Shareholder Agreements Solicitors
Shareholder Agreements Business Solicitor
Having the right Shareholder Agreement in place sets out the terms under which the business operates. However, navigating the terms of such contracts can often be complex and confusing. We’re always transparent on fees and we get to know your business as if it’s our own. How can we help you?
Call our Contracts Team Email our Contracts TeamA shareholders agreement helps to regulate shareholders relationships with each other and the company directors.
It also provides clarity on;
- Provides clarity on how shareholder manage and operate the company, and
- Mitigates against costly shareholder disputes, should they arise in the future
At Rotheras, we can draft or review your shareholders agreement to make sure they serve your business.
Call Us On 0115 910 6200
When Should You Enter Into a Shareholders Agreement?
You should consider entering into a shareholders agreement if:
- You are setting up a new business with other people
- Your current business has two or more shareholders
- You are buying a business with other people
- You’re acquiring shares in an existing business
- You are transferring or selling shares to others, while retaining a shareholding yourself
You can still enter into a shareholders agreement if you have an existing business. Doing so will protect all shareholders.
It’s also important to review these agreements on a regular basis to kepp them up to date. This is especially important when shareholders aren’t equal.
Why Your Company Should Have a Shareholders Agreement
The Company’s Act 2006 does provide some protection for shareholders. That said, it’s very limited.
A shareholders agreements isn’t a legal requirement. However, there are some very good reasons for having one;
Regulating the Management of the Company
The board of directors usually make decisions on how a company should run and operate. That said, shareholders might take the view that some decisions should need shareholder approval. Especially in situations where directors are not shareholders.
Regulating Shareholder Disputes
When entering into a new business relationship, it might be difficult to see a scenario where;
- Shareholders can’t agree, or even worse,
- Fall out
This happens more than you might think. Trying to decide what should happen in this situation when you’re already in it is almost impossible. It’s easier to make these provisions right at the start of a business relationship.
If disputes do arise in the future, a shareholders agreement can provide a vital ‘default position’.
Protect Minority Shareholders
A shareholders agreement can protect or even enhance the power of minority shareholders. Giving them more rights to dividends and more say during voting.
Controlling the Transfer of Shares
If a shareholder wants to sell their shares, a shareholders agreement can grant the ‘right of first refusal’ to the other shareholders.
This is especially useful where the initial shareholders want to keep hold of all shares. It prevents outside investors and unknown individuals coming in and making decisions.
Shareholder agreements are also good tools for deciding what should happen if a shareholder dies.
Forcing Compulsory Transfer of Shares at the End of Employment
A shareholders agreement can link a person’s shareholding to their employment. So if they were to leave, they have to offer their shares up for sale.
Without such an agreement, an ex-employee could hold onto and benefit from those shares indefinitely.
Creating Restrictions
If a shareholder leaves the company, others might wish to set certain restrictions.
One of the most common is prevent the existing shareholder from setting up or working in a competing business.
Show Business Stability
A shareholders agreement can demonstrate your company’s stability. It can show that you’ve planned ahead and that any issues or disputes will be dealt with quickly and easily.
This is important when dealing with banks and creditors you might seek investment from.
Managing Directors
Removing an underperforming director can be almost impossible without securing the power to do so in a shareholders agreement. This document can speed up the process of the Companies Act and reduce any commercial damage they might cause.
Why Choose Rotheras to Draft a Shareholders Agreement?
We have a lot of experience in drafting shareholders agreements. For small and large businesses.
- We will help you address the following;
- The proposed nature of your business
- How the company will be run
- How decisions will be made
- Shareholders rights and obligations
- Procedures for issuing and transferring shares
- Process of appointing and removing directors
- Process for resolving disputes
- Minority shareholder protections
- How and when dividends will be paid
- What happens when a shareholder exits the business
- What happens if a shareholder dies
- Non-competition agreements
- Circumstances in which the business could be sold
We can also advise you on how estate planning can factor in to your shareholders’ agreement.
Where appropriate, we can review your articles of association to ensure they complement your shareholders agreement. We can check if amending your articles of association would be more suitable in your shareholders agreement.
If you don’t have a shareholders’ agreement in place and a dispute has already arisen, our specialist commercial litigation team can help you reach a resolution.
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“We strive to make every matter as stress free as possible”
Billy Shaw
Solicitor
Posted 11/02/2021
I was extremely pleased with the service that Kerry provided in order to sell my mothers house. Good, prompt communication and all questions dealt with or answered as requested. Consequently I would recommend yours services to others.
Adam Stevens
Posted 26/01/2022
Kerry and Carolyn were always friendly and professional and kept meet up to date every stage of the journey. Most of our communicating was online which was great as documents could be sent instantly and our conversations were in writing in case I needed to refer back to them later on. I cannot recommend them enough.
Tony Stott
Posted 26/01/2022
Kerry and Carolyn were always friendly and professional and kept meet up to date every stage of the journey. Most of our communicating was online which was great as documents could be sent instantly and our conversations were in writing in case I needed to refer back to them later on. I cannot recommend them enough.
Tony Stott
Posted 26/01/2022
After almost a year of being messed about by potential buyers my house sale went through. I feel that both Kerry and Carolyn of Rotheras conveyancing team were patient and understanding of my situation and nothing seemed too much trouble. The actual conveyancing process seemed effortless on my part and when the actual final purchase of the property went through, they kept me informed of what was happening throughout all stages. I would certainly recommend Rotheras for any conveyancing required and only wished others were as professional and understanding in their approach.
Julie Wyer
Posted 26/01/2022
After almost a year of being messed about by potential buyers my house sale went through. I feel that both Kerry and Carolyn of Rotheras conveyancing team were patient and understanding of my situation and nothing seemed too much trouble. The actual conveyancing process seemed effortless on my part and when the actual final purchase of the property went through, they kept me informed of what was happening throughout all stages. I would certainly recommend Rotheras for any conveyancing required and only wished others were as professional and understanding in their approach.
Julie Wyer
Posted 07/03/2022
The service was exceptional and Vicki went above and beyond to make the whole process a much less stressful process , especially buying through the Covid period.
Gavin Crossland
Posted 07/03/2022
Thank you so much to Emily and her team. We managed to buy a house within 6 weeks and connect the selling of our property together, saving a lot of stress, being a young family of 5 in a current pandemic. Professional and approachable with quick responses. Emily went above and beyond to help us get what we wanted!
Rachel and Austin Dekker

Billy Shaw
b.shaw@rotheras.co.uk
Billy advises businesses on a range of commercial and corporate issues and is happy to assist you with buying or selling businesses, corporate mergers and shareholder agreements.

Lauren Kilbride
l.kilbride@rotheras.co.uk
Lauren Kilbride is a Trainee Solicitor within Rotheras’ Corporate & Commercial department and is based at the firm’s Lace Market office.

Sandeesh Samra
s.samra@rotheras.co.uk
Sandeesh Samra is a Senior Paralegal in our Corporate and Commercial team and is based at our Lace Market office in the heart of Nottingham city centre.

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