More than most people expect. Depending on the company’s constitution, any shareholders agreement and the conduct complained of, minority owners may have remedies where conduct is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial — including court-ordered share buyouts at fair value under the Corporations Act oppression provisions.

Potentially yes. Personal exposure can arise through guarantees, statutory duties, breach of duty allegations or specific conduct. It should be assessed early — before positions are taken in correspondence that make exposure worse.

Deadlock disputes need immediate strategy so the business keeps operating while the parties explore negotiation, mediation, buyout or court-based relief. The longer a deadlock runs, the more value leaks to competitors, staff departures and stalled decisions.

No. Many resolve through strategic negotiation or mediation once the legal position, leverage points and commercial realities are clearly identified. Court remains the backstop — and having a credible litigation pathway is usually what makes the negotiated outcome possible.