Wedlake Bell

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Wedlake Bell advises the Marvesting group on its acquisition of Stellar Global Holdings, an omnichannel retail experience agency

Wedlake Bell advised the Marvesting group (headquartered in France) on its acquisition of Stellar Global Holdings Ltd (Stellar). The acquisition was made through the Marvesting group’s UK platform, Impact Field Marketing… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises long-standing client, Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. (Fuller’s), on its acquisition of Lovely Pubs, a collection of seven pubs in Warwickshire, for a total consideration of £22.5 million

Wedlake Bell has advised long-standing client, Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. (Fuller’s), the premium pubs and hotels business, on its acquisition of Lovely Pubs, a collection of seven fantastic pubs… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises Storebox on its merger with LOVESPACE, creating Spectrum Storage Group, and the new group’s acquisition of MyLockup

A cross-practice team at City firm Wedlake Bell has advised self-storage company, Storebox, on its merger with LOVESPACE to create Spectrum Storage Group. The team also advised on the follow-on… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises Renewabl Ltd on a multimillion pound seed round

Corporate partner Stephen Callender and senior associate Tom Boersma have advised Renewabl on a multimillion pound seed round.  The round was led by Helen Ventures and supported by Encevo Group,… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell jointly advises Allenby Capital and OAK Securities on Pathfinder Minerals PLC’s reverse takeover of Rome Resources Ltd and £4m placing

Wedlake Bell jointly advised Allenby Capital in its role as the nominated adviser and joint broker to Pathfinder Minerals Plc (an AIM Rule 15 cash shell) (Company) and OAK Securities… Read more →

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Corporate Partner Nigel Taylor and Trainee Alex Painting write for the Financial Times specialist ESG publication Sustainable Views on how SMEs must better navigate ESG regulations

Partner Nigel Taylor and Trainee Alex Painting write for the Financial Times specialist ESG publication Sustainable Views on the changing ESG regulatory landscape and how this is impacting SMEs. To… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises the Fashion Retail Academy on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of the London College of Beauty Therapy

Wedlake Bell advises the Fashion Retail Academy on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of the London College of Beauty Therapy Wedlake Bell has advised new client, the… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell Advises MSUK on Pre-Pack Acquisition of TV and Film Production Business

Wedlake Bell has advised MS by Joann Sfar UK Limited (“MSUK“) on its acquisition of the independent TV and film production business and assets of Filmwave Limited (in administration). Wedlake… Read more →

Breaking News

Wedlake Bell advises Global Risk Partners on the acquisition of Insync Insurance Solitons Ltd

City law firm, Wedlake Bell, has advised Global Risk Partners Limited  (GRP) on its acquisition of online commercial broker, Insync Insurance solutions Ltd. Building omni-channel distribution capability is core to… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises Global Risk Partners on its successful acquisition of 3XD

City law firm Wedlake Bell has advised Global Risk Partners (“GRP”) on its latest acquisition of 3XD Limited (“3XD”) – a provider of specialist insurance products through financial intermediaries. The… Read more →

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Liquidity and disclosure in the funds industry: an open ended question?

The recent suspension of Neil Woodford’s Equity Income Fund to redemptions has put a spotlight on the asset management industry. With billions of pounds of investors’ money now trapped, many… Read more →

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Stock market listing without an IPO could be a new trend for businesses – Growth Business 09/04/2019

Last year Spotify music streamer obtained a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange without raising any money by way of an IPO. Kamalprit Lally and Kendal Youngblood of… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises Diversified Gas & Oil on $400 million acquisition of 107 producing gas assets and related $234M placing of new shares on AIM

City law firm, Wedlake Bell, has advised Diversified Gas & Oil PLC (“DGO”) – the United States based owner and operator of natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil wells,… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises Global Risk Partners on its acquisition of Trimulgherry Investments Ltd

City law firm Wedlake Bell has advised Global Risk Partners (“GRP”) on its acquisition of Trimulgherry Investments Ltd (“TIL”) for an undisclosed sum. Specialist group GRP – one of the… Read more →

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Help — I’ve lost my share certificates: Financial Times

The article was originally published by the Financial Times on 12 February 2019. I have moved house recently and seem to have misplaced my share certificate in the move. I… Read more →

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Law Commission Consultation on the Electronic Execution of Documents

