Final Exam Flashcards
What is a liability?
a debt or obligation
recognized by law - enforced by a person, court process
Is a sole proprietorship its own legal entity?
No
Do sole proprietorships have limited liability?
No, since the owner cannot be separated from it
How does income work in a sole proprietorship?
Income from the business is added to the income of the sole proprietor for income tax purposes
Why would someone choose a sole proprietorship?
it is the most common and the simplest form of business entity
easy to set up and dissolve
Can a sole proprietorship have employees?
Yes
Can a sole proprietorship have multiple owners?
No
Explain unlimited liability in a sole proprietorship
the sole proprietor is directly and personally liable for all the business liabilities (contractual or otherwise)
Therefore all business and personal assets of the sole proprietor can be seized in fulfillment of the obligations and liabilities
What are the advantages of a sole proprietorship?
ability to make all business decisions (only owner)
Right to all profits
Right to deal with all assets without interference
Simple to set up, inexpensive
What are the disadvantages of a sole proprietorship?
Unlimited liability
What are the three best protections for sole proprietorships?
- Insurance
- Put investments in creditor-proof assets (some cannot be touched by creditors)
- Before starting a business make a business plan and estate plan to redistribute property and if desirable transfer assets to other individuals
What is the caveat with redistributing assets before you go into a sole proprietorship?
it must be done well in advance of starting the business
If you go bankrupt, the trustee can review transactions of up to 5 years
Should you transfer your assets to your spouse in a sole proprietorship?
No because in the case of separation the spouse can take it (you might be able to get 50% of all property after a lengthy lawsuit)
Should you transfer your assets to your parents in a sole proprietorship?
No because if they pass away and their will is wrong then other beneficiaries can get your property
How can a prenuptial agreement be useful in a sole proprietorship?
you can get some protection using a prenuptial agreement
it determines the allocation of property and support payments in the event of a divorce
What are examples of cooperatives?
Co-op, all credit unions, Red River Co-op
What is the model of cooperatives?
designed to provide their members with services at a cost lower than the cost of similar goods and services in the marketplace.
It can also be organized for the purpose of selling goods in a way that will maximize returns to the members.
Essentially about eliminating the middle men in the economy
How do cooperatives offer products at a cheaper price?
they try to sell their product as directly to the consumer as possible and try to buy as directly from the producers as possible
How many votes does each member have in a cooperative?
Every member has one vote
Can all members vote? (Cooperative)
As long as they are at the meeting, you cannot vote if you arent at the meeting
How are profits for cooperatives determined?
They are paid in accordance with the quantity of goods purchased through the ogranization by the member
Purchasing $100 of product will give you a bigger share of the profits than purchasing $10 of product
What are partnerships?
the relation between persons carrying on a business with the view of profit
Is sharing the profits of a business sufficient evidence of a partnership?
No, it’s not sufficient, but it is highly indicative
What is other evidence besides sharing profits that can indicate a partnership occurs?
Contribution of capital (property or money)
active role in the business
the existence of ongoing business as opposed to an isolated transaction
& sharing profits
What happens if you dont deny that you are a partner in a partnership?
You are held to be a partner if you dont protest it
What is the liability of a partnership?
Unlimited liability, all of the partners are liable for the debt of the business.
Who can create the liabilities in a partnership?
All partners can create liabilities in which all of the partners are responsible for
Can you have limited liability in a partnership?
No, all liability is unlimited in a partnership since there is no separate entity.
In a partnership, are the partners liable for all liabilities of the firm?
Yes, with the exception that a partner is only liable for the liabilities that the firm made during the time they were a partner
A partner is not liable for the liabilities incurred before their partnership and after their partnership
How do you terminate a partnership?
Publish notice that the partnership is dissolved and provide actual notice to people who have recently delt with your firm
Can a partner also be an employee of the partnership?
No
Is a real estate agent an agent?
