<■ hh^^Cyt cJLJt (- Of Elemen 1. As 2. An 3. Nol UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES SCHOOL OF LAW LIBRARY eries the Law. The s:— •inciples. TS. 1 5d. id. ide •ice u. 17». M. ■ VENDORS AND 7th Ed. 1908 PURCHASERS. lit. M. No. 9. Seaborne WILLS. No. 15 1906. 15». Underhill and Strahan . 2ndEd *,* Full Prospectus on Application. BUTTER WORTH & CO, Law Publishers, 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. ( 1 ) r~t*-pJL. -WW v •« *' ,© m-z C*C r in, tvrr^y litest \.& ffu+* - t2 ^, Ko4* 1 (■ , '■ BEADY OCTOBER, 1910. A clear, concise and explicit treatise for students preparing for Accountancy, Secretarial and other professional examinations. COMPANY LAW: The Companies [Consolidation] Act, 1908 The Companies Clauses Acts, 1845 to 1889 BY A. CEEW Of (iray's Inn, Jiarrister-at-Law, Author of "A Synopsis of Mercantile Law," "The Conduct of and Procedure at Public and Company Meetings," etc. This book will contain the full text of the 1908 Act, the chief provisions of the Acts 1845 to 1889, and numerous questions set at previous professional examinations. For full particulars, write to— BUTTER WORTH"& CO., 11 & 12, Bell Y.\rd,Tkmii.i Bab 1MMNCIPLES OK COMPANY LAW. BUTTERWORTHS' "COMMERCIAL LAW" SERIES Of Elementary Legal Text-Books for Commercial Classes. i. Stevens' Mercantile Law. Fourth Edition. By Herbert Jacobs, Barrister-at-Law. 1903. Price 10s. 6c?. ; for cash, post free, 8s. 10(2. *„* Selected by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England, the Incorporated Society of Accountants, the Institute of Secretaries, University College, Cardiff, etc., etc., as a text-book for their examinations. •2. Underbill's Law of Partnership. By A. Underhill, M.A., LL.D., one of the Conveyancing Counsel of the High Court. Second Edition. 1906. Price 5s. net ; postage id. extra. *„* Selected by the Institute of Chartered Accountants for Ireland as text-book. 3. Redman's Law of Arbitrations and Awards. Fourth Edition By J. H. Redman, Barrister-at-Law. (Dec.) 1903. Price 18s. ; for cash, post free, 16s. *„* Selected by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Incorporated Society of Accountants, etc., as a text-book for their examinations. 4. Robbins and Maw's Law of Executors and Administrators. Fourth Edition. By L. G. G. Robbins, of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-at-Law, and F. T. Maw, Barrister-at-Law. 1908. Price 15s. net ; postage 5d. extra. %* Selected by the Incorporated Society of Accountants, the Cardiff Borough Technical School, as a text-book for their examinations. 5. Topham's Company Law. Third Edition. By Alfred F. Topham, LL.M., of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-at-Law, Reader in the Law of Real Property and Conveyancing to the Council of Legal Education. 1910. 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" We congratulate the author, who is a practical teacher, upon the com- pilation of a work so admirably suited to the commercial student." — ( 'liamber of Commerce Journal. o. Steele's Present Day Banking. By Francis E. Steele, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, sometime Lecturer on Banking and Currency to the London Chamber of Commerce. 1909. Price 5s. net ; postage 3d. extra. " The volume fulfils all the purpose of an admirable little Encyclopaedia of Banking." — Daily Hail. 10. Fitzpatrick's Book=keeping. By J. Fitzpatrick, F.C.A. (of the firm of Fitzpatrick, Graham, Greenwood k Co., chartered Accountants), formerly Lecturer on Accountancy to the London ( hamber of Commerce. Price 6s. net ; postage id. extra. Full particulars of Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are to be found at the end of the book. I'KINCIIALES COMPANY LAW. ALFRED V. TOTIIAM, LL.M., (ii Lincoln's in.n, barbistek-at-law. l.'i M'l.i; in iin. Law <>i Hi m. Pbopebi] \m» Conveyancing to int. i ..i hi ii. 01 LEGAL BdUCA IK'S ; Formerly Whewdl Scholar and Chancellor's Vedctih I in the University of Cambridge. THIRD EDITION. LONDON : BUTTERWORTH & CO., 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. SHAW & SONS, 7 & 8, Fettbe Lank, E.C. PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED., LONDON AND BECCLES. PREFACE TO THE THIKD EDITION. The Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, has been passed since the appearance of the second edition, and has considerably lightened the task of the student by T collecting the whole law relating to limited companies into one comprehensive Act. The task of the author has been increased in a corresponding degree, as the whole of the references have required alteration, and some parts of the subject which were previously treated historically have been entirely re-modelled. An im- portant modification of the law as to re-construction of companies, which in the last edition was only suggested as a possibility, has become an accomplished fact and has necessitated the re- writing of the last chapter. The author's acknowledgments are due to Mr. Frederick Moulder (his junior clerk), for assistance in the compilation of the Index and Table of Cases. A. F. T. :>, New Sqiahk, Lincoln's Inn, July, L910. i ■> TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGl Table of Casks ... ... ... ... ... ... xi CHAPTEE I. Introduction ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 CHAPTER II. The Nature of a Limited Company ... ... ... ... 5 As contrasted with — I. Partnership ... ... ... ... ... 5 II. Unincorporated Companies ... ... ... 7 III. Incorporated Companies ... ... ... H (a) Dnder the Ad of 1844 8 .1.1 By Royal Charter K (c) ]'>v special Act of Parliament ... ... 8 IV. Building Societies, etc. ... ... ... ... 10 V. Other Companies under the Companies Act ... 10 Usual Steps in the Formation of a Company ... 12 Specimen Form of Memorandum of Association ... 13 CHAPTER III. Memorandum of Association ... ... ... ... ... 17 Section 1. clause 1. The Name ... ... ... 