Fundamental Transactions Flashcards
what are fundamental transactions?
- changes concerning the nature of the company
2. changes concerning the nature of your investment
What is a consequence of unregulated fundamental transactions?
Shareholders in particular minority shareholders could be significantly prejudiced
Why is a special resolution or S & L test not efficient when it comes to fundamental transactions?
- S/H could still be outvoted by the majority
- They would be stuck in a company that looks different to what they initially invested in
- or they are stuck with a different investment to what they initially made
What chapter of the companies act regulates fundamental transactions
Chapter 5
did the new legislation introduce significant changes to fundamental transactions?
it was comprehensively reformed to facilitate the creation of business combinations
What are the 3 significant changes the 2008 Act introduces?
- amalgamations and mergers
- the appraisal remedy
- tries to eliminate statutory arbitrage
What is the appraisal remedy briefly?
S164 = a protective measure for shareholders, allows shareholders to have their shares acquired by the company under certain circumstances
What is statutory arbitrage
this is where a transaction is disguised as something else to apply a different section of the act that is less onerous or suits the person better
Is the statutory merger an additional procedure or does it replace the 3 types of transactions
Statutory mergers are an additional procedure for the 3 existing method for companies wanting to effect business combinations and fundamental transactions
do fundamental transactions require court oversight
very little court oversight required
What does s112 cover
disposal of all or a greater part of the company’s assets
What does a company have to do to have “disposed” of an asset?
The act does not define dispose or tell us what transaction is a disposal.
What does Standard Bank v Hunkydory Investments tell us about what disposal under S112 is?
A disposal is a permanent transfer of ownership and not a mere encumbrance of assets
What is meant under S112 by all or a greater part of the assets
S1 of the act:
- more than 50% of its gross assets fairly valued irrespective of liabilities
- more than 50% of the value of its entire undertaking fairly valued
What are the requirements for S112 disposal of all or greater part of the assets
- Disposal approved by s/h special resolution for specific transaction
- Notice including provisions of s115 and s164
- Assets given fair market value
- if a shareholder has a personal interest they cannot participate
What must a notice under S112 contain for disposal of assets
- prescribed time and manner
- summary of precise terms of transactions
- provisions of S115 and S164
What happens when a company is a subsidiary of another company and wants to dispose of its assets under S112?
It may be necessary to obtain a special resolution from the s/hs of the company to protect them.
What transactions are exempt from the provisions of S112
- business rescue
2. intragroup transactions
What section regulates mergers and amalgamations?
S113
Why must a merger be a balancing act?
the transaction must be simple and have no delays to ensure economic growth and efficiency but minority shareholders and creditors of both entities have to be protected
what policy shifts occur under S113 on mergers and amalgamations?
- requires no court involvement
2. Minority rights are protected through the appraisal remedy and other procedural mechanisms