No, they are just representatives
What are examples of agents?
stock broker, lawyers, a person can get the power of attorney
What are examples of non-agents?
real estate agent, sports agent, fashion agency… they are all just representatives
What is agency law?
the relationship between the principal and agent according to which the principal has authorized the agent to enter into a contract with third parties in the principal’s behalf
What are common law implied laws in terms of agency law?
courts over time have completed/created implied terms
Ex: wrongful dismissal cases
What is section 27 of the partnership? (statutorily implied terms)
all partners may take part in the management of the partnership
Need the consent of all existing partners before bringing in a new partner
all partners are liable to share equally in contributions to capital, in losses and in profits of the partnership
no partner is entitled to remuneration in acting in partnership bisiness
What is fiduciary duty? (Partnership Act)
there is a legal obligation to act in the best interest of the partnership and its members
Must exercise good faith, loyalty, and care in their dealings on behalf of the partnership
What does section 32 of the statutorily implied terms of the partnership act?
Established fiduciary responsibilities of partners within the partnership
emphasizes their joint liability for partnership debts
help maintain trust and fairness among partners
What is section 33 of the statutorily implied terms of the partnership act?
it has rules regarding non-competition among partners
their fiduciary duty to act in the partnership’s best interests
providing a remedy in case of breaches
What is section 29 of the statutorily implied terms of the partnership act?
It specifies that any partner may terminate the partnership at any time given notice to the other partners
What is section 30 of the statutorily implied terms of the partnership act?
if the partnership ends but still continues business, notice is required
What is section 36 of the statutorily implied terms of the partnership act?
there will be dissolution of the partnership by a death or mental incapacity of one of the partners
What is the definition of implied terms in the partnership act?
terms that do not exist in a contract but nevertheless the courts will insert it into the contract even though the parties never agreed to it
What is agency law?
the relationship between the principal and agent according to which the principal has authorized the agent to enter into contract with third parties in the principals behalf
What is the power of attorney and when does it happen?
when someone is chosen to do the bidding of a person incapable of carrying out day-to-day legal tasks
The appointed person (the agent) receives the authority to act, which can be either broad or restricted
Often used for the elderly or individuals who are away from home
the agent is obligated to act in the best interests of the person granting the power of attorney while managing their affairs responsibly
What is ratification?
a principal approves a contract made by an agent who exceeds their authority. If the principal ratifies (approves) the contract they become bound by its terms… if the person does not ratify (approve) the contract, the agent remains liable for it.
What is prophylactic?
preventative actions to protect yourself
What are three ways to protect yourself in a sole proprietorship?
insurance
Put investments in creditor proof assets - RRSP individual pension plans
redistribute your property, transfer assets to other individuals
What is the agency principle?
an arrangement where one entity legally appoints another to act on its behalf
What are “implied terms” of the partnership act?
a term that does not exist in a contract but the courts insert it into the contract even though the parties never agreed to it
What is agency law?
the relationship between the principal and agent according to which the principal has authorized the agent to enter into contract with third parties in the principal’s behalf
What is the power of attorney?
this happens when someone is chosen to do the bidding of a person incapable to carry out day to day legal tasks.
The power is either general or limited
the agent should be acting in the best interest of the donor while taking care of issues
What is agent by estoppels?
A barrier which prevents a person from denying the truth of certain facts when this person by words or conduct has lead another person to believe that certain facts are true and to act and rely upon these facts
Essentially no formal agency agreement was made, but a person was complicit in giving the appearance of an agency relationship
What is agent by necessity?
when the agent enters into contracts with a third party for the benefit of the principal without the consent of the principal, and to limit losses that the principal could experience
What are the duties of the agent to the principal?
Agent must comply with the contact establishing the agency or he is liable
Agent must be diligent in reprising
Duty of care implied
Duty of personal performance (cannot sub-delegate the tasks)
Duty of good faith (the agent is a fiduciary)
What is a fiduciary?
people / organizations that act on behalf of others and are required to put the clients interests ahead of their own
They are legally and ethically bound to act in the others best interest
What are the fiduciary duties?
personal performance
dont find yourself in conflict of interest
cannot take secret commissions
complete in good faith
agent cannot act on behalf of third party and principal at the same time
agent cannot intercept opportunities of the principal unless the principal grants permission to the agent
What are the duties of the principal to the agent?
