How PISCES works PISCES is a new UK trading mechanism designed to allow private companies to hold regulated, time‑limited windows in which their shareholders can sell existing shares to eligible investors. Who operates PISCES? PISCES is a regulatory regime under
More about PISCES: preparing private companies for intermittent share tradingThe Code The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the Code) has, for nearly 60 years, been the rule book for the conduct of takeovers, ensuring fairness, transparency and certainty. Administered by The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the Panel),
More about Navigating the Takeover Code – key changes effective February 2026STAGE 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&ADeal 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 fightHOT – 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 transactionsResearch 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 effectWhat’s changing? Certain registers no longer required Companies will no longer be required to keep the following registers as part of their company registers (also known as statutory books): register of directors; register of directors’ residential addresses; register of secretaries;
More about Streamlining company registers – changes from November 2025The manner in which the Register operates was then amended by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 which introduced a range of enhancements, in an effort to increase the effectiveness of the Register. The most recent reforms to
More about Key Updates to the Register of Overseas Entities following the enactment of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023