Question 1

What does a custom Shareholders' Agreement include?

Accepted Answer

Your custom Shareholders' Agreement will include:

• Share classes, rights, and capitalisation table structure
• Board composition, quorum requirements, and decision-making processes
• Consent and reserved matters requiring shareholder or investor approval
• Information rights and reporting obligations
• Share transfer restrictions, pre-emption rights, and first refusal mechanics
• Good leaver and bad leaver provisions with valuation methodologies
• Drag-along and tag-along rights for aligned exits
• Dividend policies and distribution arrangements
• Dispute resolution procedures and deadlock mechanisms
• Alignment with your Articles of Association and Companies Act 2006

Each section is tailored specifically to your company's ownership structure, investor requirements, and governance preferences.

Question 2

What is the delivery timeline and process?

Accepted Answer

Standard delivery is 3 business days from checkout (express 1-day delivery available for an additional fee).

The process:
1. After checkout, you'll receive a detailed questionnaire about your cap table, share classes, governance preferences, consent matters, transfer restrictions, and leaver provisions
2. Our UK solicitors review your responses and draft a bespoke agreement aligned with best practices and investor expectations
3. We deliver the draft to you for review
4. You can request amendments or clarifications
5. We finalize the agreement ready for signature and board/shareholder adoption

All communication happens via email with rapid turnaround on questions.

Question 3

Who drafts the Shareholders' Agreement?

Accepted Answer

Every agreement is drafted by a qualified UK solicitor with extensive experience in corporate governance, investment documentation, and shareholder arrangements.

Our solicitors:
• Are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
• Have 10+ years of experience in corporate and commercial law
• Regularly advise startups, SMEs, and investors on governance structures
• Stay current with Companies Act requirements and investor market standards
• Understand practical commercial needs alongside legal compliance

You're not getting a template—you're getting expert legal advice tailored to your specific situation.

Question 4

How do you gather information about our company and requirements?

Accepted Answer

After checkout, we send you a comprehensive but straightforward questionnaire covering:

• Current shareholding structure and share classes
• Board composition and any investor director appointment rights
• Key decisions that should require investor or majority approval
• Information and reporting expectations
• Restrictions on share transfers and exit planning
• Treatment of departing shareholders (leavers)
• Drag-along and tag-along preferences
• Dividend policy and distribution approach
• Dispute resolution preferences
• Any specific investor requirements or term sheet provisions

You can also provide copies of your current Articles of Association, any existing investor term sheets, or other relevant documentation. The questionnaire typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete.

Question 5

How many revisions are included?

Accepted Answer

We include reasonable revisions to ensure the agreement meets your needs:

• Initial draft based on questionnaire responses
• One substantial revision round covering changes to terms, governance structures, or additional provisions
• Clarifications and minor amendments throughout the process
• Final polish and formatting adjustments

If you need significant restructuring after the first revision (changing fundamental terms, adding new shareholder classes, etc.), we'll discuss scope and any additional fees upfront. Most clients find the initial draft requires only minor adjustments.

Question 6

Can I consult with a solicitor about specific terms?

Accepted Answer

Yes! A 20-minute consultation with the drafting solicitor is included at no extra cost. Your service also includes email access for questions and clarifications, explanations of specific clauses, guidance on governance structure, and recommendations on balancing founder control with investor protections.

You can book a consultation any time during or after the drafting process.

Question 7

What makes this different from using a template?

Accepted Answer

Templates provide generic clauses that may not suit your specific cap table, investor requirements, or governance preferences.

Your custom agreement:
• Reflects your actual shareholding structure and share classes
• Includes consent matters and reserved matters tailored to your investors' expectations
• Contains leaver provisions with appropriate valuation methodologies for your sector and stage
• Aligns drag-along and tag-along rights with realistic exit scenarios
• Dovetails with your specific Articles of Association
• Complies with Companies Act 2006 requirements and investor market standards
• Addresses your commercial realities, not hypothetical situations
• Includes solicitor explanations of why certain terms are structured as they are

You avoid the risk of missing essential protections or including unenforceable or inappropriate clauses.

Question 8

What specific governance and control areas are covered?

Accepted Answer

Your agreement will comprehensively address:

Board and Management:
• Board size, composition, and any investor appointment rights
• Quorum requirements and voting procedures
• Executive authority and delegation limits

Shareholder Decisions:
• Consent matters requiring investor approval (e.g. budget, fundraising, M&A, IP transfers)
• Reserved matters requiring super-majority or unanimous consent
• Written resolutions versus formal meetings

Financial Controls:
• Budget approval thresholds
• Significant expenditure limits
• Borrowing and guarantees
• Related party transactions

Strategic Protections:
• Changes to business scope or strategy
• Acquisition or disposal of material assets
• Intellectual property assignments or licenses
• Share option pool expansions

All provisions are drafted to be practical and enforceable while protecting both founders and investors.

Question 9

Does it comply with UK company law?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely. Your agreement is drafted to comply with:

• Companies Act 2006 requirements
• Shareholder rights and duties under UK company law
• Director duties and fiduciary obligations
• Pre-emption rights and share transfer restrictions
• Dividend and distribution rules
• Minority shareholder protections

We also ensure provisions are consistent with your Articles of Association and don't conflict with statutory requirements. If any terms in your Articles need updating to align with the Shareholders' Agreement, we'll flag this for you.

Question 10

Can we amend the agreement in the future?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The agreement includes clear amendment procedures (typically requiring unanimous or super-majority shareholder consent for material changes).

Common reasons for amendments:
• New investment rounds with different terms or investors
• Changes to board composition or consent matters
• Modifications to leaver provisions or vesting schedules
• Updated exit rights following growth or strategy changes
• Adjustments to information rights or reporting requirements

We can assist with future amendments at competitive hourly rates, and you'll have the benefit of a well-drafted base document to work from.

Question 11

Does it include guidance on implementation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your final agreement includes:

• Explanatory notes on key terms and their commercial effect
• Guidance on execution and board/shareholder adoption procedures
• Recommendations for storing and maintaining the agreement
• Notes on when to review or update provisions (e.g. before new fundraising)
• Flagging any consequential updates needed to your Articles of Association

We want to ensure you not only receive a great agreement but also understand how to use and maintain it effectively.

Question 12

What happens after delivery?

Accepted Answer

Once you approve the final agreement:

• We deliver the final version in Word and PDF formats
• You can execute it immediately or incorporate feedback from advisors/investors
• The agreement becomes binding when signed by all shareholders
• You should store it securely alongside your Articles and board records
• Review it before major corporate events (fundraising, exits, key hires)
• Contact us for any questions or if you need amendments in future

You'll have peace of mind that your governance and shareholder relationships are properly documented and enforceable.

Custom Shareholders'
Agreement

How it works

Form & Checkout

We Draft

Review & Finalize

Why This Shareholders’ Agreement Works

Board & Decisions

Consent/Reserved Matters

Transfers & Pre‑emption

Leavers & Drag/Tag

Information Rights

Dividends & Disputes

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Custom Shareholders'Agreement