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A Practical Guide to Counterparty Due Diligence

A practical guide to checking a potential business partner, supplier, investor, buyer, seller or joint-venture counterparty.

Start with the decision

Define the commitment, exposure and claims that matter before selecting checks.

Confirm the party

Identify the exact legal entity, trading name, controllers, decision-makers and payment beneficiary.

Compare claims with records

Review corporate history, director roles, ownership, trading footprint, reputation, disputes and insolvency context.

Document gaps

A clear report should show what is established, what remains unresolved and what protections or questions follow.

A proportionate review should then test the claims that matter to the commitment: ownership and authority, operating history, financial or insolvency context, connected businesses, key people, reputation and whether the apparent commercial footprint supports what has been represented.

The most important early step is to verify that the business you have assessed is the business you will actually contract with, pay or depend upon. Trading names, group branding and newly incorporated vehicles can obscure the relevant legal entity and control structure.

Business due diligence before commitment

This article is general information. It is not legal, financial, regulatory or other professional advice, and a warning sign is not proof of wrongdoing.

Continue with the full analysis

For sourced analysis, practical examples and further context, read the related report.

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