Question 1

What does a custom Shareholders Agreement include?

Accepted Answer

Your custom Shareholders Agreement will include:

• Share classes and capital structure
• Governance and board composition
• Voting and reserved matters (requiring enhanced or unanimous consent)
• Information rights and reporting obligations
• Transfer restrictions with pre‑emption rights
• Tag‑along and drag‑along rights
• Dividend policy and distribution rules
• Vesting and leaver provisions (good/bad leaver mechanics)
• Confidentiality and intellectual property protections
• Deadlock and dispute resolution procedures
• Exit mechanics and buy‑back pricing

Each section is tailored specifically to your cap table, company stage, and investor mix.

Question 2

How quickly will I receive my shareholders agreement?

Accepted Answer

Standard delivery is 3 business days from the time we receive your completed questionnaire.

If you select Express Delivery, you'll receive your agreement in 1 business day.

After checkout, we'll email you a detailed questionnaire to capture information about your cap table, governance preferences, transfer restrictions, and exit provisions. Once you complete that, your dedicated Australian lawyer will draft your bespoke agreement.

Question 3

Who will draft my shareholders agreement?

Accepted Answer

Your agreement will be drafted by a licensed Australian lawyer with expertise in corporate governance, equity structures, and shareholder relations.

Our lawyers have experience working with startups, scale‑ups, and established businesses across various industries. They understand both founder and investor perspectives, ensuring your agreement is balanced and commercially practical.

Question 4

How does the information gathering process work?

Accepted Answer

After you complete checkout, we'll send you an AI‑powered questionnaire via email. This intelligent form asks targeted questions about:

• Your current cap table and shareholding structure
• Board composition and governance requirements
• Matters requiring enhanced or unanimous approval
• Transfer restrictions and permitted transfers
• Tag/drag rights and pre‑emption mechanics
• Vesting schedules and leaver provisions
• Dividend policy and distribution preferences
• Dispute resolution and deadlock procedures

The questionnaire adapts based on your answers, ensuring we gather all necessary information efficiently. Most clients complete it in 15‑20 minutes.

Question 5

Are revisions included?

Accepted Answer

Yes! One round of amendments is included in your package.

After we deliver your draft agreement, you can review it and request changes. We'll revise the agreement to incorporate your feedback and ensure it perfectly reflects your requirements.

If you need additional rounds of revisions or want to discuss more substantial changes, we can arrange that for an additional fee.

Question 6

Can I speak with a solicitor about my agreement?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. While the drafting is handled by our expert legal team, you can request a consultation call if you have questions or need clarification on any provisions.

Consultation calls are available as an optional add‑on. During the call, you can discuss governance structures, transfer restrictions, vesting mechanisms, or any other aspects of your shareholders agreement.

This is particularly valuable if you're navigating complex cap tables, multiple investor classes, or specific exit scenarios.

Question 7

What makes this different from a template?

Accepted Answer

Templates are one‑size‑fits‑all documents with generic language and standard provisions. Our custom shareholders agreements are:

• Drafted specifically for your cap table and shareholding structure
• Tailored to your company stage (seed, Series A, growth, etc.)
• Adjusted for your governance requirements and decision‑making processes
• Customized for your transfer restrictions and exit preferences
• Written in clear, plain‑English language
• Reviewed by a licensed Australian lawyer
• Compliant with current Australian corporate law

Every provision is considered in the context of your specific business situation, ensuring the agreement works for your unique circumstances.

Question 8

What specific areas does the agreement cover in detail?

Accepted Answer

The agreement provides comprehensive coverage of:

**Governance**: Board size, composition, appointment/removal procedures, quorum requirements, and meeting protocols.

**Reserved Matters**: Clear list of decisions requiring enhanced majority or unanimous approval (e.g., raising capital, major contracts, disposing of assets, changing business activities).

**Transfer Restrictions**: Pre‑emption rights on transfers, permitted transfers (family trusts, related entities), tag‑along and drag‑along mechanics, and good/bad leaver provisions.

**Economic Rights**: Dividend policy, distribution waterfall, anti‑dilution protections, and participation rights.

**Information Rights**: Reporting obligations, access to financial statements, and inspection rights.

**Deadlock & Disputes**: Escalation procedures, deadlock resolution mechanisms, and exit provisions if shareholders reach an impasse.

Question 9

Is this compliant with Australian law?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your shareholders agreement will be fully compliant with:

• The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
• Australian corporate governance principles
• ASIC regulatory requirements
• Common law principles governing shareholder relationships

Our lawyers stay current with legislative changes and case law developments to ensure your agreement reflects the latest legal standards.

The agreement is designed to work seamlessly with your company constitution and comply with all statutory requirements for Australian proprietary and public companies.

Question 10

What if my circumstances change in the future?

Accepted Answer

Shareholders agreements typically include amendment procedures requiring consent from all parties (or a specified supermajority).

If your circumstances change—such as bringing in new investors, changing governance structures, or adjusting transfer restrictions—you'll need to execute a deed of amendment or variation.

We can assist with amendments and updates in the future. Many clients return to us when they raise new funding rounds or restructure their equity arrangements.

Your agreement will also include provisions for common changes (like new share classes or additional board seats) to make future amendments smoother.

Question 11

How do I implement the agreement once it's finalized?

Accepted Answer

Once you approve the final draft:

1. **Review with stakeholders**: Share the agreement with all shareholders and, if appropriate, their legal advisors.

2. **Execution**: All shareholders sign the agreement. We recommend using witnessed signatures for additional certainty.

3. **Company records**: Keep the executed agreement with your company's corporate records.

4. **Register updates**: If the agreement affects share transfers or creates new classes of shares, update ASIC records accordingly.

5. **Ongoing compliance**: Ensure all parties understand their obligations, particularly around transfer restrictions, information rights, and governance procedures.

We provide execution guidance and can answer questions about implementation during your optional consultation call.

Question 12

What happens after I receive the agreement?

Accepted Answer

After we deliver your shareholders agreement:

1. **Review**: Take time to review the document carefully with your co‑founders and/or advisors.

2. **Request revisions**: If anything needs adjustment, let us know. One round of amendments is included.

3. **Finalization**: Once you approve the agreement, we'll provide the final version.

4. **Execution**: All shareholders sign the agreement.

5. **Ongoing support**: If you need help with amendments, updates, or have questions down the track, we're here to assist.

You'll also receive guidance on maintaining and implementing the agreement as your business grows.

Custom Shareholders'
Agreement

How it works

Form & Checkout

We Draft

Review & Finalize

Why This Shareholders Agreement Works

Stage‑Appropriate

Reserved Matters

Transfer Controls

Vesting & Leavers

Fewer Disputes

Amendments & Support

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Custom Shareholders'Agreement