As technological advances have an increasing impact on every aspect of our business and personal interactions, it is important that the law remains relevant as technology and practice evolves. The… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell advises Diversified Gas & Oil PLC on its latest acquisition

City law firm Wedlake Bell has advised Diversified Gas & Oil PLC (“DGO”) on its acquisition of Core Appalachia Holding Co LLC (“Core”) from TCFII Core LLC for a total… Read more →

News

The FRC in the balance

Sir John Kingman, chairman of Legal and General plc has been charged by the government with carrying out a root-and-branch review of The Financial Reporting Council (the FRC), that rather… Read more →

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PSC in property is one step closer

As it committed to do, BEIS has issued draft legislation for a new regime for “PSC in property”, in the form of the Overseas Entities Bill. This bill has only… Read more →

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Capital maintenance for holding companies: A comparative look at dividends and other distributions

When it comes to deciding where to incorporate a company, it is not uncommon for cross border holding structures to have multiple options on the table.  Although the available choices… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell, Nigel Taylor and the Corporate team mentioned in Private Equity Wire

Private Equity Wire have mentioned Wedlake Bell, Nigel Taylor and the Corporate team in one of their articles on 17 August 2018 – Click here to read the article form… Read more →

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New Corporate governance standard for private companies

Corporate governance is a good thing. Well governed companies have been demonstrated to make better decisions and are less risky than poorly-governed companies. However, there is a broad spectrum of… Read more →

Bulletins

WEDLAKE BELL SUCCESSFULLY ADVISES DIVERSIFIED GAS & OIL PLC ON MAJOR CAPITAL MARKETS TRANSACTION

Corporate Partner, Martin Thomas, has advised Diversified Gas & Oil PLC (“DGO”) on its conditional acquisition from EQT Corporation of approximately 11,250 additional producing wells located in the states of… Read more →

Bulletins

In Counsel – Summer 2018

Welcome to the Summer edition of our In Counsel publication In this update we will outline the most recent legal developments affecting your business, in particular, the implications of the… Read more →

News

When may an intra-group loan or guarantee become a distribution?

The Law Society of England and Wales and the City of London Law Society have recently published two joint papers analysing the circumstances in which an intra-group loan or cross… Read more →

News

New narrative reporting requirements

In June 2018 the UK government laid The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 (the new reporting regulations) before parliament and also published Q&A guidance. Upon being approved under the affirmative… Read more →

News

Revised thresholds for Prospectus Exemptions

The new UK prospectus regulations (UK statutory instrument) were published on 29 June 2018. Confusingly, these raise one of the thresholds for public offers that are exempt from the obligation… Read more →

News

City AM, BigLaw and The Lex 100 comment on Wedlake Bell’s growing Corporate practice

Wedlake Bell’s recent appointment of two new Partners from Watson Farley & Williams has been commented on by City AM, BigLaw and The Lex 100. The addition of Nigel Taylor… Read more →

News

Wedlake Bell further bolsters Corporate and Capital Markets practice with two senior hires

City law firm Wedlake Bell has further strengthened its Corporate and Capital Markets practice with the appointment of two Partners, Nigel Taylor and Martin Thomas. Both have joined the firm… Read more →

Bulletins

In Counsel – Spring 2018

Welcome to the Spring edition of our In Counsel publication The public spotlight over the last few weeks shifted away from Brexit towards takeovers and the question of if and… Read more →

Uncategorized

New QCA Code

The Quoted Companies Alliance has issued an update to its Corporate Governance Code for Small and Mid- Size Quoted Companies. The previous version of the QCA code was issued in… Read more →

Bulletins

ESMA’s proposals for simplifying prospectuses

On 3 April 2018, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published the final report of its Technical Advice (TA) under the new Prospectus Regulation, covering the format and content… Read more →

Bulletins

Joint ventures and the implied duty of good faith

  Joint ventures (JVs) have become an increasingly common method by which certain business activities are undertaken. A JV is a commercial arrangement in which two or more parties agree… Read more →

Bulletins

The proposed register of beneficial owners for overseas companies

The Department for Business, Energy and International Strategy recently published the government’s response to its “call for evidence” last year on proposals for a register showing who owns and controls… Read more →

