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Quasi-equity meaning

What does Quasi-equity mean?
In practice, quasi‑equity describes financing that sits economically between senior debt and ordinary shares, delivering an equity‑style, performance‑linked return without necessarily issuing ordinary share capital. It is a descriptive market term, not defined in legislation or case law, and is used across corporate finance, private equity and venture capital in England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Typical forms include subordinated loan capital (including mezzanine or PIK notes), convertible or exchangeable loan notes and warrants, and preference shares with preferential dividend and return‑of‑capital rights. Key legal features are contractual subordination to senior lenders (often documented in an intercreditor agreement), longer maturities with limited amortisation, payment‑in‑kind or deferred returns, and equity “kickers” (conversion rights, options or participation). On insolvency, subordinated debt ranks behind senior/secured creditors in accordance with its subordination terms; preference shares rank ahead of ordinary shares but behind creditors, subject to their rights in the articles and the applicable company and insolvency law priority regime. Quasi‑equity is commonly used in MBOs, growth capital and restructurings to bridge valuation gaps, manage leverage and minimise dilution. Accounting classification (equity or liability) depends on terms; tax and company law constraints on distributions may apply. Usage is broadly consistent across the UK and Ireland.
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View the related Checklists about Quasi-equity

CHECKLISTS
Corporate Mortgages: Practitioners' Checklist on Capacity, Due Diligence, Documentation, Priority and Registration (England and Wales)

Scope of this Checklist This Checklist sets out the points to consider when a company is proposing to grant a mortgage. It proceeds on the basis that an English or Welsh company will be granting a mortgage to a lender situated in England or Wales. In this Checklist: the company granting the mortgage is the 'mortgagor' the party to whom the mortgage is granted is the 'mortgagee' the document recording the mortgage is the 'security document' Preliminary questions before taking security by way of a mortgage Is a mortgage the right method of taking security? A mortgage transfers title to the asset, while preserving the mortgagor's equity of redemption so that, once sums due have been paid in full, title can be transferred back to the mortgagor (note that some mortgages, such as over land, are statutory, meaning there is no transfer of title). The use and possession of the asset will remain with...

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CHECKLISTS
CVA Proposals Involving the Pension Protection Fund: Legal Checklist Covering PPF Voting Criteria, Scheme Rescue vs PPF Entry, Anti-Embarrassment Equity, Creditor Treatment, DRCs, PPF Drift and Levy Protections

This Checklist This Checklist provides points to weigh up when preparing and seeking sign-off for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) involving the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). It draws on PPF Guidance Note 5 issued in 2018 (see PPF Guidance Note 5: CVAs). When an employing company (or all participating employers in a last man standing scheme) files a CVA proposal with the court, a PPF assessment period begins. Under section 137 of the Pensions Act 2004, the PPF assumes the pension trustees’ voting entitlement (see Practice Note: The Pension Protection Fund—eligibility and entry). In practice, the PPF will typically cast a vote for or against the proposal rather than refrain. The PPF is consistently focused on avoiding any precedent that might allow pension schemes to be diluted where potential PPF entry could arise in the near future (the PPF observes that this has occurred in numerous prior CVAs). The PPF also anticipates that pension trustees will appoint their financial advisers to produce a report addressing the areas of concern...

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CHECKLISTS
UK tax checklist for distressed corporate debt: acquisitions of non-performing loans, restructurings and enforcement

This checklist highlights the principal tax considerations when handling distressed corporate debt, addressing in turn: acquisitions of non-performing loans debt restructurings (ie waivers, debt/equity swaps and renegotiations) enforcement of debts For fuller analysis of the points signposted here, see Practice Notes: Tax and distressed debt—acquisitions of non-performing loans Tax and distressed debt—debt restructurings Tax and distressed debt—enforcement actions available to creditors Acquisitions of non-performing loans This part summarises the tax considerations when a buyer takes on existing UK debt at a discount to face value: Where should the purchaser be located? will interest paid by the borrower to the purchaser be subject to withholding tax? if the purchaser is non-UK resident, can relief be obtained under a double tax treaty? to what extent will amounts received from borrowers be chargeable on the purchaser? How will the debt...

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View the related Flowcharts about Quasi-equity

FLOWCHARTS
Management Buyout (MBO) Legal Steps Flowchart

View or print a full-size PDF version:...

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FLOWCHARTS
Venture capital investment transactions—step-by-step flowchart for corporate lawyers (term sheet to completion)

ARCHIVED: This flowchart is archived and is no longer supported...

