Business & company
Dispute with co-founders, shareholders or directors of my company
Company disputes are won on the company's own paperwork: shareholding, minutes and filings. We'll build that record.
Answer a few questions and get your list →What the law says
Oppression and mismanagement cases go to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Members generally need at least 10% of shares (or 100 members), though the Tribunal can waive this. Shareholders' agreements often add arbitration.
General information, not legal advice.
Papers that usually help
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (current version)
Sets transfer, appointment and meeting rules. - Shareholders' / founders' agreement and term sheets
Often decides exit, vesting and deadlock. - Share certificates, register of members extract, cap table, allotment filings
Proves your stake and any dilution. - MCA filings: director appointments/resignations, allotments, charges, annual returns
Shows unauthorised changes and their dates. - Board and general meeting notices, agendas and minutes you hold
Defective notice or quorum can invalidate decisions. - Financial statements, bank statements and related-party transactions you can lawfully access
Supports mismanagement claims. - Your written requests for records/meetings and the replies
Shows exclusion from management. - Founder messages and emails about roles, equity and exits
Fills gaps where nothing was signed. - Latest valuation reports and funding round documents
Needed for any buy-out.
Questions Saboot will ask you
- What is your position?
- What percentage of the shares do you hold?
- What has happened?
- Is there a shareholders' or founders' agreement?
- Does it have an arbitration clause?
- Did you receive notice of the board/general meeting where this happened?
- What type of company?
- When did the main act happen?
Sources
- Companies Act, 2013
Common situations
- Removed as a director from my own company
- My shareholding diluted without my consent
- Co-founder taking company money
- Not being shown company accounts
- Want to exit the company and get fair value
- Board deadlock between founders
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