Business Legal Services

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

From negotiation to completion, we help you realise the full value of your business through clear legal advice, efficient execution and transparent costs

We’ve supported buyers and sellers across a range of sectors and know what drives a successful deal. Merging with or acquiring a company is a major move with big implications, and getting an experienced team involved early can help you avoid costly delays, disruption and deals falling through. Our team helps you get it right from the start.

We guide you through every stage, from assessing a target and carrying out due diligence to advising on the Takeover Code and managing regulatory filings. You’ll benefit from clear legal advice, efficient deal execution and transparent costs throughout.

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Practical legal advice when and where you need it

How our M&A lawyers can help

Getting the right legal support at the outset of any potential deal is crucial to ensure it is completed as swiftly and smoothly as possible. We work closely with you to understand your goals and guide you through important considerations, such as whether to acquire shares or assets, securing consent from shareholders and investors, and understanding the tax implications. We also help clarify ownership of key intellectual property, plan for the seller’s ongoing involvement if needed, identify potential risks and how to protect against them, and address any issues related to taking on staff, including pension rights. This thorough approach helps keep your transaction on time and within budget.

Our team can:

Your M&A strategy and making sure you’ve chosen the right target

We have considerable experience in M&A transactions and have helped businesses, large and small, scale and grow, thanks to our holistic approach to the deal from the outset.

Conducting due diligence

We will help you identify any red flags or risks associated with your target and support you in mitigating these if possible.

Handling issues relating to shareholders and investors

We can advise you on what consents may be necessary and help you obtain these.

Understanding what you need to achieve from the sale and making sure that our negotiations and all the required documents reflect those needs.

Drawing up the necessary legal documents as part of the transaction

Including a letter of intent, exclusivity agreement, non-disclosure agreements, sale and purchase agreement for shares, banking documents and release of security to name a few.

Any real estate assets

Working seamlessly with our property team to ensure any leasehold or freehold interests are delt with effectively.

Competition issues

If your proposed merger has competition law implications, we can advise you on the Takeover Code and deal with the authorities on your behalf.

Earn-out issues

If your seller will remain in your business for a period post-sale, we can assist you in agreeing appropriate terms that protect both sides.

Protecting you post-completion by making sure that the warranties and indemnities you receive from the seller are sufficiently extensive.

Mergers and acquisitions can have far-reaching implications for your existing and the target’s employees, and the TUPE rules may mean that your target’s staff transfer automatically to you.

Part of our M&A specialist team will include our employment lawyers who will make sure this aspect of the deal is handled efficiently to avoid disruptive and costly claims.

If you’re a seller as part of an M&A transaction we can help you exit smoothly and negotiate with a fair set of warranties and indemnities.

When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, specialist expertise makes all the difference. Unlike generalist lawyers who cover multiple areas of law without deep focus, our dedicated M&A team brings practical experience from a wide range of complex transactions for both buyers and sellers.

This focus means we understand the nuances and challenges unique to M&A deals, allowing us to deliver clear, actionable advice tailored to your business goals. Working with specialists ensures you benefit from a joined-up approach, detailed risk management, and peace of mind throughout the entire process, expertise that a ‘jack of all trades’ simply cannot match.

Why work with specialist M&A lawyers?

Clear-cut advice based on experience

By drawing on our practical and varied experience across a range of M&A transactions, acting for both buyers and sellers, we’re focussed on delivering value to you and your business. We will always provide you with a clear route to take when challenges arise during negotiations keeping your long-term goals in mind at every step.

A joined up approach

From employment issues such as dealing with changes to directors’ service agreements, to IP licensing considerations, acquiring another business is rarely a simple and solely corporate transaction. That’s why we will always offer you an integrated approach. Our business acquisition lawyers will work alongside our employment, IP and commercial specialists, when required, to ensure that you get well-rounded, strategic advice to successfully support you throughout the transaction.

Detailed risk management and mitigation

Our thorough due diligence processes, close collaboration with your tax and accounting team, and streamlined approach across all practice areas throughout the M&A transaction means that we have a clear view of any potential risk to your business. This helps us to quickly identify and resolve any challenges you may face, clearing the route to a successful transaction.

Peace of mind

Even where negotiations may be tricky or due diligence checks take longer than expected due to uncovering outstanding litigation proceedings, for example, we will take on the stress of the process for you. We will always strive to get the best outcome possible for your business, communicating with you at each step in plain English. Rest assured, that we have every possible angle covered.


