Decision-making disagreements
Questions about shareholder arrangements, voting, reserved decisions and how owners exercise authority within the business.
Shareholder disputes in Ontario businesses
Your 30-minute consultation is free.
When owners disagree, business decisions can stall. Discuss the shareholder relationship, the agreement and a practical way to address the conflict.
Shareholders · Ownership · Business continuity
(416) 221-2221
(opens in a new tab)How we can help
Address the conflict without losing sight of the company
Shareholder disagreements can affect authority, access to information and plans for the company’s future. Reviewing the ownership documents and the business context helps identify the questions that need attention. The firm’s existing governance, shareholder-agreement and negotiation services provide a starting point for that discussion.
The first question is who the firm would represent. Advice to a company is not automatically independent advice to its shareholders. A contested exit, buyout or litigation mandate requires separate assessment of conflicts, representation and scope before the firm agrees to act.
Shareholder-agreement disputes
Disagreements about existing ownership terms, proposed changes and the operation of transfer or exit arrangements.
Ownership changes and negotiations
Discussions about an owner leaving, proposed buyouts or a breakdown in the working relationship, with the mandate assessed separately.
Your next step
What happens when you contact us
Identify whether you are asking for the company, a shareholder or a partnership. Note whether an agreement exists, who already has counsel and any meeting, notice or response date. Do not send personal negotiation positions or ownership records through this form.
Share the basics
Send contact details and a short, non-confidential overview of the business issue.
Discuss fit and next steps
The team reviews your inquiry and contacts you. This form requests follow-up; it does not book an appointment.
Agree the work before it begins
Conflicts, representation, scope and fees are addressed before a written engagement. An inquiry creates no lawyer-client relationship.
Before you reach out
Questions about
your next step
Prefer to choose an appointment? View the separate calendar ↗Can you discuss a disagreement over a shareholder agreement?
Yes. Start with a general description of the ownership issue. The team will assess conflicts and the requested role before confirming whether it can review or act on the matter.
Would the firm represent me or the company?
That must be established at intake. The interests of the company and individual owners may differ. Acting for one does not make the firm counsel to every participant.
Is this the same service as preparing a shareholder agreement?
No. Preparation sets out ownership arrangements; dispute work addresses an existing disagreement. The agreement-preparation page remains available for businesses creating or revising their framework.
Can I inquire about a partnership disagreement here?
Choose shareholder or partnership disputes in the form and identify the business structure generally. A partnership and a corporation have different arrangements, so the team will assess the appropriate service.
Can negotiations be considered before an ownership dispute escalates?
The firm can discuss a possible negotiation mandate and relevant governance documents. Any approach depends on the parties, their instructions and the circumstances; agreement is not assured.
Is a contested buyout included in ongoing counsel?
Do not assume it is. A contested ownership matter, independent shareholder advice or proceedings need their own representation and fee discussion, even where there is an existing counsel relationship.
Let’s talk about your business
A clear place to start.
Tell us the general issue. We’ll discuss whether the firm is a fit.