Shareholders Agreement Questionnaire And Checklist

Shareholders Agreement Questionnaire And Checklist

The following link will download a word document questionnaire and checklist that I usually offer to clients to help them consider and decide on the main terms to include in a shareholders agreement:

Shareholders Agreement Questionnaire

The questionnaire is suitable for a UK private company, although I see many very similar provisions implemented in shareholders agreements throughout the world regardless of what the governing law of the contract might be. This post published on my blog a while ago gives some key reasons why companies should have a shareholders agreement. Establishing a sound legal framework at the outset of a business and making sure shareholders are in agreement on all main principles can save on major difficulties, disputes and pitfalls in the future.

A shareholders agreement template (and detailed guidance notes) can also be purchased from our shop.

Some of the points to decide on that the questionnaire details are as follows:

1) Pre-emption rights in respect of transferring existing shares and issuing new shares.

2) Dividend rights and policy.

3) Vesting whereby the company has a re-purchase right for a limited period of time over shares which vest each month in accordance with a table.

4) Good and bad leaver provisions and basis of valuation.

5) A list of major decisions that require the consent of a certain percentage of shareholders in order for such decisions to be made.

6) Call and put options.

7) Drag along and tag along rights.

We offer a free initial 20 minute consultation about your shareholders agreement, while we advise on and produce shareholders agreements to suit your scenario and meet your requirements for a fixed fee, usually £1,000 plus VAT.

Further reading:

Venture Capital and SEIS and EIS Angel Equity Investment Legal Terms

Are both a shareholders agreement and articles of association needed?

About Jonathan Lea

Jonathan is a specialist business law solicitor who has been practising for over 18 years, starting at the top international City firms before then spending some time at a couple of smaller practices. In 2013 he started working on a self-employed basis as a consultant solicitor, while in 2019 The Jonathan Lea Network became a SRA regulated law firm itself after Jonathan got tired of spending all day referring clients and work to other law firms.

The Jonathan Lea Network is now a full service firm of solicitors that employs senior and junior solicitors, trainee solicitors, paralegals and administration staff who all work from a modern open plan office in Haywards Heath. This close-knit retained team is enhanced by a trusted network of specialist consultant solicitors who work remotely and, where relevant, combine seamlessly with the central team.

If you'd like a competitive quote for any legal work please first send an email to wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net with an introduction and an overview of the issues you’d like our help with, following which someone will liaise to fix a mutually convenient time for a no cost no obligation initial 20 minute call with one of our fee earners.

We are always keen to take on new work and ensure that clients will not only come back to us again, but also recommend us to others too.

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