Bulletins

Melrose’s takeover of GKN provides another instance of post-offer undertakings

In one of the most dramatic corporate struggles of recent time, Melrose Industries Plc (Melrose) won a significant battle in its hostile £7.9 billion bid for GKN Plc (GKN) has… Read more →

Bulletins

The New UK Corporate Governance Code

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is the custodian of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the UK Code).  The FRC needed to refresh the UK Code, and it is now well… Read more →

Bulletins

Court enforces Takeover Panel ruling

In the recent Court of Session case of The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers v David Cunningham King, the Takeover Panel for the first time applied to court under section 955… Read more →

Bulletins

EU support for SMEs seeking to grow on the capital markets

Notwithstanding the stated intention of the UK government to take back control, it remains important to keep abreast of legislative and other initiatives emanating from Brussels. This is because, in… Read more →

Bulletins

Charitable Incorporated Organisations

A charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), being a registered charity, is an alternative legal structure for charities.  With effect from 1 January 2018 charitable companies are able to convert to a… Read more →

Bulletins

Court of Appeal clarifies scope of cross-border mergers regulations

In the recent case of Easynet Global Services Ltd v Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, one of its first decisions of this year, the Court of Appeal… Read more →

Bulletins

LSE’s review of the AIM rules – Feedback statement

As reported in our Autumn 2017 In Counsel, in a call for evidence published on 11 July 2017, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) sought feedback on certain key areas of… Read more →

Bulletins

“Should I stay or should I go now?” – Dealing with the Clash in Shareholder Disputes

You have sweated blood and tears to build a business from nothing.  You have made huge financial and emotional sacrifices to get the business to where it is now.  The… Read more →

Bulletins

GRASP THE NETTLE TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF YOUR FAMILY BUSINESS

With only one-in-eight family businesses making it to the third generation, what is the secret of their success? Rosalyn Breedy, corporate solicitor at Wedlake Bell, has been advising family dynasties for… Read more →

Bulletins

IN COUNSEL UPDATE – AUTUMN 2017

Welcome to the latest edition of our In Counsel publication. In this update, we outline the most recent legal developments affecting your business, in particular, we provide an overview of… Read more →

Bulletins

FRC Advice for preparing 2017/18 annual reports

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) published its advice on changes to reporting requirements and key areas where companies can make improvements when preparing annual reports for the 2017/18 reporting season.… Read more →

Bulletins

When is a sec 116 request for a proper purpose?

In the recent decision of Fox-Davies v Burberry[1], the Court of Appeal analyses when a request for a copy of a company’s register of members under section 116 of the… Read more →

Bulletins

Further steps on the way to a Capital Markets Union

As a further step on the way to a Capital Markets Union, on 20 September 2017, the European Commission published its long-awaited proposals for reforming the powers, governance and funding… Read more →

Bulletins

Strict application of Duomatic principle

In the Winter 2017 edition of our In Counsel publication (please click here to read), we reported on the application of the Duomatic principle by the High Court in the… Read more →

Bulletins

Corporate governance update

As Jane Austen arrives on our fresh ten pound notes, it seems appropriate to misquote her: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a government without the good fortune of… Read more →

Bulletins

Takeover Code consultation on statements of intention and related matters

On 19 September 2017, the Takeover Panel, the UK regulatory body that enforces the Takeover Code, published PCP 2017/2, a public consultation paper (the Paper) in relation to a bidder’s… Read more →

Bulletins

In Counsel Update – Summer 2017

Welcome to the latest edition of our In Counsel publication. After a General Election that left the Conservative Party with less than a majority in Parliament, the Queen’s Speech on… Read more →

Bulletins

What can the industry expect from the LSE’s review of AIM rules?

Since its launch in 1995, the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) has experienced many ups and downs. As recently as two years ago (the market’s 20th anniversary), investors had… Read more →

Bulletins

Clean energy firm goes public

Clean energy firm Verditek has listed on London’s AIM market as it seeks investment for its technologies. The company said it is responding to increased desire from investors to find… Read more →

Bulletins

22 not out: Why AIM remains a force to be reckoned with

Kamalprit Lally, associate in the corporate and financial services team at Wedlake Bell, gives her outlook for the future of the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) as it approaches its 22nd… Read more →

Bulletins

Response to FCA competition study: Why asset managers must embrace change

This article was first published in Investment Week on 21 July 2017, and is reproduced by kind permission. Rosalyn Breedy, corporate and financial services partner at Wedlake Bell, says UK… Read more →

Bulletins

Review of AIM Rules

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is currently conducting a review of the AIM Rules for Companies (AIM Rules) and the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers. In a discussion paper, published… Read more →

Bulletins

Board consent to exercise of option – absolute veto or subject to implied duty of reasonableness?

