Historic tax
Unpaid VAT, sales tax or corporation tax from earlier years.
Share purchase / stock purchase agreement
Share and stock purchase agreements for ecommerce businesses
When you buy the company itself, its history comes with it. We make sure the SPA protects you against what you inherit.
Discuss Your AcquisitionOverview
Buying the company, not just the assets
In a share purchase (called a stock purchase in the US), you acquire the entity that owns the ecommerce business. Contracts, accounts, employees and liabilities all stay with the company.
This can make the transfer simpler, but you take on the company's past. Diligence, warranties, indemnities and the disclosure process matter more in this kind of deal.
Get Legal AdviceWhat It Covers
What a share purchase agreement covers
The parts of the SPA that protect a buyer taking on an existing company.
Statements about accounts, tax, contracts, IP, employees, compliance and litigation that give you a claim if they are wrong.
Buyer Checklist
Risks buyers take on in a share deal
Employment liabilities
Contractor misclassification, holiday pay and employee claims.
Change of control
Contracts or platform terms that can end when ownership changes.
Product and regulatory claims
Past product safety, labelling or consumer law issues.
Debt and guarantees
Loans, security and guarantees the company has given.
Intercompany arrangements
IP or assets held by other group entities or by the founder personally.
Our Process
How we handle your share purchase
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Yes, in substance. 'Share purchase agreement' is common in the UK and Europe, while 'stock purchase agreement' is used in the US. Both transfer ownership of the company.
Buyer Guides
Related legal guides for ecommerce buyers
Cross-border
Cross-border ecommerce acquisition legal advice
Asset purchase
Asset purchase agreement for an ecommerce business
Due diligence
Legal due diligence for buying an ecommerce business
Amazon FBA
Legal advice for buying an Amazon FBA business
Shopify
Legal advice for buying a Shopify store
Acquisition lawyer
Specialist legal counsel for ecommerce business acquisitions
Letter of intent
Letter of intent for buying an ecommerce business
Closing
Ecommerce acquisition closing checklist
Buyer checklist
Buying an online business: the legal checklist
Amazon
Amazon seller account transfer when buying an FBA business
Transition
Transition services agreement for ecommerce acquisitions
Deal terms
Earnouts and seller financing in ecommerce acquisitions
Valuation
Ecommerce business valuation: the legal checks behind the price
Cross-border
Buying a US ecommerce business from the UK or abroad
Buying an ecommerce company?
Tell us about the business you plan to buy and where the deal stands. We will explain the legal support you need.