Who we help

Business buyers and sellers, multinationals, overseas buyers, SMEs and larger listed companies

Our expertise spans deals of all sizes, from smaller transactions to complex deals exceeding £100 million, where we often work alongside or against large law firms.

Our M&A lawyers understand that buying or selling a business can be a stressful time, whether you’re an SME owner or part of the executive leadership team of a large national company. We recognise the nuances and pressures of completing transactions within tight deadlines and budgets. That’s why we take a proactive approach from the outset, working closely with you and your strategic partners to navigate the process and achieve a successful outcome.

Whatever the size or complexity, we deliver tailored advice aligned with your strategic goals. Acting as an extension of your team, we provide clear, practical guidance to help you confidently manage every stage of the M&A process.


Working with business buyers and sellers

Notable projects

We have been involved in a wide range of projects, from business purchases and sales to both small and large fundraising matters, often working with internationally recognised firms on the other side.

Meet Parker

Industry | Financial services

Type | Seller

We assisted Meet Parker, an AI-powered digital engagement tool with their early-stage seed round and acquisition, making sure their convertible loan notes, due diligence, sales preparation and share purchase agreements were watertight as they made the move to scale.
Harbour Healthcare

Industry | Care homes

Type | Buyer

We helped Harbour Healthcare, a family-owned care home operator restructure their group to facilitate better borrowing power and assisted in four large acquisitions of ‘trading’ care homes.
Greosn

Industry | Agriculture and horticulture

Type | Buyer

We assisted with Greosn’s acquisitions, including advising on the whole spectrum of M&A, due diligence and making sure deals close quickly.
Barry Fleming and Partners

Industry | Financial services and wealth management

Type | Seller

We acted for the sellers in the sale of the entire issued share capital of Barry Fleming and Partners to Kingswood for £6.2m.
Tactful AI

Industry | Customer engagement

Type | Seller

We advised Tactful AI, an intelligent AI-powered customer engagement platform on their acquisition to Dstny Group. We made sure the acquisition went as smoothly as possible, making sure the founders got the best deal terms.
Meet Parker

Industry | Financial services

Type | Seller

We assisted Meet Parker, an AI-powered digital engagement tool with their early-stage seed round and acquisition, making sure their convertible loan notes, due diligence, sales preparation and share purchase agreements were watertight as they made the move to scale.
Harbour Healthcare

Industry | Care homes

Type | Buyer

We helped Harbour Healthcare, a family-owned care home operator restructure their group to facilitate better borrowing power and assisted in four large acquisitions of ‘trading’ care homes.
Greosn

Industry | Agriculture and horticulture

Type | Buyer

We assisted with Greosn’s acquisitions, including advising on the whole spectrum of M&A, due diligence and making sure deals close quickly.
Barry Fleming and Partners

Industry | Financial services and wealth management

Type | Seller

We acted for the sellers in the sale of the entire issued share capital of Barry Fleming and Partners to Kingswood for £6.2m.
Tactful AI

Industry | Customer engagement

Type | Seller

We advised Tactful AI, an intelligent AI-powered customer engagement platform on their acquisition to Dstny Group. We made sure the acquisition went as smoothly as possible, making sure the founders got the best deal terms.

