Facing a courtroom or legal dispute can be intimidating and confusing, especially for business owners unfamiliar with the legal process or jargon.
And then there’s the industry-specific nomenclature – what are oppression remedies or derivative actions for example? Not to mention the cost of having a lawyer on standby.
A website developed by local law firm Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP aims to demystify legal processes and empower business owners – whether they’re new to disputes or simply want to stay informed about current laws and statutes.
Found online at bcbusinessdisputes.com, this site serves as a comprehensive resource for business owners, across a myriad of topics, including ownership disputes among shareholders, partners, joint ventures, franchises and family businesses. It also covers contract disagreements with suppliers and third parties, debt collections, and real estate or lease issues.
Since its launch in 2017, the site has been overseen by Judy Rost, a partner and leader of the firm’s business disputes practice.
“The site is designed for non-lawyers – primarily business owners – who find themselves in a business dispute relating to themselves as owners or disputes with their co-owners,” Rost explains. “The B.C. business disputes website is their first step towards understanding their rights and options.”
Rost handles all types of business disputes, including ownership issues that arise between shareholders, partners, joint venturers or franchise owners. She also handles intellectual property rights, asset preservation through injunctions, and complex trust and estate disputes.
Designed to be comprehensive yet accessible, the site offers enough detail without overwhelming readers. It highlights key cases and statutes without getting bogged down in legal minutiae, making it a practical resource for non-lawyers seeking reliable, understandable information.
“I think what readers like most about the site is that it gives them access to information they might not find elsewhere, and it is presented in a clear and understandable format,” Rost says.
Having seen thousands of visitors this year, the most read topics include oppression remedies in B.C. law; injunctions; minority shareholder rights and debt collection.
As Rost notes, there is a dearth of information in the public domain about the rights of minority shareholders. She also receives questions about partnerships, 50-50 shareholders and the various regulations associated with those terms.
“We explain what happens when you're being taken advantage of as a minority shareholder or unfairly treated and what you can do about it,” Rost says.
Building on the B.C. site’s success, Alexander Holburn has plans to launch a similar resource tailored for Ontario this summer.
“We want to let readers know that it’s a vital resource for Ontario’s business owners seeking information on the various types of business disputes they may face and the types of remedies available to them,” Rost adds.
To learn more or access these invaluable resources, visit www.bcbusinessdisputes.com or contact Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP.
