Company Law
Company Law
Company Law
Meaning of company:-
The word ‘company’ is derived from the Latin word (‘com’ means with or together, and ‘panis’ means
bread’) i.e. association of person who took their meal together.
Earlier merchant used to discuss the business matters in festive gathering, but nowadays due to
complexity of business it is not possible.
‘Company’ denotes joint stock enterprise in which capital is contributed by large number of people.
It is association of likeminded person which is formed for the purpose of carrying on the
business.
Company is a corporate body having separate legal entity distinct from its members.
The word ‘corporation’ is derived from the Latin word ‘corpus’ which means to have a body.
Corporation is created by the procedure of law, hence it is also called ‘artificial legal person’
Section 2(20) of the ‘Companies Act, 2013’ company means a company incorporated under this act
or any previous company law.
Company is a legal person/legal entity having perpetual succession (beyond the life of its
members)
Section 8 Companies (Nonprofit seeking) are subject to corporate life under the license
requirement.
Co. Is a legal device for attainment of the social and economic ends, hence it is a combined
political social economic and legal institution.
Various definitions:-
“It is a means of cooperation and conduct of an enterprise”
Calcutta High Court in Kondoli Tea co.ltd recognized the principle of separate
legal entity.
Limited Liability:
“The privilege for limited liability for business debts is one of the principle advantage of doing
business under the corporate form of organization.”
In case a company limited by shares: the members are liable only upto the unpaid amount
of the share capital held by them.
In case co. limited by guarantee: members are liable only upto the amount guaranteed by
them, which is required to be paid at the winding up of the co.
Case: Buckley J. in Re. London and Globe finance corporation
There are some statutory exception – members become personally liable if the
membership falls bellow the minimum prescribed limit and the business is carried on
for than six months.
Perpetual Succession:
An incorporated company never dies except wound up as per law.
The company remains unaffected in case of death or departure of its members.
The membership of the co. may change however the co. shall maintain its same legal status
unless wound up.
Member may come and go, company runs forever.
Separate Property:
A co. being a separate entity may hold enjoy and dispose off the properties in its own name.
No member can claim himself to be the owner of the property during the existence or winding
of the co.
Transferability of shares:
The capital of the co. is divided into parts called ‘share’
The shares are movable property.
Unless otherwise provided by the articles they are considered as freely transferable.
A member can sell his shares and recover his investment. It provides liquidity to the member.
Stock exchanges provide the facility to buy and sell of securities.
Nowadays most of the listed co. provide transfer of shares through electronic mode by the
depository participants instead of physical transfer.
Limitation of Action:
A company can not act beyond the charter documents means the MOA and AoA.
The MOA regulates the power and fixes the objects of the co.
The actions and the objects are limited within the scope of its memorandum.
Separate Management:
The co has large number of shareholders scattered at various places over the world
Its not possible for every member to participate in the management
Management requires various skills, knowledge, experience, expertise.
Hence member appoint the board of directors, for management.
Termination of existence:
Can be terminated only by following the due procedure of law for winding up.
Company Partnership
Distinct legal person Not distinct from the several persons who
compose it.
Property belongs to the co. not to the Property of the firm belongs to the
individuals partners.
Creditors can not proceed against the Creditors of the partnership firm, are the
members, they can sue the co. only creditor of individual partners and a
decree issued against firms can be
executed against partners as well jointly
and severally.
Members are not agents. Partners are the agents of the firm
Member can’t. Can dispose of the property and incur
liabilities as long as it is working in the
firm’s name.
A co. can enter into contract with its A partner can not enter into a contract
member. with its firm.
Shares are freely transferable unless A partner can not transfer his shares to
specifically provided by AOA transferee without the consent of other
partners.
Liability limited Liability is unlimited
Audit compulsory Not compulsory for every firm
Can be dissolved by winding up only. Created out of agreement can be dissolved
by agreement.
Company HUF
Consist of heterogeneous members Consists homogeneous members as they
are member of same Hindu undivided
family
There is no suchsystem in accompany . Karta has the sole authority to contract
debt for business
Person becomes member by virtue of Not by virtue of birth
birth
Registration is compulsory Registration is not compulsory.
Company LLP
Companies Act, 2013 Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008
There are different types of companies There is only one type of LLP
such as private limited co, public limited
co, co limited by shares or guarantee,
etc
It is mandatory and registered with It is mandatory and registered with MCA
MCA
Statutory Audit is mandatory Depends on capital and turnover.
Co. can raise fund by issuing shares LLP can not issue shares. It can be only
possible by introducing capital or taking
loan.
Pvt co. minimum 2 member , maximum There must be minimum 2 partners,
200members maximum 50 members.
Public company minimum 7 members,
maximum unlimited members
A committee was constituted under the chairmanship of JJ.Irani on 2nd December, 2004.
