(new: Statement Hollander added in 1st and 2nd paragraph).

OLDENBURG (dpa-AFX) - The grueling leadership dispute continues to cling to photo services provider Cewe in the new year. As the board of the Neumüller Cewe Color Foundation announced over the weekend, two legal opinions have shown that the vote on Rolf Hollander's membership on the board of trustees for another four years and likewise on his function as chairman did not reach the majority required by the articles of association. The Board had already expressed doubts about the appointment at the end of November. According to the Board of Trustees, however, it considers Hollander's appointment to be legally valid and intends to defend itself in court proceedings.

The former CEO Christian Friege had fallen out with Hollander, and Friege ultimately had to leave the company at the turn of the year. However, Friege had announced that he would have Hollander's reappointment as a member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees reviewed. According to Hollander, a complaint has been filed with the Oldenburg Regional Court by a member of the Board of Trustees regarding his appointment to the board. The court will decide on this, not the Cewe board, Hollander said in response to a question. On December 30, he had declared that he would not participate in votes of the Board of Trustees and that his remuneration would be suspended until the appeal had been decided. He added that the Board of Trustees would continue to be able to act and pass resolutions.

Shares in the provider of photo books for private and online printing for corporate customers were treading water at 88.70 euros on Monday morning, lagging behind the small cap index SDax. The stock had lost around 31 percent in the past year, but had recovered to some extent from the lows in the fall at around 70 euros.

The Executive Board of the Neumüller Cewe Color Foundation is required to inform the responsible foundation authority, the statement from the Executive Board over the weekend continued. He asked them to ensure that the foundation's board of trustees is properly re-staffed and thus remains capable of acting. According to the board, Hollander has not been a member of the board of trustees since Jan. 1.

Friege had been accused of his management style and lack of support for women. However, the family heir Alexander Neumüller as well as the company's supervisory board had spoken out in favor of the manager remaining on the board, and Alexander Neumüller as beneficiary of the foundation had even wanted to keep him on the board via a special right.

As general partner, the Neumüller Cewe Color Foundation manages the business of the listed Cewe Stiftung & Co. KGaA./men/he/mis/jha/