Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0016
B. Hannigan
This chapter discusses the law on membership and the incidents of membership. The discussion covers classes of shares, class rights, share transfer and transmission, and the register of members. The chapter considers how people become members and the importance of entry on the register of members. It also considers the restrictions on access to the register and the power of the court to rectify the register when necessary to do so. It is possible to protect shareholders by providing for classes of shares and the chapter considers the protection afforded by class rights and how class rights, once created, can be varied subsequently. Share transfer and transmission is also considered.
{"title":"16. Membership and the incidents of membership","authors":"B. Hannigan","doi":"10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0016","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter discusses the law on membership and the incidents of membership. The discussion covers classes of shares, class rights, share transfer and transmission, and the register of members. The chapter considers how people become members and the importance of entry on the register of members. It also considers the restrictions on access to the register and the power of the court to rectify the register when necessary to do so. It is possible to protect shareholders by providing for classes of shares and the chapter considers the protection afforded by class rights and how class rights, once created, can be varied subsequently. Share transfer and transmission is also considered.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79128410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/he/9780198811831.003.0012
A. Dignam, J. Lowry
Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter explores the legal aspects of transactions made with those outside the company (called outsiders or third parties), with emphasis on how they are determined to be legitimate and binding on the company. It also discusses the ultra vires doctrine and the three particular issues that make it a very tricky problem for the courts; the inclusion of the benefit of the company criterion to the ultra vires issue; the reform of ultra vires; and the application of the general principles of agency in determining whether the company is bound by a particular transaction. The chapter concludes by analysing reforms in the Companies Act 2006 concerning the authority of directors to bind the company or authorise others to do so.
{"title":"12. The constitution of the company: dealing with outsiders","authors":"A. Dignam, J. Lowry","doi":"10.1093/he/9780198811831.003.0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198811831.003.0012","url":null,"abstract":"Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter explores the legal aspects of transactions made with those outside the company (called outsiders or third parties), with emphasis on how they are determined to be legitimate and binding on the company. It also discusses the ultra vires doctrine and the three particular issues that make it a very tricky problem for the courts; the inclusion of the benefit of the company criterion to the ultra vires issue; the reform of ultra vires; and the application of the general principles of agency in determining whether the company is bound by a particular transaction. The chapter concludes by analysing reforms in the Companies Act 2006 concerning the authority of directors to bind the company or authorise others to do so.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83179475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0017
A. Dignam, J. Lowry
Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter deals with the regulatory regime governing corporate rescue and liquidations. It first considers two procedures that were introduced by the Insolvency Act 1986 aimed at implementing the objective of corporate rescue: the administration order and the company voluntary arrangement, the former of which has been fundamentally reformed by the Enterprise Act 2002. It then discusses voluntary winding-up by companies, members, and creditors under the 1986 Act, as well as the grounds on which the court may initiate compulsory winding-up. The chapter also examines the consequences of a winding-up petition on dispositions of company property; winding-up in the public interest; the duties and functions of the liquidator; provisions allowing avoidance of transactions entered into prior to liquidation; the personal liability of directors under the Insolvency Act 1986; and distribution of surplus assets following liquidation. Finally, it outlines a number of amendments to the 1986 Act.
{"title":"17. Corporate rescue and liquidations in outline","authors":"A. Dignam, J. Lowry","doi":"10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0017","url":null,"abstract":"Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter deals with the regulatory regime governing corporate rescue and liquidations. It first considers two procedures that were introduced by the Insolvency Act 1986 aimed at implementing the objective of corporate rescue: the administration order and the company voluntary arrangement, the former of which has been fundamentally reformed by the Enterprise Act 2002. It then discusses voluntary winding-up by companies, members, and creditors under the 1986 Act, as well as the grounds on which the court may initiate compulsory winding-up. The chapter also examines the consequences of a winding-up petition on dispositions of company property; winding-up in the public interest; the duties and functions of the liquidator; provisions allowing avoidance of transactions entered into prior to liquidation; the personal liability of directors under the Insolvency Act 1986; and distribution of surplus assets following liquidation. Finally, it outlines a number of amendments to the 1986 Act.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87197326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0005
B. Hannigan
This chapter focuses on the company constitution, essentially the articles of association. The chapter covers the need for articles (including the adoption of the model articles), amending the articles, interpreting the articles, enforcing the articles, and shareholders’ agreements. It particularly considers the extent to which shareholders can alter the articles and the common law limits to the power to do so. Altering the articles to allow for the compulsory transfer of members’ interests is also considered. Interpreting the articles and enforcing the statutory contract created is addressed. Shareholder agreements can provide better protection for shareholders and the chapter considers how they can supplement the company's articles.
