Disputes involving directors and shareholders can be highly disruptive, damaging business performance, investor confidence, and workplace morale. At DTM Legal, our team provides strategic guidance and robust legal representation to resolve disputes effectively, whether you are an individual shareholder, director, or a business facing internal conflict.
Protecting Your Business During Times of Conflict
Disagreements can arise from a variety of issues, including diverging business strategies, concerns about performance, conflicts of interest, or the departure of a key stakeholder. If not handled promptly and appropriately, such disputes can escalate into costly litigation and jeopardise the stability of the company, as well as the financial and professional interests of those involved.
DTM Legal works with both individual shareholders/directors and businesses to provide clarity and confidence, aiming to achieve practical solutions that preserve value and minimise disruption.
Key Considerations for Employers
When disputes or exits occur at a senior level, both businesses and individuals must balance commercial realities with legal obligations. Key considerations include:
- Directors’ Duties – Has there been a breach of fiduciary duty or failure to act in the company’s best interests?
- Shareholder Rights – Are shareholder agreements and company articles being complied with?
- Exit Strategies – How will share valuations, buy-outs, or transfers be handled?
- Minority Shareholder Protections – Are you aware of the risks of unfair prejudice claims, or how to bring one if you are being treated unfairly?
- Employment Law Issues – If the director is also an employee, are contractual and statutory rights being respected?
- Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenants – Are protections in place to safeguard sensitive business information following an exit?
- Dispute Resolution Options – Would negotiation, mediation, or arbitration achieve a quicker and more cost-effective resolution than litigation?
Our Services for Director and Shareholder Disputes
We support both businesses and individual shareholders by providing strategic, pragmatic advice tailored to the circumstances of each dispute. Our services include:
- Advising on directors’ statutory and fiduciary duties
- Reviewing shareholder agreements and articles of association
- Supporting negotiation and mediation processes to achieve resolution
- Advising on share valuations, buy-outs, and exit arrangements
- Managing dual director/employee issues, including termination of employment
- Enforcing or challenging confidentiality obligations and restrictive covenants
- Advising on or defending against unfair prejudice claims and derivative actions
- Providing litigation support where court action becomes necessary
Why Instruct DTM Legal?
At DTM Legal, we understand that director and shareholder disputes are not only legal issues but also highly personal and commercially challenging. Our team combines legal expertise with strategic insight, working to resolve disputes quickly and effectively while protecting your reputation, relationships, and business continuity.
We focus on practical solutions that limit disruption, preserve value, and safeguard your long-term goals, whether you are a shareholder protecting your position or a company managing internal disputes.
Speak to an Employment Law Solicitor
To speak to a member of our Employment & HR team about director and shareholder disputes or exit strategies, call us on 01244 354800 / 0151 321 0000 or email employment@dtmlegal.com. We’ll help you manage disputes with clarity and protect the future of your business.
