Still the only team of its kind in the UK, the Transaction Services team is dedicated to due diligence and seller services for UK and global transactions. The crux of its work is investigating, reporting and advising on potential issues crucial to deal completion. The team adds value and makes deals happen.

For buyers and investors, there is DealAssist, a service which starts with understanding the big picture acquisition strategy. DealAssist identifies issues crucial to successful deal completion with recommendations on how to resolve them. Many acquirers regard this information as fundamental to their investment decision and, if they go ahead, use it to optimise returns. Pre-completion, clients also use the findings to help with price negotiations and post-completion the information helps to prioritise what needs to be done to support the acquired business's future development.

For sellers there is ExitReview, a fixed-fee, separate pre-sale planning service which focuses on all issues likely to hinder a sale or impact on price. Sellers use this process to prepare the business for sale and to maximise proceeds. In the case of auction sales, the Transaction Services team sets up data rooms to provide information in a way that's easily understood, ensures bids are secure and comparable and helps to optimise sale proceeds by providing a 'walkthrough' guide to pre-answer bidders' likely questions. Also provided is a legal vendor due diligence report to speed up the sales process and minimise calls on management time.

For international transactions, the team conducts global due diligence through key contacts in overseas law firms.

Known for its creative approach, the team wins plaudits in the FT's Innovative Lawyers report 2008. Bringing corporate rigour to due diligence in the NHS, it claims credit for streamlining processes and helping the Government achieve its surgery target time of 18 weeks. With the Department of Health, the firm also devised new ways to deliver the controversial Independent Sector Treatment Centres.

Clients include Close Brothers, Department of Health, HSBC Bank, Chase Midland and Carron Energy. 

'I don't think I've ever had the benefit of a more professional service on legal due diligence.' Jonathan Bartlett, Stafford Corporate Consulting.

For more information on transaction services, contact Graham Spalding (graham_spalding@wragge.com).