17 Section 2, clause 2. The Registered Office ... ... 20 Section 3, clause 3. The Objects of the Company ... 21 Section I. clause 4. The Limitation of Liability ... 20 Section 5, clause 5. The Capital Clause ... ... 27 Section o. Association Clause and Subscription ... 28 Form of Articles of Association... ... ... ... 29 viii Table of Contents. CHAPTER IV. PAGE The Articles of Association ... ... ... ... ... 45 CHAPTER V. Formation of a Company ... ... 52 Section 1. The Preliminary Contract ... ... ... 52 Section 2. Registration ... ... ... ... ... 54 Section 3. The Certificate of Incorporation ... ... 55 CHAPTER VI. The Promotor and the Prospectus ... ... ... .. 57 Section 1. The Promoter ... ... ... ... 57 Section 2. The Prospectus ... ... ... ... 58 Form of Prospectus ... ... ... ... ... 71 CHAPTER VII. Members or Shareholders ... ... 75 Section 1. How Persons may become Members ... 75 Section 2. Who may become a Member ... ... 77 Section 3. Liability of Members 79 Section 4. Register of Members ... ... ... 83 Section 5. Annual List of Members ... ... ... 86 CHAPTER VIII. Shares 88 Section 1. Allotment ... ... ... ... ... 88 Section 2. Certificates ... ... ... ... ... 92 Section 3. Transfer ... ... ... . . ... 95 Section 4. Transmission... ... ... ... ... 103 Section5. Share Warrants ... ... ... ... 104 Section 6. Calls 106 Section 7. Forfeiture ... ... ... ... ... 109 Section 8. Surrender ... ... ... ... ... 112 Section 9. Lien ... ... ... ... ... ... 113 Table of Contents. IX CHAPTER IX. Capital ... Section 1. Classes of ( iapital Section 2. Increase and Alteration of Capital Section 3. Reduction and Diminution of Capital CHAPTER X. Dividends ( IIAl'TER XL Borrowing Powers CHAPTER XII. Debentures Section 1. Debentures and Debenture Stock ... Section 2. Debentures payable to Registered Holder Form of Debenture to Registered Holder Section 3. Debentures to Bearer Section 4. Registration of Debentures... Section 5. Transfer of Debentures Section 6. Issue of Debentures ... Section 7. Remedies of Debenture-holders CHAPTER XIII. Underwriting ... CHAPTER XIV. Directors Section 1. Position of Directors Section 2. Appointment of Directors ... Section 3. Quorum Section 4. Qualification ... Section 5. Remuneration of Directors... Section 6. Powers of Directors ... Section 7. Liability of Directors CHAPTEB \Y. Meetings and Resolutions Section 1. Meetings Section 2. Resolutions ... PAGK 116 116 121 123 128 136 141 141 142 1 i:; 155 158 162 If, I 166 171 17o 17.". 178 17'. i 180 184 is;, L87 101 I'M 196 x Table of Contents. ( EAPTEE XVI. PAGE Accounts and Auditors ... ... ... ... ... 199 Section 1. Accounts ... ... ... ... ... 199 Section 2. Auditors ... ... ... ... ... 204 CHAPTEE XVII. Private Companies ... ... ... ... ... ... 208 CHAPTER XVIII. Guarantee Companies .. . ... ... ... ... ... 212 CHAPTEE XIX. Winding up by the Court ... ... ... ... ... 213 Section 1. When a Company may be Wound up by the Court ... 213 Section 2. Who may Petition 217 Section 3. Procedure on Winding up ... ... ... 223 CHAPTER XX. Voluntary Winding up 227 Section 1. How and when a Company may be Wound up voluntarily ... ... ... ... 227 Section 2. Proceedings on Voluntary Winding up ... 229 CHAPTEE XXI. Winding up under Supervision of the Court ... ... 234 CHAPTEE XXII. Liquidators ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 236 CHAPTEE XXIII. Consequences of Winding up 240 CHAPTEE XXIV. Reconstruction ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 248 Appendix. —Sections 26, 80, and 81. and Schedule 2 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908 ... ... .. 253 Test Questions 263 Im>i-\ [1] TABLE OF CASES. A. PAOl Abbot, Bristol United Breweries, Ltd. v., [1908] 1 Ch. 279 . 160 Ackroyd and Best, Ltd., [nman v., [1901] 1 K. B. 613; 70 L. J. (k. b.) 450 ; 84 L. T. 344 ; 49 W. R. 369 . . . 185 Adair v. Old Bushmills Co. [1908] W. N. 24 . . . .118 Addison's Case (1870), 5 Ch. Ap. 294; 44 L. J. (ch.) 537; 24 W. It. 113 78, 102 African Farms, Limited, In re, [1906] 1 Ch. 640 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 378 ; 95 L. T. 403 ; 54 W. R. 490; 13 Manson, L23 . 223 Gold Co., In re, [1899] 1 Ch. 414; 68 L. J. (en.) 215; 80 L. T. 2*2 ; 47 W. R. 509 ; G Manson, 84 . , 94 Co., Boord v., W. N. (1897) 174 ; 77 L. T. 553 ; 46 W. R. 150 83 Consolidated Co., Dawson v., [1898] 1 Ch. 6 ; 67 L. J. (CH.) 47 ; 77 L. T. 392 ; 46 W. R. 132; 4 Manson, 372 107 Tug Co., Towers v., [1904] W. N. 54 . . . . 133 Alexander v. Automatic Telephone Co., [1900] 2 Ch. 56; 69 L. J. (en.) 428; 82 L. T. 400; 48 \V. R. 546; reversing, [1899] 2 Ch. 302 ; 68 L. J. (ch.) 514 ; 80 L. T. 753 ; 6 Manson, 443 . . . 107,17(1 v. Simpson, [1890] 43 Oh. D. 139 . . . .197 Alfred Melsom & Co., In re, [1906] 1 Ch. 841 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 509 ; 94 L. T. 641 ; 54 W. R. 468 ; 13 Manson, 190 ; 22 T. L. R. 500 220 \l-csiras Rly Co., Greenwood v., [1894] 2 Ch. 205 . . . 167 Ml, in v. Gold Reefs, Limited, [1900] 1 Ch. 656; 69 L. J. (ch.) 266; 82 I,. T. 210; 48 W. II. 152 .... 49, 115 Allison, hi re, [1904] 2 K. B. 327; 73 L. J. (k. p..) 763 ; 91 L. T. 66 ; 20 T. L. R. 493 238 Amalgamated Syndicate, In re, [1897] 2 Ch. 600; 06 L.J. (oh.) 783 ; 77 L. T. 431 ; 46 W. R. 75 . . . . 23, 214 Anderson, Smith v. (1880), 15 Ch.D. 247; 50 L. J. (ch.) 39 ; 43 L. T. 329 ; 29 W. R. 21 176 Andrew Ga Meter Co., [1897] ICh. 361; 66 L.J. (ch.)246; 76 I.. T. L32; 15 W. R. 321 48, 49, 117 Anglo-Argentine Tramways Co., Ltd., A.-C. v., L909] 1 K. 1'.. 677 122 Anglo-Australian Co. (Debenture Holders of) Newton v., [1895] A. C. 244 ; 64 L. J. (p. c.) 57 ; 72 L. T. 305 .. . 138 xii Table of Cases. PAGE Anglo-Italian Bank, Ltd., In re, [190G] W. N. 202 . . . 126 Anglo-Oriental Carpet Co., In re, [1903] 1 Ch. 914 . . . 