Author: Mark Taylor

The Locked Box – Unlocked

By now, probably everyone that works in M&A or private equity has heard of the concept of a locked box as an alternative to completion accounts (or, in the U.S., “closing accounts”) on a deal. The locked box structure replaces the traditional “completion accounts” mechanism, with its cumbersome process of preparing and agreeing accounts as at the actual completion date and making consideration adjustment payments to reflect any surplus or deficit in the chosen financial metrics, with one where the...

The UK National Security and Investment Act 2021: A New Regime For Acquisition and Investment Transactions: Update

There have been a number of key developments in the evolution of the UK’s national security regime since our e-bulletin earlier this year (UK to Adopt New Powers Over M&A Activity To Protect National Security). First and foremost, the National Security and Investment Bill has now taken its place on the UK Statute Book as the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (the “Act”). The new legislation is set to come into force on the 4th January 2022. The Act...

UK to Adopt New Powers Over M&A Activity to Protect National Security

Draft legislation currently being debated in the UK Parliament will introduce a new regime similar to that of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) while maintaining the UK’s position as an attractive forum for business and an openness to foreign investment. While the National Security and Investment Act (“NSIA”) will not come into effect until later this year, it will have retroactive effect from November 12, 2020. It is therefore important that entities contemplating any transaction...