34U.K.A share option is not a qualifying option unless the requirements of this Part of this Schedule as to the following are met at the appropriate time—
the type of shares that may be acquired (see paragraph 35),
when the option is capable of being exercised (see paragraph 36),
the terms being agreed in writing (see paragraph 37), and
the non-assignability of rights (see paragraph 38).
35(1)The option must confer a right to acquire shares that—U.K.
(a)form part of the ordinary share capital of the relevant company,
(b)are fully paid up, and
(c)are not redeemable.
(2)Shares are not fully paid up for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) if there is any undertaking to pay cash to the relevant company at a future date.
(3)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(c) “redeemable” shares include shares that may become redeemable at a future date.
36(1)The option must be capable of being exercised within the period of 10 years beginning with the date on which it is granted.U.K.
(2)Where the exercise of the option is dependent on the fulfilment of conditions, the option is to be taken to be capable of being exercised within the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) if the conditions may be fulfilled within that period.
37(1)The option must take the form of a written agreement between the person granting the option and the employee which meets the following requirements.U.K.
(2)The agreement must state—
(a)the date on which the option is granted;
(b)that it is granted under the provisions of this Schedule;
(c)the number, or maximum number, of shares that may be acquired;
(d)the price (if any) payable by the employee to acquire them, or the method by which that price is to be determined; and
(e)when and how the option may be exercised.
(3)The agreement must set out any conditions, such as performance conditions, affecting the terms or extent of the employee’s entitlement.
[F1(4)Where the shares that may be acquired by the employee are restricted shares, the agreement must contain details of the restrictions.
(5)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)—
(a)shares are “restricted shares” if there is any contract, agreement, arrangement or condition which makes provision to which any of subsections (2) to (4) of section 423 (restricted securities) would apply if the references in those subsections to the employment-related securities were to the shares, and
(b)“restrictions” means that provision.]
F1(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1Sch. 5 para. 37(4)(5) substituted for Sch. 5 para. 37(4)-(6) (1.9.2003) by Finance Act 2003 (c. 14), Sch. 22 para. 45(3)(4); S.I. 2003/1997, art. 2
38U.K.The terms on which the option is granted—
(a)must prohibit the person to whom it is granted from transferring any of that person’s rights under it, and
(b)if they permit it to be exercised after that person’s death, must not permit it to be exercised more than one year after the date of the death.