Buying a business: the documents to prepare before a deal
A practical document checklist for business buyers: organise confidentiality, the offer, heads of terms, due diligence and your adviser brief.
Read the guidePlan the acquisition process, record screening decisions and prepare a clear brief for professional advisers.
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This is a contents outline. Final legal files and supporting guidance are not yet available to download.
Ordinary private companies limited by shares in England and Wales, subject to the document’s specific scope.
Read the scope alongside your existing agreements, the facts of the matter and any professional advice you need.
Acquisition preparation does not include a ready-to-sign SPA or APA, disclosure letter, tax covenant or completion service.
Individual legal or tax advice, negotiations and filings are outside a template purchase.
Confirm the parties, purpose and information the document needs.
Check the completion notes, existing agreements and approvals relevant to the task.
Check signing, records and any filing or other follow-up steps.
The proposed format is editable Microsoft Word, with supporting guidance. The final file list will be confirmed before release.
The proposed model is a one-off purchase with a defined business-use licence. Final terms, download access and any included updates will be shown before purchase.
This product is in preparation. Contact us to ask about availability.
Prepare for an acquisition with connected documents and guidance, from your first confidential discussions to an organised brief for your advisers.
Explore the complete collectionProtect information shared while exploring an acquisition, using the appropriate confidentiality agreement and completion notes.
Set out an indicative acquisition proposal and the assumptions that need further agreement.
Set out the proposed commercial terms before detailed transaction documents are prepared. Separate share and asset purchase variants are planned.
A practical document checklist for business buyers: organise confidentiality, the offer, heads of terms, due diligence and your adviser brief.
Read the guideTurn a due diligence request list into evidence, a clear issue tracker and an informed acquisition decision.
Read the guideDefine the assets, contracts, people and practical handover needed for a business asset purchase.
Read the guide