This handbook, a companion volume to the "International Securities Law Handbook", describes the many issues which must be considered in a cross-border acquisition of shares or assets. Thirty-three legal issues which are likely to arise are examined by corporate lawyers from 23 jurisdictions around the world. The issues are addressed for each of those jurisdictions in a common format. The handbook also describes due diligence in the context of an international acquisition and contains a due diligence checklist which can be used as a desk reference for lawyers and others involved in the purchase or sale of companies or businesses. This makes it possible for a foreign lawyer to gain a general understanding of the legal environment affecting acquisitions, to identify the major issues which must be addressed, to talk sensibly with clients about important threshold questions and whether foreign legal advice and assistance should be obtained, and to interact with foreign counsel. This work is intended to be of interest to business lawyers with clients engaged in international acquisitions, in-house counsel and executives in corporate finance roles, and in-house counsel who, though not specialists, need to have a general understanding of the pitfalls likely to be encountered in a foreign jurisdiction in order to give preliminary advice internally and later to arrange for, understand and evaluate the work of outside counsel. (view table of contents)