Transparency New Zealand

Today  Monteck Carter chartered accountants  sent out a news letter on  Shareholders agreements

“A Shareholders’ Agreement is a contract between the shareholders of a company. Without one, you risk a dispute at some point down the track when each shareholder has a different idea of who can do what, when they can do it, how it is done, and what was agreed at the outset. Like a pre-nuptial…

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The entire fiasco with  Muse on Allen Restaurant and Bar   is a  great example as to why share holder agreements are essential and why the company should have a Lawyer who acts for and on behalf of the company ensuring that all parties have the protection which the  law  affords  them.

Two Chefs agreed to purchase an existing business  , One a relatively new immigrant  to New Zealand  had the finances to set up   a company, the other    had an ambition  too large for his  pockets which was to be the  youngest chef to be  the owner of a restaurant.

The young chefs owner   worked with their  family lawyer to  transact  matters  in the company and then they drew up their own document  which has no real basis in law  but   despite this and lack of compliance with the  document  have staunchly held  to  this grossly defective and deceptive document.

What was signed  between the so called partners of  Muse on Allen  was called  a partnering agreement as opposed to a Share holders agreement  There was no interdependent legal advice nor was an opportunity provided for  such advice. As a result the majority share holder had all his investment   taken from him and transferred   to the young chef Samuel North ,  contrary to the provisions of the companies act  so that    the  most cash strapped  member of this so called agreement could  claim publicly and repeatedly that  the restaurant was his own  .

A  sample copy of a share holders agreement   can be found  at this link   an unprotected version of the document is here shareholders-agreement.

As can be seen there is a massive difference  between this  document and the  ” partnering  agreement

Share holder is defined in the  companies act in section 96.  Partnership has no definition other than that  given  under the limited partnership act  and this registers partnerships.  this does not apply in this instance as this is  a limited liability company with share holders.

It is interesting to note   that the agreement  to the right is deficient   section 21 

 

It is quite clear therefore that Anabelle Torrejos Malcolm  North and Debbie North were not share holders.  they have never appeared on the  share registry, either those of the company or  as reflected on the  registrars  on line registry    therefore it  can quite safely be said that   this is not a shareholders agreement.

In this case Anabelle Torrejos, Malcolm  North and Debbie North  could not sell their shares  as they  did not hold any.  they were instead lenders   as   they loaned their funds   to the company.

We are of the opinion that  this  Partnering document being held out to be a share holders agreement makes false representations  and through those false representations  those who hold this document out to be  be genuine should be looking at the provisions  of the crimes act .

We cannot emphasize enough the need for good and competent lawyers  who act in accordance with the law.  Without such  protection   companies can go entirely off the rails and  be used  contrary to the law .

It is therefore essential that any company has an impartial  Independent lawyer who ensures that all parties  comply with the law.

No one involved in a company  should sign anything  unless thy have sought independent legal advice .