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&AFrom the end of the five‑year Brexit transitional period to the discontinuation of series marks, the adoption of the latest Nice Classification, and upcoming UKIPO fee increases, several important developments will shape the trade mark landscape in early 2026. This
More about Festive round-up: key UK trade mark developments to watch in 2026Deal Flow in 2025 During the first half of 2025, UK private M&A activity slowed significantly compared to the strong finish in 2024. The graph below shows the total deal volume and value across the M&A landscape in the UK
More about UK private M&A trends: insights from 2025 and predictions for 2026Below 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 strategyWhat is a Bad Leaver Clause? A bad leaver clause typically appears in a shareholders’ agreement, articles of association, or a sale and purchase agreement of shares (SPA). It defines the circumstances in which a departing shareholder must transfer their
More about Bad buyers and bad leavers: sellers face an imbalanced fightTo 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 reputationThe Employment Tribunals (Early Conciliation: Exemptions and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 changes the current early conciliation period from six weeks to twelve weeks for all cases notified to ACAS after 1 December 2025. It is the hope of
More about Change to ACAS Early Conciliation Period from the 1 December 2025HOT – Heads of Terms / LOI – Letter of Intent / Offer Letter Often referred to by different names, this document sets out the key terms of the deal before it is actually formally signed, including price and the
More about Understanding some of the key language (and documents) used in M&A transactionsIn the latest episode of the Wedlake Bell Employment Podcast, Partner Stephen Ravenscroft and Associate Clare Irvine-Fortescue unpack the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid working arrangements. From contractual complexities around requesting a return to more office-based working to the
More about Wedlake Bell Employment Podcast – Hybrid and Remote WorkingResearch quoted in the Law Society’s International Data Insights Report 2025 estimates that about 40% of the world’s cross-border business and financial transactions are governed by English law; and in 2021 English law was the governing framework for global M&A
More about Making a good deal better: the English law effect