Drafting of Shareholders’ Agreement
A shareholders’ agreement is a contract among the shareholders of a company that defines how the company will be run and how the shareholders’ rights and obligations will be protected. It also specifies how shares can be sold or transferred, how decisions will be made, and how disputes will be resolved. A shareholders’ agreement can prevent conflicts and ensure the smooth operation of the business.
It also protects the interests of minority shareholders who may have less influence over the company’s affairs. A shareholders’ agreement is highly recommended for any company with more than one shareholder.
Who is a shareholder?
A shareholder is someone who owns shares of a company. Owning shares gives the shareholder certain benefits, such as receiving a share of the profits that the company makes, called dividends. The shareholder also has a stake in the company proportional to their shareholding.
Why is a Shareholders Agreement needed?
A shareholders’ agreement is needed for several reasons. Some of main benefits of having a shareholders’ agreement are:
- It protects the interests of current shareholders, including minority shareholders who do not hold too much voting power. A shareholders’ agreement can specify how decisions are made, how disputes are resolved, and how shareholders can exit the company if they wish to sell their shares or retire.
- It provides rules about distributing dividends and issuing stocks and bonds. A shareholders’ agreement can define how profits are shared among shareholders, how new shares are offered to existing shareholders or outsiders, and how the company can raise capital from debt or equity.
- It helps shareholders decide what individuals or business entities can become shareholders in the future. A shareholders’ agreement can restrict who can buy or inherit shares, how shares are valued, and what happens in the event of a merger, acquisition, or bankruptcy.
- It clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the directors and managers of the company. A shareholders’ agreement can outline the qualifications, duties, and compensation of the board of directors and the senior management team. It can also specify how performance is measured and rewarded, and how conflicts of interest are avoided or disclosed.
A shareholders’ agreement is a valuable document that can help ensure the smooth operation and growth of a company. It can also prevent costly and time-consuming legal disputes among shareholders.
What are the key clauses in a Shareholders’ Agreement?
A shareholders’ agreement is a contract that defines the rights and obligations of the shareholders of a company, as well as the rules and procedures for running the company and resolving any disputes. A shareholders’ agreement can cover various aspects of the relationship between the shareholders and the company, but some of the key clauses in shareholders’ agreement are:
- Decision-making process: This clause specifies how the company will make decisions on different matters, such as day-to-day operations, strategic direction, financial management, etc. It also defines what percentage of votes is required to pass resolutions and what issues need the approval of either the directors or the shareholders.
- Critical business decisions: This clause lists major decisions that affect the company’s future, such as changing the company’s constitution, winding up the company, or making a significant change in the business model. These decisions may require a higher level of consent from either the directors or the shareholders, such as a supermajority or a unanimous vote.
- Directors and voting rights: This clause determines which shareholders have the right to appoint or remove directors, who are responsible for managing the company. It also sets out the minimum shareholding percentage needed to appoint a director and how to remove a director from their position. Additionally, this clause defines the voting rights of each shareholder, depending on the class of shares they hold (e.g., ordinary or preference shares).
- Issuance of new shares: This clause regulates how the company can issue new shares to raise capital or expand its ownership. It also defines the rights of existing shareholders to participate in the issuance of new shares, such as pre-emption rights or anti-dilution rights. These rights allow existing shareholders to maintain their proportionate ownership and control in the company by buying new shares before they are offered to outsiders.
- Transfer of shares: This clause restricts how shareholders can sell or transfer their shares to third parties. It also defines the rights of other shareholders to buy or sell their shares along with the transferring shareholder, such as tag-along rights or drag-along rights. These rights protect the interests of both minority and majority shareholders by giving them an exit option or a veto power over a potential sale.
- Dispute resolution: This clause outlines how the shareholders and the company will handle any conflicts or disagreements that may arise in relation to the shareholders’ agreement or the company’s affairs. It may specify a mechanism for resolving disputes, such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation. It may also define the governing law and jurisdiction that will apply to the dispute resolution process.
These are some of the key clauses that a shareholders’ agreement should contain, but there may be other clauses that are relevant to your specific situation and needs.
What is the difference between tag along and drag along rights?
| Clause | Description | Purpose |
| Tag along rights | This clause gives the minority shareholder the option to sell their shares along with a majority shareholder who has received an offer from a third party to buy their shares. | This clause protects the minority shareholder from being excluded or diluted in a sale of the company, and allows them to benefit from the same price and terms as the majority shareholder. |
| Drag along rights | This clause forces the minority shareholder to sell their shares to a third party who wants to buy the whole company, along with a majority shareholder who has agreed to the sale. | This clause protects the majority shareholder from being blocked or delayed in a sale of the company, and ensures that they receive a fair price for their shares. It also ensures that the minority shareholder is treated equally as the majority shareholder in the sale. |
How HHS shareholder drafting Lawyers may assist?
At HHS Dubai Lawyers, we simplify the process of drafting shareholder agreements for your business in the UAE. Here’s how we can assist you:
They can provide legal advice and guidance on the best practices and requirements for a shareholder agreement in the UAE, taking into account the local laws and regulations, as well as the specific needs and objectives of the shareholders.
They can draft a customized and comprehensive shareholder agreement that covers all the essential aspects of the relationship between the shareholders, such as their rights and obligations, decision-making processes, dispute resolution mechanisms, share transfer restrictions, dividend policies, exit strategies, and more.
They can review and revise an existing shareholder agreement to ensure that it is up-to-date, compliant, and reflects the current situation and interests of the shareholders.
They can help negotiate and finalize the terms and conditions of the shareholder agreement with the other parties involved, ensuring that the agreement is fair, balanced, and enforceable.
They can assist with the registration and execution of the shareholder agreement, as well as any amendments or modifications that may be required in the future.
If you need a lawyer to draft a shareholder agreement, don’t hesitate to contact us.
