Legal Support for Buying Shares in a Company
Looking to buy shares in a private limited company? Whether you’re purchasing the entire business or a majority stake, we are hear to protect your interests and guide you through the process. We specialise in share purchases valued between £50,000 and £2 million, providing reliable, fixed-fee legal advice to clients across England and Wales.
Why the Right Legal Advice Is Essential
Buying shares in a company is a significant investment—and one that carries very high risk and potential financial disaster if not handled properly. Unlike buying business assets, a share purchase means you take on the entire company: including its liabilities and potential historic problems as well as contracts, employees and all legal obligations.
We help you:
• Investigate the business thoroughly through legal due diligence.
• Negotiate detailed protections to reduce risk, including warranties and indemnities.
• Understand the deal structure so you know exactly what you’re buying.
• Spot hidden issues before you commit, from tax liabilities to disputes or compliance problems.
• Complete the transaction efficiently and with confidence.
We aim to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, while keeping your interests firmly protected at every stage.
What Sets Our Service Apart?
✅ Focus on Speed and Clarity
We aim to complete transactions as quickly as your circumstances allow, without cutting corners. We respond promptly, help keep sellers on track, and update you at every stage.
✅ No Upfront Fees
We do not require any payment in advance. Our fees are payable on or after completion, based on what we agree with you at the outset.
✅ Fixed or Capped Fees
We offer transparent, fixed or capped pricing so you know where you stand from day one. Our legal fees are fair, proportionate, and tailored to the size and complexity of your transaction.
✅ Friendly, Practical Advice
We understand that buying a business can be intense—especially if you’re a first-time buyer. We explain things in plain English, answer your questions quickly, and guide you through the whole process.
Careful Deal Structuring and Risk Management
Every share purchase is unique. We will work closely with you to:• Advise on deal structure, including whether any part of the purchase price should be deferred, secured, or subject to performance targets.
• Negotiate suitable warranties and indemnities to protect you.
• Ensure the Share Purchase Agreement reflects your commercial understanding and includes the protections you need.
• Identify and resolve legal or regulatory concerns during due diligence.
• Guide you on matters such as employee rights, property arrangements, and ongoing liabilities.
We also coordinate with your accountant, tax adviser, or funding provider to ensure a joined-up approach to the deal.
Key Stages in a Share Purchase
Here’s how the share purchase process typically works:
1. Heads of Terms
These are the agreed commercial terms of the deal—such as the purchase price, payment arrangements, and any conditions to be satisfied before completion. While not usually binding, they set expectations and shape the legal documents.
2. Legal Due Diligence
This is where your solicitor carries out a legal investigation into the company, reviewing documents such as contracts, property, employee terms, financial records, and more. We will request relevant information and highlight any risks or issues you need to know about before proceeding.
3. Share Purchase Agreement (SPA)
This is the main legal contract for the purchase. It sets out the sale terms, includes detailed warranties and indemnities to protect you, and may include restrictions on the seller (such as preventing them from competing with the business). We draft or review this agreement to ensure it reflects your understanding of the deal.
4. Disclosure Letter
The seller will provide a Disclosure Letter setting out exceptions to the warranties. We carefully review these disclosures to assess whether they change the level of risk or affect the deal value.
5. Completion
This is the formal handover of ownership. On the completion date, you pay the purchase price and receive the shares. We deal with all formalities, filings, and ensure the transfer is properly documented.
6. Post-Completion
Depending on the deal, there may be ongoing issues such as earn-out calculations, deferred payments, or integration of the business. We stay on hand to advise as needed and ensure everything runs smoothly after the purchase.
How We Work
We act for clients based across England and Wales and operate entirely remotely for your convenience. You don’t need to come to our office—we manage everything by:
• Telephone
• Video calls
This allows us to act quickly, respond flexibly, and focus on efficient completions while giving you the personal service you need. You’ll always deal directly with an experienced solicitor who understands how share purchases work and what’s at stake.
Types of Buyers We Work With
We regularly advise:
• People acquiring a trading company
• Existing business owners expanding through acquisition
• Management teams carrying out a buy-out
• Investors purchasing a shareholding for long-term growth
• Buyers acquiring a business with a view to integration or resale
Whether you are experienced or new to buying shares in a business, we can help ensure the deal is secure, compliant, and commercially sound.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re considering buying shares in a private company, get in touch with us at an early stage. We’ll provide a free, no-obligation discussion to:
• Help you understand your options
• Highlight any red flags
• Give you a fixed-fee quote for handling the legal work
Buying a business is a big step—make sure you have the right legal team beside you.
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.