Companies Act 1985

Part XI U.K. Company administration and procedure

Chapter I E+W+S Company Identification

348 Company name to appear outside place of business. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall paint or affix, and keep painted or affixed, its name on the outside of every office or place in which its business is carried on, in a conspicuous position and in letters easily legible.

(2) If a company does not paint or affix its name as required above, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine; and if a company does not keep its name painted or affixed as so required, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 348 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

349 Company’s name to appear in its correspondence, etc. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall have its name mentioned in legible characters—

(a) in all business letters of the company,

(b) in all its notices and other official publications,

(c) in all bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques and orders for money or goods purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the company, and

(d) in all its bills of parcels, invoices, receipts and letters of credit.

(2) If a company fails to comply with subsection (1) it is liable to a fine.

(3) If an officer of a company or a person on its behalf—

(a) issues or authorises the issue of any business letter of the company, or any notice or other official publication of the company, in which the company’s name is not mentioned as required by subsection (1), or

(b) issues or authorises the issue of any bill of parcels, invoice, receipt or letter of credit of the company in which its name is not so mentioned,

he is liable to a fine.

(4) If an officer of a company or a person on its behalf signs or authorises to be signed on behalf of the company any bill of exchange, promissory note, endorsement, cheque or order for money or goods in which the company’s name is not mentioned as required by subsection (1), he is liable to a fine; and he is further personally liable to the holder of the bill of exchange, promissory note, cheque or order for money or goods for the amount of it (unless it is duly paid by the company).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 349 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C3 S. 349(2)–(4) applied (S.) (4.2.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 112(8), 213(2)

S. 349(2)-(4) applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (1.8.1993) by 1993 c. 10, ss. 68(3), 99(1)

350 Company seal. E+W+S

[F1 (1) A company which has a common seal shall have its name engraved in legible characters on the seal; and if it fails to comply with this subsection it is liable to a fine.]

(2) If an officer of a company or a person on its behalf uses or authorises the use of any seal purporting to be a seal of the company on which its name is not engraved as required by subsection (1), he is liable to a fine.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 350(1) substituted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 130(7), 213(2), Sch. 17 para. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 350 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

351 Particulars in correspondence, etc. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall have the following particulars mentioned in legible characters in all business letters and order forms of the company, that is to say—

(a) the company’s place of registration and the number with which it is registered,

(b) the address of its registered office,

(c) in the case of an investment company (as defined in section 266), the fact that it is such a company, and

(d) in the case of a limited company exempt from the obligation to use the word “limited” as part of its name, the fact that it is a limited company.

(2) If in the case of a company having a share capital there is on the stationery used for any such letters, or on the company’s order forms, a reference to the amount of share capital, the reference must be to paid-up share capital.

F2 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) As to contraventions of this section, the following applies—

(a) if a company fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2), it is liable to a fine,

(b) if an officer of a company or a person on its behalf issues or authorises the issue of any business letter or order form not complying with those subsections, he is liable to a fine, F3 . . .

F3 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 351(3)(4) repealed (1.2.1994) by 1993 c. 38, s. 31, Sch. 2; S.I. 1994/115, art. 2(2)

F3 S. 351(5)(c) and the word “and” immediately preceding it repealed (1.2.1994) by 1993 c. 38, ss. 35(1), Sch.2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 351 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C6 S. 351(1)(2)(5)(a) applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

Chapter II E+W+S Register of Members

352 Obligation to keep and enter up register. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall keep a register of its members and enter in it the particulars required by this section.

(2) There shall be entered in the register—

(a) the names and addresses of the members;

(b) the date on which each person was registered as a member; and

(c) the date at which any person ceased to be a member.

(3) The following applies in the case of a company having a share capital—

(a) with the names and addresses of the members there shall be entered a statement—

(i) of the shares held by each member, distinguishing each share by its number (so long as the share has a number) and, where the company has more than one class of issued shares, by its class, and

(ii) of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the shares of each member;

(b) where the company has converted any of its shares into stock and given notice of the conversion to the registrar of companies, the register shall show the amount and class of stock held by each member, instead of the amount of shares and the particulars relating to shares specified in paragraph (a).

(4) In the case of a company which does not have a share capital but has more than one class of members, there shall be entered in the register, with the names and addresses of the members, the class to which each member belongs.

(5) If a company makes default in complying with this section, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

(6) An entry relating to a former member of the company may be removed from the register after the expiration of 20 years from the date on which he ceased to be a member.

(7) Liability incurred by a company from the making or deletion of an entry in its register of members, or from a failure to make or delete any such entry, is not enforceable more than 20 years after the date on which the entry was made or deleted or, in the case of any such failure, the failure first occurred.

This is without prejudice to any lesser period of limitation.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 352 applied (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 19(1) (with regs. 39, 45)

C8 S. 352 restricted (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 2(4)(5) (with regs. 39, 45)

C9 S. 352 modified (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 16, Sch. 2 para. 1(1).

C10 S. 352 extended (E.W.) (27.9.2004) by Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (c. 15), ss. 34, 181(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(4) (with s. 63); S.I. 2004/1832, art. 2

C11 S. 352(5) applied (26.11.2001) S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 20(7) (with regs. 39, 45)

S. 352(5) applied (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 21(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

S. 352(5) applied (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 22(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

C12 S. 352(5) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 56(5).

S. 352(5) applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 5(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

C13 S. 352(5) modified (E.W.) (27.9.2004) by Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (c. 15), ss. 34, 181(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(4) (with s. 63); S.I. 2004/1832, art. 2

[F4 352A Statement that company has only one member E+W+S

(1) If the number of members of a private company limited by shares or by guarantee falls to one there shall upon the occurrence of that event be entered in the company’s register of members with the name and address of the sole member—

(i) a statement that the company has only one member, and

(ii) the date on which the company became a company having only one member.

(2) If the membership of a private company limited by shares or by guarantee increases from one to two or more members there shall upon the occurrence of that event be entered in the company’s register of members, with the name and address of the person who was formerly the sole member, a statement that the company has ceased to have only one member together with the date on which that event occurred.

(3) If a company makes default in complying with this section, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.]

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 352A inserted (15.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1699, reg. 2, Sch. para. 4(1).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 352A applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 3 (with regs. 39, 45)

353 Location of register. E+W+S

(1) A company’s register of members shall be kept at its registered office, except that—

(a) if the work of making it up is done at another office of the company, it may be kept there; and

(b) if the company arranges with some other person for the making up of the register to be undertaken on its behalf by that other, it may be kept at the office of the other at which the work is done;

but it must not be kept, in the case of a company registered in England and Wales, at any place elsewhere than in England and Wales or, in the case of a company registered in Scotland, at any place elsewhere than in Scotland.

(2) Subject as follows, every company shall send notice in the prescribed form to the registrar of companies of the place where its register of members is kept, and of any change in that place.

(3) The notice need not be sent if the register has, at all times since it came into existence (or, in the case of a register in existence on 1st July 1948, at all times since then) been kept at the company’s registered office.

(4) If a company makes default for 14 days in complying with subsection (2), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 353 excluded (26.11.2001) by reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 6(5)(6) (with regs. 39, 45)

C16 S. 353(1)(2)(4) applied (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(1).

C17 S. 353(4) extended by S.I. 1985/724, reg. 3(5)

S. 353(4) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(1).

354 Index of members. E+W+S

(1) Every company having more than 50 members shall, unless the register of members is in such a form as to constitute in itself an index, keep an index of the names of the members of the company and shall, within 14 days after the date on which any alteration is made in the register of members, make any necessary alteration in the index.

(2) The index shall in respect of each member contain a sufficient indication to enable the account of that member in the register to be readily found.

(3) The index shall be at all times kept at the same place as the register of members.

(4) If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18 S. 354 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 7(4)(5) (with regs. 39, 45)

355 Entries in register in relation to share warrants. E+W+S

(1) On the issue of a share warrant the company shall strike out of its register of members the name of the member then entered in it as holding the shares specified in the warrant as if he had ceased to be a member, and shall enter in the register the following particulars, namely—

(a) the fact of the issue of the warrant;

(b) a statement of the shares included in the warrant, distinguishing each share by its number so long as the share has a number; and

(c) the date of the issue of the warrant.

(2) Subject to the company’s articles, the bearer of a share warrant is entitled, on surrendering it for cancellation, to have his name entered as a member in the register of members.

(3) The company is responsible for any loss incurred by any person by reason of the company entering in the register the name of a bearer of a share warrant in respect of the shares specified in it without the warrant being surrendered and cancelled.

(4) Until the warrant is surrendered, the particulars specified in subsection (1) are deemed to be those required by this Act to be entered in the register of members; and, on the surrender, the date of the surrender must be entered.

(5) Except as provided by section 291(2) (director’s share qualification), the bearer of a share warrant may, if the articles of the company so provide, be deemed a member of the company within the meaning of this Act, either to the full extent or for any purposes defined in the articles.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 S. 355 applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 8 (with regs. 39, 45)

356 Inspection of register and index. E+W+S

(1) Except when the register of members is closed under the provisions of this Act, the register and the index of members’ names shall F5 . . . be open to the inspection of any member of the company without charge, and of any other person on payment of [F6 such fee as may be prescribed].

F7 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Any member of the company or other person may require a copy of the register, or of any part of it, on payment of [F8 such fee as may be prescribed]; and the company shall cause any copy so required by a person to be sent to him within 10 days beginning with the day next following that on which the requirement is received by the company.

F9 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) If an inspection required under this section is refused, or if a copy so required is not sent within the proper period, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable in respect of each offence to a fine.

(6) In the case of such refusal or default, the court may by order compel an immediate inspection of the register and index, or direct that the copies required be sent to the persons requiring them.

