The marginalisation of one shareholder or group of shareholders is called ‘shareholder oppression’. The shareholder oppression claims heard in Australian courts are in situations where a minority shareholder (or shareholders) are being unfairly treated by a larger (and usually a majority) shareholder.

The oppressive conduct provisions of the Corporations Act are commonly used in conjunction with a claim of breach of director’s duty or in bringing an application to wind up the company entirely. Situations in which shareholder oppression occurs may be avoided by using a minority shareholder agreement, particularly in situations where the minority shareholders are making a significant financial contribution to the company.