Joint ventures and shareholders' agreements

Shareholders’ agreements and joint venture agreements set out how the relationship between the shareholders will work, as well as how the company or joint venture will be run. You’ll need to get on with the other shareholders for the business to thrive and it's important to get it set up properly from the start.

Do we really need a shareholders’ agreement?

Even if your fellow shareholders are family members or good friends, having a shareholders’ agreement can save you a lot of hassle later on. Drawing up a shareholders’ agreement at the start of your business venture is a really useful way of making sure that all the shareholders have similar views about what you’re going to do together, and crucially, how you’re going to do it. In fact, if you can’t agree at this stage, you’re likely to run into difficulties further down the line, so all the more reason to have the discussion early on. 

At Tees our business team are experienced in drawing up shareholders’ agreements for a wide range of businesses so they have a clear and comprehensive agreement upfront. Our expert team will prepare your shareholders’ or joint venture agreement, ensuring it covers all relevant issues, such as:

• the nature of the business
• the right to appoint directors
• voting rights
• protection of minority shareholders
• financial matters including dividend policy
• confidentiality
• transfer of shares
• succession
• problem resolution.

Combined legal and financial services

Our service includes related areas of law such as employment, commercial property and litigation. Our team of independent financial advisers work seamlessly with our legal teams. With Tees you can be sure of getting a joined-up and comprehensive service and we’ll stay in regular contact with you. All our commercial clients have a lead solicitor, so you’ll know who to call whenever you need to get in touch with us.

We’re here to help

Our specialist lawyers are based in:

• Cambridgeshire: Cambridge
• Essex: Brentwood, Chelmsford, and Saffron Walden
• Hertfordshire: Bishop's Stortford and Royston 

But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.

Call our specialist solicitors on 0808 231 1320