Share split legal help for companies updating their share structure

A share split is often considered when a company wants to increase the number of shares on issue while keeping the same overall ownership proportions. That can happen before a capital raise, as part of an internal restructure, or simply to make the cap table easier to work with. Even if the commercial effect seems straightforward, the legal side still matters because the resolutions, certificates and registers need to match the new structure. This service is generally suited to private companies that want the core paperwork and implementation steps handled in an orderly way.

Problems often come from treating the split as a simple admin change rather than a formal corporate action. Common issues include resolutions that do not line up with the constitution, replacement certificates that contain errors, incomplete register updates or confusion about how existing shareholder rights are affected. If there is already a shareholder agreement or unusual share rights on foot, those documents may need to be checked before the split is implemented. The service helps you assess risk, but the legal position still depends on your current records and company documents.

The standard service includes guidance on the ASIC notification process rather than us automatically taking over the filing itself. In other words, we prepare the legal documents for the share split and explain the follow-on actions your company should take to update its records and attend to the relevant notification requirements. That keeps the scope clear and focused on If extra support is needed, we will explain it upfront and quote it separately before you proceed. If you need extra assistance with lodgement or related corporate changes, we can discuss additional support separately.

Yes. In many cases, those existing documents are one of the first things worth checking because they may affect approvals, share rights, record-keeping or the way the split should be documented. For example, a constitution might contain procedural requirements, or a shareholder agreement may refer to rights that need to remain consistent after the split. If those documents raise issues outside the standard share split work, we will flag that. More extensive restructuring advice or negotiations between stakeholders would usually need separate scope.

We will usually need the company details, the current share structure, the proposed split ratio and copies of any relevant governance documents such as the constitution or shareholder agreement. It also helps to know why the split is being done, such as a future raise, internal reorganisation or cap table clean-up, because that can affect the surrounding steps. Once we have that information, we can confirm the likely scope, prepare the documents and outline the order for approvals, record updates and the next practical actions.

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Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

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