Week 10 - Director Accountability Flashcards
what is the purpose of a corporate governance system?
to effectively restrict and monitor the powers vested in decisionmakers
what does it mean to usurp?
overtake
how does the law protect the interests of SH ito mgmt?
by holding mgmt accountable, as SH’s control does not extend to the decisions made by mgmt
what may a director NOT be?
- disqualified
- ineligible
what makes a person ineligible of being a director?
- juristic person
- unemancipated minor
- does not satisfy MOI requirements
what makes a person disqualified from being a director?
- declared delinquent
- unrehabilitated insolvent
- prohibited ito public regulation
- removed from office due to misconduct from dishonesty
- convicted/imprisoned/fined for theft, fraud, perjury or misrepresentation
what does s76 say about the conduct of directors?
- may not use position for personal gain/advantage
- may not knowingly cause harm to company
- must communicate to board relevant info to the board unless publicly available or immaterial
in what way should the director act?
- good faith
- best interest of company
- degree of skill, care, diligence
what does the business judgement rule state?
a director will not be held liable for breach of their duties if they:
- take reasonable steps to become informed about matter
- has either: no financial interest or disclosed their financial interest ito Act
- believes the decision was in best interest and has a rational basis for the belief
who may a director rely on for advice and info?
- employees if believed to be reliable and competent
- legal counsel, accountants RETAINED by company for matters regarding that person’s professional skills
- committee to which director is not a member
how does the Act define reckless trading?
a company carrying on its business recklessly, with gross negligence, with the intent to defraud any person or for fraud purposes
what does defraud mean?
illegally obtain money from someone through deception
what will the Commission do if it has reasonable grounds to believe that it is engaging reckless trading/becoming insolvent?
may issue a notice to the company so that it can prove that it should still be permitted to continue its trade
how long does the company have to prove it is not recklessly trading/becoming insolvent?
- 20 business days
- if it fails, Comm may issue a compliance notice requiring company to stop trading
what must a director do if he has personal financial interest in a matter?
- disclose the interest, its general nature and any material info relating to it before it is considered
- disclose insights/observations if requested
- leave the meeting immediately
- not take part in consideration