Skip to main content

Talk to us: 0333 004 4488 | hello@brabners.com

Shareholder Rights & Disputes

Our expert shareholder rights and disputes lawyers help you to understand, assert and defend your rights as a shareholder.

Talk to us

In this section

As a shareholder, you have a whole host of rights available to you. Understanding these rights — and how you can use them — is essential to shape the future of the company, achieve your commercial objectives and make good on your investment.

However, public awareness of even the most basic shareholder rights is sorely lacking. In practice, the full range of rights and entitlements that come with owning shares in a limited company are seldom optimised by shareholders.

That’s where we come in. Since the law in England and Wales makes it possible to attach (or remove) any number of different rights to shares, expert guidance is needed if you’re to navigate these arrangements successfully. 

Our shareholder rights team can outline your legal position as a shareholder in a private limited company and help you to navigate this complex area of law.

Expert litigators in shareholder disputes

Going into business with others is the commercial equivalent of getting married. The ‘divorces’ that may follow can be just as painful, complex, time consuming and expensive — proving detrimental for all concerned. As a shareholder, it’s in your best interests to ensure that any disputes are dealt with expediently and effectively.

This is where specialist shareholder and company lawyers come into play. We understand how stressful these situations can be and the strategic battles that may ensue. It’s essential to plan ahead carefully if you’re to protect and realise the value of your shareholding. If your business relationship breaks down, getting good advice at an early stage is critical to minimise costs, time and energy. 

There are many steps that you can take to protect your position as a shareholder. Laws aimed at protecting minority shareholders are particularly important in companies that the law regards as what are often called ‘quasi-partnerships’ (see our FAQs below for more information). 

Should it become necessary to consider or take court action, there are a range of court orders available to protect your interests. Alongside knowledge of the law in this area, an appreciation of the main practicalities is essential. This includes the question of how to make sure that you can fund the fight.

We can advise you on the best course of action depending on your unique circumstances. Our experienced team will help you to achieve your commercial objectives in the most efficient way possible.

Paul Lunt

Meet the team

Specialist shareholder rights lawyers

Our team is led by Partner and Head of Litigation Paul Lunt — a highly regarded and multi-award-winning commercial litigator with 30 years of experience in shareholder rights and disputes. Recognised in The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame for commercial litigation, Paul’s practical and pragmatic approach helps to solve even the most sensitive, complex and high-profile shareholder rights issues quickly and successfully.

He’s supported by Partners Phil Weldon and Helen Otty, as well as Legal Director Oliver Andrews.

Phil specialises in corporate disputes and shareholder rights with particular experience in the corporate healthcare sector, where he deals with disputes and shareholder rights issues relating to dental practices, pharmacies and GP practices. 

Helen is also recognised by The Legal 500 as a ‘Next Generation Partner’. An experienced commercial litigator, she advises on commercial and company disputes including shareholder and partnership disputes, as well as procurement law and breach of warranty claims. 

Recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in dispute resolution by The Legal 500, Oliver started his career by advising on corporate transactions before changing direction into commercial disputes. Since then, he’s used his experience and unique perspective to advise and assist clients in relation to their shareholder rights and disputes.

We help all types of shareholders to understand company structures and their rights, including how to sell a shareholdinghandle disputes and value a shareholding.

We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, position and goals before identifying the core aspects of the rights you need to be aware of.

Our shareholder rights services

Key shareholder rights and restrictions at all levels of shareholding in private companies

As a shareholder, the more aware that you are of your rights, the easier it is to protect your commercial interests. 

It’s wise to familiarise yourself with the different rights and restrictions to safeguard your interests. 

Get your guide to the key rights and restrictions that apply at all levels of shareholding in private companies.

Paul Lunt is an expert in the field of shareholder disputes. He advised both myself and part of my family in a very acrimonious dispute with compassion and thoughtfulness. Paul was always precise and accurate with his advice and took the time to explain to us all in simple terms what the implications of his advice would mean. A true gentleman in every way. As a person and a solicitor, I could not recommend him highly enough.

Shareholder rights & disputes client

My business partners cheated on me. Two people I would have trusted with my life had cheated on me. It was all I could think of, from first thing in the morning to last thing at night. For month after stomach-churning month, I thought of nothing else. Then, I went to see Paul Lunt. Within weeks, it was settled to my utmost satisfaction. My stomach stopped churning. I could sleep again.

Shareholder rights & disputes client

My sisters and I would like to thank Paul Lunt and his team for the outstanding work in our long, protracted and stressful family business unfair prejudice shareholder dispute. Paul was superbly efficient and professional. We owe our success and victory to his dedication, perseverance and the wealth of experience which he continually demonstrated throughout the duration of our case. It was his steady guiding influence and advise that helped us all to arrive at a satisfactory result which was acceptable to all parties concerned.

Shareholder rights & disputes client

We cannot thank Paul Lunt enough. He worked tirelessly to help us through a complex shareholder dispute. His advice and no-nonsense approach to litigation helped us get a positive outcome to an issue which had been ongoing for several years. The way he carries out his work fills you with confidence in what can be difficult and stressful situations.

Shareholder rights & disputes client

Paul Lunt acted on our behalf in a complicated family company shareholder dispute. At times, it was very acrimonious — but it was always a stressful process to all concerned. Paul always acted supremely professionally but tempered that with a personal, reassuring manner in relaying both good and bad news. He guided us through a tough four-year long case and successfully brokered a righteous and successful settlement against a very tough and belligerent opponent.

Shareholder rights & disputes client

Shareholder rights FAQs

Shareholder disputes FAQs

Valuation of shares FAQs

Find out more

Access even more shareholder rights FAQs — including the basics — here.

Read now

Related insights

Talk to us

Loading form...