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Lexis Practice Advisor provides an overview of due diligence in the context of securities offerings, as well as detailed practice notes, forms and checklists on this topic.
The due diligence process is typically one of the most significant and time-consuming aspects of a securities offering. It is a critical exercise for all counsel and underwriters (and other similar offering participants, such as initial purchasers) involved in a transaction, as it helps with, among other things:
Given the significance of the due diligence process, it will usually entail a comprehensive investigation of all material legal, business, financial, and accounting information regarding the company and will require gathering and verifying all of the material information included or incorporated by reference in the offering document.
The exact nature and scope of the due diligence will depend on the many factors, including:
The following resources provide practical guidance, including forms and checklists, useful to the due diligence process.
Overview of the Due Diligence Process
The following provide a detailed overview of the due diligence review process depending on the type of offering contemplated.
Due Diligence by Investment Banks and Broker-Dealers
The following discuss the regulations and considerations for investment banks and broker-dealers participating in and conducting the due diligence process.
Materiality
Materiality is a key concept with respect to securities fraud liability. Therefore, determining what documents and facts are material is a key element of the due diligence process. The following discuss the topic of materiality with respect to securities laws.
Legal Due Diligence
Legal (or documentary) due diligence involves a review of the issuer’s material documents, including organizational documents, contracts and The following are forms of due diligence request lists that can be used for the legal due diligence process.
Due Diligence Calls
In many offerings, legal due diligence is supplemented with due diligence calls, in which representatives of the issuer (or other parties) discuss with counsel and specialists (and bankers) the documents and other information made available to the offering participants, and any issues raised by such materials. The following provide an overview of this topic, as well as sample questions lists.
OFAC Due Diligence
The following relate to special due diligence considerations for Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issues, which may be a concern for issuers that have business relationships with specially designated nationals and in countries that are subject to economic sanctions.
Accounting Due Diligence and Comfort Letters
The following documents relate to accounting due diligence issues and questions, as well as comfort letters, which are an important element of due diligence with respect to the financial information of the issuer.
Legal Opinions and Negative Assurance Letters
The following documents relate to legal opinions and 10b-5 letters. In a typical transaction, both issuer and underwriters’ counsel will be expected at closing to deliver certain customary legal opinions, as well as a negative assurance (or “10b-5”) letter, which help to establish the underwriter’s due diligence defense and/or to reduce the underwriter’s liability under Rule 10b-5.
Certificates
The following are forms of certificates that may be delivered in conjunction with an offering, typically to assist with the due diligence process or for the preparation of legal opinions.