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Locations we serve
Locations we serve
Divorce
Divorce
Divorce
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We offer a free consultation to suitable clients, typically those where the familys net assets are in excess of £1m or the combined income is in excess of £150,000. Our experienced family lawyers will take the time to understand the details of your unique situation and talk you through the next stages of the legal process. We will then be able to give you a sense of the possible outcomes of your case and even the likely cost.

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What our top divorce lawyers and family law solicitors serving Dorset can offer you

Vardags team of top divorce lawyers offer unparalleled legal support to our clients in Dorset. We understand that navigating a divorce can be a challenging and emotionally charged period for you and your family. Our goal is to guide you through this process with compassion and expertise, securing the most favourable outcome for you.

Our award-winning family lawyers for Dorset specialise in:

The importance of acting first

Filing a divorce petition first can give you the legal edge over your spouse, ensuring that our top divorce lawyers deliver the greatest outcome for you and your family. If you think you may need our help, dont delay. Contact Vardags before your spouse does.

VARDAGS Dorset

WhatsApp:  07385 025158
YOUR NEAREST FAMILY COURT:
Bournemouth Crown and County Court
Courts of Justice
Deansleigh Road
Bournemouth
BH7 7DS
01202 502860

DIRECTIONS

Bournemouth Crown and County Court is situated to the northwest of the city. It is a 1.6-mile drive from Pokesdown train station by taxi or bus. if you are arriving by car, head to Riverside Ave which is accessible from the A3060 and the A338 and you will find the court which has parking on site. 

MEET OUR Dorset TEAM

Ayesha Vardag

Founder & President
Ayesha Vardag Founder & President Divorce & Family
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
AYESHA VARDAG - BRITAINS TOP DIVORCE LAWYER.
The Telegraph
“Britain's top divorce lawyer” Ayesha Vardag rose to fame for winning the landmark Supreme Court case of Radmacher v Granatino in 2010, changing the law to...

Simon McKirgan

Senior Partner - Divorce & Family
Simon McKirgan Senior Partner Divorce Lawyer Vardags
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
[SIMON MCKIRGAN IS] IMMENSELY SKILLED AND WORKS FORMIDABLY HARD.
Legal 500
Simon McKirgan is Senior Partner at Vardags and a top international divorce lawyer, with experience in representing individuals or their spouses/partners from...

David Lister

Senior Partner - Divorce & Family
David Lister
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
BRILLIANT WITH A REAL SPARK WHICH CLIENTS LOVE
Legal 500
David is a Senior Partner at Vardags. With over 35 years of experience at the forefront of the profession (Lawyer of the Week in 'The Times’ October 2024),...

Robert Hines

Partner - Divorce & Family
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
ROB IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD LAWYER. HE HAS A HUGE BRAIN AND THUS WITH A MORE TECHNICAL CASE HE IS...
Legal 500
Robert Hines is a Partner at Vardags, advising on all aspects of family law particularly cases involving contentious or strategic planning elements. Robert has...

Hannah Best

Associate
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
HANNAH IS A WONDERFUL RISING JUNIOR STAR WHO IS INCREDIBLY WELL-LIKED AND BOUND TO GO FAR.
Legal 500
Hannah is an Associate at Vardags. Although Hannah works on all aspects of family law, she has a particular interest in complex financial disputes, trusts,...

Lucy Bolton

Partner - Divorce & Family
Lucy Williams  Vardags Partner Divorce & Family
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
LUCY WILLIAMS IS LOVED BY CLIENTS AND COUNSEL
Legal 500
Lucy is experienced in advising on all matters arising out of divorce and separation, and is experienced in the complex issues that arise with high net worth clients, with...

Other members of our team that may be involved in your case

Alex McCready

Partner - Head of Reputation and Privacy
Alex McCready Vardags Partner Head of Reputation & Privaacy
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
ALEX IS THE DEFINITIVE REPUTATION AND PRIVACY LAWYER.
Spears 500
Our Head of Reputation and Privacy, Alex McCready, can assist clients during their case where there are issues of reputation and privacy, particularly for high net worth or...

Katharine Danby

Partner — Head of Financial Forensics
Katherine Danby Vardags Partner Head of Financial Forensics
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
KATHARINE ACTED AS AN INVALUABLE BROKER BETWEEN ME AND MY LAWYER, HELPING TO CUT THROUGH ANY JARGON...
Client
In cases involving complicated financial structures and arrangements, our Head of Financial Forensics, Katharine Anderson, can offer support to the family law team on your...

Caroline Graham

Corporate Consultant
Caroline Graham Vardags Corporate Consultant
Dorset Serves clients in Dorset and the surrounding areas
CAROLINE TRAINED AS A SOLICITOR AT A TOP-TEN FIRM IN THE CITY AND JOINED VARDAGS IN 2020.
Profile
If there is a business that is part of the marital assets under consideration, our Corporate Consultant, Caroline Graham, can provide assistance in relation to technical...
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What our clients say

WE ARE READY TO HELP

We offer a free consultation to suitable clients, typically those where the family's net assets are in excess of £1m or the combined income is in excess of £150,000

Telephone 020 7404 9390 Phone lines are open 24 hours
WhatsApp 07385 025158 Scan QR to open WhatsApp
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Family Law Fact: Oppression of minority shareholders

What is minority shareholder oppression?

Shareholder oppression regards the actions and abuses of power by majority shareholders that unfairly prejudice minority shareholders. Minority oppression occurs where the majority act in a way that goes against the best interests of the minority. It is the imbalance of bargaining power (minority shareholders hold less than 50% of a companys voting shares) that renders minority shareholders particularly vulnerable to oppression, with majority shareholders able to vote for, and make, decisions without the consent or agreement of the minority (often in their own best interest, and not in the minoritys).

The issue is more pronounced with private companies compared to public ones, particularly where a private company is rendered even more vulnerable by the lack of a public market for their shares, making selling up and escaping such oppression more difficult.

What does this oppression look like? It can take countless forms and some examples are listed below. It is also important to note that some of these acts of shareholder oppression exist outside of an individuals capacity as a shareholder - they can also be treated unfairly in their roles as a manager or director (who holds shares).

Economic harm

Majority shareholders may abuse their powers for financial gain, and to the economic harm of minority shareholders, including the dilution of minority shares. The Companies Act issues the right to shareholders to subscribe for shares under any new share issue. However, in some instances, majority shareholders may fix subscription prices at a high rate, preventing shareholders from acquiring them and therefore diluting their existing shares.

If youre considering or going through a divorce, click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert solicitors.

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