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in s. 356(1) repealed (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(8)(a), 212, Sch. 24; S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b)(c).

F6 Words in s. 356(1) substituted (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(8)(a), 213(2); S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b).

F7 S. 356(2) repealed (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(8)(b), 212, Sch. 24; S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b)(c).

F8 Words in s. 356(3) substituted (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(8)(c), 213(2); S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b).

F9 S. 356(4) repealed (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(8)(d), 212, 213(2), Sch. 24; S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b)(c).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20 S. 356 applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 9 (with regs. 39, 45)

C21 S. 356 applied (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(2).

C22 S. 356(1) explained (1.11.1991) by S.I. 1991/1998, reg. 3(1).

S. 356(1) amended (1.11.1991) by S.I. 1991/1998, reg. 4(2)(a).

C23 S. 356(3) amended (1.11.1991) by S.I. 1991/1998, reg. 4(3)(a).

C24 S. 356(6) extended (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(3).

S. 356(6) extended (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 10 (with regs. 39, 45)

357 Non-compliance with ss. 353, 354, 356; agent’s default. E+W+S

Where under section 353(1)(b), the register of members is kept at the office of some person other than the company, and by reason of any default of his the company fails to comply with—

• section 353(2) (notice to registrar),

• section 354(3) (index to be kept with register), or

• section 356 (inspection),

or with any requirement of this Act as to the production of the register, that other person is liable to the same penalties as if he were an officer of the company who was in default, and the power of the court under section 356(6) extends to the making of orders against that other and his officers and servants.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25 S. 357 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 6(5)(6) (with regs. 39, 45)

C26 S. 357 applied (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(3).

358 Power to close register. E+W+S

A company may, on giving notice by advertisement in a newspaper circulating in the district in which the company’s registered office is situated, close the register of members for any time or times not exceeding in the whole 30 days in each year.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C27 S. 358 excluded (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 16, Sch. 2 para. 1(3).

S. 358 excluded (19.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3272, reg. 22

S. 258 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 26 (with regs. 39, 45)

359 Power of court to rectify register. E+W+S

(1) If—

(a) the name of any person is, without sufficient cause, entered in or omitted from a company’s register of members, or

(b) default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member,

the person aggrieved, or any member of the company, or the company, may apply to the court for rectification of the register.

(2) The court may either refuse the application or may order rectification of the register and payment by the company of any damages sustained by any party aggrieved.

(3) On such an application the court may decide any question relating to the title of a person who is a party to the application to have his name entered in or omitted from the register, whether the question arises between members or alleged members, or between members or alleged members on the one hand and the company on the other hand, and generally may decide any question necessary or expedient to be decided for rectification of the register.

(4) In the case of a company required by this Act to send a list of its members to the registrar of companies, the court, when making an order for rectification of the register, shall by its order direct notice of the rectification to be given to the registrar.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28 S. 359 restricted (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 11 (with regs. 39, 45)

C29 S. 359 excluded (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 73(2).

C30 S. 359(1)(a) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 73(1).

C31 S. 359(2)-(4) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 73(1).

360 Trusts not to be entered on register in England and Wales. E+W+S

No notice of any trust, expressed, implied or constructive, shall be entered on the register, or be receivable by the registrar, in the case of companies registered in England and Wales.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C32 S. 360 amended (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 67(2).

361 Register to be evidence. E+W+S

The register of members is prima facie evidence of any matters which are by this Act directed or authorised to be inserted in it.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C33 S. 361 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 24(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

362 Overseas branch registers. E+W+S

(1) A company having a share capital whose objects comprise the transaction of business in any of the countries or territories specified in Part I of Schedule 14 to this Act may cause to be kept in any such country or territory in which it transacts business a branch register of members resident in that country or territory.

(2) Such a branch register is to be known as an “overseas branch register”; and—

(a) any dominion register kept by a company under section 119 of the M1 Companies Act 1948 is to become known as an overseas branch register of the company;

(b) where any Act or instrument (including in particular a company’s articles) refers to a company’s dominion register, that reference is to be read (unless the context otherwise requires) as being to an overseas branch register kept under this section; and

(c) references to a colonial register occurring in articles registered before 1st November 1929 are to be read as referring to an overseas branch register.

(3) Part II of Schedule 14 has effect with respect to overseas branch registers kept under this section; and Part III of the Schedule enables corresponding facilities in Great Britain to be accorded to companies incorporated in other parts of the world.

(4) The M2 Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1890 has effect as if subsection (1) of this section, and Part II of Schedule 14, were included among the enactments which by virtue of section 5 of that Act may be applied by Order in Council to foreign countries in which for the time being Her Majesty has jurisdiction.

(5) Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that subsection (1) above and Part II of Schedule 14 shall extend, with such exceptions, modifications or adaptations (if any) as may be specified in the Order, to any territories under Her Majesty’s protection to which those provisions cannot be extended under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1890.

Marginal Citations

M1 1948 c. 38.

M2 1890 c. 37.

[F10 Chapter III E+W+S Annual Return]

Textual Amendments

F10 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C34 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) excluded by S.I. 1990/1707, art. 5(4)(7)

363 Duty to deliver annual returns. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall deliver to the registrar successive annual returns each of which is made up to a date not later than the date which is from time to time the company’s “return date”, that is—

(a) the anniversary of the company’s incorporation, or

(b) if the company’s last return delivered in accordance with this Chapter was made up to a different date, the anniversary of that date.

(2) Each return shall—

(a) be in the prescribed form,

(b) contain the information required by or under the following provisions of this Chapter, and

(c) be signed by a director or the secretary of the company;

and it shall be delivered to the registrar within 28 days after the date to which it is made up.

(3) If a company fails to deliver an annual return in accordance with this Chapter before the end of the period of 28 days after a return date, the company is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, in the case of continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

The contravention continues until such time as an annual return made up to that return date and complying with the requirements of subsection (2) (except as to date of delivery) is delivered by the company to the registrar.

(4) Where a company is guilty of an offence under subsection (3), every director or secretary of the company is similarly liable unless he shows that he took all reasonable steps to avoid the commission or continuation of the offence.

(5) The references in this section to a return being delivered “in accordance with this Chapter” are—

(a) in relation to a return made [F11 on or after 1st October 1990], to a return with respect to which all the requirements of subsection (2) are complied with;

(b) in relation to a return made before [F12 1st October 1990], to a return with respect to which the formal and substantive requirements of this Chapter as it then had effect were complied with, whether or not the return was delivered in time.

Textual Amendments

F11 Words substituted by S.I. 1990/1707, art. 7(a)

F12 Words substituted by S.I. 1990/1707, art. 7(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C35 S. 363 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C36 S. 363 excluded by S.I. 1985/724, reg. 4(4)

C37 S. 363 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F13 364 Contents of annual return: general. E+W+S

(1) Every annual return shall state the date to which it is made up and shall contain the following information—

(a) the address of the company’s registered office;

(b) the type of company it is and its principal business activities;

(c) the name and address of the company secretary;

(d) the name and address of every director of the company;

(e) in the case of each individual director—

(i) his nationality, date of birth and business occupation, F14 . . .

F14 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F15 (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g) if the register of members is not kept at the company’s registered office, the address of the place where it is kept;

(h) if any register of debenture holders (or a duplicate of any such register or a part of it) is not kept at the company’s registered office, the address of the place where it is kept;

F16 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The information as to the company’s type shall be given by reference to the classification scheme prescribed for the purposes of this section.

(3) The information as to the company’s principal business activities may be given by reference to one or more categories of any prescribed system of classifying business activities.

(4) A person’s “name” and “address” mean, respectively—

(a) in the case of an individual, his Christian name (or other forename) and surname and his usual residential address;

(b) in the case of a corporation or Scottish firm, its corporate or firm name and its registered or principal office.

(5) In the case of a peer, or an individual usually known by a title, the title may be stated instead of his Christian name (or other forename) and surname or in addition to either or both of them.

(6) Where all the partners in a firm are joint secretaries, the name and principal office of the firm may be stated instead of the names and addresses of the partners.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

F14 S. 364(1)(e)(ii) and preceding word repealed (13.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2322, reg. 2(a)

F15 S. 364(1)(f) repealed (13.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2322, reg. 2(b)

F16 S. 364(1)(i) repealed (13.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2322, reg. 2(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C38 S. 364 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C39 S. 364 excluded by S.I. 1985/724, reg. 4(4)

C40 S. 364 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F17 364A Contents of annual return: particulars of share capital and shareholders. E+W+S

(1) The annual return of a company having a share capital shall contain the following information with respect to its share capital and members.

(2) The return shall state the total number of issued shares of the company at the date to which the return is made up and the aggregate nominal value of those shares.

(3) The return shall state with respect to each class of shares in the company—

(a) the nature of the class, and

(b) the total number and aggregate nominal value of issued shares of that class at the date to which the return is made up.

(4) The return shall contain a list of the names and addresses of every person who—

(a) is a member of the company on the date to which the return is made up, or

(b) has ceased to be a member of the company since the date to which the last return was made up (or, in the case of the first return, since the incorporation of the company);

and if the names are not arranged in alphabetical order the return shall have annexed to it an index sufficient to enable the name of any person in the list to be easily found.

(5) The return shall also state—

(a) the number of shares of each class held by each member of the company at the date to which the return is made up, and

(b) the number of shares of each class transferred since the date to which the last return was made up (or, in the case of the first return, since the incorporation of the company) by each member or person who has ceased to be a member, and the dates of registration of the transfers.

(6) The return may, if either of the two immediately preceding returns has given the full particulars required by subsections (4) and (5), give only such particulars as relate to persons ceasing to be or becoming members since the date of the last return and to shares transferred since that date.

