07 January 2011
The High Court has seen disputes over the sale of businesses multiply five-fold in one year
In 2008, just 42 claims over the sale and purchase of shares and businesses were issued in the high court, according to Sweet & Maxwell. In 2009, that figure rose to 270 as a weak economy led buyers to challenge sellers over the stated value of their newly acquired business.
For example, Sita (part of Suez) launched a claim against the previous owner of Easco, which they bought for £91.5m, claiming that the company was over-valued.
