Directors’
duties will
attach to
shareholders in
certain
circumstances
a director for the purposes of sections
143 to 146
Where the constitution of a company requires a director or the Board to exercise or refrain from
exercising a power in accordance with a decision or direction of shareholders, any shareholder who takes
part in
the making of any decision that
the power should or should not
be exercised
the making of any decision
whether to give a direction
to be a director for the purposes of
sections 143, 160 and 162.
Where the constitution of a company confers a power on shareholders which is exercisable by the Board,
any shareholder who exercises that power or who takes part in deciding whether to exercise that power
(in relation to the exercise of the power or any consideration concerning its exercise)
s. 162 - Duty of directors on insolvency
Certain powers are
reserved for
exercised by
shareholders
s. 103 - Exercise of powers reserved to
shareholders
at a meeting of shareholders pursuant to s. 115 or 116
s. 115 - Annual meeting of shareholders
s. 116 - Special meeting of shareholders
by a resolution in lieu of a meeting pursuant to s. 117
by a unanimous resolution
by a unanimous shareholder agreement under s. 272
s. 105 - Powers exercised by special resolution
the shareholders exercise a power to
adopt a constitution or, if it has one, to alter or revoke the company's constitution;
reduce the stated capital of the company under s. 62
approve a major transaction
approve an amalgamation of the company under s.246
put the company into liquidation
shall not be rescinded in any circumstances.
may be rescinded only by a special resolution.
s. 107 -
Management review
by shareholders
the Chairperson of any meeting of shareholders shall give the shareholders a reasonable opportunity to discuss
and comment on the management of the company.
a meeting of shareholders may pass a resolution which makes recommendations to the Board
on matters affecting the management of the company.
Unless carried as a special resolution or unless the constitution so provides, any recommendation shall not be
binding on the Board.
s. 272(2) - all the shareholders of
a private company agree to or
concur
the issue of shares by the company
the making of a distribution by the company
the repurchase or redemption of shares in the company
the giving of financial assistance by a company for the purpose of, or in connection with, the purchase of
shares in the company
the payment of remuneration to a director (or member in the case of a small private company) or the
making of a loan to a director (or member) or the conferral of any other benefit on a director (or member)
the making of a contract between an interested director (or member in the case of a small private
company) and the company
the entry into a major transaction
the ratification after the event of any action which could have been authorized
s. 120(1) - The shareholders who are entitled
to receive distributions
to exercise pre-emptive rights to acquire shares in accordance with s. 55
s. 55(1) - Subject to its constitution, where a company issues shares which rank equally with, or in priority
to existing shares as to voting or distribution rights, those shares shall be offered to the holders of existing
shares in a manner which would, if the offer were accepted, maintain the relative voting and distribution
rights of those shareholders.
to exercise any other right or receive any other benefit under this Companies Act or the constitution
the right to vote at the meetings of shareholders thus influencing on the management of the compan
s. 116(b) - A special meeting of shareholders entitled to vote on an issue shall be called by the Board on
the written request of shareholders holding shares carrying together not less than 5 per cent of the voting
rights entitled to be exercised on the issue.
5th Schedule (d) - At a meeting of shareholders, a poll may be demanded by
not less than 5 shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting
a shareholder or shareholders representing not less than 10 percent of the total voting rights of all
shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting
by a shareholder or shareholders holding shares in the company that confer a right to vote at the
meeting and on which the aggregate amount paid up is not less than 10 percent of the total amount paid
up on all shares that confer that right
the chairperson of the meeting
Access to information
A private company may, by unanimous resolution of its shareholders, dispense with the
need to keep an interests register.
The resolution shall cease to have effect where any shareholder gives notice in writing to the
company that he requires the company to keep an interests register.
s. 232 - in the case of a company
having a share capital, on the application
of
not less than fifty shareholders
shareholders holding not less than
one-tenth of the issued shares
debenture holders holding not less than
one-fifth in nominal value of the issued
debentures
in the case of a company limited by guarantee, on the application of not less than
one-fifth in number of the persons on the share register
The Registrar where he considers that the appointment of an inspector is necessary to safeguard the interests
of shareholders or creditors or is necessary in the public interest
require an inspector to investigate the affairs of a company or such aspects of the
affairs of a company as are specified in the instrument of appointment and in the
case of a debenture agency deed, the conduct of the debenture holders'
representative, and to make a report on his investigation in such form and manner
as the Registrar may direct.