Testimonials

What our clients say

As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen Director, Admedo
Choosing Harper James was one of the best choices we made as a start-up. The firm has provided invaluable advice and insight throughout the early stages of our business.
Leigh Purnell CEO, Petalite
The support, advice and guidance from Harper James was absolutely vital. Shubhu, Callum and the team there were always on hand to deal with any issues that we needed help with as the deal progressed. This is an exciting new stage in the development of the business.
Sam G Bose CEO and Founder, IntelliSense.io
For us, the support of Harper James Solicitors has been a gift. The collaboration we have had has been of tremendous importance. The service has been superb value for money.
Iraklis Bourantas COO, Novoville
Harper James is the right fit for us, I was attracted to the firm by the experience and reputation of their large team of specialist solicitors. And best of all, I have this support at a price point that’s very competitive compared to their competition.
Andrew Worsley Chairman, Harbour Healthcare
Matt and Paul understand the brief, and they understand our business. Their attention to detail and joined-up approach is excellent. They’re able to understand exactly what we need and the vision of the group going forward. Growing at this rate presents some risk, so having a legal team that appreciates this and supports us with the legal advice we need to take on every challenge in our mission to scale is key.
Alex Newey Chairman, Greosn
Matt’s been a pleasure to work with – we were looking for a lawyer who would be able to think outside of the box. To Matt’s credit, he understood our needs immediately. Having a legal team on our side who understands and supports us has been great.
Freddie Savundra Founder, Meet Parker
The Enable plan was just the right plan for us. It’s economic and we were really pleased with the numbers. As a start-up, it was important for us to seek the right legal advice while keeping costs to a minimum. It’s given us a breadth of high-quality legal knowledge at a great price point – something we just wouldn’t get at a traditional firm.
Freddie Savundra Founder, Meet Parker
It’s been great working with Adam. He’s approachable and very friendly. When initially contacting Harper James, I wanted an experienced advisor that knew how to maneuver the acquisition landscape. Adam certainly knew how to do this, and his timing and responsiveness was second to none.
Mohammed Elmasry CEO, Tactful AI
Brilliant support and smooth completion of acquisition.
Rajiv Agrawal Shareholder, Poise Group
Nikki Reid, one of Harper James’s Corporate Partners supported us from the outset and throughout our M&A journey. Nikki was always there when needed providing sound, experienced advice. She was able to negotiate very effectively with the other side, managed expectations and ensured that the transaction progresses smoothly at each stage. If we were to have another similar transaction I would definitely want Nikki on my side of the table. Cannot praise Harper James enough.
Chris Kurt-Gabel Founder and Executive Chair, A to E Training & Solutions
For the past 3 years, A to E Training have been an enable client of Harper James utilising a range of the services provided from immigration, employment and property. When an exit was envisaged and a buyer found it was extremely easy to get the right advice and have a great corporate lawyer appointed to support us.
Chris Kurt-Gabel Founder and Executive Chair, A to E Training & Solutions
The switchover process from our previous advisors was incredibly smooth. Brigitta was efficient, fast, and quickly understood our requirements. Her pragmatic approach helped us cut through the legal complexities, and we were able to achieve our goal within the tight timeframe.
Steve Carrod Co-Founder, DMPG
We thought we knew our business inside out, but the due diligence process highlighted gaps we hadn’t anticipated. Having your team on hand made a big difference - what felt overwhelming quickly became manageable once we had experts guiding us through the details.
Tom Marianczak Co-Founder, DMPG
Choosing Harper James was the best decision we made during this process. At one point, we felt stuck and struggled with providing certain documentation. Brigitta and the team knew how to explain what was needed and suddenly the process became much clearer. The guidance we received helped us avoid unnecessary delays and expenses. It made all the difference.
Steve Carrod Co-Founder, DMPG
For any small business looking for the right law firm to guide you through an acquisition I would highly recommend Harper James. My personal experience was with Matt Shakesheff who looked after my sale and passed me over to their team who looked over my new contract of employment as I was staying with my buyer for a 2 year handover. They delivered on budget and on time.
Richard William Turbutt Director, CorroGuard
As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen Director, Admedo
Choosing Harper James was one of the best choices we made as a start-up. The firm has provided invaluable advice and insight throughout the early stages of our business.
Leigh Purnell CEO, Petalite
The support, advice and guidance from Harper James was absolutely vital. Shubhu, Callum and the team there were always on hand to deal with any issues that we needed help with as the deal progressed. This is an exciting new stage in the development of the business.
Sam G Bose CEO and Founder, IntelliSense.io
For us, the support of Harper James Solicitors has been a gift. The collaboration we have had has been of tremendous importance. The service has been superb value for money.
Iraklis Bourantas COO, Novoville
Harper James is the right fit for us, I was attracted to the firm by the experience and reputation of their large team of specialist solicitors. And best of all, I have this support at a price point that’s very competitive compared to their competition.
Andrew Worsley Chairman, Harbour Healthcare
Matt and Paul understand the brief, and they understand our business. Their attention to detail and joined-up approach is excellent. They’re able to understand exactly what we need and the vision of the group going forward. Growing at this rate presents some risk, so having a legal team that appreciates this and supports us with the legal advice we need to take on every challenge in our mission to scale is key.
Alex Newey Chairman, Greosn
Matt’s been a pleasure to work with – we were looking for a lawyer who would be able to think outside of the box. To Matt’s credit, he understood our needs immediately. Having a legal team on our side who understands and supports us has been great.
Freddie Savundra Founder, Meet Parker
The Enable plan was just the right plan for us. It’s economic and we were really pleased with the numbers. As a start-up, it was important for us to seek the right legal advice while keeping costs to a minimum. It’s given us a breadth of high-quality legal knowledge at a great price point – something we just wouldn’t get at a traditional firm.
Freddie Savundra Founder, Meet Parker
It’s been great working with Adam. He’s approachable and very friendly. When initially contacting Harper James, I wanted an experienced advisor that knew how to maneuver the acquisition landscape. Adam certainly knew how to do this, and his timing and responsiveness was second to none.
Mohammed Elmasry CEO, Tactful AI
Brilliant support and smooth completion of acquisition.
Rajiv Agrawal Shareholder, Poise Group
Nikki Reid, one of Harper James’s Corporate Partners supported us from the outset and throughout our M&A journey. Nikki was always there when needed providing sound, experienced advice. She was able to negotiate very effectively with the other side, managed expectations and ensured that the transaction progresses smoothly at each stage. If we were to have another similar transaction I would definitely want Nikki on my side of the table. Cannot praise Harper James enough.
Chris Kurt-Gabel Founder and Executive Chair, A to E Training & Solutions
For the past 3 years, A to E Training have been an enable client of Harper James utilising a range of the services provided from immigration, employment and property. When an exit was envisaged and a buyer found it was extremely easy to get the right advice and have a great corporate lawyer appointed to support us.
Chris Kurt-Gabel Founder and Executive Chair, A to E Training & Solutions
The switchover process from our previous advisors was incredibly smooth. Brigitta was efficient, fast, and quickly understood our requirements. Her pragmatic approach helped us cut through the legal complexities, and we were able to achieve our goal within the tight timeframe.
Steve Carrod Co-Founder, DMPG
We thought we knew our business inside out, but the due diligence process highlighted gaps we hadn’t anticipated. Having your team on hand made a big difference - what felt overwhelming quickly became manageable once we had experts guiding us through the details.
Tom Marianczak Co-Founder, DMPG
Choosing Harper James was the best decision we made during this process. At one point, we felt stuck and struggled with providing certain documentation. Brigitta and the team knew how to explain what was needed and suddenly the process became much clearer. The guidance we received helped us avoid unnecessary delays and expenses. It made all the difference.
Steve Carrod Co-Founder, DMPG
For any small business looking for the right law firm to guide you through an acquisition I would highly recommend Harper James. My personal experience was with Matt Shakesheff who looked after my sale and passed me over to their team who looked over my new contract of employment as I was staying with my buyer for a 2 year handover. They delivered on budget and on time.
Richard William Turbutt Director, CorroGuard

