquire it. This is circulated – subject to a
More about Under the hammer – The auction process in M&ABelow are five essential steps to help you maximise value and minimise risk during your business sale. 1. Start Planning Early Where possible, exit planning should start years before you intend to sell. Early preparation gives you the flexibility to
More about Selling your business: 5 steps to optimise your exit strategyTo view this service offering as a pdf, please click here. Effectively tackling the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace has never been more important. For years, many employers have believed that a generic policy was sufficient. However, following
More about Sexual harassment in the workplace: protecting your people, culture, and reputationPARLIAMENT Effective Date Effect Bills (and Acts not yet in force) FINANCE BILL 2025/2026 HMRC published draft IHT legislation on 21 July 2025 The Bill will be introduced in Parliament following the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025 including
More about Part 4 – Pensions Ready Reckoner October 2025HMRC’s draft legislation issued on 21 July 2025 for Technical Consultation features the points of principle in the adjacent box. Many comments have been made in response to the Consultation. We now await the Finance Bill which may contain changes.
More about Part 3 – Inheritance Tax and PensionsProject Nemo: navigating global pension complexities in a share sale Project Nemo involved WB and i-Global Law acting for a US-headquartered cloud computing specialist in the Sale of its global communications division to a leading provider of share registration services.
More about Part 2 – Key Wedlake Bell international pensions and employee benefit projectsIn Pelgrave v The Pensions Regulator[1], the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) considered whether Elizabeth Ann Pelgrave should be subject to a contribution notice (CN) under section 38 of the Pensions Act 2004. The case arose from a determination by
More about Part 1 – TPR Contribution Notice against Director upheldThe government’s original proposals aimed to address concerns that pensions were increasingly being used as strategic estate planning vehicles, rather than encouraging saving for retirement. However, the proposals raised confusion in the industry as it was not clear whether all
More about From nest egg to tax target: Pension funds will no longer be exempt from IHTWho needs to verify? The ID-V regime will apply to all new and existing company directors (modified for other registered business vehicles), PSCs and anyone filing on behalf of UK companies. The aim of targeting these key individuals is to improve
More about The implementation of compulsory identity verification: Autumn 2025Other Bill Changes Some other changes in the Bill not featured in the preceding parts of this Pensions Compass: Pensions Ombudsman and Recovery of Overpayments The Bill gives the PO power (like those of a competent court) to facilitate scheme
More about Part 4 – Pensions scheme bill: Other changes and missing legislation