Acquisition of Shares in General

The target of acquisition of shares is usually the shares or a controlling majority thereof of the target company. Afterwards the buyer may offer to buy, or may be obligated to offer to buy the shares of the minority owners left in the company. The right or obligation of a majority shareholder to redeem the shares of minority shareholders is discussed in more detail in the chapter [Redemption Procedure]⁠.

Additionally, it should be taken into account that a redemption clause [Redemption Clause]⁠ or a consent clause [Consent Clause] ⁠may be included in the articles of association that can prevent or make the buying of the shares of the company difficult. The restrictions for a transfer of shares set in a possible shareholders’ agreement should also be taken into account [The Shareholders’ Agreement].⁠

The matters related to transferring the shares to a new buyer is discussed elsewhere [Transfer of Shares to a New Owner]⁠.