Practice Area

Family Business Law

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Overview

Family businesses account for a significant share of India’s commercial output — and a significant share of its commercial litigation. The intersection of ownership, management, and personal relationships creates disputes that are structurally different from purely commercial conflicts: they involve deeply held grievances, historical decisions made without documentation, and parties who must often continue to interact even after legal proceedings are resolved. Corpus Lawyers advises family-owned businesses on governance, succession, and dispute resolution — with a clear-eyed understanding of both the legal and relational dimensions of these matters.

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Family Business Governance Structuring

Advisory on governance structures for family-owned businesses, including separation of ownership and management, constitution of family councils and advisory boards, design of family charters, and structuring of holding company arrangements that protect family assets while allowing operational flexibility.

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Succession Planning

Advisory on succession of business assets within the family — covering wills, testamentary trusts, Hindu Undivided Family structures, gifting arrangements, and the use of holding companies and trusts to facilitate orderly transfer of business interests across generations.

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Family Settlement Agreements

Drafting and negotiation of family settlement agreements for partition or reorganisation of family business interests among family members — covering asset allocation, management rights, non-compete arrangements between branches, and mechanisms for resolving future disputes.

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Minority Shareholder Protection

Advisory to minority shareholders in family-owned companies on protection of their rights under the Companies Act, 2013 — including oppression and mismanagement petitions under Sections 241–244, inspection rights, and enforcement of pre-emption rights under the articles.

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Family Business Disputes

Representation in family business disputes before the NCLT, High Courts, and arbitral tribunals — covering disputes over management control, allegations of oppression and mismanagement, disputes over profit distributions, and enforcement of family settlement agreements.