(7) Subsections (4) and (5) do not require the inclusion of particulars entered in an overseas branch register if copies of those entries have not been received at the company’s registered office by the date to which the return is made up.

Those particulars shall be included in the company’s next annual return after they are received.

(8) Where the company has converted any of its shares into stock, the return shall give the corresponding information in relation to that stock, stating the amount of stock instead of the number or nominal value of shares.]

Textual Amendments

F17 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C41 S. 364A modified (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 121, Sch. 8 para.3.

Valid from 01/10/2008

364B Contents of annual return: information about shareholders: non-traded companies E+W+S

(1) The annual return of a company that was a non-traded company throughout the return period must also contain the following information.

(2) The return must contain a list of the names of every person who was a member of the company at any time during the return period. If the names are not arranged in alphabetical order the return must have annexed to it an index sufficient to enable the name of any person in the list to be easily found.

(3) The return must also state—

(a) the number of shares of each class held at the end of the date to which the return is made up by each person who was a member of the company at that time,

(b) the number of shares of each class transferred during the return period by or to each person who was a member of the company at any time during that period, and

(c) the dates of registration of those transfers.

(4) If either of the two immediately preceding returns has given the full particulars required by subsections (2) and (3), the return need only give such particulars as relate—

(a) to persons who became, or ceased to be, members during the return period, and

(b) to shares transferred during that period.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) do not require the inclusion of particulars entered in an overseas branch register if copies of those entries have not been received at the company's registered office by the date to which the return is made up. Those particulars must be included in the company's next annual return after they are received.

Valid from 01/10/2008

364C Contents of annual return: information about shareholders: traded companies E+W+S

(1) The annual return of a company that was a traded company at any time during the return period must also contain the following information.

(2) The return must contain a list of the names and addresses of every person who held at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company at any time during the return period. If the names are not arranged in alphabetical order the return must have annexed to it an index sufficient to enable the name of any person in the list to be easily found.

(3) The return must also state—

(a) the number of shares of each class held at the end of the date to which the return is made up by each person who held at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company at that time,

(b) the number of shares of each class transferred during the return period by or to each person who held at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company at any time during the return period, and

(c) the dates of registration of those transfers.

(4) If either of the two immediately preceding returns has given the full particulars required by subsections (2) and (3), the return need only give such particulars as relate—

(a) to persons who came to hold, or ceased to hold, at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company during the return period, and

(b) to shares transferred during that period.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) do not require the inclusion of particulars entered in an overseas branch register if copies of those entries have not been received at the company's registered office by the date to which the return is made up. Those particulars must be included in the company's next annual return after they are received.

Valid from 01/10/2008

364D Contents of annual return: information about shareholders: supplementary E+W+S

(1) In sections 364, 364B and 364C—

• “non-traded company” means a company none of whose shares are shares admitted to trading on a regulated market (so that “traded company” means a company any of whose shares are shares admitted to trading on a regulated market);

• “regulated market” means a market which appears on the list drawn up by an EEA State pursuant to Article 47 of Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on markets in financial instruments F18 ; and

• “return period”, in relation to an annual return, means the period beginning immediately after the date to which the last return was made up (or, in the case of the first return, with the incorporation of the company) and ending with the date to which the return is made up.

(2) Where a company has converted any of its shares into stock, the return must give information in relation to that stock corresponding to that required by section 364B or 364C (as the case may be) in relation to shares of the company, stating the amount of stock instead of the number of shares.

Textual Amendments

F18 OJ No. L145, 30.4.2004, p.1.

[F19 365 Supplementary provisions: regulations and interpretation. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision as to the information to be given in a company’s annual return, which may amend or repeal the provisions of sections 364 and 364A.

(2) Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliamant.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter, except section 363(2)(c) (signature of annual return), a shadow director shall be deemed to be a director.]

Textual Amendments

F19 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C42 S. 365 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C43 S. 365 modified by S.I. 1990/355, art. 10, Sch. 4 para. 2 (as amended by 1990/1707 art. 8(1))

Chapter IV U.K. Meetings and Resolutions

Meetings U.K.

366 Annual general meeting. U.K.

(1) Every company shall in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting in addition to any other meetings in that year, and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it.

(2) However, so long as a company holds its first annual general meeting within 18 months of its incorporation, it need not hold it in the year of its incorporation or in the following year.

(3) Not more than 15 months shall elapse between the date of one annual general meeting of a company and that of the next.

(4) If default is made in holding a meeting in accordance with this section, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine.

[F20 366A Election by private company to dispense with annual general meetings. U.K.

(1) A private company may elect (by elective resolution in accordance with section 379A) to dispense with the holding of annual general meetings.

(2) An election has effect for the year in which it is made and subsequent years, but does not affect any liability already incurred by reason of default in holding an annual general meeting.

(3) In any year in which an annual general meeting would be required to be held but for the election, and in which no such meeting has been held, any member of the company may, by notice to the company not later than three months before the end of the year, require the holding of an annual general meeting in that year.

[F21 (3A) The power of a member under subsection (3) to require the holding of an annual general meeting is exercisable not only by the giving of a notice but also by the transmission to the company at such address as may for the time being be specified for the purpose by or on behalf of the company of an electronic communication containing the requirement.]

(4) If such a notice is given [F22 or electronic commmunication is transmitted], the provisions of section 366(1) and (4) apply with respect to the calling of the meeting and the consequences of default.

(5) If the election ceases to have effect, the company is not obliged under section 366 to hold an annual general meeting in that year if, when the election ceases to have effect, less than three months of the year remains.

This does not affect any obligation of the company to hold an annual general meeting in that year in pursuance of a notice given [F23 or electronic communication transmitted] under subsection (3).]

[F24 (5A) In this section, “address” includes any number or address used for the purposes of electronic communications.]

Textual Amendments

F20 S. 366A inserted (subject to the transitional and savings provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 115(2), 213(2)

F21 S. 366A(3A) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 17(1)(2)

F22 Words in s. 366A(4) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 17(1)(3)

F23 Words in s. 366A(5) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 17(1)(4)

F24 S. 366(5A) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 17(1)(5)

367 Secretary of State’s power to call meeting in default. U.K.

(1) If default is made in holding a meeting in accordance with section 366, the Secretary of State may, on the application of any member of the company, call, or direct the calling of, a general meeting of the company and give such ancillary or consequential directions as he thinks expedient, including directions modifying or supplementing, in relation to the calling, holding and conduct of the meeting, the operation of the company’s articles.

(2) The directions that may be given under subsection (1) include a direction that one member of the company present in person or by proxy shall be deemed to constitute a meeting.

(3) If default is made in complying with directions of the Secretary of State under subsection (1), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine.

(4) A general meeting held under this section shall, subject to any directions of the Secretary of State, be deemed to be an annual general meeting of the company; but, where a meeting so held is not held in the year in which the default in holding the company’s annual general meeting occurred, the meeting so held shall not be treated as the annual general meeting for the year in which it is held unless at that meeting the company resolves that it be so treated.

(5) Where a company so resolves, a copy of the resolution shall, within 15 days after its passing, be forwarded to the registrar of companies and recorded by him; and if default is made in complying with this subsection, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

368 Extraordinary general meeting on members’ requisition. U.K.

(1) The directors of a company shall, on a members’ requisition, forthwith proceed duly to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company.

This applies notwithstanding anything in the company’s articles.

(2) A member’s requisition is a requisition of —

(a) members of the company holding at the date of the deposit of the requisition not less than one-tenth of such of the paid-up capital of the company as at that date carries the right of voting at general meetings of the company; or

(b) in the case of a company not having a share capital, members of it representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all the members having at the date of deposit of the requisition a right to vote at general meetings.

(3) The requisition must state the objects of the meeting, and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the registered office of the cocmpany, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.

(4) If the directors do not within 21 days from the date of the deposit of the requisition proceed duly to convene a meeting, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a meeting, but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of 3 months from that date.

(5) A meeting convened under this section by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which meetings are to be convened by directors.

(6) Any reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionists by reason of the failure of the directors duly to convene a meeting shall be repaid to the requisitionists by the company, and any sum so repaid shall be retained by the company out of any sums due or to become due from the company by way of fees or other remuneration in respect of their services to such of the directors as were in default.

(7) In the case of a meeting at which a resolution is to be proposed as a special resolution, the directors are deemed not to have duly convened the meeting if they do not give the notice required for special resolutions by section 378(2).

[F25 (8) The directors are deemed not to have duly convened a meeting if they convene a meeting for a date more than 28 days after the date of the notice convening the meeting.]

Textual Amendments

F25 S. 368(8) added by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 145, 213(2), Sch. 19 para. 9

369 Length of notice for calling meetings. U.K.

(1) A provision of a company’s articles is void in so far as it provides for the calling of a meeting of the company (other than an adjourned meeting) by a shorter notice than—

(a) in the case of the annual general meeting, 21 days’ notice in writing; and

(b) in the case of a meeting other than an annual general meeting or a meeting for the passing of a special resolution—

(i) 7 days’ notice in writing in the case of an unlimited company, and

(ii) otherwise, 14 days’ notice in writing.

(2) Save in so far as the articles of a company make other provision in that behalf (not being a provision avoided by subsection (1)), a meeting of the company (other than an adjourned meeting) may be called—

(a) in the case of the annual general meeting, by 21 days’ notice in writing; and

(b) in the case of a meeting other than an annual general meeting or a meeting for the passing of a special resolution—

(i) by 7 days’ notice in writing in the case of an unlimited company, and

(ii) otherwise, 14 days’ notice in writing.

(3) Notwithstanding that a meeting is called by shorter notice than that specified in subsection (2) or in the company’s articles (as the case may be), it is deemed to have been duly called if it is so agreed—

(a) in the case of a meeting called as the annual general meeting, by all the members entitled to attend and vote at it; and

(b) otherwise, by the requisite majority.

