Paul Blackmore

Hook, line … or sinker? Navigating dowry sales

When a company is facing financial hardship or challenging economic conditions, using a “dowry” to incentivise a quick sale of a business by auction may appear an attractive option to address existing difficulties. However, there are important issues for target directors, sellers and buyers alike to consider before executing a disposal of this nature. These include: directors duties, shorter timetables and fewer deal protections for buyers. This article reviews some points to consider as part of the decision-making process before embarking on a dowry sale.