Business Flashcards
(127 cards)
How many directors and shareholders do you need inn a private limited company vs public limited company?
1 shareholder minimum in private and public (s. 7 CA 2006)
1 Director in private s. 154(1) CA2006
2 directors in public S. 154(2) CA2006
What is the written resolution procedure?
Eliminates the need for a general meeting.
Sometimes preferable for private companies to secure approval for proposed courses of action using this procedure under CA 06 s.288 as this does not require the convening of a general meeting.
It involves the company sending out the written resolution document to shareholders and explaining the proposed course of action.
The procedure is not available for public limited companies and cant be used for private limited companies to remove directors or auditors.
Private limited companies can use this procedure even if their articles of association prohibit its use CA 06 s.300.
What is the notice perio for a board meeting
a reasonable period which takes into account the number of directors and their respective locations
Browne v La Trinidad
What is the notice period for a general meeting
14 days - CA 06 s.307(1)
CA 06 s.360(1)+(2) clarifies that this means 14 CLEAR days.
Can be held earlier if enough shareholders consent to short notice. In an exam explain that if only a few shareholders exist, consent to short notice should be easy to secure
SHORT NOTICE
If consent is given by a majority of the shareholders (That together hold at least 90% in nominal value of the shares) the general meeting can be held on short notice CA 06 s.307(4)-(6).
If consent is achieved, evidence of the consent must be sent to all shareholders along with the notice before the general meeting takes place
the 90% numbre can be increased depending on the articles.
What should be included in the short notice
- time, date location of the meeting CA 06 s.31
- the precise wording of any special resolution that will be voted on in the meeting CA 06 s.283(6)
- a statement that a member may appoint a proxy CA 06 s.325(1)
What number of votes for BOARD RESOLUTIONS
By simple majority (more than 50%) per MA 7(1) or unanimous decision MA 8.
Default position on the Model Articles is that a single majority will carry the vote. Where there is a deadlock, the chairman has the casting vote MA 13.
Show of hands
Number of votes in an ordinary resoluton
more than 50% per CA -6 s.282(1). Simple majority
Number of votes for a speecial resoluton
at least 75% of those attending CA 06 s.283(1)
DIFFERENCES IN PRIVATE LIMITED COMAPNIES S PULIC LIMITED COMPANIES
Shareholders required - Private 1 (CA 06 s.59(1)) Public 1 (CA 06 s.58(1)).
Directors required - Private at least 1 (CA s.154(1)) Public At least 2 (CA 06 s.154(2))
Company secretary - Private NO (CA 06.270(1)) Public YES (CA 06 s.271)
Documents required before trading - Private - Certificate of incorporation per CA 06 s.15 PUBLIC - Certificate of incorporation per s.15 and a trading certificate issued byt he regulator that confirms the company’s allotted share capital is not less than the mininum per CA 06 s.763
MINIMUM SHARE CAPITAL ISSUED - Private - at least one. Public - $50,000 worth of shares at the outset per CA 06 s.763 (1)
MINIMUM AMOUNT THAT MUST BE PAID UP ON SHARE CAPITAL - Private, no minimum, can be issued without being paid for immediately. Public- at least 25% of the nominal value of the shares shoudl be paid up per CA 06 s.586(1). Payment msut be in cash unless the conideration has been indepndently valued per s.593
CAN SHARES BE OFFERED TO PUBLIC - Private, NO per CA 06 s.755 (1)(a) . Public -yes
what is the nominal value
the face value f a share without taking into account any premium charged by the issuer or any increase in value since the share was issued
How do you incorpoate a private company limited by shares
You must submit an application to Companies House including a Form IN01 and SECTION 9 CA 06
What must you consider when choosing a company name
- The name cant be already registered S.66 CA 06
- cant be too similar to existing name s.67
- cant be misleading
- cant be offensive s.53
- must comply with guidance on sensitive words and expressions on s.55 CA 06.
