Buying or Selling Shares in a Company?

Buying or selling company shares isn’t just a paperwork exercise. Buying or selling shares in a company is a significant transaction and commitment to a business, whether you are stepping into business ownership, reshuffling share interests, selling shares, or planning for succession within the business, obtaining clear legal advice is essential. Clear legal advice ensures you fully understand the implications of any intended changes, confirms compliance with company law, and safeguards your financial and governance interests.

Without proper legal guidance, share transactions can lead to shareholder disputes, tax liabilities, or even unintended changes in control. The right advice early on, can help reduce exposure to potential risks and overcome any challenges along the way.

Ensuring the structure is right from the outset

A successful share transaction begins with a clear understanding of what is being transferred, whether that’s existing shares through a sale, or the issue of new shares through a formal structuring process. We guide you through the process ensuring all formal requirements such as director and shareholder approvals, Companies Office updates, and updates to the share register are managed along the way.

Share Sale & Purchase Agreements

The Share Sale and Purchase Agreement is central to any share sale and purchase transaction. It records the important commercial terms for the sale, or purchase and frequently includes detailed and often complex clauses addressing various legal and financial aspects of the agreement. A comprehensive review of the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement by Harris Tate is essential to ensuring that the agreement includes such key terms as number and class of shares, payment terms, suitable warranties, due diligence and restraints of trade, to accurately capture and reflect the agreed arrangement.

We offer clear explanations so that you can proceed in confidence before signing.

Due Diligence and Risk Management

Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s crucial to understand a company’s financial and legal standing. For buyers, that process is completed as part of a thorough due diligence.

We can assist with examining contracts, shareholder’s agreements, leases, operational aspects of the business, corporate records, and company financials – in conjunction with your accountant in order to identify, assess and mitigate risks in the transaction so that you are fully informed and can proceed with confidence.

Sellers benefit from our advice too. We help sellers identify and manage risks on a share sale, including potential warranty claims and valuation concerns to reduce the likelihood of disputes arising post-settlement.

From first steps to completion of the transaction, Harris Tate is your trusted legal partner throughout the entire process.

Why Choose Harris Tate?

• Practical, plain-English advice from experienced commercial lawyers.
• We support small and medium-sized businesses, investors, and startups.
• Our services aren’t just confined to Tauranga; we provide legal advice to clients nationwide.

Ready to close that deal?. We’re here to help make it happen

Whether you’re buying into an existing, or new business, or whether you are exiting one, Harris Tate is your legal partner. We take care of the details, allowing you to focus on what really matters. Contact our expert team today for support.