{"id":33325,"date":"2025-10-09T10:30:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T08:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/nos-expertises\/compromis-de-cession-dentreprise-ou-de-fonds-clauses-guarantees-and-legal-security\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T14:09:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T13:09:51","slug":"compromis-de-cession-dentreprise-ou-de-fonds-clauses-guarantees-and-legal-security","status":"publish","type":"cpt_services","link":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/nos-expertises\/compromis-de-cession-dentreprise-ou-de-fonds-clauses-guarantees-and-legal-security\/","title":{"rendered":"Compromis de cession d&#8217;entreprise ou de fonds &#8211; Clauses, guarantees and legal security"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In addition to the main contract, a supplementary document is often crucial to any <strong>business sale<\/strong>: the <strong>preliminary sales agreement (compromis de cession<\/strong> ), also known as the <strong>promise to<\/strong> <strong>sell<\/strong>. This preliminary contract defines the <strong>conditions of the sale<\/strong>, sets out the <strong>parties&#8217; commitments<\/strong>, and anticipates risks before the final deed is signed. <\/p>\n\n<p>Our<strong>business law<\/strong> firm can help you <strong>draft, structure and negotiate<\/strong> this contract, to ensure a secure, smooth transfer in line with your strategic interests.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a sales agreement?<\/h4>\n\n<p>The <strong>sale agreement <\/strong>is a <strong>pre-contractual agreement<\/strong> between the seller and the buyer, prior to the final <strong>deed of sale<\/strong>. In particular, it defines : <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Conditions precedent to <\/strong>completion,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confidentiality commitments,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Post-recession obligations,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Asset and liability warranties<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And the <strong>legal and financial timetable<\/strong> for the operation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>It does not replace the final act, but complements it by securing the transition phase.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is it useful to sign a compromise agreement for a trade-in?<\/h4>\n\n<p>Compromise is recommended in several cases:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You sell to an external buyer or an investment fund,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The operation includes conditions to be met before sale (audit, financing, authorization, etc.),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to freeze specific <strong>post-sale guarantees<\/strong> or other conditions relating to the transaction,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to organize after-sales support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>In these situations, the compromise <strong>avoids misunderstandings<\/strong> and <strong>reduces legal risks<\/strong>. It can also make <strong>the sale conditional<\/strong> on the achievement of key milestones. <\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key clauses to include in a sales agreement<\/h4>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conditions precedent<\/h5>\n\n<p>They are essential, as they make the finalization of the sale conditional on certain events (obtaining financing, the required authorizations, a satisfactory audit, lease validation, etc.).  <\/p>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asset liability guarantee clause<\/h5>\n\n<p>This <strong>post-sale guarantee<\/strong> protects the buyer against the disclosure of undeclared debts or liabilities. It can be customized in the agreement (ceiling, duration, terms and conditions). <\/p>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post-sale commitments (non-competition, support, etc.)<\/h5>\n\n<p>The seller may undertake <strong>not to compete with the business<\/strong> being sold, or to support the buyer for a given period. These clauses must be clear, balanced and <strong>legally enforceable<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The lawyer&#8217;s role in drafting the compromise<\/h5>\n\n<p>In addition to drafting the deeds, the lawyer will advise you strategically:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>on the <strong>most appropriate form for the operation and the acts<\/strong> (protocol, clause incorporated into the contract, separate agreement),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>on the <strong>precise wording of the clauses<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>on the <strong>fiscal, social and economic consequences<\/strong> <strong>of commitments<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>on <strong>how to carry out<\/strong> the operation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>It also anticipates potential litigation, ensuring that the contract is <strong>legally robust<\/strong> and in line with your business objectives.<\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customized legal support<\/h4>\n\n<p>We support sellers and buyers in <strong>structuring their sale from start to finish<\/strong>. Our services include : <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>tailor-made drafting of the <strong>business sale agreement, as well as all the deeds involved in a sale operation, in particular the final deed of sale<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>analysis of <strong>suspensive conditions<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>negotiating warranties,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>harmonizing the compromise with <strong>the deed of sale<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Our aim: to <strong>secure the sale of a business<\/strong> down to the last detail.<\/p>\n\n<p>See also our related pages:<br\/><br\/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/droit-des-affaires\/avocat-cession-entreprise\/contrat-de-cession\/\">\u2192 Business transfer agreement<br\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/droit-des-affaires\/avocat-cession-entreprise\/\">\u2192 Business transfer lawyer<br\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/droit-des-affaires\/avocat-reprise-entreprise\/\">\u2192 Business takeover lawyer<br\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/droit-des-affaires\/transmission\/\">\u2192 Family business transfer<\/a><\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about the sale agreement<\/h4>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s the difference between a sales contract and a sales agreement?<\/h5>\n\n<p>The <strong>sale contract<\/strong> legally formalizes the transfer of shares or assets. The <g id=\"gid_1\">preliminary sale agreement<\/g>, on the other hand, comes into play beforehand, to <g id=\"gid_2\">set out the preconditions<\/g> and provide a framework for negotiations and the successful completion of the transaction. It is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.  <\/p>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it compulsory to draw up a sales agreement?<\/h5>\n\n<p>No, but it is highly recommended when the sale involves the fulfillment of essential preconditions. It provides legal certainty for the sale. <\/p>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the most important clauses?<\/h5>\n\n<p>Clauses relating to <strong>conditions precedent<\/strong>, <strong>asset and liability warranties<\/strong>, <strong>non-competition<\/strong> and <strong>confidentiality<\/strong> <strong>undertakings<\/strong>, as well as the <strong>timetable for the transaction<\/strong>. Each clause must be adapted to the context of the sale. <\/p>\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does the compromise protect both parties?<\/h5>\n\n<p>Yes, it can be drafted in a balanced way to secure the interests of both seller and buyer. It <strong>prevents disputes<\/strong> and clarifies mutual expectations. <\/p>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact our firm to frame your operation<\/h4>\n\n<p>Are you in the process of selling or taking over a business?<br\/><strong>Frame your sale with a tailor-made compromise.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contact a lawyer to secure your contractual clauses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get a clear, balanced and legally sound compromise<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In addition to the main contract, a supplementary document is often crucial to any business&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","cpt_services_group":[232],"class_list":["post-33325","cpt_services","type-cpt_services","status-publish","hentry","cpt_services_group-business-transfer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cpt_services\/33325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cpt_services"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cpt_services"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cpt_services\/33325\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cpt_services_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.avocats-lacombe-brisou.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cpt_services_group?post=33325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}