Share Option Agreements

A Share Option Agreement is a contract that gives a person (often an employee, investor, or founder - "Grantee") the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell shares in a company at a future date, under specified terms such as at an agreed price.

These agreements provide a financial benefit to the Grantee where the share price rises over the period the option is available. The selection of templates within this collection are categorised as follows:

Standard Share Option Agreements:

These are alternative forms of the option grant agreement, tailored to different business circumstances.

Share Option Agreement - Exercise Within Agreed Period - Basic form where an individual may exercise the option within a defined time window. Common for employee or founder options.

Share Option Agreement - Exercise On Conversion Date - Used where the option is triggered by a conversion event (shares listed or new shares issued). Useful in investment or reorganisation contexts.

Share Option Agreement – Call Option - Gives a buyer (the “option holder”/Grantee) the right to buy shares at a future date or event.

Share Option Agreement – Put Option - Gives a seller (the “option holder”/Grantee) the right to sell shares at a future date or event.

EMI Scheme Templates:

The EMI (Enterprise Management Incentive) Scheme is a UK government-approved share option scheme designed to help smaller, high-growth companies attract, retain, and motivate key employees.

Share Option Agreement - EMI Scheme - Used to grant EMI options to employees.

Notice of Exercise of Option – EMI Scheme - Notice the option holder gives when they want to exercise their EMI options.

Shareholders’ Ordinary Resolution – EMI Scheme - Shareholders formally approve the adoption of the EMI scheme and/or the grant of options.

Board Minutes – EMI Scheme - Board meeting record approving the EMI scheme and specific grants.

Share Option Exercise Notices:

Notice of Exercise of Option(s) - Used to exercise options in conjunction with a standard share option (not EMI or "on conversion date").

Notice of Exercise of Option on Conversion Date - Used to exercise options when triggered by a share conversion event.

These notices should be applied with the relevant Share Option Agreement above.

Termination of Share Option(s):

Share Option Deed of Surrender - Used when the option holder agrees to cancel or surrender their option rights (e.g., when leaving the company).

Why Subscribe to Simply-Docs?

All Simply-Docs templates are drafted by qualified, experiences solicitors and kept up to date with UK company law and HMRC requirements (including EMI rules).
This ensures:

Clear, enforceable legal wording.
Compliance with the Companies Act 2006 and HMRC guidance (for EMI options).
Reduced risk of invalid or incomplete option grants.

The templates are designed to give practical, affordable structure to what would otherwise be complex and expensive legal work. Save time and manage cost efficiency with ready-to-use and editable in Word templates. Unlimited downloads to all documents within Corporate ensure affordability and value.

Includes free Document Storage and e-Sign.

Full choice of Share Option Agreements are listed below:

Share Option Agreements is part of Corporate. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Corporate for 1 year.

Corporate Buy Only £38.50 + VAT!
Unlimited Downloads for One Year
No Auto-Renewal

All Share Option & Investment Agreements