As a legally binding contract, a shareholder agreement is enforceable if it aligns with the rules of contract enforceability. That means that the things like the basic contract requirements of offer, acceptance, and consideration will apply in order for a shareholder agreement to be enforceable.
A shareholders' agreement is an agreement entered into between all or some of the shareholders in a company. It regulates the relationship between the shareholders, the management of the company, ownership of the shares and the protection of the shareholders. They also govern the way in which the company is run.
Forced buyout of a shareholder It's possible through a buy-sell agreement, cross-option agreement, share buyback, or other valid contract. These provisions trigger in certain circumstances, such as when a shareholder dies, files for bankruptcy or divorces. Mergers and acquisitions can also be triggers.
Much like any other contract, a shareholders' agreement is legally binding. Therefore, in most cases, the standard rules of contract law will apply regarding enforceability and the remedies available if a breach of that agreement or a dispute occurs.
Under the standard rules of contract law, any party to the shareholders' agreement may, if no provision is made in the agreement to resolve disputes, seek a declaration, damages, an injunction or order for specific performance to stop other parties to the agreement acting contrary to its terms.
The basic elements required for the agreement to be a legally enforceable contract are: mutual assent, expressed by a valid offer and acceptance; adequate consideration; capacity; and legality. In some states, elements of consideration can be satisfied by a valid substitute.
Bylaws ensure the corporation adheres to a certain standard and that everyone knows their role in the company. A shareholders' agreement differs from bylaws because it is an optional arrangement that only regulates the shareholders' relationship among themselves.
A shareholders' agreement is a cheap way to minimise the risk of disputes as it provides a framework for how certain decisions are to be made. The agreement usually also includes rules for how any disagreements and disputes are to be managed.
Shareholders are the owners of a company and provide financial backing in return for potential dividends or other compensation over the lifetime of the company.
A SHA is an agreement that summarizes the rights of shareholders, as well as the relationship they have to one another and to the business. Importantly, it can help resolve future disputes. This is because SHAs typically outline how to resolve common issues that arise within the context of a company.