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Shareholder disputes

With a wealth of experience advising on shareholder rights and remedies, as well as the purchase of shares, our shareholder disputes lawyers are adept at handling key exits and will help you manage the process as smoothly as possible – even in acrimonious circumstances.

When executives and co-founders exit a business, whatever the circumstances, it is important to manage the departure on the best terms possible. As a leading international shareholder disputes law firm, this is what we do best.

We understand that, when trusted relationships break down, it can give rise to stressful and time-consuming disputes. As your shareholder dispute legal firm, we are on hand to provide integrated employment, corporate and litigation advice to businesses and individuals covering all aspects of corporate governance and the working relationship. Our experienced shareholder dispute solicitors will work with you to identify and adopt the best strategy to manage any exit as smoothly as possible.

Our team of shareholder dispute lawyers spans Europe, the US and Asia-Pacific, and we are adept at coordinating international litigation and dealing with cross-border disputes across a broad range of industry sectors.We have a wealth of experience advising on shareholder rights and remedies, unfair prejudice and the purchase of shares, and we work closely with accountants on share valuation issues. As an international shareholder dispute legal firm, we often act on cases where there is a deadlock between shareholders and can help take the heat out of the situation by negotiating a shareholder agreement or, alternatively, a severance arrangement where one or more shareholders are bought out. Our shareholder dispute solicitors are also experienced in acting for majority shareholders when looking to exit a minority shareholder, often when matters are acrimonious.

There are often various options available when working to resolve your dispute. As a shareholder dispute law firm, we can offer methods of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, but, if necessary, we will take cases to trial if this is in your best interests. We are known for our commercial acumen, and clients praise the personal support and understanding we provide, as well as our ability to conclude matters with a win-win result.

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Track record

Burgess and Broadcasting Investment Group

Our clients were seeking to enforce an oral agreement, where various co-venturers agreed to transfer shares in technology companies to a single company that would act as a parent for the group. It later emerged that certain shares were never properly transferred to the putative parent company. The claim was initally struck out on the basis that it was barred, because it was purely reflective of a loss suffered by the company in which it is a shareholder. We successfully overturned the decision on appeal - a decision that will have wide-ranging consequences for investors seeking relief in circumstances where their own losses may overlap with those of the companies in which they have invested.

Shareholder dispute

Successfully representing the shareholders of a company at trial, in which allegations of fraud were made on both sides. The case involved a London property and parties located around the globe.

Shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus

We are coordinating litigation arising from a shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus, Anguilla and Belize on behalf of Russian shareholders in a global financial business.

CEO of an international pharmaceutical company

We acted for the CEO of an international and award winning pharmaceutical company in relation to her acrimonious exit. As a co-founder of the business and a minority shareholder, we negotiated the terms of her multi-million pound settlement, working closing with one of the top four accountants on valuation issues.

Shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus

We are coordinating litigation arising from a shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus, Anguilla and Belize on behalf of Russian shareholders in a global financial business.

CEO of an international pharmaceutical company

We acted for the CEO of an international and award winning pharmaceutical company in relation to her acrimonious exit. As a co-founder of the business and a minority shareholder, we negotiated the terms of her multi-million pound settlement, working closing with one of the top four accountants on valuation issues.

Shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus

We are coordinating litigation arising from a shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus, Anguilla and Belize on behalf of Russian shareholders in a global financial business.

Shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus

We are coordinating litigation arising from a shareholder’s dispute in Cyprus, Anguilla and Belize on behalf of Russian shareholders in a global financial business.

Our team

Sara-Jane Knock

Sara-Jane Knock

Partner | British Virgin Islands

Sara-Jane Knock

Partner | British Virgin Islands

Litigation

Michael Chik

Michael Chik

Partner | Hong Kong

Michael Chik

Partner | Hong Kong

Litigation and arbitration

Claire Christy

Claire Christy

Partner | London

Claire Christy

Partner | London

Employment

Sherlin Tung

Sherlin Tung

Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong

Sherlin Tung

Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong

Litigation and arbitration

Joseph Chu

Joseph Chu

Partner | Hong Kong

Joseph Chu

Partner | Hong Kong

Litigation and arbitration

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Founders

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Leaders and senior executives

We help business leaders to manage their responsibilities at work and home – from advising on employment contracts and regulatory matters, to dealing with tax, wills and prenuptial agreements. Find Out More
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Private companies

As a private company, you need reliable, efficient service. As the only global law firm focused on private capital, we are here to help you protect your interests at every stage of the lifecycle. Find Out More

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