In the interesting case of Watson and others v Watchfinder.co.uk Limited, the High Court analysed whether the discretion given the board of directors in deciding whether to approve the exercise… Read more →

Bulletins

New Prospectus Regulation

On 30 June 2017, the new EU Prospectus Regulation was published in the Official Journal.[1] It will enter into force on 20 July 2017 and the majority of its provisions… Read more →

Bulletins

GOVERNING AND PROFESSIONALISING YOUR FAMILY BUSINESS TO SUCCESS

The critical issues facing family businesses and how family owners can ensure their businesses remain successful were on the agenda of a seminar last month hosted by Kim Lalli, senior… Read more →

Bulletins

Senior Managers Regime and other regulatory changes

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is currently consulting on the extension of the Senior Managers, Certification and Conduct Rules regime (SMCR) to all authorised firms operating in the financial services… Read more →

Bulletins

Extension of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime

The FCA is now consulting on the extension of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) to all FSMA authorised persons. Draft rules are expected to be published later this… Read more →

Bulletins

Is it the right time for a fiduciary duty?

Too much emphasis is being placed on how we can continue to sell financial products to Europe once we leave the EU, rather than the more important question of whether… Read more →

Bulletins

Unmasking the truth, who owns the UK’s properties?

A new register of beneficial owners of overseas entities owning UK property – what you need to know about the proposals Why the new regime? The London property market is… Read more →

Bulletins

Professionalising The Family Business

This article examines some of the dynamics of family businesses, with lessons for wealth managers catering to these organisations and their owners.The following article on matters around family-owned businesses is… Read more →

Bulletins

Collapse of Vulpine begs question, is crowdfunding all it’s cracked up to be?

Legal experts Amelia Villiers-Stuart and Janice Wall look at the recent demise of cycling brand Vulpine and ask whether investors had enough information. The obvious advantage of crowdfunding is that… Read more →

Bulletins

Contractual interpretation of indemnities

In the recent case of Wood v Capita Insurance Services Limited, the UK Supreme Court decided on an appeal relating to the interpretation of an indemnity clause in a share… Read more →

Bulletins

First EU reverse cross-border merger

In a recent decision, the High Court for the first time approved a reverse cross-border merger under the Companies (Cross-border Mergers) Regulations 2007. The Court considered the proposed merger of… Read more →

Bulletins

Transparency registers: The next set of changes

The summer of 2017 will bring about three notable changes to the UK Government’s transparency registers initiative: 1. UK implementation of the Fourth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive; 2. other changes… Read more →

Bulletins

NEWSFLASH: Financial regulators launch New Bank Start-up Unit

From novel methods of banking to crowd funding, peer-to-peer lending and fund administration, fintech is growing ever more important in our increasingly e-connected world. To assist, support and encourage new… Read more →

Bulletins

PSC register regime is nearly here

As we have been alerting you over the last two years, the new regime for registers of persons with significant control (PSC register regime) for UK affected entities is nearly… Read more →

Bulletins

In Counsel update – Autumn 2015

Welcome to the autumn edition of our In Counsel publication. In this update we will outline the most recent legal developments affecting your business, in particular, the revised timetable for… Read more →

Bulletins

What companies need to do to prepare for the new beneficial ownership regime

Significant changes to the Companies Act 2006 are in the process of coming into effect. Most significantly, from 1 January 2016 companies will need to keep and maintain a new… Read more →

Bulletins

First convictions under the Bribery Act 2010

The Serious Fraud Office (the SFO) has secured its first convictions under the Bribery Act 2010 (the Act). The Bribery Act 2010 The Act came into force on 1 July… Read more →

Bulletins

How Deloitte’s unusual CEO selection process works

There has been much press coverage of the announcement on 15 August that Joe Echevarria is to retire from his post as CEO of Deloitte LLP (USA). To read the… Read more →

Bulletins

When does a cross-border merger qualify as a merger by absorption?

In a recent decision[1], the High Court looked at the question whether a merger qualifies as a merger by absorption under the Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 even though the… Read more →