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Corporate law
Corporate law

Conflict between shareholders

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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources

A conflict between shareholders can block decision-making and disrupt the company’s operations. Start with the articles of association, shareholder agreements and the specific dispute.

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Organise rights and roles

Separate your position as shareholder, director and, where applicable, employee. Gather the articles of association, shareholder agreement and relevant resolutions.

Make the dispute specific

Does it concern information, distributions, voting rights or departure? Describe the desired solution and keep business continuity and records in order.

Explore consultation or proceedings

Discuss mediation or arrangements for a buyout. If that does not work, have a corporate lawyer assess which procedure and valuation are appropriate.

Your checklist

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Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.

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Articles of association

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Your timeline and evidence

List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.

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Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.

Is my evidence sent?

No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.

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Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.

Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.

0 / 3 · Checked or collected

For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.

Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.

For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?

Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.

After your conversation

These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.

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  • Articles of association
  • Shareholder agreement
  • Resolutions and specific points of dispute

Frequently asked questions

Can I simply buy out my fellow shareholder?

Not unilaterally based on a conflict alone. Agreements, consent or an appropriate statutory procedure are decisive.

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Sources and further information

Case law — shareholder disputes and dispute resolution procedure ↗Entrepreneurs' Square — articles of association and shareholder agreement ↗

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