Business partnership disputes can arise for a number of reasons, from breaches of a partnership agreement or fiduciary duties to the suspension or removal of a partner.
Disputes between business partners can be complex and time consuming to resolve, often impacting the wider operations of the business.
If you are involved in a business partnership dispute, we understand that getting the matter resolved quickly and efficiently will be important to you.
Our solicitors can assist with resolving a wide range of disputes using Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods such as mediation, negotiation and arbitration.
Where possible, we avoid escalating the matter to court proceedings due to the time and costs involved, however, if necessary, we have solicitors who specialise in business litigation and can provide strong representation.
At Preston Redman, we regularly work with commercial clients from Bournemouth, Poole, across Dorset and beyond. Our team will be happy to advise you over the phone, via email and through videoconferencing, as well as in person for your convenience.
To speak to one of our highly experienced partnership dispute solicitors in Bournemouth, please contact our Bournemouth office on 01202 292 424 or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.
How our partnership dispute solicitors can help you
Our partnership dispute lawyers can aid with matters such as:
- Breaches of partnership agreement terms or fiduciary duties
- Disputes over the interpretation of partnership agreements
- Dissolution or winding up a partnership
Breaches of partnership agreement terms or fiduciary duties
A business partnership agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines the rights, responsibilities, profit-sharing, and operational procedures between partners in a business.
This may include details of fiduciary duties, which are responsibilities that a partner has to act in good faith, in the interests of the business and not for personal gain, such as disclosing any conflicts of interest.
If a partner does not fulfil their obligations under the agreement, the other partners may have the right to take legal action for breach of the partnership agreement.
You will need to demonstrate that the partner violated a contractual obligation, fiduciary duty, or both and prove that this breach resulted in financial loss for the business.
Our partnership dispute solicitors can assist with establishing whether there has been a breach of the partnership agreement and taking the appropriate legal action to resolve the situation.
Disputes over the interpretation of partnership agreements
When entering a business partnership, it is vitally important to ensure your partnership agreement is clearly and legally drafted to avoid ambiguity and prevent disputes from occurring further down the line.
If a dispute has arisen over the terms of your agreement, our solicitors can assist with Alternative Dispute Resolution methods, such as mediation and negotiation, to resolve the matter and put processes in place to prevent disputes from arising again.
We can help ensure all parties are clear on the terms of your agreement and amend the document accordingly.
Dissolution or winding up a partnership
Where it has not been possible to resolve a dispute and the working relationship between the parties has broken down, you may decide to dissolve the partnership and wind up your business.
There are a number of mechanisms that can be used to dissolve a partnership, and there may be provisions made specifically in your agreement for this situation.
For example, you may have decided that a majority agreement can trigger the dissolution of your partnership.
There are a number of blanket provisions made in the Partnership Act that allow partners to dissolve their business relationship, including where there is a unanimous agreement and where a partner has made multiple wilful breaches of the partnership agreement.
Common questions about partnership disputes
What is a partnership dispute?
A business partnership dispute arises when disagreements or conflicts occur between partners in a business, typically involving issues such as profit distribution, decision-making authority, or breach of contractual obligations.
A clear and comprehensive partnership agreement can help prevent disputes by outlining each partner’s roles, responsibilities, and processes for resolving disagreements within the business.
It is also important to regularly review and update your partnership agreement to ensure all parties are clear on the terms and they align with your business interests.
What are the main causes of partnership disputes?
Business partnership disputes can be triggered in a range of situations and can often be complex to resolve.
Common examples include where there has been a breach of the business partnership contract, mismanagement of funds, failure to meet responsibilities, or breaches of fiduciary duties.
How to resolve partnership disputes
Resolving such disputes may involve negotiation, mediation, or, in more severe cases, legal action.
Our solicitors can assist with Alternative Dispute Resolution methods such as mediation, negotiation and arbitration to resolve the disputes between parties without escalating the matter to court proceedings.
These methods promote amicable resolutions and aim to preserve relationships where possible, particularly when it is in the interests of both parties to maintain a business relationship.
If court proceedings are necessary, then our partnership disputes solicitors have specialist expertise in commercial litigation and can help to resolve the matter as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Get in touch with our partnership disputes solicitors in Bournemouth
To speak to one of our highly experienced partnership disputes solicitors, please contact our Bournemouth office on 01202 292 424 or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.