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FLOWCHARTS
On-market share buybacks by UK listed companies—flowchart under pre-29 July 2024 UK Listing Rules

STOP PRESS: A major overhaul of the UK listing framework took effect on 29 July 2024, removing the premium and standard listing segments and introducing a single listing category for equity shares issued by commercial companies. The commercial companies category is strongly disclosure-led and sits alongside other listing categories, namely shell companies, the secondary listing and closed ended investment fund categories. To implement the reforms, a new UK Listing Rules sourcebook came into force, and the former Listing Rules sourcebook was withdrawn. For further details and background, see Practice Note: Reform of the UK listing regime—fundamentals. This Flowchart sets out the listing regime as it applied before 29 July 2024, for ease of reference. You can view or print a full sized PDF version...

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View the related News about Quasi-equity

NEWS
EU competition law: Commission Phase I clearances (Kee Safety; Grand Bahamas Shipyard); new merger notifications; Broadcom/VMware decision documents; Finnish soft drinks tax not State aid

Mergers The Commission approved: the securing of joint control over Kee Safety Group by Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP and 65 Equity Partners Pte. Ltd (M.11983) following a phase I investigation—for further details, see Midday Express the attainment of joint control of Grand Bahamas Shipyard Ltd...

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NEWS
EU competition law update: X2O clearance; Trafigura/Meroil, Proman/Valenz, Mutares/Serneke notifications; General Court hearing on PostNord/Post Danmark state aid; upcoming dates (20/09/2024)

Mergers The Commission approved the purchase granting joint control over X2O group to Vendis Capital Management NV and Waterland Private Equity Investments B.V....

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NEWS
European Commission merger control: Phase I clearances (Energia/Ardian; Rheinmetall/Blohm+Voss & NVL; ING/Goldman Sachs TFI; CVC/Smiths Detection; EP Equity/AURES) and calendar—18 February 2026

Mergers The Commission has authorised: Ardian France S.A.’s acquisition of exclusive control of Energia Group Limited (M.12196) following a phase I investigation—see further in Midday Express the acquisition conferring exclusive control of Blohm + Voss B.V. & Co. ...

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View the related Practice Notes about Quasi-equity

PRACTICE NOTES
Advising UK family businesses on recruiting and incentivising non-family managers: culture, governance, equity and tax-advantaged share plans (EMI, CSOP, SAYE, SIP), valuation and exit routes (EOTs, MBOs)

Family business culture Given the relatively high expense of sourcing and appointing senior staff, holding on to the right people with the right expertise is vital for any firm, and even more so for a family-run enterprise where hiring can be tougher than for rivals. Working in a family company brings upsides; research points to greater loyalty, satisfaction, flexibility and security. Yet drawbacks can appear, such as ambiguity, perceived unfairness, muddled accountability and family politics. The task is to bring in senior leaders who align with the culture and to ensure they are incentivised to remain and help grow the business. Therefore, a family business must shape recruitment and induction so they reflect its distinctive culture and complexity. Not every senior executive will thrive in a family setting, and cultural alignment may, in the end, matter as much as formal credentials. This must be weighed against the need to attract high-calibre people and keep them engaged for the long haul. Practical measures available to family firms include supporting new...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Legal due diligence reporting in UK private equity buyouts: process, scope, executive summaries, third-party reliance and drafting (including exceptions-only reports and precedent)

This Practice Note forms part of the Lexis+® UK Corporate private equity buyout transaction toolkit. The reporting process Every adviser appointed to carry out due diligence ought to flag principal findings as they emerge, particularly any significant risks or concerns, and then prepare a due diligence report to highlight material issues arising from their review work and analysis. The advisers’ engagement letters must clearly define the agreed timetable, format and scope of the due diligence report. Draft or interim reports can be produced and shared at intervals during the process, enabling material issues to be promptly addressed as they arise. Frequently, by the point the final report goes to the private equity investor, they will be aware of all material matters that could affect the transaction in question. The aim of a legal due diligence report is to: provide the investor with adequate information about the target and to summarise that material in a succinct and comprehensive ...

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PRACTICE NOTES
UK DTR 2: issuer obligations on disclosure, delay, control and selective disclosure of inside information—FCA/ESMA guidance, case law, COVID‑19 context and enforcement (post‑Brexit UK MAR)

Resource Note This Resource Note signposts key commentary, analysis and materials to aid interpretation and offer practical direction on using Chapter 2 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR 2). Where relevant, it draws on: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Handbook FCA Knowledge Base—Procedural and Technical notes (formal guidance binding on the FCA) FCA consultation and discussion papers, policy and feedback statements, and warnings Primary Market Bulletins and other FCA publications legacy UKLA technical and procedural notes and the UKLA’s newsletter List!, where still pertinent assimilated EU legislation EU Directives and EU Regulations, where helpful to construing a provision Lexis+® UK analysis and resources Setting the scene What it covers: DTR 2 prescribes the framework for issuers to disclose and manage inside information, supporting timely and even-handed release of market-sensitive information. It also identifies specific situations permitting a delay to public disclosure of inside information, together with the safeguards required to keep such information...

