Company Law Flashcards
What is a Corporation sole?
a public office occupied by a living person, death of the person doesn’t effect the public office it continues by choosing another person
What is Corporation aggregate?
a group of like minded people that set themselves as a company with a separate legal identity
What are the three ways of forming a company?
1) Royal charter
2) Statute
3) Registration
What is formation by Royal charter?
company is created by asking the monarch
What is formation by Statute?
parliament create a company by statute
What is formation by registration?
company is formed by registration with registrar of companies
What is a Public quoted company?
public company limited by shares not guarantee and share price quoted on recognized stock exchange
What is a Public unquoted company?
public company limited by shares but not quoted on stock market
What defines a public company?
- is limited by shares
- the constitution (articles of association) states that its public
- ends in public limited company or PLC
- has an allotted share capital of no less than £50,000
- of which no less than 25% is credited as paid up
- together with whole of share premium
- although exists from date of incorporation but cant trade until it has the trading certificate
Who issues the trading certificate?
The registrar
What does the company need to state in the application for trading certificate?
- nominal value of allotted shares are not less than £50,000
- what the formation expenses were/are
- to who the formation expenses have been paid to/payable to
What must accompany an application for a trading certificate?
a statement of compliance
What happens if a public company fails to obtain a trading certificate within 12 months of incorporation?
the court on application can grant a liquidation order against the company
What is meant by lifting the veil?
When court looks behind the veil of incorporation, and deals with the person rather than the company
Why is the veil lifted on corporations?
to prevent fraud, illegality and oppression
What company in France is similar to a UK public company?
Societé Anonyme (SA)
- no less than 6 members
- between 3-12 directors
- must have auditor
What company in France is similar to a UK private company?
société à responsabilité limitée (SaRL)
- does not have share capital
- financing divided into parts which holders cant sell to public
- commonly used for family companies
What company in Germany is similar to UK public company?
Aktiengesellschaft (AG)
What company in Germany is similar to a UK private company?
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
What is a Societas Europaea (SE)?
a european public company
- members limited liability
- minimum capital € 120,000
- registered in state of administrative headquarters
What are the four ways of establishing a European company by companies from at least 2 EU states?
- merger
- formation of new holding company
- formation of new subsidiary
- transforming a company in 1 EU state which owns a subsidiary for at least 2 years in another EU state
Who creates a company?
a promoter
Who is liable for pre incorporation contracts?
the promoter
Who can be a promoter?
anyone no qualifications required
Who pays for the formation expenses of a company
the promoter because the company does not exist yet