(4) The requisite majority for this purpose is a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority—

(a) together holding not less than 95 per cent. in nominal value of the shares given a right to attend and vote at the meeting; or

(b) in the case of a company not having a share capital, together representing not less than 95 per cent. of the total voting rights at that meeting of all the members.

[F26 A private company may elect (by elective resolution in accordance with section 379A) that the above provisions shall have effect in relation to the company as if for the references to 95 per cent. there were substituted references to such lesser percentage, but not less than 90 per cent. as may be specified in the resolution or subsequently determined by the company in general meeting.]

[F27 (4A) For the purposes of this section the cases in which notice in writing of a meeting is to be taken as given to a person include any case in which notice of the meeting is sent using electronic communications to such address as may for the time being be notified by that person to the company for that purpose.

F27 (4B) For the purposes of this section a notice in writing of a meeting is also to be treated as given to a person where—

(a) the company and that person have agreed that notices of meetings required to be given to that person may instead be accessed by him on a web site;

(b) the meeting is a meeting to which that agreement applies;

(c) that person is notified, in a manner for the time being agreed between him and the company for the purpose, of—

(i) the publication of the notice on a web site;

(ii) the address of that web site; and

(iii) the place on that web site where the notice may be accessed, and how it may be accessed;

and

(d) the notice continues to be published on that web site throughout the period beginning with the giving of that notification and ending with the conclusion of the meeting;

and for the purposes of this section a notice treated in accordance with this subsection as given to any person is to be treated as so given at the time of the notification mentioned in paragraph (c).

F27 (4C) A notification given for the purposes of subsection (4B)(c) must—

(a) state that it concerns a notice of a company meeting served in accordance with this Act,

(b) specify the place, date and time of the meeting, and

(c) state whether the meeting is to be an annual or extraordinary general meeting.

F27 (4D) Nothing in subsection (4B) shall invalidate the proceedings of a meeting where—

(a) any notice that is required to be published as mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection is published for a part, but not all, of the period mentioned in that paragraph; and

(b) the failure to publish that notice throughout that period is wholly attributable to circumstances which it would not be reasonable to have expected the company to prevent or avoid.

F27 (4E) A company may, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in a company’s articles, take advantage of any of subsections (4A) to (4D).

F27 (4F) In so far as the articles of the company do not provide for notices and notifications to be served using electronic communications, the provisions of Table A (as for the time being in force) as to such service shall apply.

F27 (4G) In this section, “address” includes any number or address used for the purposes of electronic communi4cations.]

Textual Amendments

F26 Paragraph inserted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 115(3), 213(2)

F27 S. 369(4A)-(4G) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 18

370 General provisions as to meetings and votes. U.K.

(1) The following provisions have effect in so far as the articles of the company do not make other provision in that behalf.

(2) Notice of the meeting of a company shall be served on every member of it in the manner in which notices are required to be served by Table A (as for the time being in force).

(3) Two or more members holding not less than one-tenth of the issued share capital or, if the company does not have a share capital, not less than 5 per cent. in number of the members of the company may call a meeting.

(4) Two members personally present are a quorum.

(5) Any member elected by the members present at a meeting may be chairman of it.

(6) In the case of a company originally having a share capital, every member has one vote in respect of each share or each £10 of stock held by him; and in any other case every member has one vote.

[F28 370A Quorum at meetings of the sole member E+W+S

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the articles of a private company limited by shares or by guarantee having only one member, one member present in person or by proxy shall be a quorum.]

Textual Amendments

F28 S. 370A inserted (15.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1699, reg. 2, Sch. para.5.

371 Power of court to order meeting. U.K.

(1) If for any reason it is impracticable to call a meeting of a company in any manner in which meetings of that company may be called, or to conduct the meeting in manner prescribed by the articles or this Act, the court may, either of its own motion or on the application—

(a) of any director of the company, or

(b) of any member of the company who would be entitled to vote at the meeting,

order a meeting to be called, held and conducted in any manner the court thinks fit.

(2) Where such an order is made, the court may give such ancillary or consequential directions as it thinks expedient; and these may include a direction that one member of the company present in person or by proxy be deemed to constitute a meeting.

(3) A meeting called, held and conducted in accordance with an order under subsection (1) is deemed for all purposes a meeting of the company duly called, held and conducted.

372 Proxies. U.K.

(1) Any member of a company entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of it is entitled to appoint another person (whether a member or not) as his proxy to attend and vote instead of him; and in the case of a private company a proxy appointed to attend and vote instead of a member has also the same right as the member to speak at the meeting.

(2) But, unless the articles otherwise provide—

(a) subsection (1) does not apply in the case of a company not having a share capital; and

(b) a member of a private company is not entitled to appoint more than one proxy to attend on the same occasion; and

(c) a proxy is not entitled to vote except on a poll.

[F29 (2A) The appointment of a proxy may, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in a company’s articles, be contained in an electronic communication sent to such address as may be notified by or on behalf of the company for that purpose.

F29 (2B) In so far as the articles of the company do not make other provision in that behalf, the appointment of a proxy may be contained in an electronic communication in accordance with the provisions of Table A (as for the time being in force).]

(3) In the case of a company having a share capital, in every notice calling a meeting of the company there shall appear with reasonable prominence a statement that a member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint a proxy or, where that is allowed, one or more proxies to attend and vote instead of him, and that a proxy need not also be a member.

(4) If default is made in complying with subsection (3) as respects any meeeting, every officer of the company who is in default is liable to a fine.

(5) A provision contained in a company’s articles is void in so far as it would have the effect of requiring [F30 the appointment of a proxy or any] document necessary to show the validity of, or otherwise relating to, the appointment of a proxy, to be received by the company or any other person more than 48 hours before a meeting or adjourned meeting in order that the appointment may be effective.

(6) If for the purpose of any meeting of a company invitations to appoint as proxy a person or one of a number of persons specified in the invitations are issued at the company’s expense to some only of the members entitled to be sent a notice of the meeting and to vote at it by proxy, then every officer of the company who knowingly and wilfully authorises or permits their issue in that manner is liable to a fine.

However, an officer is not so liable by reason only of the issue to a member at his request F31 . . . of a form of appointment naming the proxy, or of a list of persons willing to act as proxy, if the form or list is available on request F31 . . . to every member entitled to vote at the meeting by proxy.

[F32 (6A) In this section, “address” includes any number or address used for the purposes of electronic communications.]

(7) This section applies to meetings of any class of members of a company as it applies to general meetings of the company.

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 372(2A)(2B) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 19(1)(2)

F30 Words in s. 372(5) substituted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 19(1)(3)

F31 Words in s. 272(6) deleted (22.12.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/3373, art. 19(1)(4)

F32 S. 372(6A) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 19(1)(5)

373 Right to demand a poll. U.K.

(1) A provision contained in a company’s articles is void in so far as it would have the effect either—

(a) of excluding the right to demand a poll at a general meeting on any question other than the election of the chairman of the meeting or the adjournment of the meeting; or

(b) of making ineffective a demand for a poll on any such question which is made either—

(i) by not less than 5 members having the right to vote at the meeting; or

(ii) by a member or members representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all the members having the right to vote at the meeting; or

(iii) by a member or members holding shares in the company conferring a right to vote at the meeting, being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right.

(2) [F33 The appointment of] a proxy to vote at a meeting of a company is deemed also to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll; and for the purposes of subsection (1) a demand by a person as proxy for a member is the same as a demand by the member.

Textual Amendments

F33 Words in s. 373(2) substituted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 20

374 Voting on a poll. U.K.

On a poll taken at a meeting of a company or a meeting of any class of members of a company, a member entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.

375 Representation of corporations at meetings. U.K.

(1) A corporation, whether or not a company within the meaning of this Act, may—

(a) if it is a member of another corporation, being such a company, by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the company or at any meeting of any class of members of the company;

(b) if it is a creditor (including a holder of debentures) of another corporation, being such a company, by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of creditors of the company held in pursuance of this Act or of rules made under it, or in pursuance of the provisions contained in any debenture or trust deed, as the case may be.

(2) A person so authorised is entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual shareholder, creditor or debenture-holder of the other company.

Resolutions U.K.

376 Circulation of members’ resolutions. U.K.

(1) Subject to the section next following, it is the duty of a company, on the requisition in writing of such number of members as is specified below and (unless the company otherwise resolves) at the expense of the requisitionists—

(a) to give to members of the company entitled to receive notice of the next annual general meeting notice of any resolution which may properly be moved and is intended to be moved at that meeting;

(b) to circulate to members entitled to have notice of any general meeting sent to them any statement of not more than 1,000 words with respect to the matter referred to in any proposed resolution or the business to be dealt with at that meeting.

(2) The number of members necessary for a requisition under subsection (1) is—

(a) any number representing not less than one-twentieth of the total voting rights of all the members having at the date of the requisition a right to vote at the meeting to which the requisition relates; or

(b) not less than 100 members holding shares in the company on which there has been paid up an average sum, per member, of not less than £100.

(3) Notice of any such resolution shall be given, and any such statement shall be circulated, to members of the company entitled to have notice of the meeting sent to them, by serving a copy of the resolution or statement on each such member in any manner permitted for service of notice of the meeting.

(4) Notice of any such resolution shall be given to any other member of the company by giving notice of the general effect of the resolution in any manner permitted for giving him notice of meetings of the company.

(5) For compliance with subsections (3) and (4), the copy must be served, or notice of the effect of the resolution be given (as the case may be), in the same manner and (so far as practicable) at the same time as notice of the meeting; and, where it is not practicable for it to be served or given at the same time, it must be served or given as soon as practicable thereafter.

