Apr 24, 2024
The Importance of Shareholder Agreements
The horrors of shareholder disputes cost eye-watering sums of money, destroy relationships, and destroy businesses.
Meet the Team
Keith joined Walker Foster in 2000 as a Solicitor and became a Partner in 2003. He was Managing Partner/Managing Director for many years, guiding the business through challenge, change, and significant growth. He is now focussed on company and commercial law where he applies his legal expertise and his considerable experience of owning and running a complex business for the benefit of clients.
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Keith HardingtonDirector, Head of Company and Commercial LawKeith joined Walker Foster in 2000 as a Solicitor and became a Partner in 2003. He was Managing Partner/Managing Director for many years, guiding the business through challenge, change, and significant growth. He is now focussed on company and commercial law where he applies his legal expertise and his considerable experience of owning and running a complex business for the benefit of clients.
Keith is a trusted advisor who has worked with individuals and businesses for many years. His career began in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he began working in the shipping industry looking after his father-in-law’s seagoing maintenance company. Since then, he has worked with businesses in many sectors including agriculture, veterinary, food supplements, engineering, retail, medical products and professional service firms.
He is a commercial and corporate solicitor. He also has wide experience in dispute resolution and is an accredited and experienced civil dispute mediator. He brings much experience to advising, negotiating, and drafting in business sales and commercial deals. He has led multi-million-pound business sales and share sales and purchases supported by our commercial team.
Keith’s work includes: Drafting and negotiating a range of commercial contracts including; terms and conditions, distribution agreements, agency agreements, licence agreements, supply of goods/service agreements and website policies.
Business sale and purchase including: Share sales and purchases and asset sales and purchases; management buyouts
Corporate advice including: Restructures and other share transactions, drafting shareholder agreements and partnership agreements, providing company and corporate advice, growth shares, EMI schemes, commercial dispute resolution, including mediation.
Keith spent two years on the Law Society Council representing Yorkshire and was a business advisor with Young Enterprise. He sat for a number of years on the board of a rural housing association which strives to provide affordable housing in rural communities.
In his spare time Keith loves nothing more than to get out on his bike, or go for a walk with his dog, Oscar. He is an avid fan of DIY, Classic Cars and supporter of Newcastle United, but we won’t hold that against him.
The horrors of shareholder disputes cost eye-watering sums of money, destroy relationships, and destroy businesses.
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When discussing lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) with clients, usually their immediate concern is appointing an attorney to deal with their personal affairs. But this overlooks another key question: who would run your business if you were ill, or had an accident and lost capacity?
Planning for the future can feel daunting, but preparing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a straightforward step to help you protect your interests and provide clarity for loved ones. In this comprehensive lasting power of attorney guide, Walker Foster’s expert solicitors explain what a power of attorney is, how to set one up and how they can provide peace of mind for you and your family.
The Supreme Court has issued its landmark verdict on the Hirachand v Hirachand case, ruling that success fees can no longer be awarded as financial provision in claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.
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