家族企业纠纷

家族企业失败的原因有很多，从商业有关问题到个人问题都有。在普通法下，有三种常见的法律情况可引起家庭纠纷，包括:
少数股东压迫；
minority shareholder oppression;
违反董事职责的；和
breach of a directors duty; and
家庭僵局。
family deadlocks.
多数控制和股东压迫
Majority Control and Shareholder Oppression
在许多企业中，一个特定的家族成员（或几个成员）通常几乎控制着整个企业。这可能导致一个家族成员比其他成员拥有更大的决策权，从而对企业中的其他家族成员产生更大的影响。
In many businesses, one particular family member (or several members) often has control over most of the business. This can result in one family member holding more decision-making power over the others and, consequently, more impact over the other family members in the business.
这种类型的权力划分可能会对少数股东造成压迫。少数股东压迫是指大股东对少数股东最大利益的不公平行为或损害行为。此外，有关少数股东压迫的投诉通常发生在私人公司，特别是家族企业。
This type of power division can cause a minority shareholder oppression. Minority shareholder oppression involves an action by the majority shareholder which is unfair to or contrary to the best interests of the minority. Furthermore, a complaint relating to minority shareholder oppression occurs typically within closely held private companies, specifically in family businesses.
违反董事职责
Breach of a Directors Duty
董事们对公司负有几项责任。这些职责包括:
Directors owe several duties to their company. These duties include a duty to:
诚信行事；
act in good faith;
为正当目的行使权力；
exercise powers for a proper purpose;
做事细心和勤奋；
act with care and diligence;
不得不当使用职位或信息；和
not improperly use position or information; and
在资不抵债时（某些司法管辖区，如澳大利亚）不得交易。
not trade while insolvent (certain jurisdictions, like in Australia).
董事违反董事职责可能会面临非常严重的后果，包括:
Directors who breach their director duties may face very serious consequences, including:
被判刑事罪行；
being found guilty of a criminal offence;
缴纳巨额罚款的；
paying a large fine;
被禁止从事公司管理；或
being prohibited from managing any companies in the future; or
对因其违反董事职责而造成的公司损失承担个人责任。
being held personally liable for any company loss found to have been caused by their breach of directors' duties.
由于董事不了解自己的权利和义务，可能会产生许多问题。尤其是当董事和员工都是家族企业成员时，这一界限有时是模糊的。
Many problems can arise due to directors not understanding their rights and obligations. This is especially when directors and employees are all family business members where, sometimes, the line is blurred.
僵局
Deadlocks
董事或股东之间的僵局可能是由于企业或公司运营方面的各种形式的争议，而双方无法就某一特定问题达成一致。在一个特定问题上的僵局往往会引发冲突，并对公司的运营产生影响。这样的僵局对公司是有害的。
A deadlock between directors or shareholders can arise from any kind of dispute over a business or company's operations where the parties cannot agree on a particular issue. A deadlock over a specific issue can often raise tensions and have a flow-on effect on the company's operation. Such a deadlock can be detrimental to the business.
此外，公司管理层的僵局可能会削弱公司的实力，如果纠纷恶化可能会导致诉讼，甚至造成公司的清盘。因此，起草一份完善的股东协议应包括防止僵局发生，以及在出现僵局时予以解决的方法。
Additionally, a deadlock in the company's management can be debilitating and, if the dispute worsens, may lead to litigation and even the winding up of the company. Therefore, a well-drafted shareholder agreement should always include ways to prevent a deadlock from occurring and also methods to resolve a deadlock if or when one arises.
减少日后问题的建议
Tips to Minimise Future Problems
与业务伙伴发生冲突是很常见的，尤其是当你与他们息息相关时。因此，了解如何避免或尽量减少未来与家族企业合作伙伴发生纠纷的方法十分重要。最重要的是，起草完善的法律文件可以防止或帮助企业解决内部的纠纷。需要留意的重要法律文件包括：
Conflicts with business partners are common, especially when you are related to them. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the ways to avoid or minimise future disputes with your family business partners. Most importantly, well-drafted legal documents can prevent or help resolve a dispute within your business. Important legal documents to note include the:
股东协议；
shareholders agreement;
合伙协议；和
partnership agreement; and
信托契约或运营协议。
trust deed or operating agreement.
股东协议可以涵盖投票权、股权转让规则到长期商业目标等方方面面。在与家族成员做生意时，股东协议尤其有用，因为如果公司里的每个人都知道自己应该负责什么，清楚自己的权利，避免纠纷就容易得多。
Shareholders agreements can cover everything from voting rights, rules on share transfers to long-term business objectives. When entering business with family members, a shareholders agreement is particularly useful because it is far easier to avoid disputes if everyone in the business knows what they are responsible for and understands their rights.
此外，还有其他方式来处理和解决家族企业纠纷。例如，家族企业有可能任命一个托管人或临时董事。这些专业人员在出现僵局时特别有用。
Additionally, there are other ways to handle and resolve family business disputes. For example, your family business may decide to appoint a custodian or provisional director. These professionals can be particularly useful in the event of a deadlock.
此外，调解也可能有所帮助。调解是一个过程，通过一个中立的第三方（调解人）协助各方达成一个各方都接受的方案。一个与任何人都无关的公正第三方对家族企业尤其有用。
Further, mediation can also be helpful. Mediation is a process by which a neutral third party (the mediator) assists parties who are in conflict to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome. This is particularly useful for a family business where an impartial third party is not related to anyone involved.
当与家人的商业谈判变得消极时，可以考虑聘请第三方参与。这是获得局外人视角的好方法。通常情况下，与家庭无关或不属于家庭各方的人员能识别出关键问题，并找到他们正受困于的问题的核心。
When business negotiations with family members become negative, it is worth considering the possibility of hiring a third party to become involved. This is a great way to gain an outsider's perspective. Often, parties who are not related or part of the family can identify key issues and get to the heart of any problems they are experiencing.