The abort fee covers our advisory work on an acquisition that doesn't complete. It applies only once we've secured formal lender offers, and it's proportionate and capped.
The stages
- Stage 1 (pre-credit approval, no formal offers yet): the retainer is retained only.
- Stage 2 (first credit-approved term sheet issued): 0.5% of the credit-backed facility, capped at 33% of the success fee.
- Stage 3 (deal in legal phase, after heads of terms): 1.0% of the credit-backed facility, capped at 50% of the success fee.
When it doesn't apply
The abort fee does not apply if bizbritain fails to secure any credit-backed offers, or if all lenders withdraw without fault on the client's part.
A worked example
On a £1,000,000 acquisition (success fee £23,750, retainer £2,500):
- If the deal completes, you pay £23,750 total (success fee, with the £2,500 retainer credited).
- If it aborts at Stage 2, you pay £7,500 total (retainer + 0.5% of facility).
- If it aborts at Stage 3, you pay £12,500 total (retainer + 1.0% of facility).
- If bizbritain fails to secure any lender offers, you pay the retainer only (£2,500).
Why there's an abort fee
Solicitors and accountants charge whatever the outcome. We charge proportionately, and only when we've delivered formal lender offers.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026