Dates
                                                                  
12 September 2008
8 December 2008
4 March 2009
16 June 2009
29 September 2009
7 December 2009

 Course Overview

This course provides an understanding of the concept and obligations of a due diligence investigation as it relates to both public and private transactions including acquisitions, disposals and fund raisings.

Practical advice is given on the fundamental principles, techniques and procedures of due diligence and on the different objectives in the due diligence process, covering commercial, financial and legal due diligence and also the more specialised areas of investigation.

The roles of the professionals involved will be separately examined with emphasis on examples of problems that might arise as a result of inadequacies in due diligence procedures.

Course Content

Background
When should due diligence start?
When, why, how and where is it applied?
The importance of a thorough investigation
A measured approach within time limits
Material and probable risk
Interaction with warranties
The core due diligence team

Commercial due diligence
Is the target worth the effort?
Analyse the opportunity
The target's ability to compete
Test the results
Analyse risk

Legal due diligence
Objectives
Financial and commercial operations
Transitional support
Litigation analysis
Compliance review
Personnel and employment

Financial due diligence
Plan the work
Top down approach
Assess the internal controls
Assess the target’s culture
Analyse cash/revenue movements
Warning signals
Interaction with sell-side due diligence
Contents of due diligence report

Further investigations
IPR and technology due diligence
Environmental due diligence
Vendor due diligence
Handling the data room