Our M&A Dispute Service
Corporate Merger and Acquisition Disputes, Post-Merger Disputes & Post-Acquisition Disputes
M&A disputes are an increasingly common feature of corporate transactions, particularly as deals grow in complexity and value, and as parties take different positions on agreed terms and the purchase process.
At Myerson, our specialist corporate and commercial litigation solicitors advise on a full range of corporate merger and acquisition, post-merger, and post-acquisition disputes, helping clients resolve issues efficiently while protecting commercial relationships and value through clear, strategic legal advice.
Whether you are a buyer, seller, shareholder, or investor, we provide commercially focused guidance on resolving M&A disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation. We also help parties understand and enforce their rights under the SPA (Sale and Purchase Agreement) and related agreements.
Understanding M&A Disputes
Mergers and acquisitions are high-stakes transactions involving detailed negotiations, complex documentation, and significant financial exposure.
Despite careful planning, disputes can arise at any stage of the deal lifecycle, including signing, completion, and post-closing.
M&A disputes typically fall into three key categories:
- Pre-completion disputes – issues arising during negotiation or due diligence
- Post-merger disputes – conflicts following the integration of businesses
- Post-acquisition disputes – claims relating to warranties, indemnities, earnouts, or purchase price adjustments
In practice, these categories often overlap.
A clear contractual process for handling notice, evidence, and escalation under the SPA or related agreements is essential.
These disputes frequently involve significant financial and reputational risk, requiring specialist legal and accounting expertise.
Our team provides early analysis of deal structures, financial information, and contractual mechanisms governing the purchase price and any adjustments.
Common Causes of Corporate Merger and Acquisition Disputes
Understanding the root causes of corporate merger and acquisition disputes is essential for both prevention and effective resolution.
Common triggers include:
- Misrepresentation and warranty claims
- Earnout disputes
- Completion of accounts disputes
- Breach of restrictive covenants
- Shareholder and management conflicts
- Integration failures leading to post-merger disputes
Disputes also commonly arise from differing interpretations of accounting policies, working capital targets, valuation assumptions, and regulatory compliance.
How We Can Help
At Myerson, we provide strategic, commercially focused advice across the full lifecycle of M&A disputes, from risk mitigation through to formal dispute resolution.
Early Risk Assessment and Strategy - We assess the strength of your position at an early stage, identifying risks, opportunities, and the most effective route to resolution. This includes a detailed analysis of the SPA, purchase agreements, and related documentation.
Pre-Dispute Advice - We advise on potential issues before they escalate into formal corporate merger and acquisition disputes, helping preserve value, ensure compliance, and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Negotiation and Settlement - Our solicitors are experienced in resolving post-merger disputes and post-acquisition disputes through robust negotiation, achieving commercial outcomes without formal proceedings where possible.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution - We guide clients through mediation and other ADR processes, ensuring effective presentation of your position while maintaining confidentiality. We also advise on expert determination, particularly for technical accounting disputes.
Arbitration - We represent clients in domestic and international arbitration, often preferred in M&A disputes, particularly in cross-border transactions where a neutral and confidential forum is required.
Litigation - Where disputes cannot be resolved amicably, we act decisively in High Court proceedings, including urgent applications to protect assets, preserve evidence, and pursue claims for breach of contract, fraud, or misrepresentation.
Cross-Team Expertise - Our Dispute Resolution team works closely with our Corporate lawyers, ensuring seamless advice that reflects both legal and commercial realities, including valuation, accounting evidence, and purchase price mechanisms.
Who Can We Help
We act for a broad range of clients involved in M&A disputes, providing tailored advice based on their role and commercial objectives.
Buyers and Acquirers - We support buyers and acquiring companies in bringing or defending claims relating to warranties, indemnities, misrepresentation, and post-acquisition disputes.
Sellers and Vendors - We advise sellers facing claims following completion, including warranty claims, earnout disputes, completion accounts disputes, and restrictive covenant issues.
Shareholders and Investors - We assist shareholders and investors in corporate merger and acquisition disputes, including governance issues, valuation disputes, and conflicts over transaction terms.
Directors and Management Teams - We advise directors navigating disputes arising from integration challenges, performance targets, and ongoing obligations.
Owner-Managed Businesses - We provide practical, commercially focused advice to businesses involved in post-merger disputes and transaction-related conflicts.
Private Clients and High-Net-Worth Individuals - We regularly act for high-net-worth individuals involved in complex M&A transactions, including private company acquisitions and disputes involving multiple entities and shareholder groups.
