Mailing #1 Notes Flashcards
What are the three basic types of business organisation?
Sole trader
Partnership
Limited company
What is the most important defining quality of a limited company?
Is has separate legal personality.
Which Act governs partnerships?
Partnership Act 1890
What is the definition of a partnership?
The relation which subsists between persons carrying out business in common view of profit.
(Partnership Act 1890)
In what 2 scenarios can a partnership be formed?
1) By express agreement when Articles of Partnership are drawn up and signed.
2) By implication if the courts find that the definition of partnership is met.
What are 4 advantages to forming a partnership?
1) Pooling of skills and experience
2) Sharing risk
3) Conduct is secret (unlike public company)
4) No formalities required to start partnership
Is a partnership a separate legal personality?
No, the partners are personally liable.
What are the 2 main downsides to forming a limited company?
1) Government regulation
2) Publicity
What are the two general characteristics of the limited company?
1 Independent legal personality
2 Limited liability
What are the 8 key differences between a limited company and a partnership?
1 Members of a company have limited liability, partners are fully liable
2 Companies are separate in law
3 Company are formed by registration, partnerships by agreement
4 Certain company documents are open to inspection, partnerships are private
5 No member of a company can contract unless appointed, partners have implied authority.
6 Company powers are determined by constitution, a partnership can do whatever the partners wish.
7 Company is managed by directors, all partners can manage
8 Company is dissolved when the registrar cancels its registration, but partnerships are dissolved by agreement or the court
What are the two primary purposes of company law?
Protect investors
Protect creditors
Why do companies limited by guarantee often have little working capital?
The members promise to contribute an amount on winding up.
Which body has responsibility for registering CIOs?
The Charity Commission
When might a limited company’s members lost limited liability?
1 The company trades with less than the minimum number of members
2 Engages in fraudulent or wrongful trading
3 The veil is lifted
Which subsection of CA 2006 classifies public and private companies?
S 4
Which companies may be limited by either shares or guarantee?
Private (not public)
Which companies may offer shares to the public?
Public (not private)
Which companies require a trading certificate?
Public
Which companies must have a minimum of 2 directors?
Public (private only need one)
Which companies must have a secretary?
Public (private do not need one)
What is the collective name for a holding company and all its subsidiaries?
“The group”
Can a subsidiary company be a member of its holding company?
No
Which case sets out that a holding company is not responsible for the debts of its subsidiary?
Prest v Petrodel (2013)
What is an OEIC?
Open-Ended Investment Company
What must be the purpose of an OEIC?
To invest in transferable securities with the aim of spreading investment risk and giving shareholders the benefits of the results.
What is the definition of an overseas company?
A company registered outside the UK (s1046 CA).
What information must an overseas company provide to the registrar when establishing a UK branch?
1 Memorandum and articles
2 Details of directors and secretary
3 Name and address of a UK resident willing to accept notices for the company.
To which companies is the “capital lock” applicable?
Community Interest Companies
What is a capital lock?
The assets of a CIC cannot be disposed of without prior consent of the registrar to ensure assets are used for the benefit of the community.
Which regulations give authority for Societas Europaea?
European Public Limited Company Regulations (2004)
What must a Societas Europaea’s name end in?
“SE”
How may an SE be formed?
1 Merging two or more public companies
2 Transforming a public company which has had a European subsidiary for over two years
3 Creating a subsidiary from companies in two or more EU countries.
What must be sent to the Registrar of Companies on registration?
1 Memorandum of association
2 Articles of association
3 Form IN01
4 Fee
What is the memorandum of association?
A statement that subscribers to the memorandum wish to form a company and agree to take at least one share each.
What are the three sets of model articles?
1 For private companies limited by shares
2 For private companies limited by guarantee
3 For public companies
What will the registrar issue on incorporation?
A certificate of incorporation (s15 CA)
What are the three effects of registration of a company, set out in s 16 CA?
1 Subscribers become members of the company from the date of incorporation
2 The company has limited liability for its members
3 The certificate of incorporation is conclusive evidence that the Act has been complied with
How is a trading certificate obtained for a public company?
By applying to the register following allotment of the minimum statutory share requirement (£50,000, 1/4 paid up)
What records must a company maintain for the inspection by its members?
Register of members
Register of charges
Minutes of proceedings of company, directors and managers
Accounting records
Register of directors and secretaries
Register of interest in voting shares (for public companies)
When MUST a public company re-register as private?
Where there is a serious loss of capital, i.e. where net assets are less than half the called-up share capital.
What are the requirements for re-registration from private to public?
1 Special resolution to change status
2 Submission of documents to registrar, including
- proposed name
- proposed secretary
- copy of special resolution
- copy of articles
- copy of balance sheet and unqualified auditors report
- valuation report on any recent non-cash consideration for shares
- statement of compliance
What are the requirements for re-registration from public to private?
1 Special resolution to change status 2 Submission of documents to registrar - proposed name - copy of special resolution - copy of proposed articles - statement of compliance
What are the requirements for re-registration from private limited to unlimited?
1 All members consent
2 Company has not been previously re-registered as limited
3 Submission of docs to registrar including
- proposed name
- assent of all members on prescribed form
- statement of compliance
What are the requirements for re-registration of unlimited company to private limited company?
1 Special resolution stating whether limited by shares or guarantee
2 Company has not been previously re-registered as unlimited
3 Submission of docs to registrar including
- proposed name of registration
- copy of special resolution
- copy of proposed articles
- statement of compliance
What are the requirements for re-registration of public company to unlimited company?
1 All members consent
2 Company has not previously been re-registered as limited or unlimited
3 Company must make changes in name and articles
4 Submission of documents:
- proposed name on registration
- assent of all members on prescribed form
- copy of amended articles
- statement of compliance
Where must company names be displayed?
1 Place of business
2 On letters, notices, invoices, receipts and negotiable instruments.
What is the “domicile clause”?
A clause within the company’s objects which state whether it wishes to be registered in England and Wales, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Why is it significant that any company registered in the UK is “British”?
Because the UK Government offers protection to British companies operating overseas.
Why is the domicile of a company significant?
The domicile determined which regional law affects the company. E.g. English v Scottish
What is stated by s86 CA regarding the registered office?
All companies must have a registered office to which all communications can be addressed.
Can a registered office be changed?
Yes
For what two reasons is the registered office important?
1 Company’s official address for legal service
2 Place where documents can be inspected.
What key document must be available for inspection at a company’s office?
1 Register of charges 2 Register of directors and secretaries 3 Register of members 4 Minutes of general meetings 5 Copy of directors service contracts
Are the objects of a company restricted?
No, unless specified within the articles (S 31 CA)
What information must be included in the “statement of capital” upon incorporation?
1 Total value of shares allotted (in £)
2 Total nominal share value allotted in other currencies
3 Total number of shares issued and total nominal value
What is the “statement of compliance”?
A statement from every person subscribed to the memorandum confirming that they have complied with the CA 2006.
Upon change of address, for how long must a company maintain both addresses?
14 days
What is the process for alteration of company name?
1 Check the new name is available
2 Board adopt new name
3 Convene general meeting for passing special resolution
4 If pass, resolution is send to CH and printed on all memoranda
5 Registration of new name and certifcate of incorporation
What is the process for increase of share capital?
1 The company must have authority of the members (ordinary resolution).
2 Notice given to the registrar within one month