{"title":"5. The company constitution","authors":"B. Hannigan","doi":"10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0005","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter focuses on the company constitution, essentially the articles of association. The chapter covers the need for articles (including the adoption of the model articles), amending the articles, interpreting the articles, enforcing the articles, and shareholders’ agreements. It particularly considers the extent to which shareholders can alter the articles and the common law limits to the power to do so. Altering the articles to allow for the compulsory transfer of members’ interests is also considered. Interpreting the articles and enforcing the statutory contract created is addressed. Shareholder agreements can provide better protection for shareholders and the chapter considers how they can supplement the company's articles.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"117 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81104308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0014
A. Dignam, J. Lowry
Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter is concerned with the duties which a director owes to the company, including duty to act within powers, duty to promote the company’s success, duty to exercise independent judgement, duty not to accept benefits from third parties, and duty to avoid conflicts of interest. After reviewing the general duties of directors under Part 10 of the Companies Act 2006, the chapter discusses the fiduciary position of directors, the remedies for breach of directors’ duties, and the liability of those who assist a director in the course of a breach of fiduciary duty. Finally, it considers three ways in which a director who is in breach of duty may be relieved from liability.
{"title":"14. Directors’ duties","authors":"A. Dignam, J. Lowry","doi":"10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0014","url":null,"abstract":"Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter is concerned with the duties which a director owes to the company, including duty to act within powers, duty to promote the company’s success, duty to exercise independent judgement, duty not to accept benefits from third parties, and duty to avoid conflicts of interest. After reviewing the general duties of directors under Part 10 of the Companies Act 2006, the chapter discusses the fiduciary position of directors, the remedies for breach of directors’ duties, and the liability of those who assist a director in the course of a breach of fiduciary duty. Finally, it considers three ways in which a director who is in breach of duty may be relieved from liability.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84215238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0009
B. Hannigan
The Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) requires directors: to act in accordance with the constitution (defined s 257) and to exercise powers for the purposes for which they are conferred. This chapter focuses on s 171. The discussion covers the constitutional division of power within a company, types of authority, statutory protection of third parties, and exercise of a power for an improper purpose. Much of the discussion is of the important agency rules which govern directors’ authority, considering in particular the extent to which third parties can rely on the apparent or ostensible authority of an individual director or directors. The circumstances in which third parties are put on inquiry are considered. The statutory protection afforded to third parties by CA 2006, s 40 is also examined. The proper purpose doctrine is an important constraint on abuse of power by directors and the application of the doctrine is addressed in detail.
{"title":"9. Duty to act within constitution and powers","authors":"B. Hannigan","doi":"10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0009","url":null,"abstract":"The Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) requires directors: to act in accordance with the constitution (defined s 257) and to exercise powers for the purposes for which they are conferred. This chapter focuses on s 171. The discussion covers the constitutional division of power within a company, types of authority, statutory protection of third parties, and exercise of a power for an improper purpose. Much of the discussion is of the important agency rules which govern directors’ authority, considering in particular the extent to which third parties can rely on the apparent or ostensible authority of an individual director or directors. The circumstances in which third parties are put on inquiry are considered. The statutory protection afforded to third parties by CA 2006, s 40 is also examined. The proper purpose doctrine is an important constraint on abuse of power by directors and the application of the doctrine is addressed in detail.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83386889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0004
A. Dignam, J. Lowry
Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter focuses on one area where the motives of ‘promoters’ (that is, those who form a company) are relevant to the legal aspects of certain activities carried out in the company’s name, especially when they enter into contracts for the company prior to its formal registration. After defining the term ‘promoter’, the chapter discusses the fiduciary duties of promoters and the range of remedies available to the company against a promoter who breaches his fiduciary duties. It then considers problems involving contracts entered into prior to incorporation and the common law position on such contracts. It also explains pre-incorporation contracts, deeds, and obligations under section 51 of Companies Act 2006 before concluding with an analysis of the issue of corporate mobility in relation to the freedom of establishment.
