Shareholders are important stakeholders of companies. In recent times the position of shareholders has become more and more scrutinized, partly as a result of activist measures they have taken, sometimes resulting in the breaking up of large corporations. At the other hand of the spectrum we see minority shareholders being marginalised and even forced to transfer their shares.

Questions that arise in these and similar situations are, amongst others: how can the management board of the company block what it deems destructive action by shareholders, but also: what can shareholders do in the event that the value of their shares decreases as a result of actions by management or third parties? As a result there are many relationships concerning companies in which shareholders play a role. The role of a shareholder may depend on the type of company, but also on the type of shareholder (activist vs. long term investor), the type of shares, and the articles of incorporation and shareholders agreements.

This practical handbook provides an overview of these and other relevant legal issues concerning shareholders in some 25 of the most important business nations around the globe. It provides guidance to shareholders, directors, supervisory directors, general counsel and their attorneys to promote a better understanding of the rights, but also the obligations, of shareholders. Besides, this guide provides all those concerned with practical information on the relevant dispute resolution systems.

Argentina
Tomás M Araya
Iván Bovio Marenco
M&M Bomchil

Australia
Ian Walker
WARD Lawyers

Austria
Arno Brauneis
Philipp Gamauf
bkp Rechtsanwälte GmbH

Belgium
Charles-Antoine della Faille
Yves Lenders
Lydian

Brazil
Thomas Benes Felsberg
Maria da Graça de Brito Vianna Pedretti
Marcus Alexandre Matteucci Gomes
Fabiana Bruno Solano Pereira
Paulo Fernando Campana Filho
Felsberg Advogados

Canada
Matti Lemmens
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

China
Rogier van Bijnen
R&P China Lawyers

Czech Republic
Ernst Giese
Jaroslava Trojanová
Giese & Partner

Denmark
Carsten Ceutz
Morten Krogsgaard
Bech-Bruun

Finland
Oona Fromholdt
Mentula & Väätäinen Attorneys Ltd
Pekka Jaatinen
Ilari Mustonen
Castrén & Snellman Attorneys Ltd

France
Amélie Dorst
Anja Droege Gagnier
BMH Avocats

Germany
Peter Fissenewert
Buse Heberer Fromm

Hungary
Sándor Németh
Adrienn Tar
Szecskay Attorneys at Law

Ireland
Frank Flanagan
Nicholas Metcalfe
Mason Hayes & Curran

Italy
Flavio Acerbi
5Lex
Silvio Cavallo
Pillarstone
Giulio Gomitoni
5Lex
Paolo Manganelli
Ashurst
Cosimo Pennetta
RCC Lex Ltd

Japan
Naoya Ariyoshi
Makoto Shimizu
Shingo Yamada
Nishimura & Asahi

Luxembourg
Chan Park
Philippe Thiebaud
MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour

Netherlands
Marcel Willems
Fieldfisher NV

Norway
Thomas Fjell
Johan Christian Kongsli
Grette

Portugal
Miguel de Avillez Pereira
Susana Morgado
Carlos Soares
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo

Slovakia
Slavomir Cˇauder
Zuzana Francúzová
Giese & Partner

Spain
María Luisa de Alarcón
Nuria Clemente
JAUSAS

Sweden
Jesper Grünbaum
Johan Strömbäck
Setterwalls

Switzerland
Benedict F Christ
David Jenny
Reto Marghitola
Vischer AG

United Kingdom
Christine Phillips
Fieldfisher LLP

United States
J Travis Laster
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware
John L Reed
Henry duPont Ridgely
DLA Piper LLP (US)