Sale of Pret a Manger

Jonathan Walker and Jeremy Berchem advised private equity house Bridgepoint Capital as to matters of Jersey law in connection with their acquisition of a controlling stake in Pret a Manger.  The Jersey law aspects arose because one of the target companies was incorporated in Jersey, with consequent implications for the funding arrangements and security structure.  This is understood to be one of the first big buy-outs on the market for some time and shows that the acquisitions market is not dead.  It has been commented that for the right asset, as here, bank funding is available.

April 2008