Remuneration: agent has the right to be paid by the principal, can be in the contract, if not then paid by quantum meruit (a reasonable amount for the services)
Is a limited partnership different from a partnership?
Yes a limited partnership is different from a partnership because of its structure
What is the structure of a limited partnership?
Certain partners can be limited partners in which they have limited liability
There must be one general partner
What is the worrying aspect of a limited partnership?
If a limited partner participates in a manager function can convert himself into a general partner with limited liability
Why is the limited partnership not used much?
Because its tax advantages were eliminated in the early 90s
What is a general partner in a limited partnership?
There must be at least one general partner, and they have unlimited liability of any debts in the partnership
What is the biggest difference between a limited partner and a general partner in a limited partnership?
General partners have unlimited liabilities while limited partners have limited liabilities
What is the definition of a limited liability partnership?
provides protection for the personal assets of an innocent partner from professional liability claim arising from the negligence or misconduct of another partner, associate, or employees in whose work the innocent partner was not involved
What three professionals can practice under a limited liability partnership? (LLP)
lawyers, chartered accountants, certified general accountants
What is a partner in a limited liability partnership NOT liable for?
debts
obligations / liabilities of the partnership
another partner
that arise from negligence, wrongful, malpractice, or misconduct, of another partner or an employee, agent, or representative of a partnership occurring in the ordinary course of professional practice
What are the limitations of a limited liability partnership? (LLP)
if partners know of negligence and failed to take reasonable steps
negligence was committed by an employee, agent, representative of the partnership for whom the partner was directly responsible in a supervisory role
Why is this form of limited liability partnership called a partial shield?
because it protects innocent partners from the negligence, wrongful acts of others in the firm, BUT does not provide any protection for contractual or trade debts
What is the limited liability partnership “full shield”?
it extends the protection to contractual or trade debts (in addition to the protecting innocent partners from negligence of others in the firm)
Is the full shield limited liability partnership available everywhere?
No it is just available in saskatchewan, everywhere else in canada has only partial shield LLP
Out of all of the companies in North America, do corporations consist of the most?
No
Out of all companies in North America, what form of business is most dominant?
Corporations
What is the most important factor about corporations?
That they offer a separate legal entity where the corporation is treated as a separate person from the investors.
What are the benefits of having a separate legal entity in a corporation?
This means that the investors are not responsible for the actions of the corporation, gives limited liability to the shareholders. The investors cannot be sued for the entity of the corporation
What does limited liability mean?
each particular shareholder is only liable to his or her own investment and the amount of the share she has not paid.
What are the tax advantages in corporations?
Payments of salary to spouse and children is easily facilitated through the corporation.
Dividends sprinkling
Small business tax deduction
Preferential tax breaks for dividends
Capital gains exemption for the sale of shares for the first $750,000
Estate freeze: can pass shares to your heirs without tax consequences
Independent pension plan: increase retirement income
What is the transfer of ownership benefit in corporations?
it can sometimes be difficult to transfer ownership in a partnership, whereas a shareholder in the corporation business model has no difficulty
What is the continuous existence benefit of corporations?
because corporations are artificial entities they can live forever. if someone dies, the corporation does not have to dissolve
what is the loyalty aspect of corporations?
Shareholders do not have to be loyal to just one company, they may hold shares of competing corporations.
whereas partners cannot compete with their partnership because of fiduciaries duties
What are the two types of companies?
large and small companies
what is a problem/conflict in large companies?
there is competition between the employees/managers and shareholders as the money goes towards compensation or the shareholders
Are small companies publically traded?
Typically no
What is the big problem referred to in small businesses?
oppression of the minority shareholder
What is the problem of the oppression of the minority shareholder in small business?
a minority shareholder is locked in and frozen out - they cant sell their shares except at a very discounted price becuase no one wants to buy such small percentage, but are frozen out becasuse they have no influence on management with their minority position
What is the way to solve the oppression of the minority shareholder in small businesses?
provisions in a shareholder agreement
shot gun clause - make an offer to the other party at a price per share and its their choice whether they want to buy or sell
Why isn’t the shot gun clause fair to everyone?
if one party is undercapitalized (no money) you cant realistically buy them out
in those cases the price per share will be determined by someone else so that the undercapitalized will be considered
What is the royal charter corporation?
