Shareholder, partnership, and joint venture

Crownmark Lawyers advises business owners, investors, and organisations on the establishment and management of shareholder, partnership, and joint venture arrangements. These agreements play a critical role in setting expectations, allocating risk, and providing a framework for how decisions are made as a business evolves.

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We assist clients at the outset of a business relationship, as well as where existing arrangements need to be reviewed or restructured. Our focus is on ensuring that agreements are clear, workable in practice, and aligned with the commercial objectives of the parties involved. Thoughtful drafting at an early stage can significantly reduce the risk of disputes and uncertainty later on.

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Crownmark Lawyers takes the time to understand the dynamics between the parties, including ownership interests, control, funding arrangements, and exit expectations. We provide advice on governance, decision-making, profit distribution, restraint and confidentiality obligations, and mechanisms for dealing with changes in circumstances, such as deadlock, exit, or succession.

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Where agreements intersect with tax, accounting, or broader commercial considerations, we adopt a holistic approach to ensure that the structure is both legally sound and commercially appropriate. This is particularly important in joint venture arrangements, where parties may have differing objectives, levels of involvement, or risk tolerance.

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When disputes arise between shareholders, partners, or joint venturers, we provide strategic advice aimed at resolving issues efficiently and preserving value where possible. Where necessary, we work closely with counsel to support dispute resolution or litigation processes.

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Our services include:

• Drafting and reviewing shareholder agreements

• Partnership agreements and partnership restructuring

• Joint venture agreements and governance frameworks

• Advice on control, voting rights, and decision-making

• Profit distribution and funding arrangements

• Deadlock, exit, and buy-sell mechanisms

• Restraint, confidentiality, and non-compete provisions

• Dispute management between business principals