{"title":"4. Promoters and pre-incorporation contracts","authors":"A. Dignam, J. Lowry","doi":"10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/HE/9780198811831.003.0004","url":null,"abstract":"Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter focuses on one area where the motives of ‘promoters’ (that is, those who form a company) are relevant to the legal aspects of certain activities carried out in the company’s name, especially when they enter into contracts for the company prior to its formal registration. After defining the term ‘promoter’, the chapter discusses the fiduciary duties of promoters and the range of remedies available to the company against a promoter who breaches his fiduciary duties. It then considers problems involving contracts entered into prior to incorporation and the common law position on such contracts. It also explains pre-incorporation contracts, deeds, and obligations under section 51 of Companies Act 2006 before concluding with an analysis of the issue of corporate mobility in relation to the freedom of establishment.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74802157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/HE/9780198722861.003.0019
B. Hannigan
The most important minority shareholder remedy is the unfairly prejudicial petition under Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), s 994. This chapter examines petitioning on the grounds of unfair prejudice; the boundaries to unfairly prejudicial conduct; the court’s power to grant relief; and petitioning for a winding-up order on the just and equitable ground under IA 1986, s 122(1)(g). The extensive case law on the section is considered in detail. The courts look to breaches of the terms on which the business should be conducted including breaches of the CA 2006, but also breaches of the agreements underlying the parties’ relationships. Such underlying commitments are most commonly found in quasi-partnerships. The chapter examines the quasi-partnership in detail. The remedy most commonly provided by the court is a purchase order and the chapter looks at the valuation issues around such orders. It also considers the alternative remedy of a winding up on the just and equitable ground.
{"title":"19. The unfairly prejudicial remedy and the minority shareholder","authors":"B. Hannigan","doi":"10.1093/HE/9780198722861.003.0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/HE/9780198722861.003.0019","url":null,"abstract":"The most important minority shareholder remedy is the unfairly prejudicial petition under Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), s 994. This chapter examines petitioning on the grounds of unfair prejudice; the boundaries to unfairly prejudicial conduct; the court’s power to grant relief; and petitioning for a winding-up order on the just and equitable ground under IA 1986, s 122(1)(g). The extensive case law on the section is considered in detail. The courts look to breaches of the terms on which the business should be conducted including breaches of the CA 2006, but also breaches of the agreements underlying the parties’ relationships. Such underlying commitments are most commonly found in quasi-partnerships. The chapter examines the quasi-partnership in detail. The remedy most commonly provided by the court is a purchase order and the chapter looks at the valuation issues around such orders. It also considers the alternative remedy of a winding up on the just and equitable ground.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"67 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83592422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/HE/9780198722861.003.0010
B. Hannigan
The Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) s. 172(1) requires directors to act to promote the success of the company. This chapter separates that duty into its component elements: the duty to act in good faith, promoting the success of the company for the benefit of the members as a whole, having regard to stakeholders (including employees), and considering creditors’ interests. The position of a nominee director in this scheme is considered. The pluralist debate which preceded the enactment of s 172 is addressed as well as the recent addition of further reporting obligations in order to strengthen the provision. The new s 172 statement is considered. The chapter explores in detail the evolving jurisprudence around s 172(3) and the need to have regard to creditors’ interest in certain circumstances.
{"title":"10. Duty to promote the success of the company","authors":"B. Hannigan","doi":"10.1093/HE/9780198722861.003.0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/HE/9780198722861.003.0010","url":null,"abstract":"The Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) s. 172(1) requires directors to act to promote the success of the company. This chapter separates that duty into its component elements: the duty to act in good faith, promoting the success of the company for the benefit of the members as a whole, having regard to stakeholders (including employees), and considering creditors’ interests. The position of a nominee director in this scheme is considered. The pluralist debate which preceded the enactment of s 172 is addressed as well as the recent addition of further reporting obligations in order to strengthen the provision. The new s 172 statement is considered. The chapter explores in detail the evolving jurisprudence around s 172(3) and the need to have regard to creditors’ interest in certain circumstances.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84385162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0018
B. Hannigan
Most disclosure comes in the form of company accounts and reports focusing on the financial position and the activities of the company. Increasingly, mandated disclosures for public companies extend widely beyond the financial statements to a narrative account of the company’s activities, business strategy, and risks. Considerable emphasis is now placed, for public companies, on addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns. The chapter discusses the statutory provisions governing company accounts and considers the obligations of the directors with respect to preparing, circulating, and filing accounts. The chapter also addresses the regulatory framework for audit, the need in larger companies for an auditors’ report, and considers the extent of the auditor’s duty of care as well as the potential auditor liabilities arising from a negligent audit report.
{"title":"18. Informed shareholders and stakeholders—disclosure and the limited company","authors":"B. Hannigan","doi":"10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198722861.003.0018","url":null,"abstract":"Most disclosure comes in the form of company accounts and reports focusing on the financial position and the activities of the company. Increasingly, mandated disclosures for public companies extend widely beyond the financial statements to a narrative account of the company’s activities, business strategy, and risks. Considerable emphasis is now placed, for public companies, on addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns. The chapter discusses the statutory provisions governing company accounts and considers the obligations of the directors with respect to preparing, circulating, and filing accounts. The chapter also addresses the regulatory framework for audit, the need in larger companies for an auditors’ report, and considers the extent of the auditor’s duty of care as well as the potential auditor liabilities arising from a negligent audit report.","PeriodicalId":10779,"journal":{"name":"Company Law","volume":"77 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75283732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}