A method of incorporation
Used by the royal monarch’s to create companies for fees (one of the ways they raised money)
What is the special act corporation (statutes)?
Special statues create corporations
This method of incorporating is still employed in creating crown corporations
What is the general act of incorporation?
these are acts that businesses/people can resort to create a corporation according to the procedure laid out
What are the three types of general acts for methods of incorporation?
English system of registration
Letter paten system
Certificate of incorporation - you can have federal companies (canadian corporation act) and provincial companies (corporation act). Federal companies are more expensive and protected with your name across Canada
What are the ways you can organize a company in Manitoba?
Do a corporate name search
Create and submit to the corporation brand the articles of incorporation (name of company, corporate head office, nature of business, types of shares and their characteristics, the first directors, and the incorporators)
Pay a fee of $300 (or $400 for overnight service)
What do you need to change the type of company?
Articles of incorporation
Bylaws
What is the articles of incorporation method of changing the type of company?
if you want to change it you need a 2/3 majority of every class of shares - including the above and any restriction on the type of business that can be carried out
What is the bylaw method of changing the type of company?
can be changed by a simple majority of shareholders - initally the first directors create bylaws, but must be ratified by the shareholders at the first meeting.
What are the three types of participants in a business according to the constitution?
Shareholders
Directors
Officers
Who are shareholders?
they are the investors
they purchase shares with money / capital and they have very few rights in the corporation
What are some of the rights shareholders have within corporations?
annually vote for directors
Ability to participate in the approval of changes made to the corporation
What are the different types of shareholders?
voting rights
dividend rights
redemption value rights (by back shares at a certain price)
What are the different types of shares?
voting / non-voting
prescribed dividend rate
redemptions gives corporation the opportunity to buy back the shares from shareholders
retraction the shareholder can force the corporation to buy the shares from them
In general what are the two types of shares?
Common shares
Preferred shares
What are common shares?
generally have the right to vote and no predetermined dividend right or rate and rank late
What are preferred shares?
don’t vote, entitled to dividends to a % of return and rank ahead of common shareholders if there is a surplus on dissolution
What are directors in a corporation?
they are charged with management of the corporation, they are the agents through which the corporation acts
What are some details of what the directors in corporations must do?
they must adopt the initial bylaws
directors need not be shareholders
the directors annually elect the officers of the corporation
What do the officers in a corporation do?
run the corporation on a daily basis
need not be directors
elected annually
What is the definition of a public company?
There is no definition in the Corporation act
one can say that they are public if there is a distribution to the public of their shares and they are involved in sales in the stock market
What are public companies required to do under the securities act?
required to do a filing
to prevent fraud on potential investors in public trading or distribution of shares
What are private companies required to do under the Securities Act?
private companies are exempt from many of the costly actions as required in the Securities Act
What is a private company defined as?
a company in whose instrument of incorporation or articles the:
right to transfer its shares is restricted
the number of its shareholders is limited to no more than 50
any invitation to the public to subscribe for its securities is prohibited (no advertising)
Otherwise, you have to prescribe to the Securities Act which is expensive
How is agency law agreed upon?
Over a written or oral contract
Where does agency law play a role?
In corporations and business organizations
What is one of the consequences of those on the board of directors?
they have a fiduciary duty because they are an agent
What are the two types of agency by estoppel?
apparent authority
holding out
What is apparent authority in agency law?
an agent may acquire apparent authority from a past manner of transacting business, business by the principal or trade custom
this would make it appear to third parties that the agent has authority for the contract at hand, however they do not have any real or expressed authority
An example of trade custom is a stock broker or lawyer having apparent authority to enter in all sorts of contracts on your behalf
What is holding out in agency law?
You are representing yourself or allowing someone to represent you
1) if someone is representing to the world that they are someones agent and the person knows and doesnt say anything OR
2) you represent someone to be your agent