JJ Irani was then the director of Tata sons.
The main task of JJ. Irani committee is to review the co. Act, 1956.
Considering the national and international scenario the committee submitted its report on
31.5.2005.
This report was considered as a road map for flexible, dynamic and user friendly new company
law.
Based on the recommendations of JJ Irani committee the Companies Act, 2013 was enacted.
This committee also recommended the shift from the “government approval regime” to the
“shareholders approval and disclosure regime”
This committee also recommended that the pvt. Co should also be given flexibilities and
freedom of operations and compliance at a low cost.
Co with higher public interest should be subjected to stricter governance.
Govt. co and public financial institution should be subjected to similar parameters with respect
to disclosure and corporate governance.
“Companies bill 2012” finally became “Companies Act,2013”
It received the president’s assent on 29.8.13 and notified in the official gazette on
30.8.2013.
Companies Act,2013 has undergone amendments 4 times so far.
Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015
Companies (Amendments Act, 2017
This act was amended in accordance with the “Insolvency Bankruptcy code, 2016 and FinanceAct,2017
HUF-1 HUF-2
50 + 70 = 120(Partnership) legal.
HUF-1 HUF-2
Karta-1 + Karta-2 = Partnership 2 – legal.
HUF-1 HUF-2
50 + 70 (Partnership) – 120 member,
72 minor
48 major ---Legal.
Types of Companies :
On the basis of incorporation, number of members, size , motive the companies can be classified as
follows:-
Liability:-
Limited by shares/Guarantee
Unlimited
Number of members:-
OPC
Private co.
Public co.
Size:-
Small co.
Other co.
Control:-
Holding co.
Subsidiary Co.
Associate co.
Besides there also other types of co :
Non profit generating co.(Section 8)
Govt. co
Investment co.
Producing co.
As per Section 2(68) of the Companies Act, 2013, “private company” means a company having a
minimum paid-up share capital as may be
prescribed, and which by its articles, —
(i) restricts the right to transfer its shares;
(ii) except in case of One Person Company, limits the number of its members to two hundred:
Provided that where two or more persons hold one or more shares in a company jointly,
theyshall, for the purposes of this clause, be treated as a single member.
Provided further that the following persons shall not be included in the number of members;—
(B) persons who, having been formerly in the employment of the company, were members of the
company while in that employment and have continued to be members after the
employmentceased,shall not be included in the number of members; and
(iii) prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company;
Holding Company in relation to one or more other companies, means a company of whichsuch companies
are subsidiary companies
*Explanation. —For the purposes of this clause, the expression "company" includes
any body corporate.
Subsidiary Co.[2(87)]:-
Subsidiary Company in relation to any other company (that is to say the holding company),
means a company in which the holding company
1 Controls the composition of the Board of Directors; or
2 Exercises or controls more than one-half of the total Voting Power either at its own
or together with one or more of its subsidiary companies.
a. A company shall be deemed to be a subsidiary company of the holding company even if the control
referred to in sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) is of another subsidiary company of the holding
company.
Associate Co[2(6)]:-
Associate company in relation to another company, means a company in which that other
company has a
significant influence, but which is not a subsidiary company of the company having such
influence and includes a joint venture company.
*Explanation For the purposes of this clause, the expression "significant influence" means control
of at least
twenty per cent, of total voting power, or control of or participation in business decisions under
an agreement.
Small Company[2(85)]:-
Small company means a company, other than a public company:
a) Paid-up share capital of which does not exceed fifty lakh rupees or such higher amount as
may be prescribed which shall not be more than 10 crore rupees; AND
b) Turnover of which as per profit and loss account for the immediately preceding financial
does not exceed two crore rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed which shall not
be more than 100 crore rupees.
PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS CLAUSE SHALL APPLY TO:-
(A) A holding company or a subsidiary company
(B) A company registered under section 8 (non-profit organisation)
(C) A company or body corporate governed by any special Act
Nidhi Co. [Section 406]:-
Company which has been incorporated as a nidhi with the object of cultivating the habit of
thrift (cost cutting)and savings amongst its members, receiving deposits from, and lending
to, its members only, for their mutual benefit
which complies with such rules as are prescribedby the Central Government for regulation
of such class of companies.
The primary object of Nidhis is to carry on the business of accepting deposits and lending
money to member- borrowers only against jewels, etc.,and mortgage of property.
Producer co.:-
According to the provisions as prescribed under Section 581A(l) of the Companies Act,
1956, a producer company is a body corporate having objects or activities specified in
Section 581B and which is registered as such under the provisions of the Act. The
membership of producer companies is open to such people who themselves are the primary
producers, which is an activity by which some agricultural produce is produced by such
primary producers.