(6) The business which may be dealt with at an annual general meeting includes any resolution of which notice is given in accordance with this section; and for purposes of this subsection notice is deemed to have been so given notwithstanding the accidental omission, in giving it, of one or more members. This has effect notwithstanding anything in the company’s articles.

(7) In the event of default in complying with this section, every officer of the company who is in default is liable to a fine.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C44 S. 376(7) applied (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 16(7) (with regs. 39, 45)

377 In certain cases, compliance with s. 376 not required. U.K.

(1) A company is not bound under section 376 to give notice of a resolution or to circulate a statement unless—

(a) a copy of the requisition signed by the requisitionists (or two or more copies which between them contain for signatures of all the requisitionists) is deposited at the registered office of the company—

(i) in the case of a requisition requiring notice of a resolution, not less than 6 weeks before the meeting, and

(ii) otherwise, not less than one week before the meeting; and

(b) there is deposited or tendered with the requisition a sum reasonably sufficient to meet the company’s expenses in giving effect to it.

(2) But it, after a copy of a requisition requiring notice of a resolution has been deposited at the company’s registered office, an annual general meeting is called for a date 6 weeks or less after the copy has been deposited, the copy (though not deposited within the time required by subsection (1)) is deemed properly deposited for the purposes of that subsection.

(3) The company is also not bound under section 376 to circulate a statement if, on the application either of the company or of any other person who claims to be aggrieved, the court is satisfied that the rights conferred by that section are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter; and the court may order the company’s costs on such an application to be paid in whole or in part by the requisitionists, notwithstanding that they are not parties to the application.

378 Extraordinary and special resolutions. U.K.

(1) A resolution is an extraordinary resolution when it has been passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of such members as (being entitled to do so) vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy, at a general meeting of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as an extraordinary resolution has been duly given.

(2) A resolution is a special resolution when it has been passed by such a majority as is required for the passing of an extraordinary resolution and at a general meeting of which not less than 21 days’ notice, specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution, has been duly given.

(3) If it is so agreed by a majority in number of the members having the right to attend and vote at such a meeting, being a majority—

(a) together holding not less than 95 per cent. in nominal value of the shares giving that right; or

(b) in the case of a company not having a share capital, together representing not less than 95 per cent. of the total voting rights at that meeting of all the members,

a resolution may be proposed and passed as a special resolution at a meeting of which less than 21 days’ notice has been given.

[F34 A private company may elect (by elective resolution in accordance with section 379A) that the above provisions shall have effect in relation to the company as if for the references to 95 per cent. there were substituted references to such lesser percentage, but not less than 90 per cent. as may be specified in the resolution or subsequently determined by the company in general meeting.]

(4) At any meeting at which an extraordinary resolution or a special resolution is submitted to be passed, a declaration by the chairman that the resolution is carried is, unless a poll is demanded, conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.

(5) In computing the majority on a poll demanded on the question that an extraordinary resolution or a special resolution be passed, reference is to be had to the number of votes cast for and against the resolution.

(6) For purposes of this section, notice of a meeting is deemed duly given, and the meeting duly held, when the notice is given and the meeting held in the manner provided by this Act or the company’s articles.

Textual Amendments

F34 Paragraph inserted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 115(3), 213(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C45 S. 378(3) excluded (1.12.2001) by 2000 c. 8, s. 366(4)(a); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

379 Resolution requiring special notice. U.K.

(1) Where by any provision of this Act special notice is required of a resolution, the resolution is not effective unless notice of the intention to move it has been given to the company at least 28 days before the meeting at which it is moved.

(2) The company shall give its members notice of any such resolution at the same time and in the same manner as it gives notice of the meeting or, if that is not practicable, shall give them notice either by advertisement in a newspaper having an appropriate circulation or in any other mode allowed by the company’s articles, at least 21 days before the meeting.

(3) If, after notice of the intention to move such a resolution has been given to the company, a meeting is called for a date 28 days or less after the notice has been given, the notice is deemed properly given, though not given within the time required.

[F35 379A Elective resolution of private company. E+W+S

(1) An election by a private company for the purposes of—

(a) section 80A (election as to duration of authority to allot shares),

(b) section 252 (election to dispense with laying of accounts and reports before general meeting),

(c) section 366A (election to dispense with holding of annual general meeting),

(d) section 369(4) or 378(3) (election as to majority required to authorise short notice of meeting), or

(e) section 386 (election to dispense with appointment of auditors annually),

shall be made by resolution of the company in general meeting in accordance with this section.

• Such a resolution is referred to in this Act as an “elective resolution”.

(2) An elective resolution is not effective unless—

(a) at least 21 days’ notice in writing is given of the meeting, stating that an elective resolution is to be proposed and stating the terms of the resolution, and

(b) the resolution is agreed to at the meeting, in person or by proxy, by all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.

[F36 (2A) An elective resolution is effective notwithstanding the fact that less than 21 days’ notice in writing of the meeting is given if all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting so agree.]

[F37 (2B) For the purposes of this section, notice in writing of the meeting is to be taken as given to a person where notice of the meeting is sent using electronic communications to such address as may for the time being be notified by that person to the company for that purpose.

F37 (2C) For the purposes of this section a notice in writing of the meeting is also to be treated as given to a person where—

(a) the company and that person have agreed that notices of meetings required to be given to that person may instead be accessed by him on a web site;

(b) the meeting is a meeting to which that agreement applies;

(c) that person is notified, in a manner for the time being agreed between him and the company for the purpose, of—

(i) the publication of the notice on a web site;

(ii) the address of that web site; and

(iii) the place on that web site where the notice may be accessed, and how it may be accessed; and

(d) the notice continues to be published on that web site throughout the period beginning with the giving of that notification and ending with the conclusion of the meeting;

and for the purposes of this section a notice treated in accordance with this subsection as given to any person is to be treated as so given at the time of the notification mentioned in paragraph (c).

F37 (2D) A notification given for the purposes of subsection (2C)(c) must—

(a) state that it concerns a notice of a company meeting at which an elective resolution is to be proposed, and

(b) specify the place, date and time of the meeting.

F37 (2E) Nothing in subsection (2C) shall invalidate the proceedings of a meeting where—

(a) any notice that is required to be published as mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection is published for a part, but not all, of the period mentioned in that paragraph; and

(b) the failure to publish that notice throughout that period is wholly attributable to circumstances which it would not be reasonable to have expected the company to prevent or avoid.

F37 (2F) In so far as the articles of the company do not provide for notices and notifications to be served using electronic communications, the provisions of Table A (as for the time being in force) as to such service shall apply.]

(3) The company may revoke an elective resolution by passing an ordinary resolution to that effect.

(4) An elective resolution shall cease to have effect if the company is re-registered as a public company.

(5) An elective resolution may be passed or revoked in accordance with this section, and the provisions referred to in [F38 subsections (1) and (2B) to (2E)] have effect, notwithstanding any contrary provision in the company’s articles of association.]

[F39 (5A) In this section, “address” includes any number or address used for the purposes of electronic communications.]

Textual Amendments

F35 S. 379A inserted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 116(2), 213(2)

F36 S. 379A(2A) inserted (19.6.1996) by S.I. 1996/1471, art. 2

F37 S. 379A(2B)-(2F) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 21(1)(2)

F38 Words in s. 379A(5) substituted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 21(1)(3)

F39 S. 379A(5A) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 21(1)(4)

380 Registration, etc. of resolutions and agreements. E+W+S

(1) A copy of every resolution or agreement to which this section applies shall, within 15 days after it is passed or made, be forwarded to the registrar of companies and recorded by him; and it must be either a printed copy or else a copy in some other form approved by the registrar.

(2) Where articles have been registered, a copy of every such resolution or agreement for the time being in force shall be embodied in or annexed to every copy of the articles issued after the passing of the resolution or the making of the agreement.

(3) Where articles have not been registered, a printed copy of every such resolution or agreement shall be forwarded to any member at his request on payment of 5 pence or such less sum as the company may direct.

(4) This section applies to—

(a) special resolutions;

(b) extraordinary resolutions;

[F40 (bb) an elective resolution or a resolution revoking such a resolution;]

(c) resolutions or agreements which have been agreed to by all the members of a company but which, if not so agreed to, would not have been effective for their purpose unless (as the case may be) they had been passed as special resolutions or as extraordinary resolutions;

(d) resolutions or agreements which have been agreed to by all the members of some class of shareholders but which, if not so agreed to, would not have been effective for their purpose unless they had been passed by some particular majority or otherwise in some particular manner, and all resolutions or agreements which effectively bind all the members of any class of shareholders though not agreed to by all those members;

(e) a resolution passed by the directors of a company in compliance with a direction under section 31(2) (change of name on Secretary of State’s direction);

(f) a resolution of a company to give, vary, revoke or renew an authority to the directors for the purposes of section 80 (allotment of relevant securities);

(g) a resolution of the directors passed under section 147(2) (alteration of memorandum on company ceasing to be a public company, following acquisition of its own shares);

(h) a resolution conferring, varying, revoking or renewing authority under section 166 (market purchase of company’s own shares);

(j) a resolution for voluntary winding up, passed under [F41 section 84(1)(a) of the Insolvency Act];

(k) a resolution passed by the directors of an old public company, under section 2(1) of the Consequential Provisions Act, that the company should be re-registered as a public company.

[F42 (l) a resolution of the directors passed by virtue of regulation 16(2) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (which allows title to a company’s shares to be evidenced and transferred without written instrument); and

F42 (m) a resolution of a company passed by virtue of regulation 16(6) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (which prevents or reverses a resolution of the directors under regulation 16(2) of those Regulations).]

