Shareholder Agreement Template for Qatar

A Shareholder Agreement acts as the rulebook between people who own parts of a Qatari company, spelling out their rights, duties, and how they'll handle important decisions. It covers key matters like selling shares, voting rights, and profit distribution under Qatar's Commercial Companies Law No. 11 of 2015.

Beyond the basic requirements in Qatar's commercial code, this agreement helps prevent and solve disputes by clearly stating how shareholders should handle leadership changes, company sales, or disagreements. It protects both majority and minority shareholders' interests, making it essential for family businesses and joint ventures operating in Qatar's business landscape.

Put a Shareholder Agreement in place when starting a new company in Qatar or bringing in new investors to an existing business. This agreement becomes crucial before major changes like expanding operations, taking on significant debt, or planning leadership transitions - especially in family-owned enterprises operating under Qatar's Commercial Companies Law.

Consider implementing one when setting up joint ventures, protecting minority shareholder rights, or establishing clear procedures for share transfers. Many Qatari businesses create these agreements during their initial formation stage, though adding one later can help resolve emerging governance issues or prepare for future capital raises under Qatar Financial Centre regulations.

• Basic Shareholder Agreement: Covers fundamental rights, voting procedures, and profit distribution - ideal for small Qatari companies and startups
• Comprehensive Agreement: Includes detailed exit strategies, valuation methods, and dispute resolution - suited for larger corporations under QFC regulations
• Family Business Agreement: Focuses on succession planning, family member rights, and preserving family control while meeting Qatari commercial law requirements
• Joint Venture Agreement: Emphasizes cross-border operations, corporate governance, and strategic decision-making between international and local partners
• Minority Protection Agreement: Specifically designed to protect smaller shareholders' interests with tag-along rights and veto powers

• Shareholders: Primary parties to the agreement, including majority owners, minority investors, and family members with ownership stakes in Qatari companies
• Corporate Lawyers: Draft and review agreements to ensure compliance with Qatar's Commercial Companies Law and QFC regulations
• Board Members: Help implement and enforce the agreement's terms, especially regarding strategic decisions and corporate governance
• Company Secretary: Maintains records, handles share transfers, and ensures adherence to agreement provisions
• External Investors: Often request specific terms when investing in Qatari businesses, particularly regarding exit rights and profit sharing

• Company Details: Gather corporate registration documents, trade license, and QFC registration status if applicable
• Ownership Structure: List all shareholders with their exact ownership percentages and classes of shares
• Voting Rights: Define decision-making thresholds and reserved matters requiring special approval
• Transfer Rules: Outline share transfer restrictions, right of first refusal, and tag-along provisions
• Exit Strategy: Specify procedures for selling shares, company valuation methods, and dispute resolution mechanisms
• Digital Template: Use our platform to generate a legally-compliant agreement that automatically includes all required Qatari legal provisions

• Party Information: Full legal names, nationalities, and Qatar ID numbers of all shareholders
• Share Details: Classes of shares, voting rights, and precise ownership percentages aligned with Qatar Commercial Law
• Management Rights: Board composition, appointment procedures, and decision-making thresholds
• Transfer Provisions: Share transfer restrictions, pre-emptive rights, and tag-along/drag-along rights
• Dispute Resolution: Qatar court jurisdiction or QFC arbitration procedures
• Exit Mechanisms: Valuation methods, buyout procedures, and deadlock resolution
• Governing Law: Express reference to Qatar Commercial Companies Law and relevant QFC regulations

A standard Shareholder Agreement differs significantly from a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement in several key aspects, though both operate under Qatar's Commercial Companies Law. While they share some basic elements, their scope and application serve distinct business needs.

• Purpose and Scope: Standard Shareholder Agreements govern relationships between owners of an existing company, while Joint Venture agreements specifically structure collaboration between two or more separate entities forming a new venture
• Duration and Flexibility: Regular Shareholder Agreements typically have open-ended terms with simpler amendment processes, whereas Joint Venture agreements often include specific project timelines and more complex modification requirements
• Operational Control: Joint Venture agreements emphasize resource sharing, technology transfer, and operational responsibilities between partners, while standard agreements focus more on corporate governance and share transfer rules
• QFC Compliance: Joint Venture agreements often need additional provisions for cross-border operations and QFC regulations, beyond what's typically required in standard shareholder agreements