162 Appleton, In re, [1905] 1 Ch. 749 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 471 ; 12 Manson, 335 ; 93 L. T. 8 ; 55 W. R. 601 247 Armstrong, Merchant's Fire Office v., [1901] W. N. 163 ; 17 T. L. R. 709 188 Arnand, R v. (1846), 9 Q. B. 806 29 Arnot's Case (1887), 36 Ch. D. 702 ; 57 L. J. (ch.) 195 ; 36 Ch. D. 707 ; 57 L. T. 353 76 Ashbury Railway Carriage Co. v. Riche (1875), L. R. 7 H. L. 672 ; 44 L. J. Ex. 185 ; 33 L. T. 451 ; 24 W. R. 794 . . 8, 21 Ashurst v. Mason (1875), L. R. 20 Eq. 225 ; 44 L. J. (ch.) 337 ; 23 W. R. 506 189 Association of Land Financiers, In re, (1878), 50 L. J. (ch.) 201 ; 10 Ch. D. 373 ; 43 L. T. 753 ; 29 W. R. 277 . . . 237 Astley v. New Tivoli, [1899] 1 Ch. 151 ; 79 L. T. 541 ; 47 W. R. 326 ; 6 Manson, 64 182 Athenfeum Society v. Pooley (1858), 3 De G. & J. 294 . 151, 163 Atkins & Co. v. Wardle (1889), 58 L. J. (q. b.) 377 . . . 18 A.-G. v. Anglo- Argentine Tramways Co., Ltd., [1909] 1 K. B. 677 122 v. Jameson, 1904, 2 I. R. 646 . . . . 46, 97, 210 v. London County Council, [1902] A. C. 165 ; 71 L. J. (ch.) 268; 66 J. P. 340; 50 W. R. 497 ; 86 L. T. 161; 18 T. L. R. 298 22 Attwood, Midland Counties Bank v., [1905] 1 Ch. 357 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 286 ; 12 Manson, 20 ; 92 L. T. 360 ; 21 T. L. R. 175 . 246 Australian Estates, etc., Co., Ltd., In re, [1910] 1 Ch. 414 . 117 Automatic Co., Everett v., [1892] 3 Ch. 506 ; 62 L. J. (ch.) 241 ; 3 R 34 ; 67 L. T. 349 114 Automatic Filter Co. v. Cunninghame, [1906] 2 Ch. 34 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 437 ; 95 L. T. 651 ; 13 Manson, 156 ; 22 T. L. R. 378 186 Automatic Telephone Co., Alexander v., [1900] 2 Ch. 56; 69 L. J. (ch.) 428 ; 82 L. T. 400 ; 48 W. R. 546 ; reversing, [1899] 2 Ch. 302 ; 68 L. J. (ch.) 514 ; 80 L. T. 753 ; 6 Manson, 443 107, 176 Aylmer, Morrice v. (1874), L. R. 7 H. L. 717 ; 45 L. J. (ch.) 614 ; 34 L. T. 418 ; 24 W. R. 587 ; affirming L. R. 10 Ch. 148 ; 44 L. J. (ch.) 212; 31 L. T. 660; 23 W. R. 221. . . 121 Ayres, Levi v. (1878), L. R. 3 App. Cas. 852 . . . . 102 B. Back, Cairney v., [1906] 2 K. B. 746 242 Baillie's Case, [1898] 1 Ch. 110 ; 67 L. J. (ch.) 81 ; 77 L. T. 523 ; 46 W. R. 187 ; 4 Manson, 393 .... 83, 91 Baily, British Equitable Co. v., [1906] A. C. at p. 36 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 73 ; 94 L. T. 1 ; 13 Manson, 13 ; 22 T. L. R. 152 . 49 Balaghat Co., [1901] 2 K. B. 665; 49 W. R. 625; 17 T. L. R. 660 83 Table of Cases, xiii Balkis Consolidated Co., Bishop v. (1890), 25 Q. B. D. 512 ; 59 L. J. (q. b.) 565 ; 63 L. T. 316, 601 ; 39 W. II. 99 ; 2 Meg. 292 101 I Sal in, Hill and Co., Clark v., [1908] 1 K. B. 667 . . .158 Bank of Hindustan, In re (1871), L. R. 13 Eq. 178; 41 L. J. (en.) 278 247 Bank of Syria, In re, [1901] 1 Ch. 115 ; 70 L. J. (en.) 82 ; 83 L. T. 547 ; 49 W. R. 150 ; 8 Manson, 105 ... 179 Bank of Wales, Croskey v. (1863), 4 Gift. 314 . . . . 106 I Sanner, Helbert v. (1871), L. R. 5 H. L. 28 ; 40 L. J. (ch.) 410 ; 20 W. R. 63 82 Barnes, Gluckstein v., [1900] A. C. 240; 69 L. J. (ch.) 385; 82 L. T. 393 ; 16 T. L. R. 321 ; 7 Manson, 321 ; affirming In re Olympia, [1898] 2 Ch. 153 ; 67 L. J. (ch.) 433 ; 78 L. T. 629 ; 14 T. L. R. 451 ; 5 Manson, 139 . . . 68 Barrow Haomatite Steel Co., In re, [1900] 2 Ch. 846; 69 L. J. (ch.) 869 ; 83 L. T. 397 125 , Bond v., [1902] 1 Ch. 353 ; 71 L. J. (ch.) 246; 50 W. R. 295; 86 L. T. 10; 18 T. L. R. 249 ; 9 Mans. 69 132 v. Paringa Mines (1909), Ltd., 1902, 2 Ch. 658 . . 173 Bartlett v. Mavfair Property Co., [1898] 2 Ch. 28 ; 67 L. J. (ch.) 337 ; 78 L. T. 302 ; 46 W. R. 465 ; 5 Manson, 126 . . 120 Barton v. London and North Western Rail. Co. (1890), 24 Q. B. D. 77 ; 59 L. J. (q. b.) 33 ; 62 L. T. 164 ; 38 W. R. 197 . 77, 102 Bath Electric Tramways, Ltd., Longman v., [1905] 1 Ch. 646 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 424 ; 92 L. T. 743 ; 53 W. R. 480 ; 12 Manson. 147 ; 21 T. L. R. 373 84, 95, 101 Baxter, Kelner v. (1866), L. R. 2 C. P. 174 . . . .53 Bcatty, North-Wcst Transportation Co. v., [1887] 12 A. C. 589 187 Beauohemin, Larocquei;., [1897] A. C. 358; 66 L.J. (p. c) 59; 76 L. T. 473 ; 45 W. R. 639 ; 4 Manson, 263 . 80, 10S Bechuanaland Exploration Co. v. London, etc., Bank, [1898] 2 Q. B. 658 ; 67 L. J. (q. b.) 986 ; 79 L. T. 270 . 104, 157 Betts & Co., Ltd. v. Macnaghten, [1910] 1 Ch. 430 . . . 193 Belilios, Hardoon v., [1901] A. C. 118 ; 70 L. J. (p. c) 9 ; 83 L. T. 573 ; 49 W. R. 209 84 Bellerby v. Rowland & Marwood's Co., Ltd., [1902] 2 Ch. 14 . 112 Bevan, Burton v., [1908] 2 Ch. 240 .... . 90 Birmingham Small Arms, Newton v., [1906] 2 Ch. 378; 75 L. J. (en.) 627 ; 75 L. T. 135 ; 54 W. R. 621 ; 13 Manson, 267 ; 22 T. L. R. 664 205 Bisgood v. Henderson's Transvaal Estates, Ltd., [1908] 1 Ch. 743 24, 148, 251 Bishop v. Balkis Consolidated Co. (1890), 25 Q. B. D. 77, 512 ; 59 L. J. (q. b.) 565 ; 63 L. T. 316, 601 : 39 W. B. 99; 2 Meg. 292 101 Bishop and Sons, In re, [1900] 2 Ch. 254 ; 69 L. J. (en.) 513 ; 82 L. T. 756 ; 7 Manson, 342 233 Black v. Homersham (1878), 4 Ex. D. 24; 48 L.J. (icx.) 79 • 39 L. T. 671 ; 27 W. R. 171 135 Blaker v. Herts and Essex Waterworks Co., [1889] 41 Ch. D. 399 107 xiv Table of Cases. Bloomcnthal v. Ford, [1897] A. C. 156 : 66 L. J. (ch.) 253 ; 76 L. T. 205 ; 45 W. R. 449 94, 101 Bodega, In re, [1904] W. N. 7 182 Bolognesi's Case (1870), L. R. 5 Ch. App. 567; 40 L. J. (ch.) 26 ; 18 W. R. 876 230 Bomore Rd. (No. 9), In re, [1906] W. N. 16 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 157 ; 94 L. T. 403; [1906] 1 Ch. 359; 54 W. R. 312; 13 Manson, 68 225 Bond v. Barrow Haematite Steel Co., [1902] 1 Ch. 353; 71 L. J. (ch.) 246 ; 50 W. R. 295 ; 86 L. T. 10 ; 18 T. L. R. 249 ; 9 Manson, 69 132 Boord v. African Co., W. N. (1897) 174 ; 77 L. T. 553 ; 46 W. R. 150 83 Booth v. New Afrikander, etc., Co., [1903] 1 Ch. 295; 72 L. J. (ch.) 125 ; 51 W. R. 193; 87 L. T. 509; 19 T. L. R. 67 ; 10 Manson, 56 173, 209 Borax Co., In re, [1901] 1 Ch. 326 ; 68 L. J. (ch.) 410 ; 80 L. T. 461,637 148 Borland v. Steel Bros., [1901] 1 Ch. 279; 70 L. J. (ch.) 51; 49 W. R. 120 46, 98 Boschoek Proprietary Co. v. Puke, [1906] 1 Ch. 148 ; 94 L. T. 398 ; 54 W. R. 359 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 261 ; 13 Manson, 100 ; 22 T. L. R. 196 181, 184 Boyd, British Asbestos v., [1903] 2 Ch. 439 ; 51 W. R. 667 ; " 88 L. T. 763 .183 Boynton (A.) Ltd., In re, [1910] 1 Ch. 519 . . . . 