Chancery Holds Common Stockholders Can (Sometimes) Waive Appraisal Rights

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In Manti Holdings LLC et al v. Authentix Acquisition Company, Inc., the Delaware Court of Chancery held a stockholder could waive appraisal rights in a stockholders agreement. The Court noted:

  • The stockholders agreement was not a contract of adhesion. Sophisticated parties were involved and were represented by counsel, and counsel exchanged drafts of the proposed stockholders agreement before agreeing to a final contract.
  • There is no record evidence that the petitioners were not fully informed.
  • The Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, does not explicitly prohibit contractual modification or waiver of appraisal rights, nor does it require a party to exercise its statutory appraisal rights. Thus, such modification or waiver serves to supplement the DGCL, and is not inconsistent with, nor contrary to, the DGCL.
  • The stockholders agreement clearly and unambiguously waived appraisal rights.
  • The Court did not decide whether a waiver of appraisal would be upheld in other circumstances.

DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

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