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Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement
"I need a joint venture shareholders' agreement outlining a 60/40 equity split, board composition with 3 members each, profit-sharing terms, and a 5-year exit strategy with buyout options."
What is a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement?
A Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement lays out the rules and responsibilities when two or more companies team up to run a business together in Saudi Arabia. It covers essential matters like how profits are shared, who makes key decisions, and what happens if partners want to sell their shares or end the partnership.
Under Saudi commercial law, this agreement protects all parties by clearly defining their rights, capital contributions, and management roles. It's particularly important in the Kingdom where foreign investors often partner with local companies to comply with investment regulations. The agreement also includes dispute resolution methods that align with Saudi judicial requirements and Shariah principles.
When should you use a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement?
You need a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement when forming a business partnership in Saudi Arabia, especially before making significant investments or starting operations. This applies to foreign companies partnering with local entities, businesses entering new market sectors, or companies pooling resources for major projects under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiatives.
The timing is crucial - put this agreement in place during initial partnership discussions, before any capital commitments. This prevents future disputes about profit sharing, management control, or exit rights. It's particularly vital for regulated industries like manufacturing, technology, and professional services where partnership structures must comply with specific Saudi investment laws.
What are the different types of Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement?
- Basic Two-Party Joint Venture Agreement: Most common in Saudi Arabia, used for straightforward partnerships between a local and foreign company with equal management rights
- Multi-Party Venture Agreement: Designed for complex projects involving three or more partners, with detailed voting and profit-sharing mechanisms
- Industry-Specific Agreement: Tailored for sectors like oil and gas, construction, or technology, incorporating relevant regulatory requirements and Shariah-compliant provisions
- Limited-Scope Project Agreement: Used for single-project collaborations with defined timelines and exit strategies
- Family Business Joint Venture: Structured to accommodate family-owned Saudi businesses partnering with corporate entities, including succession planning provisions
Who should typically use a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement?
- Joint Venture Partners: The primary companies entering the partnership, including Saudi and foreign entities who contribute capital and share profits
- Legal Counsel: Saudi-licensed attorneys who draft and review agreements to ensure compliance with local laws and Shariah principles
- Corporate Officers: Directors and executives from each partner company who negotiate terms and implement the agreement
- Government Regulators: Ministry of Investment officials who review and approve joint ventures involving foreign investment
- Company Shareholders: Existing stakeholders in partner companies whose interests must be protected under Saudi corporate law
How do you write a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement?
- Partner Information: Gather legal names, commercial registration numbers, and ownership structures of all participating companies
- Business Plan: Document the venture's scope, capital contributions, profit-sharing ratios, and management structure
- Regulatory Requirements: Check Saudi investment laws for your specific industry and obtain necessary pre-approvals
- Key Terms: Define voting rights, board composition, transfer restrictions, and exit mechanisms
- Shariah Compliance: Ensure financing and operational terms align with Islamic principles
- Documentation: Collect corporate authorizations, powers of attorney, and partner identification documents
What should be included in a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement?
- Partner Details: Full legal names, registration numbers, and authorized representatives of all parties
- Capital Structure: Initial contributions, share allocation, and funding commitments in Saudi Riyals
- Management Rights: Board composition, voting thresholds, and reserved matters requiring special approval
- Profit Distribution: Clear mechanisms for sharing profits and losses compliant with Shariah principles
- Transfer Restrictions: Rules for selling shares, right of first refusal, and tag-along rights
- Dispute Resolution: Saudi arbitration provisions and governing law clauses
- Exit Provisions: Deadlock resolution, termination triggers, and liquidation procedures
What's the difference between a Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement and a Joint Venture Agreement?
A Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreement differs significantly from a Joint Venture Agreement in Saudi Arabia, though they're often confused. While both govern business partnerships, they serve distinct purposes and offer different levels of protection.
- Scope and Detail: Joint Venture Shareholders' Agreements specifically govern shareholder relationships in incorporated ventures, including detailed provisions for share transfers, corporate governance, and dividend policies. Joint Venture Agreements focus more broadly on operational collaboration without necessarily creating a separate legal entity
- Legal Structure: Shareholders' Agreements require formal company registration with the Ministry of Commerce, while Joint Venture Agreements can cover looser collaborative arrangements
- Regulatory Compliance: Shareholders' Agreements must meet strict Saudi Companies Law requirements and Capital Market Authority regulations. Joint Venture Agreements have more flexibility in their structure
- Exit Mechanisms: Shareholders' Agreements include specific share valuation methods and transfer restrictions, while Joint Venture Agreements typically focus on project completion and asset division
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