Document how owners make decisions, transfer interests and exit

These agreements are often most valuable when the relationship is still positive, because that is usually when the parties can agree the ground rules more calmly. The document can record how decisions are made, what needs special approval, whether interests can be sold freely, and what happens if someone wants to leave or stops contributing. Without that framework, the business may be left relying on assumptions that were never written down. Trust matters, but so does clarity when ownership, control and money start pulling in different directions later.

A shareholders and unitholders agreement commonly deals with voting rights, reserved decisions, profit or distribution arrangements, transfer restrictions, pre-emption rights, valuation approaches, drag and tag provisions, deadlock procedures and exit events. It may also cover confidentiality, director appointment rights, information access and what happens if an owner breaches the agreement or ceases involvement in the business. The exact mix depends on the structure and the deal between the parties. The aim is to capture the practical rules that matter once ownership changes or a major decision has to be made.

The drafting is shaped by the ownership percentages, whether there are different classes of shares or units, which decisions need majority or unanimous approval, and whether any owner has special rights or restrictions. We also need to know whether future investment is expected, whether founders want tighter transfer controls, and how a departure or buy-out should work. A 50:50 venture may need stronger deadlock wording than a business with a clear majority owner. Those commercial details usually matter more than the title of the document itself.

Yes. If you already have a shareholders or unitholders agreement, we can review it and advise on whether the wording still fits the current ownership structure and commercial arrangements. That can be useful after a restructure, new investment, founder departure or a change in how decisions are made. In some cases, the existing document can be updated with targeted amendments. In others, a fuller redraft may be more sensible if the agreement no longer reflects how the business is actually run or leaves key transfer and exit points unclear.

A template can be too general once real voting power, distributions and exit rights are involved. It may not deal properly with founder-specific rights, compulsory transfer events, valuation mechanics, different classes of interests or the approval thresholds the owners actually want. It can also leave deadlock and buy-out wording too vague to be useful when a disagreement arises. A more considered draft is usually worthwhile where the owners want the document to reflect their real commercial bargain, rather than relying on broad wording that may create argument later.

Working with us is simple. Start by submitting an enquiry through our website using the form at the top of this page or on our Get Started page. A legal project manager will review your enquiry within 1 business day and reach out to understand your needs.

They'll send you a fixed fee quote outlining costs, scope, and timing. If you're happy, you can accept and sign our engagement letter online. Once that's done, we'll connect you with an expert lawyer who will complete your project via email, phone, or video chat, with the timing confirmed in your quote.

If you're not looking for help with a specific matter, explore our platform, which offers free templates, tools to get your business set up, and even a free tier to get started. Whether you need legal support or just want to browse resources, we've got you covered.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from £100 to £1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Sprintlaw UK operates fully virtually, with the team working online across the UK to provide support to startups and small businesses nationwide. Many of our team are based in London and often meet at co-working offices, but our operations remain fully digital, ensuring flexibility and efficiency for both our clients and team.