Buying or Selling a Business
Expert solicitors for buying or selling a business
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Practical advice for business sales and purchases
Buying or selling a business is a big step. It can be the key to future growth, succession planning, or achieving the right exit strategy. At Goughs, our team of experienced business purchase solicitors provide the guidance you need to complete your transaction with confidence.
We advise on a wide range of business sales and acquisitions, including both asset and share sales and acquisitions. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, so we’ll explain the options in plain English and help you make the decision that best suits your commercial goals.
Related reading: A quick guide to buying and selling businesses for the first time
Expert solicitors for buying or selling a business
At Goughs we’re more than just legal advisors; we’re trusted partners to businesses across the South West and beyond. When you work with a business solicitor from our team, you’ll benefit from:
Recent highlights
Sale of successful business to competitor as part of client's retirement plan
Advising on a client’s retirement plans resulting in a successful tyre business sale to the major competitor in the market coupled with related business property sales and lease assignment
Share sales as part of a client's retirement plan
Successfully completed on a multi-million-pound share sale of a design, print and fulfilment business advising on complex earn-out provisions and employee share schemes
IFA Acquisition
Acting for a successful IFA business in a further IFA acquisition as part of their growth strategy
Popular questions
There are several steps you can take to ensure that your loved ones are protected in case of your death or if you were ill and unable to make your own decisions.
Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Trying to plan your legal affairs and finances for later life can include
- Minimising your Inheritance Tax liability
- Sorting out pre-paid funeral plans
- Setting up trusts for your family and protecting assets for future generations through a Will.
- Appointing Attorneys to manage your financial affairs and to make health and welfare decisions on your behalf by Lasting Powers of Attorney is also an important part of the process.
The strategy will be different for each family, due to their unique circumstances and views on life. Nonetheless, the best advice is to plan early and have the right practical legal advice.
We are specialists in elderly and future planning with a long established reputation in Wiltshire.
Our future planning team includes lawyers belonging to Solicitors for the Elderly who are also Dementia Friends or Dementia Champions
Tailored support for buyers and sellers
If you’re buying a business, our business solicitors conduct detailed legal due diligence, highlight any risks, and negotiate robust agreements so you know exactly what you’re acquiring. We’ll ensure you get the value you expect and avoid unwanted surprises.
If you’re selling, we’ll help prepare your business for the transaction, resolve potential issues in advance, and negotiate terms that reflect its true worth. Our team will be on hand to guide you through everything from heads of terms to completion, so you can move on to your next chapter with peace of mind.
Meet Gemma Sumsion - Partner and Head of Corporate at Goughs Solicitors
Meet Jonathan Carter-Lewis - Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial Team.
Why legal advice is essential for buying and selling a business
Buying or selling a business involves significant legal, financial, and commercial risk. The right legal advice helps protect your interests, uncover potential issues early, and ensure the transaction is structured correctly from start to finish.
Buying a business
Purchasing a business is a major investment, and without the right guidance, it can be easy to overlook risks hidden in the fine print or wider transaction. A specialised business solicitor will carry out detailed due diligence to uncover and identify hidden risks associated with contracts, property, finances and liabilities, ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements, and protect your investment before you commit. They’ll also ensure that the agreements you sign protect your interests, that the structure of the deal works for your long-term goals, and that the transfer is legally sound.
Selling a business
When you decide to sell your business, preparation and planning are key to protecting your value. An experienced business solicitor will ensure that your contacts, financial records, and legal documents are in order before you go to market, helping avoid delays. Legal advice helps manage risk, ensure that the transaction is structured correctly, and protect you from ongoing liability after completion. Our team works with businesses of all sizes and across many sectors, tailoring advice to your unique goals and circumstances.
Speak to a solicitor
Whether you’re buying or selling a business and need expert legal advice, our team is here to help. Call, email, or visit one of our seven offices.
Call us
With seven offices around the South West of England, we have multiple offices you can call.
Email us
If you would like to drop us an email you can on info@goughs.co.uk
Visit us
With offices in Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Melksham and Trowbridge, you can pop in and see us. View office locations.
Your trusted legal partner
Buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, speaking with a specialist early on can make all the difference. Our approachable team of buying a business solicitors are ready to provide the support you need. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
Our clients rate us as excellent
D H
Professional, responsive and communicative at all times during the time they provided legal services to our business.
Paul Ealey
Gemma combines sound commercial judgement with a refreshing clarity and approach. An excellent commercial lawyer.
J B, Melksham
Very helpful, efficient friendly staff. My business matter was dealt with very well. I would be happy to recommend Goughs Solicitors.
Legal 500
The commercial property team is very responsive and efficient. They are also very nice people to deal with!
T R, Chippenham
I have dealt with Goughs on a professional level for over 10 years. I have always found them to be a diligent and trustworthy company, always willing to help when I contact them. They are truly professional and hard working people. As a result of their ongoing professionalism and friendly manner, I always recommend them to my clients.