167 Bradford Banking Co. v. Briggs (1886), 12 App. Cas. 29 ; 56 L. J. (ch.) 364 ; 56 L. T. 62 ; 35 W. R. 521 . . 114, 115 Brailev v. Rhodesia Consolidated Ltd., [1910] W. N. 123 . 250 Brav, Shepheard v., [1906] 2 Ch. 235; [1907] 2 Ch. 571 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 633 ; 54 W. R. 556 ; 22 T. L. R. 625 ; 95 L. T. 414 ; 13 Manson, 279 189 Briggs, Bradford Banking Co. v. (1886), 12 App. Cas. 29 ; 56 L. J. (ch.) 364 ; 56 L. T. 62 ; 35 W. R. 521 . . 114, 115 , Grundy v., [1910] W. N. 17 181 Brighton Alhambra, Securities Investment v. (1893), 68 L. T. 249 168 Hotel Co., Re (1S68), L. R. 6 Eq. 339 . . . 220 Brinsmead (T. E.) & Sons, In re [1897] 1 Ch. 45, 406 ; 66 L. J. (ch.) 290 ; 76 L. T. 103 ; 4 Manson, 70 . . 217 Bristol United Breweries, Ltd. v. Abbot, [1908] 1 Ch. 279 . 160 British Asbestos Co. v. Boyd, [1903] 2 Ch. 439 ; 51 W. R. 667 ; 88 L. T. 763 183 Bank of South America, Lubbock v., [1892] 2 Ch. 198 ; 61 L. J. (ch.) 498 ; 67 L. T. 74 ; 41 W. R. 103 . . 133 Building Stone Co., In re, [1908] 2 Ch. 450 . . 247 Equitable Bond, etc., Ltd., In re, [1910] 1 Ch. 574 . 222 Equitable Co. v. Baily, [1906] A. C. at p. 36; 75 L. J. (ch.) 73 ; 94 L. T. 1 ; 13 Manson, 13 ; 22 T. L. R. 152 49 Power, etc., Co., In re, [1907] W. N. 49 ; [1906] 1 Ch. 497 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 248 ; 54 W. R. 387 ; 94 L. T. 479 ; 13 Manson, 74 ; 22 T. L. R. 268 . . . . 168 Tablk OF Casks. xv British Vacuum ('leaner Co. v. New Vacuum (leaner (Jo, L90"i W. N. 44 1'J Bread's Nighl Light Co., Fowler v., [1S93] 1 Ch. 724 . . 239 w London ami Brazilian Bank v. (18H2), 21 Ch. D. 302; 51 L. J. (cm.) 71 ; 47 L. T. 3 ; 30 W. R. 7:J7 . 115 Brookes r. Hansen, [1906] 2 Ch. 12'.); 75 L. J. (ch.) 450; 94 L. T. 728; 54 W. R. 502 ; 13 Manson, 172; 22 T. L. B. 475 G7 Brown and Gregory, Ltd., Be, [1904] ICh. 627; [1904] W. N. 54 L63 Browne v. La Trinidad (1887), 37 Ch. D. 1 ; 57 L. J. (ch.) 292 ; 58 L. T. 137 ; 3G W. R. 289 18a Brvden, Sadgrove v., [1907] 1 Ch. 318 L95 Bucknall, Watts v., [1903] 1 Ch. 766 .... 63,69 Buenoa Ayres, etc., Co., Hinds v., [1900], 2 Ch. 054; [1900] W. N. is; : 76 L. J. (ch.) 17 ; 23 T. L. R. G . . 140, L99 Bulawayo, etc., Co., In re, [1907] 2 Oh. 458 . . . .175 Bull, Burt v. (1896), 1 Q. B. 276 L52 Burland v. Earle, [1902] A. C. 83 ; 71 L. J. (p. c.) 1 ; 50 W. R. 241 ; 85 L. T. 553 ; 18 T. L. R. 41 ; 9 Manson, 17 . . 182 Burnham, Roussell r., 1909] 1 Ch. 127 . . . HI. To iws v. Matabele Gold Co., [1901] 2 Ch. 23; 70 L. J. (ch.) 434; 84 L. T. 478; 49 W. R. 500; 17 T. L. R. 304; affirming 17 T. L. R. 303 64,209 Burt v. Bull (1895), 1 Q. B. 276 152 Burton v. Beavan (1908), 2 Ch. 240 90 Bury v. Famatina Development Corporation, [1910] 1 Ch. 751 ; [1910] A. C. 439 80 G. Cairney v. Back, [1906], 2 K. B. 746 212 Calgarv & Edmonton Land Co., In re, [1906] 1 Ch. 141 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 138 ; 94 L. T. 132 ; 13 Manson, 55 . . . .120 Calgary & .Medicine Bat Land Co., In re, [1908] 2 Ch. 052 . 167 Calthorpo, Nash v., [1905] 2 Ch. 237 ; 74 L. J. (en.) 493 ; 93 L. T. 585 ; 12 Manson, 2G0; 21 T. L. R. 587 . . . 68 Campbell's Case (1873), L. R. 9 Oh. 21 122 Canadian Produce Co., Ltd., Finance & Issue, Limited v., [19 I Ch. 37 ; 73 L. J. (OH.) 751 ; 53 W. R. 170 ; 91 L. T. G85 ; II Manson, 112; 20 T. L. R. 807 90 Capital Fire Insurance, In re (1882), 21 Oh. I ». 209 . . . 214 Capper, Niger Merchants' Co. v. (1877), 18 Ch. D. 557 n. ; 25 \V. R. 365 221 Caratal New Mines, Limited, Re, [1902] 2 Oh. 198; 71 L.J. (OH.) SS3; 50 W. R. 572; 87 L. T. 437 ; is T. L. K. 640 . 197 Cardiff Workmen's Cottage Co., Limited, L906 2Ch.627; 75 L. J. (oh.) 709; 22 T. L. B. 799 162 Carmichael's Case, L896 2 Ch. 643 . . . . .174 Oarshalton Park Estate, Ltd., In re, [1908] 2 Oh. 62 . . 153 Cash & ( o., In re, [1907] 2 Oh. 189 19 Cavanagh, George Whitechuroh, Limited u.,[1902] A.C. 117 . lui xvi Table of Cares. Cawley & Co., In re (1889), 42 Ch. D. 209 ; 58 L. J. (ch.) 633 ; 61 L. T. 601 ; 37 W. R. 692 ; 1 Meg. 175 . . . . 106 Chapman v. Smethurst, [1909] W. N. 65 . . . .18 Chepstow Bobbin Mills Co.. In re (1887), 36 Ch. D. 563 . . 235 Chic, Limited, In re, [1905] 2 Ch. 345 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 597 ; 53 W. R.659; 93 L. T. 301; 12 Manson, 342. . . .220 Chic, Limited, Robinson Printing Co. v. [1905], 2 Ch. 123 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 399; 53 W. R. 681; 93 L. T. 262; 12 Manson, 314 ; 21 T. L. R. 446 152 China Steamship Co., Re (1869), L. R. 7 Eq. 240 . . . 163 City of London Brewery Co., Ltd. v. Commissioners of Inland Revenue, [1899] 1 Q. B. 121 142 Clark v. Balm, Hill & Co., [1908] 1 K. B. 667 . . . . 158 Clayton Engineering Co., In re, [1904] W. N. 28 ; 20 L. T. 283 169, 170 Clayton, Peat v., [1906] 1 Ch. 659 ; 94 L. T. 465 ; 54 W. R. 416 ; 13 Manson, 117 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 344 ; 22 T. L. R. 312 . 99 Clinch v. Financial Corporation (1869), L. R. 4 Ch. 117 . . 251 Coalport China Co., In re, [1895] 2 Ch. 404 ; 64 L. J. (ch.) 710 ; 12 R. 462 ; 73 L. T. 46 ; 44 W. R. 38 ; 2 Manson, 532 . 97 Coles, Foster v., [1906] W. N. 107 ; 22 T. L. R. 555 . . 118 Colmer, Limited, In re, [1897] 1 Ch. 524 ... . 125 Columbian Fireproofing Co., In re, [1910] 2 Ch. 120 . . 244 Colwill, Shorto v., [1909] W. N. 218 173 Combined Incandescent, etc., Syndicate, Ltd., Sherwell v., [1907] W. N. 110 173, 209 Commercial Bank of India, In re (1868), L. R. 6 Eq. 517 ; 16 W. R. 1104 . ... 223 Commissioners of Inland Revenue, City of .London Brewery Co., Ltd. v., [1899] 1 Q. B. 121 142 Components Tube Co. v. Naylor (1903), 2 I. R. p. 54 . . 