(5) If a company fails to comply with subsection (1), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

(6) If a company fails to comply with subsection (2) or (3), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine.

(7) For purposes of subsections (5) and (6), a liquidator of a company is deemed an officer of it.

Textual Amendments

F40 S. 380(4)(bb) inserted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 116(3), 213(2)

F41 Words substituted by Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45, SIF 66), s. 439(1), Sch. 13 Pt. I

F42 S. 380(4)(l)(m) added (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 51, Sch. 7 para. 10 (with regs. 39, 45)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C46 S. 380 applied (E.W.) (1.9.1992) by Charities Act 1992 (c. 41), s. 5(2); S.I. 1992/1900, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

S. 380 applied (E.W.) (1.8.1993) by 1993 c. 10, ss. 7(2), 99(1)

C47 S. 380(6) extended (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, regs. 77(2), 89(4).

381 Resolution passed at adjourned meeting. U.K.

Where a resolution is passed at an adjourned meeting of—

(a) a company;

(b) the holders of any class of shares in a company;

(c) the directors of a company;

the resolution is for all purposes to be treated as having been passed on the date on which it was in fact passed, and is not to be deemed passed on any earlier date.

Written resolutions of private companies U.K.

381A Written resolutions of private companies. E+W+S

(1) Anything which in the case of a private company may be done—

(a) by resolution of the company in general meeting, or

(b) by resolution of a meeting of any class of members of the company,

may be done, without a meeting and without any previous notice being required, by resolution in writing signed by or on behalf of all the members of the company who at the date of the resolution would be entitled to attend and vote at such meeting.

(2) The signatures need not be on a single document provided each is on a document which accurately states the terms of the resolution.

(3) The date of the resolution means when the resolution is signed by or on behalf of the last member to sign.

(4) A resolution agreed to in accordance with this section has effect as if passed—

(a) by the company in general meeting, or

(b) by a meeting of the relevant class of members of the company,

as the case may be; and any reference in any enactment to a meeting at which a resolution is passed or to members voting in favour of a resolution shall be construed accordingly.

(5) Any reference in any enactment to the date of passing of a resolution is, in relation to a resolution agreed to in accordance with this section, a reference to the date of the resolution.. . .

(6) A resolution may be agreed to in accordance with this section which would otherwise be req F43 uired to be passed as a special, extraordinary or elective resolution; and any reference in any enactment to a special, extraordinary or elective resolution includes such a resolution.

(7) This section has effect subject to the exceptions specified in Part I of Schedule 15A; and in relation to certain descriptions of resolution under this section the procedural requirements of this Act have effect with the adaptations specified in Part II of that Schedule.

Textual Amendments

F43 Words at the end of S. 381A(5) repealed (19.6.1996 with effect as mentioned in art. 3(3) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1996/1471, art. 2(2)(a)(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C48 S. 381A excluded (1.12.2001) by 2000 c. 8, s. 366(4)(a); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

[F44 381B Duty to notify auditors of proposed written resolution U.K.

(1) If a director or secretary of a company—

(a) knows that it is proposed to seek agreement to a resolution in accordance with section 381A, and

(b) knows the terms of the resolution,

he shall, if the company has auditors, secure that a copy of the resolution is sent to them, or that they are otherwise notified of its contents, at or before the time the resolution is supplied to a member for signature.

(2) A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) is liable to a fine.

(3) In any proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to prove—

(a) that the circumstances were such that it was not practicable for him to comply with subsection (1), or

(b) that he believed on reasonable grounds that a copy of the resolution had been sent to the company’s auditors or that they had otherwise been informed of its contents.

(4) Nothing in this section affects the validity of any resolution.]

Textual Amendments

F44 S. 381B substituted (19.6.1996 with effect as mentioned in art.3(3) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1996/1471, art. 3(1)(3)

[F45 381C Written resolutions: supplementary provisions. E+W+S

(1) Sections 381A and 381B have effect notwithstanding any provision of the company’s memorandum or articles [F46 , but do not prejudice any power conferred by any such provision].

(2) Nothing in those sections affects any enactment or rule of law as to—

(a) things done otherwise than by passing a resolution, or

(b) cases in which a resolution is treated as having been passed, or a person is precluded from alleging that a resolution has not been duly passed.]

Textual Amendments

F45 Ss. 381A–381C inserted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 113(2), 213(2)

F46 Words in s. 381C(1) inserted (19.6.1996) by S.I. 1996/1471, art. 4

Records of proceedings U.K.

382 Minutes of meetings. U.K.

(1) Every company shall cause minutes of all proceedings of general meetings, all proceedings at meetings of its directors and, where there are managers, all proceedings at meetings of its managers to be entered in books kept for that purpose.

(2) Any such minute, if purporting to be signed by the chairman of the meeting at which the proceedings were had, or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting, is evidence of the proceedings.

(3) Where a shadow director by means of a notice required by section 317(8) declares an interest in a contract or proposed contract, this section applies—

(a) if it is a specific notice under paragraph (a) of that subsection, as if the declaration had been made at the meeting there referred to, and

(b) otherwise, as if it had been made at the meeting of the directors next following the giving of the notice;

and the making of the declaration is in either case deemed to form part of the proceedings at the meeting.

(4) Where minutes have been made in accordance with this section of the proceedings at any general meeting of the company or meeting of directors or managers, then, until the contrary is proved, the meeting is deemed duly held and convened, and all proceedings had at the meeting to have been duly had; and all appointments of directors, managers or liquidators are deemed valid.

(5) If a company fails to comply with subsection (1), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

[F47 382A Recording of written resolutions. U.K.

(1) Where a written resolution is agreed to in accordance with section 381A which has effect as if agreed by the company in general meeting, the company shall cause a record of the resolution (and of the signatures) to be entered in a book in the same way as minutes of proceedings of a general meeting of the company.

(2) Any such record, if purporting to be signed by a director of the company or by the company secretary, is evidence of the proceedings in agreeing to the resolution; and where a record is made in accordance with this section, then, until the contrary is proved, the requirements of this Act with respect to those proceedings shall be deemed to be complied with.

(3) Section 382(5) (penalties) applies in relation to a failure to comply with subsection (1) above as it applies in relation to a failure to comply with subsection (1) of that section; and section 383 (inspection of minute books) applies in relation to a record made in accordance with this section as it applies in relation to the minutes of a general meeting.]

Textual Amendments

F47 S. 382A inserted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 113(3), 213(2)

[F48 382B Recording of decisions by the sole member E+W+S

(1) Where a private company limited by shares or by guarantee has only one member and he takes any decision which may be taken by the company in general meeting and which has effect as if agreed by the company in general meeting, he shall (unless that decision is taken by way of a written resolution) provide the company with a written record of that decision.

(2) If the sole member fails to comply with subsection (1) he shall be liable to a fine.

(3) Failure by the sole member to comply with subsection (1) shall not affect the validity of any decision referred to in that subsection.]

Textual Amendments

F48 S. 382B inserted (15.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1699, reg. 2, Sch. para. 6(1).

383 Inspection of minute books. U.K.

(1) The books containing the minutes of proceedings of any general meeting of a company held on or after 1st November 1929 shall be kept at the company’s registered office, and shall F49 . . . be open to the inspection of any member without charge.

F50 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Any member shall be entitled [F51 on payment of such fee as may be prescribed] to be furnished, within 7 days after he has made a request in that behalf to the company, with a copy of any such minutes as are referred to above, F52 . . ..

(4) If an inspection required under this section is refused or if a copy required under this section is not sent within the proper time, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable in respect of each offence to a fine.

(5) In the case of any such refusal or default, the court may by order compel an immediate inspection of the books in respect of all proceedings of general meetings, or direct that the copies required be sent to the persons requiring them.

Textual Amendments

F49 Words in s. 383(1) repealed (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(9)(a), 212, 213(2), Sch. 24; S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b)(c).

F50 S. 383(2) repealed (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(9)(b), 212, 213(2), Sch. 24; 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b)(c).

F51 Words in s. 383(3) inserted (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(9)(c), 213(2); S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b).

F52 Words in s. 383(3) repealed (01.11.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 143(9)(c), 212, 213(2), Sch. 24; S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(2)(b)(c).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C49 S. 383(1) explained (1.11.1991) by S.I. 1991/1998, reg. 3(1).

[F53 Appointment of auditors] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F53 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

384 Duty to appoint auditors. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall appoint an auditor or auditors in accordance with this Chapter.

This is subject to section 388A ([F54 certain companies] exempt from obligation to appoint auditors).

(2) Auditors shall be appointed in accordance with section 385 (appointment at general meeting at which accounts are laid), except in the case of a private company which has elected to dispense with the laying of accounts in which case the appointment shall be made in accordance with section 385A.

(3) References in this Chapter to the end of the time for appointing auditors are to the end of the time within which an appointment must be made under section 385(2) or 385A(2), according to whichever of those sections applies.

(4) Sections 385 and 385A have effect subject to section 386 under which a private company may elect to dispense with the obligation to appoint auditors annually.

Textual Amendments

F54 Words in s. 384(1) substituted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935, reg. 4, Sch. 1 Pt.I para. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C50 S. 384 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4, 6, Sch.

C51 S. 384 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F55 385 Appointment at general meeting at which accounts laid. E+W+S

(1) This section applies to every public company and to a private company which has not elected to dispense with the laying of accounts.

(2) The company shall, at each general meeting at which accounts are laid, appoint an auditor or auditors to hold office from the conclusion of that meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid.

(3) The first auditors of the company may be appointed by the directors at any time before the first general meeting of the company at which accounts are laid; and auditors so appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of that meeting.

(4) If the directors fail to exercise their powers under subsection (3), the powers may be exercised by the company in general meeting.]

