Corporate & Partnership Disputes

Corporate disputes are conflicts that arise within or between businesses over the management, ownership, or operation of a company. These disputes can occur at any stage of a company’s lifecycle, from formation to dissolution, and often involve key stakeholders such as shareholders, directors, officers, or business partners.

  • Shareholder Disagreements

    When conflicts arise among shareholders, business can stall and relationship can fray. At Queenstone Law, we are experienced in resolving shareholder disputes for private and closely held companies.

    Common shareholder disputes include:

    • Breach of shareholders’ agreement

    • Oppression, unfair prejudice, or minority squeeze-out claims

    • Dividend and distribution conflicts

    • Valuation and buy-out disagreements

  • Oppression Remedies

    When internal conflicts arise within a company, minority shareholders and other stakeholders may feel their voices are being ignored or worse, their interests actively harmed.

    Under BC’s Business Corporations Act, the oppression remedy offers a powerful legal tool to address unfair treatment.

    The courts can step in to rectify matters when corporate affairs are conducted in a manner oppressive to minority interest or unfairly prejudicial to a complainant.

  • Derivative Actions

    In BC, a derivative action is a legal remedy that allows a shareholder, or in some cases, a director or other complainant, to bring a lawsuit on behalf of a corporation when the corporation itself refuses to take action.

    This is typically used when those in control of the company (like directors or officers) are allegedly to have harmed the company through misconduct, such as a breach of fiduciary duty. Unlike oppression remedies, which protect individual shareholder rights, derivative actions aim to protect the corporation itself.

  • Partnership Disputes

    Business partnerships often begin with shared vision and trust. But when conflicts arise over finances, responsibilities, or decision-making, they can escalate quickly and threaten everything you have built.

    Below are some common examples of partnership disputes:

    • Disagreements over profit allocation, capital contributions, or expense sharing.

    • Partner expulsion or withdrawal

    • Allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, or mismanagement

    If you are facing challenges with a business partner, you do not have to navigate them alone.

Contact us

Legal support for businesses, simplified.

Helping you resolve corporate and partner disputes in BC with clarity, discretion, and strategy is where we thrive.

Whether you are part of a formal partnership agreement or an informal business relationship, we can assist promptly and with expertise.

We specialize in business disputes such as:

  • Disagreements over profit distribution or financial contributions

  • Mismanagement or breach of fiduciary duties

  • Disputes surrounding ownership, roles, or authority

  • Withdrawal, expulsion, or dissolution of a partner

  • Enforcement or interpretation of partnership agreements

  • Protecting your rights in the absence of a written agreement

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We understand that business disputes can be as personal as they are professional.

Our approach balances assertive legal protection with strategic solutions helping you preserve the value of the business while protecting your own interests.

FAQs

  • In BC, a shareholder who believes another shareholder has acted improperly may be able to pursue both statutory and contractual remedies to enforce their rights.

  • Under BC’s Business Corporations Act, a complainant may apply to the BC Supreme Court to grant relief when a corporation’s affairs are conducted in a manner that is oppressive, unfairly prejudice, or unfairly disregards the interest of a complainant.

    A complainant can be any current or former shareholder, creditor, or any other person the court considers appropriate.

  • A derivative action is a special legal remedy that lets a shareholder or director bring a lawsuit on behalf of the corporation when the company itself refuses or neglects to enforce its rights.

  • While both the oppression remedy and derivative action allow stakeholders to challenge corporate misconduct, they serve distinct purposes and follow different rules.

    Oppression remedies, which protect individual shareholder rights, derivative actions aim to protect the corporation itself.