Shareholder disputes
If you are a minority shareholder in a company and feel you have been treated unfairly, either by the other shareholders or directors, there may be remedies available to you. It is an unfortunate fact of corporate life that shareholders' disputes arise frequently and often have a detrimental effect on the company's business. The company itself can be a large corporation with thousands of shareholders or a small family-owned business. Where you have been oppressed as a minority shareholder, you may be entitled to any number of remedies, including compensation, the right to have your shares purchased at a fair price and the right to have the oppressive conduct ceased immediately. We specialise in shareholders' rights and remedies and can quickly let you know the strengths of your case and the procedure for obtaining redress.
Below are just some of the matters in relation to which we have advised company shareholders:
- General advice about the rights of shareholders under the Companies Act 2014 and any shareholders' agreement.
- Cases involving the oppression of minority shareholders or the disregard of their interests by the majority (section 212 of the Companies Act 2014).
- Where the company engages in actions which are against its own interests (for example where the majority shareholders also control a competitor of the company). Also known as "derivative actions".
- Where the shareholders of a small company have disagreements which lead to a stalemate in the company.
- Inspection of various information and registers maintained by the company where such information is being denied to the shareholder.
- Orders compelling the company's directors to register a new member following a share transfer (section 173 of the Companies Act 2014).
- Remedies against errant company directors.
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