You & Your Family
You & Your Property
You & Your Business
Disputes between partners or shareholders can disrupt businesses and lead to significant financial loss.
At TV Edwards, our partnership and shareholder disputes solicitors in London help resolve conflicts in a professional manner, ensuring your position is respected.
What Are Partnership and Shareholder Disputes?
Partnership and shareholder disputes occur when disagreements arise between business partners or shareholders, often impacting company operations. These shareholder and partner disputes can involve profit distribution, decision-making authority, or breaches of fiduciary duty, such as mismanagement by directors.
UK law, including the Companies Act 2006 and Partnership Act 1890, governs these relationships, with obligations outlined in articles of association or partnership agreements.
At TV Edwards, our partnership and shareholder dispute solicitors help you navigate these complexities, whether through negotiation or court action. To resolve disputes, you must prove:
- A legal relationship existed (e.g., partnership deed or shareholder contract)
- A breach occurred (e.g., unfair prejudice or breach of duty)
- The harm was foreseeable
Disputes often require resolution within statutory limits, and with our expertise we get our clients fair outcomes, whether they’re a minority shareholder or a partner in a dissolving business.
Why Partnership and Shareholder Disputes Arise?
Conflicts typically stem from unclear agreements, differing priorities, or personal tensions. For example, a majority shareholder might make decisions that prejudice a minority, or partners may disagree on business expansion, leading to costly disputes.
Without legal intervention, these issues can escalate, damaging relationships and business value. These tensions often intensify in joint venture disputes, where multiple parties have overlapping interests.
Common Dispute Scenarios
Our shareholder and partner disputes solicitors handle a variety of cases, including:
- Profit Sharing: Disputes over unequal dividend distributions or partnership profits.
- Management Decisions: Challenges to board actions or voting rights, regularly involving derivative actions.
- Breach of Duty: Allegations of fraud, mismanagement, or breaches of fiduciary duty by directors or partners are common in civil fraud claims.
- Exit Strategies: Conflicts over partner expulsion, buyouts, or company dissolution, such as winding-up petitions. In some cases, especially where there’s a risk of asset dissipation, we may advise seeking a freezing injunction.
These scenarios often involve complex evidence, requiring expert legal support for resolution.
When to Seek Legal Advice
If you’re facing a shareholder and partner dispute, seek legal advice as soon as you can. In order to strengthen your case (which is especially important as delays can complicate evidence gatherings or miss statutory deadlines), take early action.
Our team will assess your situation, advise on options like unfair prejudice petitions, and guide you through the next steps.
Related Dispute Resolution Services
How We Handle Partnership and Shareholder Disputes
Our partnership and shareholder disputes solicitors are experienced in navigating complex litigation, particularly where evidence and relationships are nuanced. We handle disputes across professional sectors, including accountants, architects, and medical practitioners. Our process looks like this:
- Case Assessment: We review agreements, financial records, and communications to identify breaches.
- Expert Advice: We explain your rights under the Companies Act or Partnership Act, helping you weigh options like derivative actions or mediation.
- Evidence Gathering: Any relevant information, such as witness statements, financial data, and expert opinions, are all collected as we build your case.
- Negotiation: We use round-table discussions, mediation, or arbitration to reach amicable solutions.
- Court Representation: If necessary, we pursue court applications, such as unfair prejudice petitions, insolvency litigation, or winding-up orders, to protect your interests.
We adopt an empathetic approach, which creates trust and clarity throughout the process, leading to better results. See what our clients say for more information.
Preventing Partnership and Shareholder Issues
You can reduce risks with these proactive steps:
- Clear Agreements: Draft detailed partnership deeds or shareholder contracts outlining roles, profits, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
- Regular Reviews: Conduct periodic audits to address issues early, maintaining transparency throughout.
- Dispute Clauses: Include mediation or arbitration clauses in agreements to streamline resolutions.
- Documentation: Keep records of all decisions, transactions, and communications, should claims arise later down the line. Ensure all intangible assets are documented and intellectual property protected to prevent ownership disputes.
- Education: Learn how to avoid civil fraud through improved business processes and transparency.
Our broader dispute resolution expertise helps you avoid any pitfalls. We provide empathetic support throughout, giving you confidence in your decisions and clarity about any implications.
Why Choose TV Edwards?
- Highly ranked in legal directories – Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK
- Practical solutions – we explore settlements, mediation, arbitration, and other ADR
- Proven success – Strong court record, if Alternative Dispute Resolution isn’t an option
- Cost-effective solutions – Always transparent about costs and funding arrangements
- Specialist expertise – London team with experience in complex commercial cases
Client Testimonials
Partnership and Shareholder Dispute FAQs
What are partnership and shareholder disputes?
Conflicts between partners or shareholders over business operations or profits.
These shareholder and partner disputes often involve financial disagreements or governance issues. We help resolve them efficiently.
How can partnership and shareholder dispute solicitors help?
By assessing cases, negotiating settlements, and representing you in court should the need arise.
At TV Edwards, we guide you through mediation, arbitration, or litigation, aiming for fair outcomes with minimal disruption.
What scenarios involve these disputes?
Profit sharing, management decisions, breaches of duty, or exit strategies.
These vary widely, from profit disputes to partner expulsions. Our expertise ensures individualised support for each case.
How long do I have to act?
Act promptly, as delays can weaken your position under company law.
There’s no fixed time limit for unfair prejudice claims, but undue delay can harm your case. Consult us now and let us assess it for you.
What outcomes can I expect?
Financial compensation, revised agreements, or business dissolution.
We aim for amicable resolutions but can pursue court action to protect your interests.
Contact us to further discuss your case.
Related Articles
Without Prejudice Communications: Powerful Tool Or Dangerous Ploy ?
When used properly, the “Without Prejudice” label can pave the way for early and…
Freezing Injunctions in the UK: When and How to Secure One
A guide on how to successfully prevent a defendant from disposing of assets before…
Defending the Foreign Enforcement of a Judgment in the UK
A comprehensive guide on how to defend against the enforcement of a foreign judgment…
-
![TV Edwards Solicitors Logo]()
11th JuneWithout Prejudice Communications: Powerful Tool Or Dangerous Ploy ?
When used properly, the “Without Prejudice” label can pave the way for early and…
-
![TV Edwards Solicitors Logo]()
7th AprilFreezing Injunctions in the UK: When and How to Secure One
A guide on how to successfully prevent a defendant from disposing of assets before…
-
![TV Edwards Solicitors Logo]()
25th MarchDefending the Foreign Enforcement of a Judgment in the UK
A comprehensive guide on how to defend against the enforcement of a foreign judgment…