s. 108 - A shareholder may require a company to purchase his shares when
by a special resolution
adoption of a constitution or, if it has one, to alter or revoke the company's constitution
approving a major transaction
approving an amalgamation of the company under s. 246
the shareholder cast all the votes, attached to shares registered in his name and for which he is the
beneficial owner against the resolution
where the resolution to exercise the power was passed under s.117, did not sign the resolution
Procedure - ss. 109 - 113
14 days from resolution
Company may purchase or arrange for purchase by 3rd party
• Shareholder not happy with price stated by Board has 14 days to give written notice to company, which
shall refer price determination to arbitration and pay a provisional price in respect of each share.
s. 143(5)(b) - Without prejudice to any other action with regard to the same matter that is lawfully available, including an action under s.
170, any member or debenture holder, as the case may be, may apply to the Court for
a declaration that an act of transaction, or proposed act of transaction, by the directors or any director or
former director constitutes a breach of any of their duties under the Companies Act
an injunction to restrain the directors or any director or former director from doing any proposed act of
transaction in breach of their duties
s. 170 - Derivative actions
s. 169 - Injunctions
The Court may, on an application, make an order restraining a company that, or a director
of a company who, proposes to engage in conduct that would contravene the constitution of the company or
the Companies Act from engaging in that conduct.
An application may be made by a
director or shareholder of the
company
it may also grant such
consequential relief as it thinks fit
The Court may, at any time before the final determination of an application ,
make, as an interim order, any order that it is empowered to make
Nota:
a temporary order of the court pending a hearing, trial, a final order, or while awaiting an act by one of the parties.
s. 174 - Personal actions by shareholders against directors
A shareholder or former shareholder may bring an action against a director and in the case of section 91, a
secretary, for breach of a duty owed to him as a shareholder.
s. 175 - Personal actions by shareholders against company
Any shareholder of a company may bring an action against the company for breach
of a duty owed by the company to him as a shareholder.
s. 94 - The secretary shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the share register is properly kept and that
share transfers are promptly entered on it in accordance with section 88.
shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 200,000 rupees.
s. 148 - A director of a company shall, forthwith after becoming aware of the fact that he is interested in a
transaction or proposed transaction with the company, cause to be entered in the interests register where it
has one, and, where the company has mote than one director, disclose to the Board of the company
s. 156 - has a relevant interest in any shares issued by the company shall forthwith - (i) disclose to the Board
the number and class of shares in which the relevant interest is held and the nature of the relevant interest;
and (ii) ensure that the particulars disclosed to the Board are entered in the interests
register.
s. 176 - the Court may, on the application of a shareholder of a company, if it is satisfied that it is just and equitable
to do so, make an order requiring the company or its Board or a director of the company to take any action that is
required to be taken by the constitution of the company or the Companies Act and, on making the order. The Court may grant
such other consequential relief as it thinks fit.
s. 170 - Derivative Actions
s. 170 (1) - Must obtain leave from the Court to bring proceedings in the name and on
behalf of the Company or to intervene in proceedings on behalf of Company
s. 1703) - Must satisfy Court that the Company that it is in the interest of the
company that leave be granted and that those who control and/or manage the company
do not intend to act diligently to protect the company’s interest.
Applicant would therefore be expected to have prompted the
company to act either by making a request to the Board
and/or convening a meeting of Shareholders.
170(2) - Applicant will be required to serve notice on the Company (s.170(4))
and the Court will be required to have regard to the matters
Can be initiated by a Shareholder or a Director
Where a shareholder initiates proceedings to enforce the Company’s rights.
s. 171 - order that the whole or part of the reasonable costs of bringing or intervening in the
proceedings, including any costs relating to any settlement, compromise, or discontinuance approved
by derivative actions, shall be met by the company unless the Court considers that it would be unjust or
inequitable for the company to bear those costs.
s. 172 - The Court may, at any time, make any order it thinks fit in relation to proceedings brought by
a shareholder or a director or in which a shareholder or director intervenes
make an order authorising the shareholder or any other
person to control the conduct of the proceedings
give directions for the conduct of the proceedings
make an order requiring the company or the directors to provide
information or assistance in relation to the proceedings
make an order directing that any amount ordered to be
paid by a defendant in the proceedings shall be paid, in
whole or part, to former and present shareholders of
the company or its subsidiary instead of to the
company or the related company
s. 173 - No proceedings brought by a shareholder or a director or in which a shareholder or a director
intervenes, as the case may be, with leave of the Court under section 170, may be settled or
compromised or discontinued without the approval of the Court.