Textual Amendments

F55 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C52 S. 385 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F56 385A Appointment by private company which is not obliged to lay accounts. E+W+S

(1) This section applies to a private company which has elected in accordance with section 252 to dispense with the laying of accounts before the company in general meeting.

(2) Auditors shall be appointed by the company in general meeting before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which copies of the company’s annual accounts for the previous financial year are sent to members under section 238 or, if notice is given under section 253(2) requiring the laying of the accounts before the company in general meeting, the conclusion of that meeting.

Auditors so appointed shall hold office from the end of that period or, as the case may be, the conclusion of that meeting until the end of the time for appointing auditors for the next financial year.

(3) The first auditors of the company may be appointed by the directors at any time before—

(a) the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which copies of the company’s first annual accounts are sent to members under section 238, or

(b) if notice is given under section 253(2) requiring the laying of the accounts before the company in general meeting, the beginning of that meeting;

and auditors so appointed shall hold office until the end of that period or, as the case may be, the conclusion of that meeting.

(4) If the directors fail to exercise their powers under subsection (3), the powers may be exercised by the company in general meeting.

(5) Auditors holding office when the election is made shall, unless the company in general meeting determines otherwise, continue to hold office until the end of the time for appointing auditors for the next financial year; and auditors holding office when an election ceases to have effect shall continue to hold office until the conclusion of the next general meeting of the company at which accounts are laid.]

Textual Amendments

F56 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

[F57 386 Election by private company to dispense with annual appointment. E+W+S

(1) A private company may elect (by elective resolution in accordance with section 379A) to dispense with the obligation to appoint auditors annually.

(2) When such an election is in force the company’s auditors shall be deemed to be re-appointed for each succeeding financial year on the expiry of the time for appointing auditors for that year, unless-

[F58 (a) the directors of the company have taken advantage of the exemption conferred by section 249A or 249AA, or]

(b) a resolution has been passed under section 393 to the effect that their appointment should be brought to an end.

(3) If the election ceases to be in force, the auditors then holding office shall continue to hold office-

(a) where section 385 then applies, until the conclusion of the next general meeting of the company at which accounts are laid;

(b) where section 385A then applies, until the end of the time for appointing auditors for the next financial year under that section.

(4) No account shall be taken of any loss of the opportunity of further deemed re-appointment under this section in ascertaining the amount of any compensation or damages payable to an auditor on his ceasing to hold office for any reason.]

Textual Amendments

F57 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

F58 S. 386(2)(a) substituted (26.5.2000 with application as mentioned in art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 2000/1430, regs. 1(2), 8(8)

[F59 387 Appointment by Secretary of State in default of appointment by company. E+W+S

(1) If in any case no auditors are appointed, re-appointed or deemed to be re-appointed before the end of the time for appointing auditors, the Secretary of State may appoint a person to fill the vacancy.

(2) In such a case the company shall within one week of the end of the time for appointing auditors give notice to the Secretary of State of his power having become exercisable.

If a company fails to give the notice required by this subsection, the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.]

Textual Amendments

F59 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C53 S. 387 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F60 388 Filling of casual vacancies. E+W+S

(1) The directors, or the company in general meeting, may fill a casual vacancy in the office of auditor.

(2) While such a vacancy continues, any surviving or continuing auditor or auditors may continue to act.

(3) Special notice is required for a resolution at a general meeting of a company—

(a) filling a casual vacancy in the office of auditor, or

(b) re-appointing as auditor a retiring auditor who was appointed by the directors to fill a casual vacancy.

(4) On receipt of notice of such an intended resolution the company shall forthwith send a copy of it—

(a) to the person proposed to be appointed, and

(b) if the casual vacancy was caused by the resignation of an auditor, to the auditor who resigned.]

Textual Amendments

F60 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C54 S. 388 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F61 388A Certain companies exempt from obligation to appoint auditors E+W+S

(1) A company which by virtue of section 249A (certain categories of small company) or [F62 section 249AA] (dormant companies) is exempt from the provisions of Part VII relating to the audit of accounts is also exempt from the obligation to appoint auditors.

(2) The following provisions apply if a company which has been exempt from those provisions ceases to be so exempt.

(3) Where section 385 applies (appointment at general meeting at which accounts are laid), the directors may appoint auditors at any time before the next meeting of the company at which accounts are to be laid; and auditors so appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of that meeting.

(4) Where section 385A applies (appointment by private company not obliged to lay accounts), the directors may appoint auditors at any time before—

(a) the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which copies of the companys annual accounts are next sent to members under section 238,or

(b) if notice is given under section 253(2) requiring the laying of the accounts before the company in general meeting, the beginning of that meeting;

and auditors so appointed shall hold office until the end of that period or, as the case may be, the conclusion of that meeting.

(5) If the directors fail to exercise their powers under subsection (3) or (4), the powers may be exercised by the company in general meeting.]

Textual Amendments

F61 S. 388A substituted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935, reg. 3

F62 Words in s. 388A(1) substituted (26.5.2000 with application as mentioned in art. 1(2) of the amending Act) by S.I. 2000/1430, reg. 1(2), 8(9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C55 S. 388A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

F63 389 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F63 S. 389 repealed (01.10.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 212, 213(2), Sch. 24; S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(1)(c)(i).

[F64 Rights of auditors] E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F64 New ss. 389A–390 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 120(1) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

389A Rights to information. E+W+S

(1) The auditors of a company have a right of access at all times to the company’s books, accounts and vouchers, and are entitled to require from the company’s officers such information and explanations as they think necessary for the performance of their duties as auditors.

(2) An officer of a company commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes to the company’s auditors a statement (whether written or oral) which—

(a) conveys or purports to convey any information or explanations which the auditors require, or are entitled to require, as auditors of the company, and

(b) is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular.

A person guilty of an offence under this subsection is liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

(3) A subsidiary undertaking which is a body corporate incorporated in Great Britain, and the auditors of such an undertaking, shall give to the auditors of any parent company of the undertaking such information and explanations as they may reasonably require for the purposes of their duties as auditors of that company.

If a subsidiary undertaking fails to comply with this subsection, the undertaking and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine; and if an auditor fails without reasonable excuse to comply with this subsection he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(4) A parent company having a subsidiary undertaking which is not a body corporate incorporated in Great Britain shall, if required by its auditors to do so, take all such steps as are reasonably open to it to obtain from the subsidiary undertaking such information and explanations as they may reasonably require for the purposes of their duties as auditors of that company.

If a parent company fails to comply with this subsection, the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(5) Section 734 (criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies) applies to an offence under subsection (3).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C56 S. 389A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C57 S. 389A(1) applied (with modifications) (23.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/943, reg. 29(2)(a)

C58 S.389A(3)(4) applied (with modifications) (23.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/943, reg. 29(2)(b)

Valid from 06/04/2005

389B Offences relating to the provision of information to auditors E+W+S

(1) If a person knowingly or recklessly makes to an auditor of a company a statement (oral or written) that—

(a) conveys or purports to convey any information or explanations which the auditor requires, or is entitled to require, under section 389A(1)(b), and

(b) is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular,

the person is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

(2) A person who fails to comply with a requirement under section 389A(1)(b) without delay is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine.

(3) However, it is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (2) to prove that it was not reasonably practicable for him to provide the required information or explanations.

(4) If a company fails to comply with section 389A(5), the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(5) Nothing in this section affects any right of an auditor to apply for an injunction to enforce any of his rights under section 389A.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C59 Ss. 389A, 389B applied (1.7.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 43(3), 65; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(3), Sch. 3 (subject to arts. 3-13)

[F65 390 Right to attend company meetings, &c. E+W+S

(1) A company’s auditors are entitled—

(a) to receive all notices of, and other communications relating to, any general meeting which a member of the company is entitled to receive;

(b) to attend any general meeting of the company; and

(c) to be heard at any general meeting which they attend on any part of the business of the meeting which concerns them as auditors.

[F66 (1A) Subsections (4A) to (4G) of section 369 (electronic communication of notices of meetings) apply for the purpose of determining whether notice of a meeting is received by the company’s auditors as they apply in determining whether such a notice is given to any person.]

(2) In relation to a written resolution proposed to be agreed to by a private company in accordance with section 381A, the company’s auditors are entitled—

(a) to receive all such communications relating to the resolution as, by virtue of any provision of Schedule 15A, are required to be supplied to a member of the company,

F67 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The right to attend or be heard at a meeting is exercisable in the case of a body corporate or partnership by an individual authorised by it in writing to act as its representative at the meeting.]

Textual Amendments

F65 New ss. 389A–390 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 120(1) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

F66 S. 390(1A) inserted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 31(3)

F67 S. 390(2)(b)-(d) repealed (19.6.1996 with effect as mentioned in art. 3(3) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1996/1471, art. 3(2)(b)(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C60 S. 390 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C61 S. 390 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

Remuneration of auditors E+W+S

390A Remuneration of auditors. E+W+S

(1) The remuneration of auditors appointed by the company in general meeting shall be fixed by the company in general meeting or in such manner as the company in general meeting may determine.

(2) The remuneration of auditors appointed by the directors or the Secretary of State shall be fixed by the directors or the Secretary of State, as the case may be.

(3) There shall be stated in a note to the company’s annual accounts the amount of the remuneration of the company’s auditors in their capacity as such.

(4) For the purposes of this section “remuneration” includes sums paid in respect of expenses.

(5) This section applies in relation to benefits in kind as to payments in cash, and in relation to any such benefit references to its amount are to its estimated money value.