63 Consolidated South Rand Mines Deep, Ltd.,Iw re, [1909] 1 Ch. 491 217, 225, 249 Constables of St. Peter Port, National Telephone Co. v., [1900] A. C. 317, 321 22 Continental Co., Elias v., In re, [1897] 1 Ch. 511 ; 66 L. J. (ch.) 273 ; 76 L. T. 229 ; 45 W. R. 313 168 Cork Co., Payne v., [1900] 1 Ch. 308; 69 L. J. (ch.) 156; 82 L. T. 44 ; 4S W. R. 325 ; 16 T. L. R. 135 . . . . 250 Cory, Dovey v., [1901] A. C. 477 ; [1901] W. N. 170, reported in C. A. as In re National Bank of Wales, [1899] 2 Ch. 629 133, 188 CosteUo's Case (1869), L. R. 8 Eq. 504 229 Cotton v. Imperial Corporation, [1892] 3 Ch. 454 ; 61 L. J. (CH.) 684 ; 67 L. T. 342 24 Cox-Moore v. Peruvian Corporation, Ltd., [1908] 1 Ch. 604 148, 150 Credit Foncier, Crouch v. (1873), L. R. 8 Q. B. 374. . . 157 Criggleston Coal Co., In re, [1906] 2 Ch. 327 ; [1906] W. N. 20; 75 L. J. 662 ; 95 L. T. 510 ; 13 Manson, 233 ; 22 T. L. R. 585 167, 220 Croskey v. Bank of Wales (1863), 4 Giff. 314 . . . . 106 Crouch v. Credit Foncier (1873), L. R. 8 Q. B. 374 . . . 157 Crown Bank, In re, [1890] 40 Ch. D. 634 . . • • 23 Table' of Casks. xvii PA OK Crum, Oakbank Oil Co. v. (1882), 8 App. Gas. 65 ; 48 L. T. 537 128 Cunard Steamship Co. v. Hopwood, [1908] 2 Ch.564 . . 100 Ounninghame, Automatic Filter Co. v., [1906] 2Ch. 34; 75 L.J. (ch.) 437 ; 94 L. T. 651 ; 13 Manson, 156 ; 22 T. L. R. 378 186 Cyclists' Touring Club, In re, [1907] 1 Cb. 269 ... 25 v. Hopkinson, [1910] 1 Cb. 179 . . 23 D. Darley, Smytbe v. (1849), 2 H. L. Cas. 789 . . . . 193 I to Lea v. Gas Ligbt & Coke Company, [1909] 1 Cb. 248 . . 83 Davis, Entwhistle v. L. R. (1867), 4 Eq. 272 . . . .93 1 to v & Co. v. Williamson & Sons, [1898] 2 Q. B. 194 ; 67 L. J. (q. b.) 699 ; 78 L. T. 755 ; 46 W. R. 571 . . . .1 V.t Dawson v. African Consolidated Co., [1898] 1 Cb. 6 ; L. J. (ch.) 47 ; 77 ; L. T. 392 ; 46 W. R. 182 ; 4 Manson, 372 . . 107 Defries & Co., Limited, In re, [1904] 1 Cb. 40 . . . 161 Denbam & Co., In re (1883), 25 Cb. D. 752 ; 50 L. T. 523 ; 32 W. 11. 487 189 De Pass' Case (1859), 4 De G. & J. 544 97 Derry V. Peek (1889), 14 App. Gas. 337 ; 58 L. J. (ch.) 864 ; 61 L. T. 265 ; 38 W. R. 33 ; 1 Meg. 292 ; 54 J. P. 148 . . 60 dah, Pulsford v., [1903] 2 Cb. 625; 52 W. R. 73; 19 T. L. R. 688 231 Deverges V. Sandeman, [1902] 1 Cb. 579 ; affirming , [1901] 1 Cb. 70; 70 L. J. (ch.) 47; 83 L. T. 706; 49 W. R. 167 . . 98 Dcxine Patent Packing Co., In re, [1903] W. N. 82 ; 88 L. T. 791 124 Dexter, Hilder v., [1902], A. C. 474 173 Dickinson, Jackson v., [1903] 1 Cb. 952 ; 72 L. J. (ch.) 761 ; 88 L. T. 507; 19 T. L. R. 350 189 Discoverers' Finance Corporation, Ltd., (2) Lindlar's C: [1910] 1 Cb. 312, affirming, [1910] 1 Cb. 207 . . . 97 Dixon v. Kennaway, [1900] 1 Cb. 833 ; 69 L. J. (ch.) 501 ; 82 L. T. 527 ; 7 Manson, 446 93 Dover Coalfield Extension, Ltd., In re, [1908] 1 Ch. 65 . 180, 185 Dovey v. Cory, [1901] A. C. 477 ; [1901] \V. N. 170 ; reported in C. A. as In re National Bank of Wales, [1899] 2 Cb. 629 133, 188 Drogbeda Steam Packet Co., In re, [1903] 1 I. R. 512 . . 129 Duck v. Tower Galvanizing Co., Limited, [1901] 2 K. B. 314 ; 70 L. J. (k. b.) 625 50 Dunderland Iron Ore Co., Ltd., [1909] W. N. 23 ; [1909] 1 Cb. 446 126, 221 Dunlop v. Higgins (1848), 1 H. L. Cas. 381 ; 12 Jur. 295 . .90 Dupont, In re, [1906] W. N. 14 1G7 E. Earle, Burland v., [1902] A. C. 83 ; 71 L. J. (p. c) 1 ; 50 W. R. 241 ; 85 L. T. 553 ; 18 T. L. R. 41 ; 9 Manson, 17 . . 182 Eastman Pboto Co., Staples v., [1896] 2 Cb. 303 ; 65 L. J. (oh.) 682 ; 74 L. T. 479 . . 118 xviii Table of Cases. i- w-.i; Edelstein v. Schuler, [1902] 2 K. B. 144 ; 71 L. J. (k. b.) 572 ; K) W. R. 493 ; 87 L. T. 204 ; 18 T. L. R. 597 ; 7 Com. Gas. 172 157 Edgington v. Fitzmaurice (1885), 29 Ch. D. 459 ; 55 L. J. (ch.) 650 ; 53 L. T. 3G9 ; 33 W. R. 911 ; 50 J. P. 52 . . 59 Edwards v. Standing Rolling Stock Syndicate (1893), 1 Ch. 574 153 Ehrmann Bros., Ltd., In re, [1906] 2 Ch. 697; 75 L. J. (ch.) 817 ; 54 W. R. 555 ; 22 T. L. R. 734 ; 13 Manson, 256 . 162 Eley v. Positive, etc., Co. (1876), 1 Ex. D. 88 ; 45 L. J. (ex.) 451 ; 34 L. T. 190 ; 24 W. R. 338 46 Elias v. Continental Co., In re, [1897] 1 Ch. 511 ; 66 L. J. (ch.) 273 ; 76 L. T. 229 ; 45 W. R. 313 168 Engel v. South Metropolitan Co., [1892] 1 Ch. 442 ; 61 L. J. (ch.) 369 ; 66 L. T. 155 ; 40 W. R. 282 . . . . 139 English & Colonial Produce Co., In re, [1906] 2 Ch. 435; 75 L. J. (ch.) 881 ; 22 T. L. R. 669 ; 95 L. T. 580 . . 52 English and Colonial Co., Sutton v., [1902] 2 Ch. 502; 71 L. J. (ch.) 685 ; 50 W. R. 571 ; 87 L. T. 438 ; 18 T. L. R. 647 181 English, Scottish and Australian Bank, In re, [1893] 3 Ch. 385 ; 62 L. J. (ch.) 825 ; 69 L. T. 268 ; 42 W. R. 4 . . . 195 Entwhistle v. Davis (1867), L. R. 4 Eq. 272 . . . .92 Ernest v. Loma Co., [1897] 1 Ch. 1 ; 66 L. J. (ch.) 17 ; 75 L. T. 317 ; 45 W. R. 86 194 Esparto Trading Co., In re (1879), 12 Ch. D. 191 ; 48 L. J. (ch.) 573 ; 28 W. R. 446 110 Espuela Land and Cattle Co., In re, [1909] 2 Ch. 187 . 119, 197 Essex and Suffolk Equitable Insurance Society, Ltd., In re, [1910] W. N. 102 25 Evans, Spackman v. (1868), L. R. 3 H. L. 196, 235 . . 207 Everett v. Automatic Co., [1892] 3 Ch. 506 . . . . 114 Eyre, Quartz Hill Gold Mining Co. v. (1883), 11 Q. B. D. 674 ; 52 L. J. (q. b.) 488 ; 49 L. T. 249 ; 31 W. R. 668 . . 223 F. Factage Parisien, cited in (1867), L. R. 2 Ch. App. 746 . . 216 Famatina Development Corporation, Bury v., [1910] 1 Ch. 754 ; [1910] A. C. 439 80 Fawkener, Swayne v., Showers, P. G. 298 (263) . . .92 Ferick, Adams v. (1859), 26 Beav. 384 109 Finance & Issue, Ltd. v. Canadian Produce Co., Ltd., [1905] 1 Ch. 37 ; 73 L. J. (ch.) 751 ; 53 W. R. 170 ; 91 L. T. 685 ; 11 Manson, 412 ; 20 T. L. R. 807 . . . . 90 Financial Corporation, Clinch v. (1869), L. R. 4 Ch. 117 . 251 Fitzmaurice, Edgington v. (1885), 29 Ch. D.459; 55 L. J. (ch.) 650 ; 53 L. T. 369 ; 33 W. R. 911 ; 50 J. P. 52 . . 59 Ford, Bloomenthal v., [1897] A. C. 156 ; 66 L. J. Ch. 253 ; 76 L. T. 205 ; 45 W. R. 449 94 Forest of Dean Coal Mining Co., In re (1878), 10 Ch. D. 450 . 