Post-Merger and Post-Acquisition Disputes
Post-merger disputes and post-acquisition disputes are particularly sensitive, as they arise after significant investment has been made.
We regularly advise on:
- Warranty and indemnity claims
- Earnout and deferred consideration disputes
- Completion accounts and accounting disputes
- Breaches of post-completion obligations
- Shareholder and director disputes
Our focus is on resolving disputes swiftly while preserving value and minimising disruption to the business.
Effective Dispute Resolution Strategies in M&A
Resolving M&A disputes requires a tailored approach aligned with your commercial objectives and contractual framework.
- Negotiation – early resolution to reduce cost and disruption
- Mediation – confidential and flexible solutions
- Arbitration – increasingly used in cross-border disputes
- Litigation – robust representation where necessary
We also advise on the use of expert determination for technical accounting disputes.
Mitigating Risk in Mergers and Acquisitions
Preventing disputes is as important as resolving them. We work proactively with clients to reduce risk through:
- Clear and precise contract drafting
- Robust due diligence
- Carefully structured earnout provisions
- Well-defined warranties and indemnities
- Effective dispute resolution clauses
We also advise on compliance requirements, conditions precedent, and post-closing obligations to support successful integration and long-term value.
Early legal involvement can significantly reduce the likelihood of post-merger disputes and post-acquisition disputes, helping ensure your transaction delivers its intended outcome.
M&A Disputes FAQs
What are the most common types of M&A disputes?
The most common M&A disputes arise from warranty and indemnity claims, misrepresentation, earnout disagreements, and completion accounts disputes. Conflicts can also arise from breaches of restrictive covenants, shareholder disagreements, or issues uncovered during post-merger integration.
What is a post-acquisition dispute?
A post-acquisition dispute arises after a transaction has completed and typically relates to breaches of warranties, disputes over the purchase price, earnout provisions, or failures to meet agreed contractual obligations under the SPA.
What are post-merger disputes?
Post-merger disputes occur after two businesses are combined and often involve integration challenges, operational performance issues, or disagreements between management teams or shareholders.
How are corporate merger and acquisition disputes resolved?
Corporate merger and acquisition disputes can be resolved through several methods, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, expert determination, or litigation. The most appropriate approach will depend on the terms of the SPA, the nature of the dispute, and the parties’ commercial objectives.
Is arbitration better than litigation for M&A disputes?
Arbitration is increasingly used in M&A disputes, particularly in cross-border transactions, due to its confidentiality, flexibility, and enforceability. However, litigation may be more appropriate in certain cases, especially where urgent court remedies are required or where the dispute involves fraud or complex legal issues.
What role does the SPA play in M&A disputes?
The Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) is central to any M&A dispute, as it sets out the parties’ rights, obligations, and the mechanisms for resolving disputes. Clear drafting of warranties, indemnities, earnouts, and dispute resolution clauses can significantly reduce the risk of disputes.
What is a completion accounts dispute?
A completion accounts dispute arises when the buyer and seller disagree on the financial statements prepared at completion, which are used to determine the final purchase price. These disputes often involve technical accounting issues and may be resolved through expert determination.
How can M&A disputes be prevented?
Many M&A disputes can be avoided through careful planning, including thorough due diligence, clear contract drafting, well-defined financial mechanisms, and effective communication between the parties throughout the transaction.
When should I seek legal advice for an M&A dispute?
You should seek legal advice as early as possible if you anticipate a dispute or become aware of potential issues. Early advice can help you protect your position, comply with contractual requirements, and increase the likelihood of achieving a favourable outcome.
Testimonials
Mr. Blakey
Fantastic service as always from Myerson. The quick communication makes all the difference.
Jack
Like most people I don't find myself in situations that require a solicitor very often. So, the process can feel a little intimidating and daunting when it does come up. But, Suzanne at Myserson was both professional and supportive during my case - giving me excellent, informed and realistic advice which gave me the reassurance to successfully resolve my case.
Legal 500
The team at Myerson are very effective, dynamic, ambitious and very personable. A very cohesive and positive team that consistently achieve excellent results for their clients. The team consistently rise to the challenges presented by challenging cases.
Richard
Myerson have helped us with successful outcomes in legal disputes, contract negotiations and re-writing our Terms & Conditions. We have always found their service to prompt, positive and in relatively simple terms. I have entire confidence that they are giving me sound advice. I would fully recommend their services and we feel well protected in the future.
Legal 500
They have the personal and connected touch only a small firm can have. However, they have the expertise you would normally only expect from a big firm. The best of both worlds.