Dormant Co.[ section 455]:-
Section 455 of the Companies Act 2013 read with Companies (Miscellaneous) Rules, 2014
stipulate the provisions pertaining to “Dormant Company”. Where a company is formed and
registered under this Act for a future projector to hold an asset or intellectual property
and “has no significant accounting transaction”, such a company or An Inactive Company
may make an application to the Registrar in such manner as may be prescribed for
obtaining the status of a dormant company.
For the above purposes, Inactive Company means a company which:
(a) is not carrying on any business or operations; or
(b) has not made any significant accounting transaction during last two financial years,
(c) has not filed financial statements and annual returns during the last two financial
years.
Formation of a company:-
According to companies act 2013, a company may be formed for any lawful purpose by –
7 or more person if it’s a public co
2 or more persons if its formed as a pvt. Co.
1 member if its an OPC
A co. formed above may be-
Limited by shares
Limited by guarantee
Unlimited co.
Co. limited by shares – liability of the members are limited by MOA upto the unpaid amount of
share capital held by them
Co. limited by Guarantee – liability of the members are limited by MOA upto such amount as
the member may respectively undertake to contribute to the assets - winding up
Unlimited – Co. not having any limit on the liability.
Incorporation of the Co.:
Application shall be file with the ROC in form INC 32(SPICe) + prescribed fees + following
documents:-
MOA duly signed by all subscriber to MOA
Declaration from(CA/CS/CMA/Advocate) – engaged in the co. formation- all the
compliances are duly complied with (DIR 8)
Declaration of directors – He is not convicted of any offence, misfeasance, breach of
duty (DIR 9)
Address of registered office
Particulars ( name, family name, residential status, address) of the subscribers.
Particulars of the interest of the 1st directors in any other co. ,firm, BC etc.
ROC after considering above – register – issue certificate of Incorporation.
From the date of issue of COI – ROC shall issue a ‘corporate Identity Number’(CIN)
CO. shall maintain copy of all the documents as mentioned above - Parmanently.
If any person furnishes any false or incorrect information or suppresses any material info.
Shall be punishable u/s - 447.
Share Capital:-
A capital can be considered as mkoney which the co. collects through the issue of the share
capital.
Share is a share in the share capital in the company and includes stock unless a distinction
beteen stock and share is expressly made.
Share capital – funds that the co. raises through issuing ownership interest in the co .in
the form of shares.
Describes the number and type of shares that compose a company’s share structure.
Nominal/Authorize/ Registered capital:-
Such capital as authorized by MOA as the maximum amt. of share capital of the co.
Issued Capital:-
Capital which the companies issue time to time for subscription.
It is part of the authorized capital.
This is computed at face value or nominal value.
Subscribed Capital:-
Part of the issued capital which is subscribed by the members from time to time.
Entire issued capital may not be subscribed.
Called up Capital:-
Part of the subscribed capital which has been called up for payment.
Paid up share capital:-
Part of the called up capital, which has been paid by the shareholders and duly received by
the co.
Equity Share Capital:- which is not a part of preference share capital.
Preference Share capital:-
Part of the issued share capital of the co. which carries or would to carry a preferential
right with respect to :-
Payment of dividend – either fixed amount or calculated at a fixed rate.
Repayment of the capital amt. in respect of winding up of the company.
CHART
Board of Directors:-
Co. is an artificial legal entity – board of directors manages the day to day affairs of the
co.
Directors acting collectively known as board – They play a very vital role in the
management of the co.
Section 149 consist individuals only. No body corporate or AOP can be appointed as a
director.
Section 2(10) of the Companies Act, 2013: "Board of Directors or Board, in relation to a
company, means the collective body of the directors of the company.
Section 2(34) of the Companies Act, 2013: "Director means a director appointed to the
Board of a company".
Office of Director cannot be assigned.
Section 149(1) – minimum number of director:
Public co. – 3
Private co. – 2
OPC – 1
Maximum number of director can not exceed 15
Pass special resolution – can exceed the no. of directors beyond 15.
Every company shall have at least 1 director who has stayed in India for a period of not
less than 182 days in the previous Financial Year (April to March).[149(3)]
The days will be calculated proportionately, in case newly incorporated company.
Appointment of the Director:-
1st Directors:-
Generally, the first directors of the companies are named in AOA of the Company.
If the names of the 1st Director are not given in the AOA of a company, then
subscribers to the MOA who are individuals shall be deemed to be the first directors
of the company until the directors are duly appointed.
In case of OPC, an individual being a member shall be deemed to be its first director
until the director(s) are duly appointed by the member.
Subsequent Director:-
Every director shall be appointed by the company in general meeting except otherwise
provided.
DIN:-
Director Identification Number or any other number prescribed by the CG which sgall be
treated as DIN.
