Legal Advice for Selling a Business (Asset Sale)

Planning to sell your business? Whether you're stepping back from ownership or selling to move on to something new, we provide expert legal advice for business owners selling their business.

We specialise in business sales valued between £50,000 and £2 million, delivering a fast, friendly, and fixed-fee service to clients across England and Wales.

Why It’s Crucial to Have the Right Solicitor

Selling a business is one of the most important financial steps you’ll take—and it can quickly become complicated. An asset sale isn’t just about transferring stock or equipment. It involves:

Transferring key contracts, assets, and goodwill
Managing employee rights and obligations under TUPE
Dealing with property (freehold or leasehold)
Navigating tax, regulatory, and liability issues

Having the right legal support ensures the transaction is structured properly, the risks are minimised, and you get the value you expect—without future headaches.

We don’t just draft documents. We guide you through the process, flag risks early, and handle the detail so that you can focus on your next step with confidence.

What Is an Asset Sale?

In an asset sale, you sell some or all of the business’s assets—such as stock, contracts, intellectual property, and goodwill—rather than the shares in a limited company. The buyer usually selects which assets and liabilities to take on, which can make the structure more flexible but also more involved.

Key Stages in Selling a Business

Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically involved:

1. Heads of Terms

This short document sets out the key points of the deal—such as price, what’s included, payment timing, and any conditions. It’s usually not binding but helps set expectations and reduce misunderstandings later.

2. Due Diligence

The buyer and their advisers will investigate your business before buying. This often includes reviewing financials, contracts, licenses, employee terms, compliance records, and more. We help you respond to enquiries and present your business in the best light.

3. Asset Purchase Agreement (APA)

This is the main legal agreement / contract setting out the sale terms. It lists the specific assets being sold, deals with employee transfers (if any), and contains warranties and indemnities. We’ll draft or negotiate this carefully to protect your interests and ensure you’re not taking on unnecessary post-sale liability.

4. TUPE and Employee Transfers

If the sale includes staff, the TUPE regulations may apply. These rules ensure employee rights are preserved and that you follow proper process. We advise you on what to say, when to say it, and how to comply with your legal duties.

5. Property

If the business occupies premises, we deal with any lease assignment or licence to assign, liaising with landlords and managing formalities such as consents, notices, and Land Registry filings.

6. Completion

On the agreed date, contracts are signed, the buyer pays the price, and ownership of the assets is transferred. We’ll manage all formalities and ensure a smooth handover of control.

How We Work

We offer a fully remote service and regularly act for clients located throughout England and Wales. You don’t need to travel or come to our offices. We’ll handle everything via:

Telephone
Email
Video calls

You’ll deal directly with an experienced solicitor who understands business sales and is committed to making the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

What Makes Our Service Stand Out?

✅ Fast and Efficient Transactions

We focus on getting your deal done as quickly as your circumstances allow. We stay in touch, move things forward, and keep the buyer’s side engaged to avoid unnecessary delays.

✅ No Upfront Legal Fees

We don’t ask for money up front. Our legal fees are only payable on or after completion, depending on what works best for you.

✅ Fixed or Capped Fees

We offer fixed-price or capped-fee quotes at the outset, giving you cost certainty and avoiding unpleasant surprises. Our fees are always proportionate to the value and complexity of the deal.

✅ Clear, Friendly Legal Advice

We take the time to explain the legal documents and risks in plain English, not legal jargon. You’ll feel informed, supported, and in control throughout the process.

Helping You Maximise Value and Minimise Risk

We’re here to protect your interests and help you get the best result from your business sale. Our service includes:

Advising on the best structure for the deal
Negotiating the warranties, indemnities, and payment terms
Ensuring the buyer takes on appropriate liabilities
Helping you comply with TUPE if employees are transferring
Managing any property issues and lease assignments
Assisting with completion accounts or adjustments if needed

We also coordinate with your accountant or tax adviser to ensure the deal is tax-efficient and commercially sound.

Who We Act For

We regularly advise:

Owners selling the usiness they've built up - either to retire, take a break or move on to other things
Franchisees exiting a business
Entrepreneurs selling to competitors or investors
Sellers looking for a clean break or a phased transition

Whether this is your first business sale or you're a seasoned seller, we provide a professional, approachable service tailored to your goals.

Let’s Get Started

Selling your business is a major step—make sure you’re properly advised. We offer a free, no-obligation discussion where we can:

Talk through your plans
Outline the process
Flag any early legal issues
Provide a fixed or capped quote

Call or Email Us

Contact us for a free initial telephone consultation.
Call us now on 0800 1777 522 email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click here to make an online enquiry.

Selling a Business