Shareholders or managing directors disagree on strategy, money, contribution or an exit. Resolutions are blocked, information is withheld, accusations are made.
What matters now
- The articles of association and all side agreements are the yardstick; they should be put on the table first.
- Resolutions can often only be challenged within short deadlines, and invitations to meetings must comply with form and notice requirements.
- The business must keep running: customers, employees and banks should not be drawn into the dispute.
- Unilateral steps such as blocking accounts or removing a managing director without a valid resolution usually make things worse.
- An orderly settlement or separation is often economically better than litigation; mediation is a proven route here.
Documents I need
- the articles of association with all amendments and the list of shareholders
- shareholder agreements, rules of procedure, managing director contracts
- minutes, resolutions, invitations
- the annual accounts of recent years and the key correspondence
Next steps
Send me the documents by email to kanzlei@bauer.legal or use the appointment request, and mention any deadline that is running. I usually reply within one working day and let you know how things can proceed. You can write to me in English or German. How we work together and how fees are charged is explained under How we work together.
More: Company law, Business mediation.
This page gives a general overview of German law and does not replace advice on the individual case.