Meet our team

Why choose our M&A lawyers?

With experience at top UK law firms and in-house roles for international businesses, our corporate lawyers know when to negotiate and when expert advice is essential. Having worked on both sides of transactions, we understand the full picture.

We draw on our wider team when deals involve property, share plans, or complex employee transfers, ensuring you get well-rounded, strategic advice. As a full-service firm, we collaborate across employment, commercial property, and equity incentives to support your business needs.

Find out more about who you’ll be working with:


Pricing and service plans

Legal support designed
to fit your business needs

Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:

Engage

Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates

An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.

Extend

Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses

Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 36% discount on our Standard Rates.



What next?

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Our offices

A national law firm

A national law firm

Our commercial lawyers are based in or close to major cities across the UK, providing expert legal advice to clients both locally and nationally.

We mainly work remotely, so we can work with you wherever you are. But we can arrange face-to-face meeting at our offices or a location of your choosing.

Head Office

Floor 5, Cavendish House, 39-41 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5PP
Regional Spaces

Capital Tower Business Centre, 3rd Floor, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AG
Stirling House, Cambridge Innovation Park, Denny End Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9QE
13th Floor, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BT
10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
Belsyre Court, 57 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HJ
1st Floor, Dearing House, 1 Young St, Sheffield, S1 4UP
White Building Studios, 1-4 Cumberland Place, Southampton, SO15 2NP
A national law firm

To access legal support from just £149 per hour arrange your no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your business requirements.

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