Anchored to UK statute. Last verified 25 October 2026. View source-of-record.

maduediligencechecklist.com

The UK M&A Due Diligence Checklist

Sector cut

Professional services due diligence checklist


Professional-services targets sit on partner economics: capital and current accounts, profit shares, WIP, lock-up days, restrictive covenants and SRA / ICAEW / RIBA approval where the entity is regulated.

Direct answer

UK professional-services M&A diligence layers partner-economic and SRA / ICAEW / RIBA regulatory review on top of the generic Schedules: capital and current accounts, profit-share mechanism, WIP and lock-up days, restrictive covenants on key partners and consent from the relevant regulator on change of control.


Sector add-on clauses

  • II.12
    Obtain debtor and creditor ageing; test for overdue balances and concentration.
    Severity B
  • V.9
    Confirm any restrictive covenants (non-compete, non-solicit) binding key personnel.
    Severity B
  • V.13
    Confirm regulatory licences and any consent required on change of control.
    Severity A
  • VI.18
    Identify any restrictive covenants in director service agreements that survive the transaction.
    Severity B

These add-ons supplement, not replace, the generic 14-Schedule scope. Begin with the generic checklist and layer these on.


Reviewed by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder, Digital SignetLast verified 21 June 2026

This page is anchored to UK primary legislation and named regulator guidance only. Not legal advice. Confirm position with your appointed adviser before signing.