One of the most remarkable phenomena of the 10 years leading up to the financial crisis was the growth of private equity, which became one of the main drivers of mergers and acquisitions. The global financial crisis presented a number of challenges for the private equity world, which in the main have been successfully met. This practical third edition introduces the world of private equity, explains its rise and recent challenges, and explores the key ingredients of private equity transactions and the technical issues associated with them. Featuring fully updated chapters by leading private equity practitioners, the book includes high-level analysis of private equity fund structures, equity and debt finance, acquisition documentation, due diligence, tax structuring, pensions issues and public-to-privates. New to the third edition are key chapters analysing private equity returns and looking at the new regulatory landscape facing private equity, and an expanded international section now covering not only France and Germany, but also Benelux, Italy, Spain and Scandinavia.