SHAREHOLDER DISPUTE LAWYER

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Shareholder disputes

Shareholder disputes can cripple a company. Disputes between directors and company shareholders can have serious consequences, affecting the company’s operations and long-term viability.

Dispute resolution lawyers can give strategic legal advice on complex legal challenges that may arise from a company’s constitution. Having a well-drafted shareholder agreement can help mitigate conflicts. Our commercial litigation lawyers can help ensure fair outcomes should such disputes arise.

WHAT IS A SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT?

A shareholders agreement is a binding contract between the shareholders of a company. It governs their relationship and specifies who controls the company, how ownership and management are structured, and how disputes should be handled.

A well-drafted shareholder agreement should outline:

  • The structure, management, and direction of the business
  • The division of responsibilities between directors and shareholders
  • The process for acquiring or disposing of shares
  • The company’s funding arrangements
  • The procedures for resolving disputes and shareholder exits.

A comprehensive shareholder agreement is essential in minimising partnership disputes and ensuring smooth company operations.

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WHAT IS A SHAREHOLDERS’ DISPUTE?

A shareholder dispute can arise in various situations, including:

  • Disagreements between company directors and shareholders of a proprietary limited company
  • Conflicts in an unlisted public company
  • Disputes involving directors of a corporate trustee
  • Partnership disputes, including those involving partnerships of trusts
  • Any disagreement related to the management of the company.

Shareholder disputes arise for various reasons, including breaches of fiduciary duties, unfair treatment of minority shareholders, or mismanagement of company resources. If you’re facing conflicts with your business partner, our business partnership dispute lawyers can help protect your interests and resolve the matter efficiently.

RESOLVING SHAREHOLDER DISPUTES

Shareholders Agreement & Constitution

The governing documents of a company, particularly the Shareholders Agreement, often outline the dispute resolution process. This may include mechanisms such as buy-out clauses, mediation, market sales, or wind-up provisions. Reviewing these documents should be the first step in any shareholder dispute.

Corporations Act Remedies

If the governing documents do not provide a solution, or if they do not exist, relief may be sought under the Corporations Act. Claims of deadlock often involve allegations of oppression or breaches of directors' duties. Under the Act, the Court has the power to:

  • Order the company to purchase a shareholder’s shares
  • Appoint a receiver and wind up the company (section 461 Corporations Act)
  • Determine a fair price for a shareholder buyout
  • Grant an injunction to prevent further oppressive conduct

The Court Process

Shareholders involved in a dispute may apply to the Court under section 461(1)(k) of the Act to wind up a company on just and equitable grounds. Courts are generally reluctant to order a wind-up, especially if the company is solvent. However, in cases of irreparable breakdowns, a winding-up order may be granted. Courts are, however, extremely reluctant to grant such applications to wind up a company especially if the company in question is solvent. See for example the decision in International Hospitality Concepts Pty Ltd v National Marketing Concepts Inc (No 2) (1994) 18 ACSR 603. Note however, that even in cases where the Courts have held that the appropriate remedy is to wind up the company, they do also, in most cases, adjourn or suspend its order to allow the parties to reach a compromise before the formal order is made.

Common legal remedies to Shareholders Disputes

In considering the tactics that can be used to resolve a Shareholders Dispute, it is common that an aggrieved party consider the remedies provided in section 461(k) and section 232 of the Act:

Winding up on just and equitable grounds – section 461(k) of the Act

In cases where relationships have completely broken down, an application may be made to the Supreme Court for the company’s liquidation. The Court must be satisfied that ongoing disputes prevent the company from functioning effectively.

Shareholder Oppression – section 232 of the Act

Section 232 of the Act sets out the grounds on which a Court may make an order under section 233 if the conduct of the Company’s affairs, an actual or proposed act or omission by or on behalf of a Company or a resolution or proposed resolution is either:

  • contrary to the interests of the members as a whole; or
  • oppressive to, unfairly prejudicial to, or unfairly discriminatory against, a member or members.

EXAMPLE OF A COMPANY LOSING CONTROL BECAUSE OF A SHAREHOLDERS DISPUTE

In Van Wijk (Trustee), in the matter of Power Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd v Power Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1430, a shareholder dispute resulted in a Court-appointed provisional liquidator taking control of the company. This case highlights how failure to resolve disputes can lead to a loss of control, reputational damage, and even the liquidation of the business. Learn more about bankruptcy.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF A SHAREHOLDERS DISPUTE

The case above demonstrates that, where directors and shareholders fail to reach an agreement they may have control of the company taken away and a provisional liquidator appointed. Whilst a provisional liquidator has the power to operate the business of the company or to close the business and sell off assets, it is perceived as a negative event in the general market place and can trigger, in some cases, contractual breaches in commercial contracts.

Another possible consequence of shareholder disputes is a Court ordered winding up. In the case discussed, though the outcome of the application was not decided at this instance, Mr Van Wijk had applied for the winding up of Power under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) on the following grounds:

  • The directors had acted in affairs of their own interests rather than in the interests of the members as a whole, or in any other manner whatsoever that appeared to be unfair or unjust to other members (s 461(1)(e));
  • Affairs of the company are being conducted in a manner that was oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or discriminatory against member(s) or in a manner contrary to the interests of the members as a whole (s 461(1)(f)); or
  • The Court would be of the opinion that it is just and equitable that the company be wound up (s 461(1)(k)).

A breakdown of relations between company’s members may support a winding up on the just and equitable ground where it frustrates the commercially sensible operations of the company.

It is a real possibility that a shareholder dispute could result in the company’s winding-up.

To avoid situations like this one, we recommend companies seek to resolve issues internally, with mediation, before escalation sees the matter taken out of their hands.

Shareholders Agreement & Constitution

The governing documents of a company, particularly the Shareholders Agreement, often outline the dispute resolution process. This may include mechanisms such as buy-out clauses, mediation, market sales, or wind-up provisions. Reviewing these documents should be the first step in any shareholder dispute.

Corporations Act Remedies

If the governing documents do not provide a solution, or if they do not exist, relief may be sought under the Corporations Act. Claims of deadlock often involve allegations of oppression or breaches of directors' duties. Under the Act, the Court has the power to:

  • Order the company to purchase a shareholder’s shares
  • Appoint a receiver and wind up the company (section 461 Corporations Act)
  • Determine a fair price for a shareholder buyout
  • Grant an injunction to prevent further oppressive conduct

The Court Process

Shareholders involved in a dispute may apply to the Court under section 461(1)(k) of the Act to wind up a company on just and equitable grounds. Courts are generally reluctant to order a wind-up, especially if the company is solvent. However, in cases of irreparable breakdowns, a winding-up order may be granted. Courts are, however, extremely reluctant to grant such applications to wind up a company especially if the company in question is solvent. See for example the decision in International Hospitality Concepts Pty Ltd v National Marketing Concepts Inc (No 2) (1994) 18 ACSR 603. Note however, that even in cases where the Courts have held that the appropriate remedy is to wind up the company, they do also, in most cases, adjourn or suspend its order to allow the parties to reach a compromise before the formal order is made.

CHOOSE BOSS LAWYERS

If you find yourself in a company or director deadlock that has caused a shareholders dispute, it’s important that you take action immediately.

Talk to our shareholder dispute lawyers and they can advise you about your rights and obligations in dealing with shareholder disputes, either through commercial negotiation or Court proceedings.

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About Mark Harley | Principal

Mark has practiced in commercial law, commercial litigation and insolvency law for almost 10 years. He established the firm in 2014. 

With degrees in law and information technology, as well as being a director of several companies, Mark speaks the language of business owners and has a first hand understanding of the issues facing his clients.

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