Private Acquisitions and Disposals
We have considerable experience in advising on private acquisitions and disposals of both companies and businesses across a broad range of sectors.
We advise on some of the largest cross border deals and strategically significant deals.
We are able to provide sophisticated legal advice of the highest quality on all types of deal while at the same time remaining rooted in the reality of the market place.
- Our work encompasses all types of transactions including disposals and acquisitions, auctions, group reorganisations and intra-group transactions.
- Much of our work is cross-border or multi-jurisdictional in nature and we recognise the need to fully understand our clients’ attitude to risk in considering international transactions.
- We have considerable experience of joint ventures ranging from conventional holding company joint ventures, through limited and general partnership structures to semi-permanent mergers by contract in the form of dual-listed companies. These structures often cross international boundaries, involve parties from a range of different jurisdictions and include operative agreements under a variety of national laws.
- We recognise the need for efficient due diligence and appropriate scrutiny and apply the latest legal technology to ensure that we work efficiently and quickly.
- We understand that for our clients the strategic value of a transaction may not be directly linked to monetary consideration, irrespective of value we provide the same high level of service and expertise.
Key experience
A selection of our experience includes advising:
Bourne Leisure, a leading UK holiday company, on its acquisition by funds managed by Blackstone Capital Partners and Blackstone Real Estate Partners. The transaction was structured as a takeover offer for cash consideration, with a vendor preference share alternative available to shareholders.
INEOS, the multinational chemicals company, on the acquisition of BP’s global Petrochemicals business for US$ 5 billion, and on related financing arrangements. The Petrochemicals business comprises BP’s global Acetyls and Aromatics business and related licensing activities. The business being acquired has 14 manufacturing sites in Asia, Europe and North America, employs approximately 1,700 people and holds interests in 10 joint ventures.
Centrica on its agreement to sell its North American energy supply, services and trading business, Direct Energy, to NRG Energy, Inc. for US$3.625 billion in cash.
Reckitt on the sale of its Infant Formula and Child Nutrition business in China to Primavera Capital Group ("Primavera") for US$2.2 billion.
Our experience of all types of private transactions ensure that we are well placed to assist our clients in navigating the most complex deals.
