Directors Duties Flashcards
What are directors and shareholders responsible for?
Directors are responsible for managing the company, while shareholders own the company and have input into certain key decisions.
Who are directors accountable to?
Directors owe duties to the company and are accountable to it rather than directly to the shareholders.
Define the concept of agency relationship in the context of company management.
An agency relationship in company management refers to the directors managing the company on behalf of the shareholders.
List some examples of decisions directors can make without shareholder approval.
Directors can employ individuals, enter contracts, buy and sell property, raise funds, and prepare company accounts.
Describe the 3 categories of directors recognized in law.
The categories of directors recognized in law include de jure directors, de facto directors, and shadow directors.
How are directors categorized in practice?
In practice, directors are categorized as executive directors and non-executive directors.
What additional type of director may the company’s articles include?
The company’s articles may provide for alternate directors.
Explain the difference between de jure and de facto directors.
De jure directors are officially appointed and recognized as directors, while de facto directors act as directors without formal appointment.
What is a shadow director?
A shadow director is a person who is not officially appointed as a director but whose directions or instructions are followed by the actual directors of the company.
What is the minimum age requirement to be appointed as a director under CA 2006?
A person must be at least 16 years old to be appointed as a director.
Do fiduciary duties and liabilities apply to de facto directors?
Yes, fiduciary duties and liabilities apply to de facto directors as they do to de jure directors.
Describe the role of a shadow director according to CA 2006.
A shadow director is defined as a person whose directions or instructions the directors of the company are accustomed to act upon, even if they are not formally appointed as a director.
How does CA 2006 differentiate between shadow directors and professional advisers?
CA 2006 clarifies that professional advisers, such as accountants providing financial advice, are not considered shadow directors, even if their advice is followed by the directors.
What duties and restrictions are shadow directors under?
Individuals acting as directors, regardless of their formal appointment, are subject to the same duties and restrictions that apply to all directors.
How might a friend of a director be classified under CA 2006?
A friend of a director who provides advice that the directors follow could be classified as a shadow director.
Define the role of an executive director.
An executive director is a director appointed to executive office who spends the majority of their working time on the business of the company and serves as both an officer and an employee.
How do non-executive directors contribute to a company?
Non-executive directors provide independent guidance and advice to the board and protect the interests of shareholders, but they do not engage in the day-to-day running of the company.
Explain the employment status of non-executive directors.
Non-executive directors are officers of the company but are not employees, meaning they do not receive a salary or engage in daily operations.
Describe the role of an alternate director in a company.
An alternate director takes the place of a director when one or more directors are absent, usually being a fellow director or someone approved by a board resolution, and possesses the voting powers of the absent director.
How are alternate directors appointed in a company?
Alternate directors are typically appointed through a resolution of the board of directors or may be fellow directors.
What has contributed to the rarity of alternate directors in recent times?
The ability to hold board meetings over the telephone and to pass board resolutions through written resolutions has made the use of alternate directors quite rare.
Describe the main duties of a company secretary.
The main duties of a company secretary include keeping the company books up-to-date, producing minutes of board and general meetings, and ensuring that all necessary filings are made at Companies House.
What is the requirement for a public company regarding a company secretary under CA 2006?
A public company must have a company secretary as per section 271 of CA 2006.
Describe the qualifications required for a public company secretary.
A public company secretary must have the requisite knowledge and experience, and must hold one of the qualifications set out in section 273(2) of CA 2006, such as being a solicitor or a chartered accountant.