Sector Expertise
Family Businesses
Family governance, succession, shareholder agreements, dispute resolution and institutionalisation.
A family business joins ownership and family ties, and its biggest risk is the lack of governance when it passes between generations. We help families build a charter, clear governance and ownership structures that preserve the business and reduce disputes.
Key Legal Matters
Key legal matters in the sector
Family charter and governance
Organising decisions, the family council and each member's role in ownership and management.
Shareholder agreements
Profit policy, exit, valuation and restrictions on transferring shares.
Succession and transfer of ownership
Planning share transfers between generations and the effect of inheritance on the business.
Institutionalisation
Moving from family to institutional management and forming a board.
Dispute resolution
Resolving partner disputes by negotiation, mediation or arbitration.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is a family charter necessary?
Not mandatory by law, but one of the most important governance tools: it sets the rules before disputes arise and preserves continuity.
How do we stop an outsider becoming a partner?
Provisions in the articles or shareholders' agreement: pre-emption rights, transfer restrictions and a share-valuation mechanism.
What if heirs disagree on running the company?
Negotiation, then mediation or arbitration if a clause exists, then formal procedure — with interim management arrangements to keep the business running.
The information on this page is general and for awareness only; it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Answers vary with the facts of each case.
Insights
Articles worth reading
اتفاقية الشركاء في السعودية: ماذا ينبغي أن تنظم قبل أن يبدأ الخلاف؟ (Arabic)
ما الذي ينبغي أن ينظمه اتفاق الشركاء في السعودية؟ شرح الإدارة والتصويت والتخارج وبيع الحصص والتقييم والأرباح وتعثر القرار وتسوية النزاعات.
نزاعات الشركاء في الشركات السعودية: ما الخيارات القانونية؟ (Arabic)
دليل عملي لنزاعات الشركاء في الشركات السعودية، بما يشمل حقوق الاطلاع والتصويت، الاعتراض على القرارات، عزل المدير، بيع الحصص، الأرباح والتسوية.
ماذا أفعل عند خلاف الورثة على قسمة التركة؟ (Arabic)
خطوات عملية عند تنازع الورثة: حصر التركة، والقسمة الودية أو القضائية، وإدارة الأصول أثناء الخلاف.
مسؤولية مدير الشركة في السعودية (Arabic)
شرح مسؤولية مدير الشركة وفق نظام الشركات السعودي، بما يشمل واجبات العناية والولاء، الأخطاء والإهمال، تعارض المصالح، مسؤولية الديون ودعاوى المسؤولية.
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