177 Forth, etc., Mutual Insurance Association, Muirhead v., [1894] A. C. 72 ; 6 R. 59 49 Table of Cases. xix Fortune Copper Milling Co., In re (1870), L. R. 10 Eq. 390; 40 L. J. (cu.) 43 ; 22 L. T. G50 20 Foss v. Harbottlo (1843), 2 Hare, 4G1 182 Foster v. Colos, [190G] W. N. 107 ; 22 T. L. R. 555 . . . 118 v. London, Chatham and Dover Rail. Co., [1895] 1 Q. B. 711 ; GIL. J. (q. b.) G5 ; 14 R. 27 ; 71 L. T. 855 ; 43 W. R. 116 22 v. New Trinidad, etc., Co., Ltd., [1901] 1 Oh. 208; 70 L. J. (ch.) 123; 49 W. R. 119; 8 Manson, 47 . . . 134 Fowler v. Broad's Night Light Co., [1893] 1 Ch. 724 ; 62 L. J. (ch.) 373 ; 3 R. 295 ; 68 L. T. 576 ; 41 W. R. 247 . . 239 Puke, Boschoek Proprietary Co. v., [190G] 1 Ch. 148; 75 L. J. (CH.) 2G1 ; 94 L. T. 398 ; 54 W. R. 359 ; 13 Manson, 100 ; 22 T. L. R. 196 181, 184 G. Garden Mining Co. v. McLister (1875), 1 App. Cas. 39 . . Ill Gartside v. Silkstone, etc., Co. (1882), 21 Ch. D. 7G2 ; 51 L. J. (ch.) 828 ; 47 L. T. 76; 31 W. R. 36 . . . 14G, 147 Gas Light & Coke Co., Davies v., [1909] 1 Ch. 248 . . . 83 Gaa Meter Co., Andrews v., [1897] 1 Ch. 361; 66 L. J. (en.) 246 ; 76 L. T. 132 ; 45 W. R. 321 . . . . is, lit, 117 Gaskell, Gosling v. (1897), A. C. 575 152 General Accident Assurance Corporation, Ltd., In re, [1894] 1 Ch. 147 22G General Auction, etc., Co. v. Smith, [1891] 3 Ch. 432 ; 60 L. J. (ch.) 723 ; 65 L. T. 188 ; 40 W. R. 106 . . . 136 General Commercial Trust, Verner v., [1894] 2 Ch. 268; G3 L. J. (ch.) 456 ; 7 R. 170 ; 70 L. T. 516 ; 1 Manson, 136 . 131 ■nil Rolling Stock Co., 7? t re (1871), L. R. 7 Ch. 419 . 243 George Routledgo & Sons, Ltd., hire, [1904], W. N. 157 ; [1904] 2 Ch. 474 164 George Whitochurch, Ltd. v. Cavanagh, [1902] A. C. 117 . 101 Gibbs and West's Case, In re (1870), L. R. 10 Eq. 312; 39 L. J. (ch.) 66? ; 23 L. T. 350 ; 18 W. R. 938 . . . 241 Glasgow Bank, Houldsworth v. (1880), 5 App. Cas. 317 ; 42 L. T. l'.H; 28 W. R. 677 59 Glasdir Copper Mines, Limited, In re (1905), W. N. 172; 21 T. L. R. 354 1G7 Globe, etc., Steel Co., In re (1875), 48 L.J. (ch.) 295; 40 L. T. 580; 27 W. K. 424 215 Glossop v. Glossop, [1907] 2 Ch. 370; [1907] W. N. 170 . . L83 GluckMrin r. Barnes, [1900] A. C. 240; 69 L. J. (ch.) 385; 82 L. T. 393; 1G T. L. R. 321; 7 Manson, 821; atlirming In re Olympia, [1898] 2 Ch. 153; G7 L. J. (oh.) 133; 78 L. T. 629 ; 14 T. L. R. 451 ; 5 Manson, 139 ... 68 Goodwin v. Robarts (1875), L. 1!. L0 Ex. 337 . . . 157 Cold Reefs, Ltd., Ulen <•.. j L900] 1 Oh. 656; G0L. J. (en.) 266 ; 82 L. T. 210 49, 115 Gorissen's Case (1873), L. R. 8 Oh. 507 78 C.L. c xx Table of Cases. Gorringe v. Irwell Works (1886), 34 Ch. D. 128 ; 56 L. J. (en.) 85 ; 55 L. T. 572 ; 35 W. R. 86 245 Gosling v. Gaskell, [1897] A. C. 575 152 Gover's Case (1875), 1 Ch. D. 182 63 Government Stock Co. v. Manila Rail. Co., [1897] A. C. 81 ; 66 L. J. (ch.) 102 ; 75 L. T. 553 ; 45 W. R. 353 . . . 148 Goy & Co., In re, [1900] 2 Ch. 149 ; 69 L. J. (ch.) 481 ; 83 L. T. 309 ; 48 W. R. 425 ; 16 T. L. R. 310 . . . . 163 Grant, Household Insurance Co. v. (1878), 4 Ex. D. 216 ; 48 L. J. Ex. 577 ; 41 L. T. 292 ; 27 W. R. 858 . . . 91 , Twycross v. (1877), 2 C. P. D. 541 . . . . 57 Gray v. Stone & Funnell (1893), 69 L. T. 282 ... 115 Great Fingall Consolidated, Ruben v., [1906] A. C. 439; 75 L. J. (k. b.) 843 ; 95 L. T. 214 ; 13 Manson, 248 ; 22 T L R 712 93 Northern Salt, etc., Works,'l» re (1890), 44 Ch. D. 472*; 59 L. J. (ch.) 288 ; 62 L. T. 231 ; 2 Meg. 46 . . 178 Western Rail. Co., Hoole v. (1867), L. R. 3 Ch. 262 ; 17 L. T. 153 ; 16 W. R. 260 134 Green, Whaley Bridge Co. v. (1879), 5 Q. B. D. Ill . . 57 Greenwood & Co., In re, [1900] 2 Q. B. 306 . . . .220 v. Algesiras Rlv Co., [1894] 2 Ch. 205 . . . 167 v. Leather Shod Wheel Co., [1900] 1 Ch. 421 ; 69 L. J. (ch.) 131; 81 L. T. 595; 16 T. L. R. 117. . 59,69 Greymouth Point Elizabeth Railway & Coal Co., In re, [1904] 1 Ch. 32 179 Grundy v. Briggs, [1910] W. N. 17 181 H. Hadleigh Castle Gold Mines, In re, [1900] 2 Ch. 419 ; 69 L. J. (ch.) 631 ; 83 L. T. 400 ; 16 T. L. R. 468. . . . 197 Hall, W. J. and Co., Ltd., In re, [1909] 1 Ch. 521 . . . 119 Hamilton v. Vaughan Sherrin Co., [1894] 3 Ch. 589 . . 77 Hansen, Brookes v., [1906] 2 Ch. 129; 75 L. J. (ch.) 450; 94 L. T. 728 ; 54 W. R. 502 ; 13 Manson, 172 ; 22 T. L. R. 475 67 Harbottle, Foss v. (1843), 2 Hare, 461 182 Hardoon v. Belilios, [1901] A. C. 118 ; 70 L. J. (p. c.) 9 ; 83 L. T. 573 ; 49 W. R. 209 84 Hart, Ireland v., [1902] 1 Ch. 522 ; 11 L. J. (ch.) 276 ; W. R. 315 ; 86 L. T. 385 ; 18 T. L. R. 253 ; 9 Manson, 209 . 100 Hastings Corporation v. Letton, [1908] 1 K. B. 378 . . 225 Hay's Case, In re Canadian, etc., Corporation (1875), L. R. 10 Ch. 593 ; 44 L. J. (ch.) 721 ; 33 L. T. 466 ; 24 W. R. 191 . 181 Helbert v. Banner (1871), L. R, 5 H. L. 28 ; 40 L. J. (ch.) 410 ; 20 W. R. 63 82 Henderson, Tiessen v., [1899] 1 Ch. 861 ; 68 L. J. (ch.) 353 ; 80 L. T. 483 ; 47 W. R. 459 ; 6 Manson, 340 . . . 193 Henderson's Transvaal Estates, Ltd., Bisgood v., [1908] 1 Ch. 743 24, 148, 251 Table of ( as is. xxi PAOl Henry Pound & Sons v. Hutchings (1889), 42 Ch. D. 402; 58L.J. (ch.)792;62L.T.137;38W.R. L8; 1 Meg. 363 L52 Lister, Ira re, L892] 2 Ch. 419 24-3 Hercules Insurance Co. (1871), L. R. 11 Eq. 321 . 55 Herring, hi re, [1908] 2 Oh. 493 142 Herts and Essex Waterworks Co., Ltd., hi re [1909] W. N. 48 1G1 Blaker v. (1889), 41 Ch. D. 399 1G7 Herts, Hooper v., [1906] 1 Ch. 549 99 Higgins, Dunlop v. (1848), 1 H. L. Cas. 381 ; 12 Jur. 295 . 90 Hilder v. Doxter, [1902] A. C. 474 ; 71 L. J. (ch.) 781 ; 87 L. T. 311 ; 18 T. L. R. 800 ; 7 Com. Cas. 258 . . . . 173 Hill, Mother Lodo Gold Minos v. (1903), L. T. R. 341 . . 80 Hills Waterfall, etc., Co., In re (1896), 1 Ch. 947 . . . 231 i linds v. Buenos Ayres, etc., Co., [1906] 2 Ch. 654 ; [1906] W. N. 187 ; 76 L. J. (cir.) 17 ; 23 T. L. R. 6 . . . 146, 199 1 [oare & Co., Ltd., In re, [1904] 2 Ch. 208 . . . . 