How do you change a company name
One of two ways
- by special resolution
- Amending the articles of association to include a new name. This may be preferable where numerous changes need to be made as one special resolution to approve the new articles will be more efficient than several indiivual resolutions.
What are some key elements contained in a company’s articles
Objects
Spending limits
Quorums
Objects
Before 2006 - company must list out all the types of business that the company engaged in. If it engaged in business outside of the objects, it would be acting outside of its authority
After 2006
Default position is that the objects are unrestricted [re s.31 CA 06. They cna engage in any type of business without acting outside its authority. They can expllicitly prohibit certin actions in the artticles instead
WHAT IF INCORPORATED BEFORE 2006 BUT WANT
Wil lretain their restricted onjects clause per s.28 CA 06. They can however amend their articles to include an unrestricted objects caluse stating that s.28 does not appy
What if a company pursues a course of action in contravention of an objects.
Third party will be protected if it enters into a transaction with a comapny that lacked the authority to transact/
The third party can take action against the company and/or employees responsible
Spending limits - how od you change
The articles can restrict amount of money that it can spend without securing shareholder approval. However, if low, thi could adversely affect the comapny’s ability to tradeeffectively. SPECIAL RESOLUTION PASSED IN A GENERAL MEETING or a written resollution is required to increase/
Directors can agree between themselves to adhere to certain spending limits instead of setting it out n the articles. This will be given effect to by board resolution. Then, amending these limites would only rquire an additional board resolution making it eaier.
Quorum for a board meeting -
2 or more serving directors must be present unless otherwise agreed. MA 11(2)
If only one director,and articles dont require higher, the quorum will be one director per MA 7(2)
Quorum for a general meeting
If hs one shareholder, quorum is 1 - s.318 (1)
If more than one - quorum is 2 per CA 06 s. 318(2)
How do you alter a comapny’s articles
Special resoltuon per CA 06 s.21.
A copy of the amendments must be sent to companies house within 15 days per CA 06 s.26.
Articles can only be amended if the amendments pass the legality test and if they are commercially viable.
- LEGALITY TEST - Alters cant conflict with legislation.. Where legislation is silent on a point, alterations are permitted ie. can amend MA 13 to remove chairans acasting vote as theres no statute.
- COMMERCIALITY TEST - Articles shoud suit the size, nature and objectives of the comapny. i.e. low spendingl imits and a small quorum wouldnt suit large companies that tend to make large purchases. or removing chair,ans casting vote could result in a deadlock if there are an even number of directors.
What is a shelf company
A company that has been incorporated to be used in the future by another party. Incorporating one in adance means it will be easier and quicker in the future for a party to commence trading through the company.
What changes need to be made to a shelf company before it can be used by aother party? Who effects the change and what is the authority?
C - Chairman - appoint new chairman - Outgoing director would automatically cease being chairman on resignation and new directors vote for new chairman. MA 12(1)
A - Accounting reference date - Change accounting reference date. Given effect to by giving notice to registrar. CA 06 s.392(1)
D - Director - Appint new directors - Outgoing directors or sharehodlers effect the change. MA 17(1)
D- Directors - Existing directors resign - Outgoing directors effect the change by letter of resignation. MA 18(f)
O - Office - Change registered office - Given effect to by giving notice to the registrar. CA 06 s.87(1)
A - Apoint Auditors - Appointed by directors at any time before 1st period for appointing auditors. CA 06 s.485 (3).
T - Transfer shares to new owner using stock transfer form - Effected by directors. If company willl only have one shareholder following the transfer, a statement must be made stating this. CA 06 s.123(2)(a)
S - Secretary - appoint new company secretary - Directors effect change. MA 3 or CA 06 s.270(1)
S - Shelf company name - change name - SHAREHOLDERS EFFECT THIS. CA 06. s.77(1)
Company Secretary and chairman - which type of company needs ot
ONLY Public companies are required to have a chairman (MA 12(1)) and a Secretary (CA S.271)