PART VN.I.ALLOTMENT OF SHARES AND DEBENTURES

Pre-emption rightsN.I.

Disapplication of pre-emption rightsF2N.I.

105.—(1) Where the directors of a company are generally authorised for the purposes of Article 90, they may be given power by the articles of association, or by a special resolution of the company, to allot equity securities pursuant to that authority as if—

(a)Article 99(1) did not apply to the allotment, or

(b)that Article applied to the allotment with such modifications as the directors may determine;

and where the directors make an allotment under this paragraph, Articles 99 to 104 have effect accordingly.

(2) Where the directors of a company are authorised for the purposes of Article 90 (whether generally or otherwise), the company may by special resolution resolve either—

(a)that Article 99(1) shall not apply to a specified allotment of equity securities to be made pursuant to that authority, or

(b)that that Article shall apply to the allotment with such modifications as may be specified in the resolution;

and where such a resolution is passed, Articles 99 to 104 have effect accordingly.

[F1(2A) Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply in relation to a sale of shares which is an allotment of equity securities by virtue of Article 104(3A) as if—

(a)in paragraph (1) for “Where the directors of a company are generally authorised for the purposes of Article 90, they” there were substituted “ The directors of a company ” and the words “pursuant to that authority” were omitted, and

(b)in paragraph (2), the words from “Where” to “otherwise), the” there were substituted “ The ” and, in sub-paragraph (a), the words “to be made pursuant to that authority” were omitted.]

(3) The powers conferred by paragraph (1) or a special resolution under paragraph (2) ceases to have effect when the authority to which it relates is revoked or would (if not renewed) expire; but if the authority is renewed, the power or (as the case may be) the resolution may also be renewed, for a period not longer than that for which the authority is renewed, by a special resolution of the company.

(4) Notwithstanding that any such power or resolution has expired, the directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of an offer or agreement previously made by the company, if the power or resolution enabled the company to make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after it expired.

(5) A special resolution under paragraph (2), or a special resolution to renew such a resolution, shall not be proposed unless it is recommended by the directors and there has been circulated, with the notice of the meeting at which the resolution is proposed, to the members entitled to have that notice a written statement by the directors setting out—

(a)their reasons for making the recommendation,

(b)the amount to be paid to the company in respect of the equity securities to be allotted, and

(c)the directors' justification of that amount.

(6) A person who knowingly or recklessly authorises or permits the inclusion in a statement circulated under paragraph (5) of any matter which is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular is liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

F1SR 2004/275

F2Order repealed (prosp.) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1284(2), 1295, 1300(2), Sch. 16 and the repeal being partly in force, as to which see individual Articles (with savings (with adaptations) by Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 6, Saving and Commencement Nos. 3 and 5 (Amendment)) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/674), arts. 2(3), {4}, Sch. 2) and subject to amendments (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), arts. 2(2), 3(1)(b)(2), Sch. 1 paras. 135, 147, 148 {Sch. 2 Note 1} (with arts. 6, 11, 12) and subject to amendments (6.4.2008) by S.R. 2008/133, {regs. 2, 3}