It is compulsory for appointment of director of a company. Every person proposed to be
appointed as a director shall furnish his DIN and a declaration that he is not disqualified
to be appointed as director
Consent to act as Director:-
A person appointed as a director shall on or before the appointment give his consent to
hold the office of director in physical Form DIR-2 i.e. Consent to act as a director of a
company.
Filing of Form DIR-2 & DIR-12:-
The Company has to file Form DIR-12 (particulars of appointment of directors and KMP
along with the Form DIR-2) within 30 days of the appointment of a director.
CHART
Retiring by rotation:-
Applicability:-
The provisions relating to retire by rotation only applies to the Public Companies.
Non-Applicability:-
The provisions relating to retire by rotation will not apply to -
1. Private Company
The notice of the board meeting shall be sent 7 clear days before the days of meeting.
Excluding the date of meeting &
Date of serving
Notice shall be given to all the directors at their registered address, either by recognized
speed post or electronic means or any other means.
Notice sent by post – 48 hrs for serving the notice( i.e. 48hrs+ date of serving+ date of
meeting to be excluded while counting the 7 clear days.)
Adjourned meetings:- 7 clear days’ notice if the meeting is not at the same time,day, place
next week.
Notice of adjourned meeting shall be sent to all the directors including who did not
attended the original meeting.
Quorum: 1/3rd or 2 whichever is higher.
Meeting of the Shareholders:-
General meetings:-
Within 9 months from the closing of each financial year.(closing of financial year
means- if the co. is incorporated from 1st April to 31st December then closing of
that financial year & if it is incorporated from 1st January to 31st march then closing
of just next Financial year.)
No extension in the maximum term.
Subsequent AGM:-
Within 6 months from the date of closing of Financial year.
And, maximum gap between two meetings shall not exceed 15 months.
Special extension can be granted for a period of 3 months (ROC)
Can be taken at any day except national holiday or any other day specified by central govt.
The meeting should be started within business hours(9-6)
Place:-
At the Registered office or any other place with in the same city, town, village where the
RO is situated
In case of govt. co any place approved by the Central govt.
Unlisted co.: Any place in India, after obtaining consent from its members.
Default in holding AGM:
Impracticable hold meeting, any member may apply to NCLT
NCLT shall direct to call, held, and convene the meeting.
Direction includes any member in person or in proxy may hold the meeting.
EGM[sec 100]:-
Other than AGM
Called to transact other business.
Notice of general meeting:- at least 21 clear days
Notice shall be given to all the members, auditors, directors.
Example: A private company having only two directors on its Board shall constitute its CSR Committee
with two such directors.
For Foreign Company: With respect of foreign company, the CSR Committee shall comprise of
at least two persons out of which one person resident in India and another person may be from
foreign country duly nominated by the foreign company.
The Committee shall formulate a CSR Policy and recommend to the Board which shall indicate
the activities to be undertaken by the company in future.
The Committee shall recommend the amount of expenditure to be incurred on the activities.
Further, the CSR Committee is under an obligation to monitor the implementation of the CSR
policy from time to time.
In case the unspent amount does not relate to any ongoing project, unspent amount to be
transferred to schedule VII within a period of six months of the expiry of the financial year.
CSR activities can be done by –
1. Section 8 co/trust/society incorporated under by the co.
2. Section 8 co/trust/society established by the Central govt. or state govt. or any other
statutory act.
3. Other Section 8 co/trust/society having at least 3 years of experiences
Social welfare work
Education
Gender equality
Environment protection
Protection of national heritages
Contribution to PM relief fund
PM care fund
Diseases
Disaster management
Activities in which the expenditure can not be made:-
Outside india
Benefit provided to the employees and their family
Political contribution
Sponsorship to marathon ,award
Expenditure to fulfil the statutory provisions of law.
Expenditure in normal course of business.
Business Ethics:-
Application of ethics in business. The application of ethical ideas to the business behavour.
Promotes good to society, improves profitability and sustainability.
To know what is right and what is wrong the work place, and doing what is right.
Concerned with the behavior of a businessman doing business.
Business ethics are developed over a passage of time and custom. Custom differs from one
business to another.
Social responsibility is to implement business ethics.
Custom adopted by business – accepted by public such custom will become an ethics.
Art and science for maintain a harmonious relationship with the society.
Business ethics are principle, practice and philosophy that guide the business people in day to
day business operation.
They are concerned primarily with the impacts of the decisions within and outside the
business organization.
Ethical Dilemma:-
It is a choice that are seem to be equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive.
Involves a choice between two or more equally acceptable/unacceptable situations.
When one choice prevent the other.
A dilemma could be a right v/s. wrong, when the right is more difficult to pursue.
It is a dilemma that is not easy to resolve.
Ethical dilemma is consideration that takes us into the grey zone of the business or
professional life where things are no longer black or white.
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