The nature of any such benefit shall also be disclosed.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C62 S. 390A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F68 390B Remuneration of auditors or their associates for non-audit work. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations for securing the disclosure of the amount of any remuneration received or receivable by a company’s auditors or their associates in respect of services other than those of auditors in their capacity as such.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) provide that “remuneration” includes sums paid in respect of expenses,

(b) apply in relation to benefits in kind as to payments in cash, and in relation to any such benefit require disclosure of its nature and its estimated money value,

(c) define “associate” in relation to an auditor,

(d) require the disclosure of remuneration in respect of services rendered to associated undertakings of the company, and

(e) define “associated undertaking” for that purpose.

(3) The regulations may require the auditors to disclose the relevant information in their report or require the relevant information to be disclosed in a note to the company’s accounts and require the auditors to supply the directors of the company with such information as is necessary to enable that disclosure to be made.

(4) The regulations may make different provision for different cases.

(5) Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F68 New ss. 390A and 390B inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 121 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C63 S. 390B applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C64 S. 390B extended (with modifications) (6.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/2827, reg. 63, Sch. 6 para. 11

Removal, resignation, &c. of auditors E+W+S

391 Removal of auditors. E+W+S

(1) A company may by ordinary resolution at any time remove an auditor from office, notwithstanding anything in any agreement between it and him.

(2) Where a resolution removing an auditor is passed at a general meeting of a company, the company shall within 14 days give notice of that fact in the prescribed form to the registrar.

If a company fails to give the notice required by this subsection, the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be taken as depriving a person removed under it of compensation or damages payable to him in respect of the termination of his appointment as auditor or of any appointment terminating with that as auditor.

(4) An auditor of a company who has been removed has, notwithstanding his removal, the rights conferred by section 390 in relation to any general meeting of the company—

(a) at which his term of office would otherwise have expired, or

(b) at which it is proposed to fill the vacancy caused by his removal.

In such a case the references in that section to matters concerning the auditors as auditors shall be construed as references to matters concerning him as a former auditor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C65 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C66 S. 391 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F69 391A Rights of auditors who are removed or not re-appointed. E+W+S

(1) Special notice is required for a resolution at a general meeting of a company—

(a) removing an auditor before the expiration of his term of office, or

(b) appointing as auditor a person other than a retiring auditor.

(2) On receipt of notice of such an intended resolution the company shall forthwith send a copy of it to the person proposed to be removed or, as the case may be, to the person proposed to be appointed and to the retiring auditor.

(3) The auditor proposed to be removed or (as the case may be) the retiring auditor may make with respect to the intended resolution representations in writing to the company (not exceeding a reasonable length) and request their notification to members of the company.

(4) The company shall (unless the representations are received by it too late for it to do so)—

(a) in any notice of the resolution given to members of the company, state the fact of the representations having been made, and

(b) send a copy of the representations to every member of the company to whom notice of the meeting is or has been sent.

(5) If a copy of any such representations is not sent out as required because received too late or because of the company’s default, the auditor may (without prejudice to his right to be heard orally) require that the representations be read out at the meeting.

(6) Copies of the representations need not be sent out and the representations need not be read at the meeting if, on the application either of the company or of any other person claiming to be aggrieved, the court is satisfied that the rights conferred by this section are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter; and the court may order the company’s costs on the application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application.]

Textual Amendments

F69 New ss. 391–393 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 122 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C67 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C68 S. 391A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F70 392 Resignation of auditors. E+W+S

(1) An auditor of a company may resign his office by depositing a notice in writing to that effect at the company’s registered office.

The notice is not effective unless it is accompanied by the statement required by section 394.

(2) An effective notice of resignation operates to bring the auditor’s term of office to an end as of the date on which the notice is deposited or on such later date as may be specified in it.

(3) The company shall within 14 days of the deposit of a notice of resignation send a copy of the notice to the registrar of companies.

If default is made in complying with this subsection, the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine.]

Textual Amendments

F70 New ss. 391–393 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 122 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C69 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C70 S. 392 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F71 392A Rights of resigning auditors. E+W+S

(1) This section applies where an auditor’s notice of resignation is accompanied by a statement of circumstances which he considers should be brought to the attention of members or creditors of the company.

(2) He may deposit with the notice a signed requisition calling on the directors of the company forthwith duly to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company for the purpose of receiving and considering such explanation of the circumstances connected with his resignation as he may wish to place before the meeting.

(3) He may request the company to circulate to its members—

(a) before the meeting convened on his requisition, or

(b) before any general meeting at which his term of office would otherwise have expired or at which it is proposed to fill the vacancy caused by his resignation,

a statement in writing (not exceeding a reasonable length) of the circumstances connected with his resignation.

(4) The company shall (unless the statement is received too late for it to comply)—

(a) in any notice of the meeting given to members of the company, state the fact of the statement having been made, and

(b) send a copy of the statement to every member of the company to whom notice of the meeting is or has been sent.

(5) If the directors do not within 21 days from the date of the deposit of a requisition under this section proceed duly to convene a meeting for a day not more than 28 days after the date on which the notice convening the meeting is given, every director who failed to take all reasonable steps to secure that a meeting was convened as mentioned above is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(6) If a copy of the statement mentioned above is not sent out as required because received too late or because of the company’s default, the auditor may (without prejudice to his right to be heard orally) require that the statement be read out at the meeting.

(7) Copies of a statement need not be sent out and the statement need not be read out at the meeting if, on the application either of the company or of any other person who claims to be aggrieved, the court is satisfied that the rights conferred by this section are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter; and the court may order the company’s costs on such an application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application.

(8) An auditor who has resigned has, notwithstanding his resignation, the rights conferred by section 390 in relation to any such general meeting of the company as is mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (b).

In such a case the references in that section to matters concerning the auditors as auditors shall be construed as references to matters concerning him as a former auditor.]

Textual Amendments

F71 New ss. 391–393 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 122 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C71 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C72 S. 392A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F72 393 Termination of appointment of auditors not appointed annually. E+W+S

(1) When an election is in force under section 386 (election by private company to dispense with annual appointment), any member of the company may deposit notice in writing at the company’s registered office proposing that the appointment of the company’s auditors be brought to an end.

No member may deposit more than one such notice in any financial year of the company.

(2) If such a notice is deposited it is the duty of the directors—

(a) to convene a general meeting of the company for a date not more than 28 days after the date on which the notice was given, and

(b) to propose at the meeting a resolution in a form enabling the company to decide whether the appointment of the company’s auditors should be brought to an end.

(3) If the decision of the company at the meeting is that the appointment of the auditors should be brought to an end, the auditors shall not be deemed to be re-appointed when next they would be and, if the notice was deposited within the period immediately following the distribution of accounts, any deemed reappointment for the financial year following that to which those accounts relate which has already occurred shall cease to have effect.

The period immediately following the distribution of accounts means the period beginning with the day on which copies of the company’s annual accounts are sent to members of the company under section 238 and ending 14 days after that day.

(4) If the directors do not within 14 days from the date of the deposit of the notice proceed duly to convene a meeting, the member who deposited the notice (or, if there was more than one, any of them) may himself convene the meeting; but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiration of three months from that date.

(5) A meeting convened under this section by a member shall be convened in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which meetings are to be convened by directors.

(6) Any reasonable expenses incurred by a member by reason of the failure of the directors duly to convene a meeting shall be made good to him by the company; and any such sums shall be recouped by the company from such of the directors as were in default out of any sums payable, or to become payable, by the company by way of fees or other remuneration in respect of their services.

(7) This section has effect notwithstanding anything in any agreement between the company and its auditors; and no compensation or damages shall be payable by reason of the auditors’ appointment being terminated under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F72 New ss. 391–393 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 122 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C73 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

[F73 394 Statement by person ceasing to hold office as auditor. E+W+S

(1) Where an auditor ceases for any reason to hold office, he shall deposit at the company’s registered office a statement of any circumstances connected with his ceasing to hold office which he considers should be brought to the attention of the members or creditors of the company or, if he considers that there are no such circumstances, a statement that there are none.

(2) In the case of resignation, the statement shall be deposited along with the notice of resignation; in the case of failure to seek re-appointment, the statement shall be deposited not less than 14 days before the end of the time allowed for next appointing auditors; in any other case, the statement shall be deposited not later than the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which he ceases to hold office.

(3) If the statement is of circumstances which the auditor considers should be brought to the attention of the members or creditors of the company, the company shall within 14 days of the deposit of the statement either—

(a) send a copy of it to every person who under section 238 is entitled to be sent copies of the accounts, or

(b) apply to the court.

(4) The company shall if it applies to the court notify the auditor of the application.

(5) Unless the auditor receives notice of such an application before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which he deposited the statement, he shall within a further seven days send a copy of the statement to the registrar.

(6) If the court is satisfied that the auditor is using the statement to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter—

(a) it shall direct that copies of the statement need not be sent out, and

(b) it may further order the company’s costs on the application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application;

and the company shall within 14 days of the court’s decision send to the persons mentioned in subsection (3)(a) a statement setting out the effect of the order.

(7) If the court is not so satisfied, the company shall within 14 days of the court’s decision—

(a) send copies of the statement to the persons mentioned in subsection (3)(a), and

(b) notify the auditor of the court’s decision;

and the auditor shall within seven days of receiving such notice send a copy of the statement to the registrar.]

Textual Amendments

F73 New ss. 394, 394A inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 123(1), 213(2) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C74 S. 394 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F74 394A Offences of failing to comply with s. 394. E+W+S

(1) If a person ceasing to hold office as auditor fails to comply with section 394 he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(2) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) it is a defence for the person charged to show that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.

(3) Sections 733 (liability of individuals for corporate default) and 734 (criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies) apply to an offence under subsection (1).

(4) If a company makes default in complying with section 394, the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.]

Textual Amendments

F74 New ss. 394, 394A inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 123(1), 213(2) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C75 S. 394A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I