Shareholders Agreements Solicitors

Protect your rights; keep your business private; make disputes simple to resolve

Every business’s success relies on the strength of its contracts and agreements. At WSP, we are here to help set your business up for success.

Our Shareholders Agreements solicitors based in Gloucester and Stroud work with businesses across Gloucestershire and beyond.

Our lawyers understand that it is rarely in a business’s commercial interests to get caught up in a lengthy dispute, particularly if a lack of clear contracts leads to expensive and public court proceedings.

We will take the time to get to know your business, then swiftly draft a powerful Shareholders Agreement that clearly sets out your rights and provides mechanisms to quickly and privately resolve disputes, preserving your time, money and professional reputation.

Every contract we produce for our clients is completely customised to suit their individual needs and commercial goals.

For expert advice about Shareholders Agreements, please contact your local WSP branch in Gloucester or Stroud today.

What is a Shareholders Agreement?

A Shareholders Agreement is a contract between the shareholders of a company. It regulates the shareholders’ relationship as well as matters such as the operation of the company, ownership of shares and protections for shareholders.

Shareholders Agreements are often used in conjunction with the company’s Articles of Association to manage how the company is run.

What is the difference between a Shareholders Agreement and Articles of Association?

The Shareholders Agreement of a company establishes contractual obligations between the shareholders. It is a private document that does not need to be filed at Companies House. There is no legal requirement to put a Shareholders Agreement in place (although it is beneficial to do so).

The Articles of Association, on the other hand, is a contract between the shareholders and the company itself. It is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006 for a company to have Articles of Association, which must be under a single document and publicly filed at Companies House. A company can either use the Model Articles provided by the Companies Act or they can use ‘Special Articles’ which are bespoke and tailored to the company’s individual needs.

One of the main differences between these two types of legal document is that a Shareholders Agreement often provides further important protections for shareholders that the Articles may not cover. For example, protecting the interests of minority shareholders and providing mechanisms to resolve shareholder disputes.

Therefore, it is always advisable to consider whether your business needs a Shareholders Agreement as well as the Articles of Association.

Why does a Shareholders Agreement cover?

A Shareholders Agreement will typically:

• Set out the rights of the shareholders
• Regulate the issue and transfer of shares
• Prevent share dilution
• Protect and boost the powers of minority shareholders
• Provide for the unexpected death or departure of a shareholder
• Set out methods of resolving disputes
• Regulate the rights and responsibilities of company directors
• Set out decision-making processes
• Define privacy and confidentiality

How our Shareholders Agreements solicitors in Gloucestershire can help

The primary motivation of any business is to turn a profit, so we know just how important it is that shareholders (particularly in small and owner-managed businesses) can agree on a vision and coordinate a way forwards.

We are perfectly placed to help you put the right contracts and agreements in place to ensure your business can flourish and grow.

We are a local business, just like you, so our team understand the pressures and opportunities at hand. We apply technical legal knowledge with a tailored and commercially-focused approach. 

Our specialist Shareholders Agreement solicitors’ expertise includes:

• Talking you through how a Shareholders Agreement could specifically help your business.
• Drafting and advising on the terms of your Shareholders Agreement.
• Reviewing and advising on other policies and procedures to back up your foundational agreements.
• Helping you navigate and resolve disputes with other shareholders and members of the company.

As well as expert legal advice on Shareholders Agreements, we can provide a full corporate and commercial law service to cover all your needs, including:

• Advice on setting up a limited liability company
• Drafting and reviewing Articles of Association
• A wide range of commercial contracts advice and review
• Commercial property advice, such as finding the perfect business premises
• Commercial dispute resolution

Speak to our Shareholders Agreements lawyers in Gloucestershire

For expert advice about Shareholders Agreements, please contact your local WSP branch in Gloucester or Stroud today.