Company Decision Making Flashcards
Who makes decisions on behalf of a company?
The company’s directors and shareholders make decisions on its behalf.
What is the role of directors in a company?
Directors are responsible for the day-to-day running of the company.
What is the role of shareholders in a company?
Shareholders provide the money for the business and are responsible for some decisions.
What are the two categories of decisions for shareholders?
- Decisions made solely by shareholders (e.g., changing articles of association). 2. Decisions requiring shareholder permission for directors to enter contracts with risks.
What is a special resolution?
A special resolution is a decision made by shareholders, such as changing the company’s name or articles of association.
What is a board resolution?
Decisions made collectively by directors during board meetings.
What is required for a board meeting to be valid?
Notice must be given, and a quorum must be present.
What is the notice requirement for board meetings?
Notice must be reasonable and include the time, date, and place of the meeting.
What is a quorum at board meetings?
A quorum requires at least two directors to be present during a board meeting.
What happens if a director has a personal interest in a decision?
The director may not count in the quorum or vote on that decision.
What is the voting process at board meetings?
Voting is done by a show of hands, with each director having one vote.
What is a unanimous decision in the context of directors?
Directors can pass a resolution in writing if all eligible directors vote unanimously.
What are the two types of shareholders’ resolutions?
Ordinary resolutions and special resolutions.
What is required for an ordinary resolution to pass?
Over half of the votes cast at a shareholders’ general meeting must be in favor.
What is required for a special resolution to pass?
75% or more of votes cast at a shareholders’ general meeting must be in favor.
What is a general meeting?
A meeting called by the board of directors to pass shareholders’ resolutions.
What must the notice of a general meeting include?
Time, date, place, nature of business, wording of special resolution, and proxy rights.
What is the notice period for a general meeting?
There must be 14 clear days between the notice being deemed received and the meeting.
How is notice deemed received if sent by post or email?
Notice is deemed received 48 hours after being posted or emailed.
When is the general meeting scheduled if notice is handed out on a Thursday?
The general meeting will be on a Friday.
How is notice deemed received when sent by post or email?
It is deemed received 48 hours after the notice was posted or emailed.
What is the minimum notice required for a general meeting?
The minimum notice required is 14 clear days.
What is the quorum for a company with only one shareholder?
The quorum is one.
How do shareholders vote at a general meeting?
Voting will be on a show of hands, and each shareholder has one vote.
Can shareholders with a personal interest vote at a general meeting?
Yes, they can generally count in the quorum or vote.
What are the two key resolutions where a shareholder’s vote is not counted?
- A resolution to buy back shares. 2. An ordinary resolution to ratify a director’s breach of duty.
What happens if a shareholder with a personal interest is also a director?
They can vote and count in the quorum at the general meeting unless the resolution is one of the two key resolutions.
What is a poll vote?
A poll vote is where shareholders vote based on one vote for each share they own.
Who can demand a poll vote?
The chair, directors, two or more persons with voting rights, or persons representing at least one tenth of total voting rights.
What is required for a special resolution to be passed?
75% or more of the votes cast must be in favour.
What is the requirement for a general meeting to be held on short notice?
A majority in number of shareholders who hold 90% or more of the voting shares must consent.
What is a written resolution?
A resolution passed by shareholders without holding a general meeting, permitted for private companies.
What must be included in a written resolution?
How to signify agreement and the deadline for returning the written resolution.
What is the lapse date for a written resolution?
The lapse date is generally 28 days from circulation of the written resolution.
When are written resolutions passed?
When the required majority of eligible members have signified agreement.
What percentage of paid-up capital is needed for shareholders to requisition a general meeting?
Shareholders representing at least 5% of paid-up capital must request it.
What percentage of paid-up capital is required for shareholders to request a general meeting?
At least 5% of such paid-up capital of the company that carries the right of voting at general meetings (s 303(2)(a)).
What must the request for a general meeting state?
The request must state the general nature of the business to be dealt with at the meeting (s 303(4)(a)).
How soon must directors call a general meeting after a shareholder request?
The directors must call it within 21 days of the request (s 304(1)(a)).
What is the minimum notice period for a general meeting?
The minimum period of full notice of a general meeting is 14 clear days.
What is the maximum notice period for a general meeting called in response to a shareholder request?
The notice period must be no more than 28 days (s 304(1)(b)).
What is the maximum time from a shareholder request to the general meeting?
The maximum period is seven weeks, as the board must call the meeting within 21 days and it must be held no later than 28 days from the notice.