Shareholder disputes


Business relationships and plans can unfortunately go wrong. If you do fall out with other shareholders we can provide the clear advice and direction you need to resolve matters effectively.

Disputes between shareholders can be disruptive, expensive and damaging.

What might start as a distraction can quickly become a major issue and often become personal, emotional and difficult to resolve.

We have resolved all types of shareholder disputes, acting for both companies and shareholders. Our expertise encompasses breach of director duties, company articles, shareholder agreements, section 994 "unfair prejudice" petitions and derivative actions.

If your business is facing allegations from a minority shareholder, we can help minimise the impact. If you are a shareholder excluded from management or denied a dividend, then our team can help.

Our experience


We understand the importance of minimising impact and risk and seeking to resolve disputes quickly. Our litigators work with corporate and commercial colleagues to ensure you get the best outcome.

We have a wealth of expertise in shareholder disputes. Examples include advising:

  • A shareholder in an unfair prejudice claim, worth in excess of £50m, further to directors payments of grossly excessive remuneration and other unfairly prejudicial conduct.

  • A shareholder following the director’s diversion of business opportunities to other connected companies, disguised remuneration and refusal to pay dividends.

  • In derivative action Bhullar v Bhullar [2016] 1 BCLC 106 concerning payments made to a company director and a prospective indemnity from company funds.

  • A shareholder in a dispute regarding the ownership of the management vehicle of investment fund that specialises in the trading of crypto-assets.

  • An private equity investor who acquired company only to discover post completion that staff had been bribing a high street retailer to secure lucrative contracts in breach of the Bribery Act and anti-bribery warranties provided.

  • The former CEO of a pharmaceutical company developing revolutionary treatment for Crohn’s disease and pursuing unfair prejudice proceedings and securing acquisition of client’s shareholding through mediation.

  • A managing director and shareholder in a marina development company following a shareholder deadlock and proposed buy-out.

  • The shareholders of a football club into its investigation and removal of directors for misuse of club finances.

Did you know?

£50m

Acting for a shareholder in an unfair prejudice claim worth in excess of £50 million.

£12m

Successfully defending a £12 million unfair prejudice petition served on majority shareholders.

> 200 litigators

Our nationwide team is among the largest in the UK.

Our clients

We represent organisations throughout various sectors including manufacturing, food, waste, technology, finance, life sciences and sport:

  • Lotus Cars Limited
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Aquaterra Energy Limited
  • Tradebe
  • JSC Alfa Bank
  • QV Foods Limited
  • Bidfresh Limited
  • Indo European Foods Limited
  • Phoenix Medical Supplies Limited
  • RLC Langford Lodeg
  • SilverRail Technologies UK
  • Horiba Mira Limited
  • Centrica
  • Swissport
  • Elster Metering Limited

Get in touch

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