Private Equity: Law and Practice, 8th ed

Darryl Cooke (Author)

ISBN: 9780414123953

Published: May 2026

Format: Hardcover

Language: English

Publisher: Sweet & Maxwell Ltd

Description

Now in its eighth edition, Private Equity: Law and Practice is the leading practitioner reference on private equity transactions under English law. Written by Darryl Cooke, co-founder of gunnercooke LLP and one of the UK's best-known private equity lawyers, the book follows every stage of a deal — from raising capital and structuring the investment through to managing the transaction, restructuring the target and eventually exiting. It combines close analysis of the legal framework (tax relief, share capital, due diligence, directors' and employees' obligations) with practical checklists, a glossary of private equity terminology and precedent documentation, making it a working reference for advisers on UK deals and for international counsel structuring cross-border transactions that touch UK entities.

Key Features

• Follows a private equity transaction from raising capital through to exit
• Written for private equity houses, investee companies, financiers and management buy-out teams
• Covers tax relief for individual investors and the regulation of share capital
• Detailed treatment of due diligence and directors'/employees' obligations
• Analyses investment agreements — mechanics, warranties, controls, corporate governance and minority protection
• Covers syndication strategies and methods of exiting an investment
• Considers the social impact of private equity investing
• Includes a glossary of private equity terms, BVCA membership listing, model questionnaire and precedent heads of terms

Coverage

The role of private equity; raising private equity; corporate valuation and deal structuring; tax relief for individuals; share capital; dealmaking and managing the transaction; the CEO's role; management and legal due diligence; investment agreements and articles of association; acquisition finance; directors and employees; restructuring; preparing for exit; and a new chapter on sustainability in private equity practice.

About the Author

Darryl Cooke is a co-founder of gunnercooke LLP and one of the UK's leading private equity lawyers. He began his career as a barrister before moving into industry and then into private practice at SJ Berwin, Addleshaws and DLA. Private Equity: Law and Practice is now in its eighth edition.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Private Equity; 1. The role of private equity; 2. Raising private equity; 3. Corporate valuation and deal structuring; 4. Tax relief for equity investment by individuals; 5. Share capital; 6. Dealmaker; 7. Managing the transaction; 8. The CEO; 9. Management due diligence; 10. Due diligence; 11. Investment agreement; 12. Articles of association; 13. Acquisition finance; 14. Directors and employees; 15. Restructuring; 16. Key issues for management; 17. The future of business; 18. Preparing for an exit; 19. A sustainable future. Appendices: Glossary; MBO Model; Legal agreements; Manager's personal status questionnaire; Common limitations to management warranties; Non-exclusive list of funders; Heads of terms.

Why buy this book?

This is the standard reference lawyers reach for when advising on a private equity transaction under English law, whether acting for the fund, the management team or the company seeking investment. Its practical checklists, precedent documents and glossary make it as useful for day-to-day transaction work as for building institutional collections in commercial and company law.

Keywords

private equity, mergers and acquisitions, UK company law, venture capital, management buy-outs, corporate finance, investment agreements, commercial law

Target Audience

Private equity lawyers, corporate counsel, investors and financial analysts, law firm libraries, business school libraries

Genre

Commercial Law, Company Law, Private Equity

Q&A

Where can I buy Private Equity: Law and Practice?
You can order it directly from CLNZ Books, with worldwide shipping included.

What does this 8th edition cover?
Every stage of a private equity transaction under English law, from raising capital and structuring the deal through to managing, restructuring and exiting the investment, with a new chapter on sustainability.

Who is Private Equity: Law and Practice written for?
Private equity lawyers, corporate counsel, fund managers, investee company management and finance libraries.

Is this edition useful outside the UK?
Yes — London remains a major hub for private equity structuring, and international practitioners advising on cross-border deals involving English entities use it as a reference on UK law and market practice.

Does the book include precedent documents?
Yes, including a model due diligence questionnaire, heads of terms precedent and a glossary of private equity terminology.

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