Carl
The guys at Myerson Solicitors made what could have been a very tricky and stressful case much easier to deal with. Very professional in their approach but also friendly and informative. Their advice from start to finish was extremely sound and they managed to achieve a very successful outcome.
Legal 500
The commercial litigation team at Myersons is a regional team doing national level work – with aplomb.
Olivier
My French company, an international textiles sales agency, was involved in a difficult breach of contract with one of its UK client. Difficult because an expertise was needed in this field of activity; difficult because our client took an approach which wasn't decent to say the least. Myerson debated very professionally and defended our position strongly up to win our case considering the results obtained before we needed to go to court. I will recommend Myerson to my other French agents colleagues.
Malcolm
Used Myerson for a business contract dispute that I had. The matter is now concluded to my total satisfaction. In one word Meyerson were amazing. From evaluating expectations, to giving good direction and magnificent advice I was, and am, impressed.
Legal 500
Great reputation as one of the better dispute resolution teams in the North West Excellent team with an all-round attention to detail.
Jill
The help we have received advising us on commercial agents' contracts has been hugely beneficial. In particular, Suzanne has helped us with the exit of an agent from the business. This has been handled with great professionalism and calm, direct advice, which has supported us through a very delicate process. With Suzanne's help we have reached a mutually agreeable outcome and we are happy that this gentleman can leave the business without any animosity, which was our definite preference.
Freyja Handy - Senior Vice President & General Counsel (Europe), ASM Global
We’ve had an excellent experience working with Myerson in relation to a number of disputes. They were highly responsive, pragmatic and maintained a strong commercial and cost-conscious focus throughout. Their advice was always clear I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the dispute resolution team to others seeking reliable and commercially minded legal support.
Legal 500
A dynamic, personable and highly effective team with tremendous strength in depth. This team consistently achieves excellent results for their clients. Clients benefit from the positive approach of the team at Myerson, however challenging the dispute.
Mr. William
Fantastic service as always. Quick, clear and honest communication. The team is very supportive which is exactly what’s needed when going through any legal scenario. I highly recommend this company.
Legal 500
Suzanne Carr is an immensely talented litigator who is adept at steering disputes to a successful conclusion and remaining focused on the key issues.
Legal 500
Adam Maher and his team are pros. Adam is an intellectual powerhouse. He stays calm under pressure yet remains focused, confident and motivated to produce the best results. He has great attention to detail and won’t take any nonsense. Good integrity and can argue well.
Legal 500
My view is that this firm is one of the best, focused, strategic and hardworking outfits in the region; with attention to detail and a laser sharp focus on the case at hand, you absolutely want them on your side in any piece of challenging commercial litigation. They will give most London law firms a run for their money.
Legal 500
Sven Clarke is a superstar. He has the rare mix of legal clout and commercial nous. He's a formidable opponent.
Legal 500
Adam Mayer leads a team of talented lawyers. The team give pragmatic advice, but are not afraid of taking on difficult cases. Particularly strong with regards to shareholder and partnership issues, showing an excellent grasp of the law and the nuances of dealing with interpersonal business disputes.
Legal 500
The commercial disputes team punches well above its weight - easily going toe-to-toe with London firms in contractual and shareholder disputes.
Legal 500
Adam Mayer combines excellence in his specialist area of law with being very approachable. He is commercial and pragmatic, but will still fight your corner.
Legal 500
This team is outstanding in its strength in depth, positivity, teamwork and client care skills. A “can do” attitude runs throughout the team from partner to trainee and the team is very cohesive. Particular depth of experience in shareholder disputes.
Ms Wilson
Amna Iqbal and David Jones have been exceptional with their support and advice during what has been a very difficult case.
Legal 500
Adam Maher is an outstanding leader and litigator. His strategic vision is excellent, his legal analysis is first-rate and his leadership of the team is always very positive, leading to excellent results.
Boti
Myerson Solicitors helped me retrieve 50K compensation from FSCS over poor financial advice I had received with regards to my pension. I received professional and efficient service throughout the process. All my calls and emails were responded to promptly. I was going to use Myerson Solicitors on a no win no fee basis. They advised me against it as they thought I will be paying a lot more and I have a reasonable chance for a successful outcome. They were absolutely right and I am glad that I trusted them.
Legal 500
Sven Clarke is a real stand-out – he’s a dream to work with, extremely bright, and unflappable.
Meet Our Dispute Resolution Team
Contact Our Experts
You can contact our lawyers below if you have any more questions or want more information:
0161 941 4000
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