Selling a dental practice isn’t like a standard business sale; it is a highly regulated transfer of a healthcare facility. Missing a single regulatory step can delay completion by months.
The Legal Roadmap:
- Heads of Terms: The initial agreement between Seller and Buyer. Although not legally binding, they will outline the basis of the transaction and form a template upon which the deal proceeds.
- Due Diligence: The most important part of the transaction in many respects. This is the stage of the transaction where the Seller discloses all the information about the business so that the Buyer understands exactly what they are acquiring.
- The Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA): This is the heart of the deal. We negotiate the warranties and indemnities to ensure you aren’t unfairly liable for issues that arise after you’ve handed over the keys.
- CQC
TransfersRegistration: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration process is often the biggest bottleneck. Whether it’s an individual, partnership or company application, we manage the timing to ensure a seamless transition. - NHS Contract Strategy: Transferring a GDS
or PDScontract requires careful liaison with the Integrated Care Boards of NHS England. We ensure the correct notices are served to prevent the contract from being terminated during the sale.
- CQC
- TUPE Regulations: Your staff have legal rights during a sale. We guide you through the consultation process to ensure you remain compliant with UK employment law.
Jacobs Legal’s Tip: Never sign “Heads of Terms” without legal review. These early documents set the trajectory for the entire deal.