Preface
Table of cases
Table of ordinances
PART ONE: ACQUISITION OF SHARES
Chapter 1: Introduction to Share Acquisitions
1.1 Different Types of companies
1.2 The group structure
1.3 Objectives of an acquisition
1.4 What are "mergers" and “acquisitions”?
1.5 Different methods of acquiring shares in a Hong Kong company
1.6 The widespread use of offshore companies
1.7 Structuring an acquisition
Chapter 2: Share Purchase -The Initial Exchanges
2.1 Stages in a typical share purchase transaction
2.2 Initial contact between client and lawyer
2.3 Preliminary considerations
2.4 Financing for the purchase
2.5 Initial exchanges between the parties
Chapter 3: Share Purchase - Due Diligence
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Types of due diligence
3.3 How to conduct legal due diligence?
3.4 Publicly available information
3.5 Due diligence questionnaire
3.6 Review of due diligence materials
3.7 Due diligence report and follow-up actions
3.8 The role of the vendor's lawyer in due diligence
Chapter 4: Share Purchase – Documentation
4.1 The share purchase agreement
4.2 The disclosure letter
Chapter 5: Share Purchase - Negotiation, Signing and Completion
5.1 Negotiation and revision of the documents
5.2 Signing of the share purchase agreement
5.3 Announcement
5.4 Preparing for completion
5.5 The vendor's role at completion
5.6 The purchaser's role at completion
5.7 Post-completion matters
Chapter 6: Share Purchase - Remedies
6.1 Breach of warranty
6.2 Claim under an indemnity
6.3 Misrepresentation
6.4 Effect of “entire agreement” and “non-reliance” clauses
6.4 Use of a retention fund
6.5 Set-off against deferred consideration
Chapter 7: Share Subscription
7.1 Introduction
7.2 The share subscription agreement
7.3 Completion
7.4 Post-completion matters
PART TWO: PURCHASE OF BUSINESSES
Chapter 8: Business Purchase - An Overview of the Transaction
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Transfer of Businesses (Protection of Creditors) Ordinance
8.3 Reverse takeover
8.4 Disclosure under the Listing Rules and Part XIVA of the Securities and Futures Ordinance
8.5 Application of foreign law
8.6 Other considerations
8.7 Stages of a typical business purchase transaction
Chapter 9: Business Purchase - Due Diligence
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Matters which require special attention in due diligence
Chapter 10: Business Purchase - Documentation
10.1 The business purchase agreement
10.2 The disclosure letter
10.3 Other documents
Chapter 11: Business Purchase - Completion and Post-Completion
11.1 Between signing and completion
11.2 Preparing for completion
11.3 Completion
11.4 Post-completion matters
11.5 Remedies
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Form of Instrument of Transfer
Appendix B: Form of Contract Notes
Appendix C: Form of Due Diligence Questionnaire
Appendix D: Form of Share Purchase Agreement
Appendix E: Form of Disclosure Letter
Appendix F: Form of Notice of Transfer under the TBPCO
Index