135 Homersham, Black v. (1878), 4 Ex. D. 24 .... 135 Hoolo v. Great Western Rail. Co. (1867), L. R. 3 Ch. 262; 17 L. T. 153 ; 16 W. R. 260 134 Hooper v. Herts, [1906] 1 Ch. 549 ; 75 L. J. (en.) 253 ; 94 L. T. 324 ; 54 W. R. 350 ; 13 Manson, 85 .... 99 lln,,|„.r,' Telegraph Works, Mcnier v. (1874), L. R. 9 Ch. 350 48 Hopkinson, Cyclist Touring Cluh v., [1910] 1 Ch. 179 . . 23 I lopwood, Cunard Steamship Co. v., [1908] 2 Ch. 564 . . L60 Home, W. 0., & Sons, Ltd., In re, [1906] 1 Ch. 271 ; 75 L. J. (. b .) 206 ; 54 W. R. 278 ; 13 Manson, 165 . . . 169 Horton, Wright v. (1887), 12 A. C. 371 .... 140 Houldsworth v. Glasgow Bank (1880), 5 App. Cas. 317 ; 42 L. T. 19 1 ; 28 W. R. 677 59 I lousehold Insurance Co. v. Grant (1878), 4 Ex. D. 216 ; 48 L. J. Ex. 577 ; 41 L. T. 298 ; 27 W. R. 858 . . . 91 Howard r. Patent Ivorv Co. (1888), 38 Ch. D. 156; 57 L. J. (en.) 878; 58 L. T. 395; 36 W.R. 801 .... 51 Howard r. Sadler, [1893] 1 Q. B. 1 180 Hubbard & Co. (LS'.)S), \V. N. 158 ; 08 L. J. (ch.) 54; 79 L. T. 665; 5 Manson, 360 165 Hutchings, Henry Pound & Sons v. (1889), 42 Ch. D. 402; 58 L. J. (CH.) 7 l J2 ; 62 L. T. 137 ; 38 W. R. 18 ; 1 Meg. 363 L52 Hutton v. Scarborough Cliff Hotel Co. ( L865),2 \h-.A Sm.521 ; 11 Jur. (n.s.) 849 ; 13 L. T. 57 ; 13 W. R. 1059 . . 47 Ilfracombo Building Society, In re, [1901] 1 Ch. 102 ; 70 L. J. (cn.)OO; SI L. T. 146 219 Imperial Corporation, Cotton v., [1892] 3 Ch. 454; 61 L. J. (rii.) 684; 67 L. T. 342 24 [mperial Silver Quarries Co., In re (1868), L6 W. R. 1220 183,221 I ml Coope and Co., Normandy v., \ L908 l Ch. 84 . . 183, 193 xxii Table of Cases. Indian Mechanical Gold Co., In re, [1891] 3 Ch. 538; Gl L. J. (ch.) 33 ; 40 W. R. 184 25 Inland Revenue Commissioners, Suffield v., [1908] 1 K. B. 865 155 Inman v. Ackroyd and Best, Ltd., [1901] 1 K. B. 613 ; 70 L. J. (k. b.) 450 ; 84 L. T. 344 ; 49 W. R. 369 . . . .185 Ireland v. Hart, [1902] 1 Ch. 552 ; 71 L. J. (ch.) 276 ; 50 W. R. 315 ; 86 L. T. 385 ; 18 T. L. R. 253 ; 9 Manson, 209 . 100 Irwell Works, Gorringe v. (1886), 34 Ch. D. 128 ; 56 L. J. (ch.) 85 ; 55 L. T. 572 ; 35 W. R. 86 245 J. Jackson & Bassford, Inre, [1906] 2 Ch. 467 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 697 ; 13 Manson, 306 ; 95 L. T. 292 ; 22 T. L. R. 708 . 161, 244 Jackson v. Dickinson, [1903] 1 Ch. 952 ; 72 L. J. (ch.) 761 ; 88 L. T. 507 ; 19 T. L. R. 350 189 James Keith, Ltd., Rainford v., [1905] 1 Ch. 296; 74 L. J. (ch.) 531 ; 12 Manson, 278 ; 92 L. T. 786 ; 21 T. L. R. 582 94 Jameson, A.-G. v., [1904] 2 I. R, 646 '. '. . 46, 97, 210 Jewish Colonial Trust, Ltd., In re, [1908] 2 Ch. 287 . . 25 John Morley Building Co., In re, [1891] 2 Ch. 386 ; 60 L. J. (ch.) 496 ; 64 L. T. 856 ; 39 W. R. 619 178 Johnson (I. C.) & Co., Ltd., In re, [1902] 2 Ch. 101 . . . 161 Joshua Stubbs, Ltd., In re, [1891] 1 Ch. 475 ; 60 L. J. (ch.) 190 ; 64 L. T. 306 ; 39 W. R. 617 152 Jubilee Sites Syndicate, In re, [1899] 2 Ch. 204 . . . 235 K. Kaslo-Slocan Mining, etc., Corporation, Ltd., [1910] W. N. 13 21S Keatingev. Paringa Mines, Ltd., [1902] W. N. 15 . . . 173 Kelk, London Financial Association v. (1883), 26 Ch. D. 107 ; 53 L. J. (ch.) 1025 ; 50 L. T. 492 47 Kelner v. Baxter (1866), L. R. 2 C. P. 174 . . . . 53 Kennaway, Dixon v., [1900] 1 Ch. 833 ; 69 L. J. (ch.) 501 ; 82 L. T/527 ; 7 Manson, 466 93 Kingsbury Collieries, Ltd., In re, [1907] W. N. p. 118 . . 23 Kingston Cotton Mill Co. (No. 2), In re, [1896] 2 Ch. 279 . 206 Klondyke Gold Co., In re, W. N. (1899) 1, 2 . . . .78 Knowles v. Scott, [1891] 1 Ch. 717 231 Koffyfontein Mines, Moseley v., [1904J 2 Ch. 108 . . 81, 82, 165 Krasnapolsky Co., In re, [1892] 3 Ch. 174 ... . 219 L. Ladies' Dress Association v. Pulbrook, [1900] 2 Q. B. 376 at p. 381 ; 69 L. J. (q. b.) 705 ; 49 W. R. 6 ; 7 Manson, 465 . 112 Table of Oases. xxiii Lain h r. Sambaa Rubber, etc., ( l Ch. 845 . .Ill Lands Ulotmenl Co., In re, L894] l Ch.616; 63 L. J. (ch.) 291; 7 R. L15; 70 L. T. 286; 42 W. U. K l ; l Manson, L07 77, 17:. Larocque v. Beauohemin, [1897] A. C. 358; 66 L. J. (p. c.) 59; 76 L. T. -17:i ; 45 W. R. 639 ; 1 Manson, 263 . .SO, 108 La Trinidad, Browne o. (1887),37 Ch. D.l; 57 L.J. (ch.)292; 58 L. T. 137; 86 W. R. 289 183 □ & Co., In re, [1S92] 3 Ch. 555; Gl L. J. (ch.) 657 ; 07 L. T. B5; 40 W. R. 621 28 Leather Shod Wheel Co., Greenwood v., [1900] 1 Ch. 421 ; 69 L. J. (ch.) 131 ; 81 L. T. 595 ; 16 L. T. R. 117 . 59, 69 Lo Roy Mining Co., McMillan v., [1906] 1 Ch. 381 ; 75 L. J. (CH.) 174; 54 W. R. 281; 22 T. L. R. L86; 94 L. T. 160; L8 Manson, 65 195 Lee v. Neuchatcl AsphalteCo. (1887),41 Ch.D. 1; 58 L. J. (ch.) 108; 01 L. T. 11; 37 W. R. 321 ; 1 Meg. 140 . . 131 Leeds Estate Co. v. Shepherd (1887), 36 Ch. D. 787 . . 206 Lees Brooh Spinning Co., [1906] 2 Ch. 394; 22 T. L. R. 02'.); i L. J. (ch.) 565 ; 13 Manson,262; 95L.T.54; 54W.R. 563 120 Lctton, Hastings Corporation v., [1908] 1 K. B. 378 . . 225 Levi v. Ayres (1878), 3 App. Cas. 852 102 Leyton Cycle Co., Be, [1901] W. N. 225 . . . .222 Liberator Society, In re, [1893] L. T. 406 . . . 247 Ligonel Spinning Co., In re, [1900] 1 1. R. 326 . . . 242 Liverpool Household Stores Association v. Smith (1888), 37 Ch. 1). 170; (1890), 59 L. J. (ch.) 624 . . . .187 Liverpool Waterworks Co., Sparks v. (1807), 13 Ves. 428 . . Ill Lock v. Queensland Investment Co., [1890] A.C. 401; 65 L. J. (ch.) 70S; 75 L. T. 3; 45 W. R.65; affirming [1S90] 1 Ch. 397 47, 108 LomaCo., Ernes! v., [1897] 1 Ch. 1 ; 60 L.J. (en.) 17 ; 75L.T. 317 ; 45 W. R. 80 194 London and Hull Soap Works, In re, [1907] W. N. 254 . . 216 North Western Rail. Co., Barton v. (1889), 24 Q. B. I). 77 . 77, L02 IV. -1 v., [1907] 1 Ch. 5 180, 195 Provincial Bank, Powell v., [1893] 2 Ch. 555 . 99 Northern Asa ta Corporation, Wall v. (1898), 14 T. L. R. 496 I'M — , Chatham and Dover Rail. Co., Foster v., [1895] 1 Q. B. 711 22 — County Council, A.-G. v., [1902] A. C. 165 . . 22 otrobus Co., hi re, \ L906 W. N. L49; -J.