The end-to-end legal management of buying, selling, or merging all or part of a company with another.
M&A — mergers and acquisitions — is the umbrella term for transactions in which a company changes hands or two companies combine under one roof. Put simply: the transfer of a business's ownership.
These deals are never just about price. A target company's inherited debts, pending lawsuits, unpaid labor claims, and environmental or licensing gaps can all pass to the buyer. The way to spot them in advance is a legal due diligence process.
SBP Legal acts for buyers, sellers or investors at every stage of a deal, from the initial confidentiality agreement through post-closing integration.
What we do in this area
Legal due diligence
Reviewing the target company's contracts, litigation, permits, intellectual property, and employment and tax liabilities to prepare a risk report.
Preliminary documents
Drafting non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), letters of intent (LOIs), term sheets and exclusivity agreements.
Share purchase agreement (SPA)
Negotiating price adjustment mechanisms, representations and warranties, the indemnity regime, closing conditions and security structures.
Competition Authority clearance
Assessing merger control notification thresholds, preparing the clearance application and following the process through.
Structuring and financing
Deciding between a share deal and an asset deal, and structuring partial demergers, earn-outs and escrow arrangements.
Closing and integration
Handling closing minutes, registry filings, transfer of signing authority and post-closing integration work.
Does this page speak to your situation?
If any of the following applies to you, now is the time to talk:
- You're considering selling your company and want the process managed properly.
- You want to uncover hidden risks before buying a company.
- A foreign investor is about to become a shareholder in your company.
- You're planning to merge two companies under a single roof.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly does due diligence do?
It takes an X-ray of the company you're about to buy. It surfaces pending lawsuits, unpaid tax and social security debts, invalid lease agreements, expired licenses, and key employees without proper contracts. The findings either lower the price, secure additional guarantees from the seller, or lead you to walk away from the deal.
Should I choose a share deal or an asset deal?
In a share deal you acquire the entire company, history included; contracts and permits generally continue as they are. In an asset deal you acquire only the machinery, brand or customer portfolio you select; most past liabilities stay with the seller, but permits may need to be reobtained. The choice depends on tax exposure and risk appetite.
How long does an M&A process take?
For a mid-sized deal, the typical timeline from letter of intent to closing is 2–6 months. It can extend if Competition Authority clearance is required or if a regulated sector — energy, healthcare, finance — is involved.
Is Competition Authority clearance required for every deal?
No. Clearance becomes mandatory only once the parties' Turkey turnover exceeds the thresholds set by law. Closing without clearance when the threshold is exceeded can render the transaction legally void and trigger administrative fines based on turnover. This assessment should be made at the very start of the deal.
This page was last updated on 20.07.2026. Content is for general informational purposes and does not substitute for legal advice.