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View the related Precedents about Quasi-equity

PRECEDENTS
Precedent controlling shareholder relationship deed for LSE Main Market listed companies (England and Wales law)

STOP PRESS : Significant reforms to the UK prospectus regime came into force on 19 January 2026 Major changes to the UK regime for public offers and admissions to trading took effect on 19 January 2026. The framework for securities offers and UK market admissions is now chiefly contained in the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024, SI 2024/105 (the POATRs), together with the FCA sourcebook, The Prospectus Rules: Admission to Trading on a Regulated Market (PRM). The UK Prospectus Regulation and the FCA Prospectus Regulation Rules have been repealed. The reforms aim to simplify capital raising and substantially lessen the circumstances in which a company must publish an FCA-approved prospectus for a further share issue. For full details of the changes, see Practice Note: UK prospectus regime reform. This Practice Note sets out the prospectus regime that applied before 19 January 2026...

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PRECEDENTS
Precedent deed poll: convertible redeemable loan note instrument for corporate investors (unsecured/subordinated), with conversion, redemption and noteholder provisions - England and Wales law

£ [ insert number ] [ insert rate ]% convertible [ subordinated ] redeemable loan notes 20[ insert year ] [ insert name of issuer ] Dated [ insert day and month ] 20[ insert year ] Parties [ Insert name of issuing company ], incorporated in England and Wales under number [ insert company number ], whose registered office is at [ insert address ] (the Issuer) Background The Issuer has determined to create up to a maximum nominal amount of £[ insert number ] [ insert rate ]% convertible [ subordinated ] redeemable loan notes, to be constituted as set out in this document...

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PRECEDENTS
Precedent: Subordinated Convertible Redeemable Loan Note Instrument for Buyouts (Corporate Investors), with Intercreditor and Senior Facilities Provisions (England and Wales)

£[ insert number ] [ insert rate ]% convertible [ subordinated ] redeemable loan notes 20[ insert year ] [ insert name of issuer ] This Instrument bears the date [ insert day and month ] 20[ insert year ]. Parties [ Insert name of issuing company ], incorporated in England and Wales under number [ insert company number ], whose registered office is at [ insert address ] (Issuer) background The Issuer has determined to establish up to a maximum nominal amount of £[ insert number ] [ insert rate ]% convertible [ subordinated ] redeemable loan notes, which shall be constituted in accordance with the provisions set out in this document...

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View the related Q&As about Quasi-equity

Q&As
Can a pre-31 Dec 2020 passported FCA-approved prospectus be used for EU public offers after 31 Dec 2020?

Passporting provisions in the Prospectus Regulation Under the Prospectus Regulation, an issuer must publish a prospectus and have it approved by a competent authority when offering securities to the public in the EEA or when applying for admission of securities to a regulated market, where no relevant exemption applies. To streamline cross-border share offerings within the EEA, the EU prospectus regime provides passporting arrangements that permit companies to produce a single prospectus usable throughout the EEA, avoiding the preparation of multiple documents for separate jurisdictions. Articles 24 to 26 of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 set out these passporting provisions, stating that a prospectus approved by the competent authority in one EEA state (the home member state) can be relied upon in another EEA state (the host member state) without requiring the prospectus to be approved again by the competent authority in the host member state. As a result, a UK issuer has been able to undertake a cross-border share offer across the EEA on the basis of...

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Q&As
Declaration of trust changing tenancy in common to joint tenancy

Legal co-owners are equitable tenants in common—conversion to equitable joint tenancy Legal co-owners holding property for themselves as equitable tenants in common may, where they agree, opt to hold as equitable joint tenants by executing a fresh declaration of trust. Please consult Practice Note: Residential property—transfers of equity and dealings with equitable interests in residential conveyancing, paying particular attention to the main section Specific scenarios for guidance on that topic within that resource. You might also find these resources helpful: Trusts of land for property lawyers—Overview Trusts of land—overview ...

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Q&As
Unregistered CH1 second mortgagee: block undervalue sale; market-value order

Proceeding on the basis that the legal mortgage is valid and duly executed, the only flaw is a failure to register. The question concerns what remedies are available where a mortgage remains unregistered. Where a valid charge is created by way of legal mortgage but not entered on the register, it takes effect in equity as an equitable mortgage...

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