-1 T. L. R. 677 77 Finanoial Association o. Kelk (1883), 26 Ch. D. 107; 53 L. J. (ch.) 1025; 50 L. T. 492 . . . .17 — Genera] Bank (No. 2), [1895] 2Ch. 673; 64 L. J. (< 12 R. 520; 73 L. T. 301 ; II W. R. 80 Manson, 555 205 xxiv Table of Cases. PAGE London Pressed Hinge Co., In re (1905), 1 Ch. 576 ; 21 T. L. R. 322 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 321 ; 53 W. R. 407 ; 92 L. T. 409 ; 12 Manson, 219 153, 220 Trading Bank, Bechuanaland Exploration Co. v., [1898] 2 Q. B. 658; 67 L. J. (q. b.) 986; 79 L. T. 270 104, 157 United Breweries, Ltd., In re, [1907] 2 Ch. 511 . 152 Longman v. Bath Electric Tramways, Ltd., [1905] 1 Ch. 646 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 424 ; 92 L. T. 743 ; 53 W. R. 480 ; 62 Manson, 147 ; 21 T. L. R. 373 .... 84, 95, 101 Lord Wallscourt's Case, [1899] W. N. 258 . . . . 113 Louisiana, etc., Co., In re, [1909] 2 Ch. 552 . . . .126 Lubbock v. British Bank of South America, [1892] 2 Ch. 198 ; 67 L. T. 74 ; 41 W. R. 103 133 Luce, Neath Building Society v. (1889), 43 Ch. D. 158 . . 138 Luudy Granite Co., In re (1872), 26 L. T. 673 .. . 184 M. Mack's Claim, In re, [1900] W. N. 114 182 Macleay v. Tait, [1906] A. C. 24 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 90 ; 54 W. R. 365 ; 94 L. T. 68 ; 13 Manson, 24 ; 22 T. L. R. 149 . 68, 69 McKenna, Parker v. (1874), L. R. 10 Ch. App. 118 . . 186 McLister, Garden Mining Co. v. (1875), 1 App. Cas. 39 . . Ill McMahon v. North Kent Iron Works, [1891] 2 Ch. 148 . . 153 McMillan v. Le Roy Mining Co., [1906] 1 Ch. 331 ; 75 L. J. (ch.) 174 ; 94 L. T. 160 ; 54 W. R. 281 ; 22 T. L. R. 186 ; 13 Manson, 65 195 Macnaghten, Betts & Co., Ltd. v., [1910] 1 Ch. 430. . . 193 Maidstone Palace, Ltd., In re, [1909] 2 Ch. 283 . . . 151 Malleson v. National Insurance, etc., Corporation, [1894] 1 Ch. 200 196 Manila Rail. Co., Government Stock Co. v., [1897] A. C. 81 ; 66 L. J. (ch.) 102 ; 75 L. T. 553 ; 45 W. R. 353 . . . 148 Manning, Wardle & Co., Ltd., Marshall's Valve Gear Co. v., [1909] 1 Ch. 267 48, 183, 186 Marlborough Club Co., In re (1868), L. R. 5 Eq. 365 . . 246 Marshall v. Morrison, [1907] W. N. 29 68 v. South Staffordshire Tramways, [1895] 2 Ch. 36 ; 64 L. J. (ch.) 481 ; 72 L. T. 542 154 Marshall's Valve Gear Co., Ltd., v. Manning, Wardle & Co., Ltd., [1909] 1 Ch. 267 48, 183, 186 Martyr, Penrose v. (1858), El. Bl. & El. 499 ; 28 L. J. (q. b.) 28 ; 5 Jur. (n.s.) 362 ; 6 W. R. 603 18 Maskelvne British Typewriter, In re, [1898] 1 Ch. 133 . . 153 Mason, Ashurst v. (1875), L. R. 20 Eq. 225 ; 44 L. J. (ch.) 337 ; 23 W. R. 506 189 Masonic Co. v. Sharpe, [1892] 1 Ch. 154 ; 61 L. J. (ch.) 193 ; 65 L. T. 806 ; 40 W. R. 241 129, 188 Matabele Gold Co., Burrows v., [1901] 2 Ch. 23 ; 70 L. J. (ch.) Table of Cases. xw PACK 434 ; 84 L. T. 478 ; 49 W. R. 500 ; 17 T. L. R. 364 ; affirming 17 T. L. R. 303 G4, 209 Mayfair Property Co., Bartlett v., [1898] 2 Ch. 28 . . . 120 Meats v. Western Canada Pulp Co., [1905] 2 Ch. 353; 74 L. J. (ch.) 581; 93 L. T. 150; 12 Manson, 295; 21 T. L. It. 661 65, 89 Measures Brothers, Ltd., v. Measures, [1910] 1 Ch. 336 (C. A.) ; [1910] W. N. 136 246 Medical Battery Co., [1894] 1 Ch. 444 ; 63 L. J. (ch.) 189 ; 8 R. 46; 69 L. t. 799; 42 W. K. 191 ; 1 Manson, 104 . . 216 Menier v. Booper's Telegraph Works (1874), L. R. 9 Ch. 350 . 48 Merchant's Fire Office v. Armstrong, [1901] W. N. 163; 17 T. L. R. 709 188 Metropolitan Coal Association v. Scrimgeour, [1895] 2 Q. B. 604; 65 L. J. (q. b.) 22 ; 14 R. 729 ; 73 L. T. 137 ; 44 W. B. 35 ; 2 Manson, 579 . . . .172 Saloon Omnibus Co., Re (1859), 28 L. J. (ch.) 830 218 Midland Counties Bank v. Attwood, [1905] 1 Ch. 357; L2 Manson, 20; 21 T. L. R. 175 ; 74 L. J. (ch.) 286; 92 L. T. R. 360 246 Molson's Bank, Simpson v., [1895] A. C. 270 . ... 84 Montefiore, Ramsgate Hotel Co. v. (1866), L. R. 1 Ex. 10!) ; i H. & C. 164 ; 35 L. J. (ex.) 90 ; 12 Jur. (x. s.) 455 ; 13 L. T. 715 ; 14 W. R. 335 91 Moore v. North Western Bank, [1891] 2 Ch. 599 ; 60 L. J. (ch.) 627 ; 64 L. T. 456 ; 40 W. R. 93 110 Morrice v. Aylmer (1874), L. R. 7 H. L. 717 ; 45 L. J. (cn.) 61 1 ; 34 L. T. 418 ; 24 W. R. 587 ; affirming L. R. 10 Ch. 148 ; 44 L. J. (ch.) 212 ; 31 L. T. 660 ; 23 W. R. 221 . . . 121 Morrison, In re, [1901] 1 Ch. 701 78 , Marshall v., [1907] W. N. 29 68 v. Trustees Corporation, [1898] W. N. 154 . . 110 M use ley v. KofTyfontcin Mines, [1904] 2 Ch. 108 . . 81, 82, 165 Mother Lode Gold Mines v. Hill (1903), 10 T. L. R. 341 . . 80 M airhead v. Forth, etc., Mutual Insurance Co. Association, [1894] A. C. 72 ; 6 R. 59 49 Mysore Reefs, Ltd., Stephens v., [1902] 1 Ch. 745 . . . 23 N. Nasi. v. Calthorpe, [1905] 2 Ch. 237 ; 73 L. J. (p. c.) 22 ; 89 L. T. 678; 11 Manson, 29 68 Natal iLand Co. v. Paulino Colliery Syndicate, Ltd.. [1904] A. C. 120; 74 L. J. (ch.) 493; 93 L. T. 585; 12 Manson, 260 ; 21 T. L. It. 587 53 National Bank of China, Ltd., Poole v., [1907] A. 0. 229 123, L26 Bank of Wales. In re, | L897] 1 Ch. 298; [1899] 2 Ch. 629 (sec Dovey v. Cory) 109, 133 Company for Distribution of Electricity, etc., Ltd., In re, [1902] 2 Ch. 34; 71 L. J. Ch. 702; 87 L. T. 1 ; 9 Manson, 311 219, 233 xxvi Table of Cases. National Debenture Co., In re, [1891] 2 Ch. 505; 60 L. J. (en.) 538 ; 64 L. T. 512 ; 39 W. R. 707 . . 56 Dwelling. Society v. Sykes, [1894] 3 Ch. 159; 63 L. J. (ch.) 906 ; 8 It. 758 ; 42 W. R. 696 ; 1 Manson, 457 194 Insurance, etc., Corporation, Malleson v., [1894] 1 Ch. 200 196 Motor Mail Coach Co., Ltd., In re, [1908] 2 Ch. 515 ; [1908] 2 Ch. 228 53, 89 Telephone Co. v. Constables of St. Peter Port, [1900] A. C. 317 321 . 22 Naval, Military, etc., Ltd., Young v., 74 L. J. (k. b.) 302 ; '[1905] W. N. 41 ; [1905] 1 K. C. 687 ; 92 L. T. 458 ; 53 W. R. 447 ; 12 Manson, 212 ; 21 T. L. R. 293 . . . . 184 Naylor, Components Tube Co. v., [1903] 2 I. R. p. 54 . . 63 Neath Building Society v. Luce (1889), 43 Ch. D. 158 ; 59 L. J. (ch.) 3 ; 61 L. T. 611 ; 38 W. R. 122 . . . . 138 , etc., Co., Pegge v., [1898] 1 Ch. 183 ; 67 L. J. (ch.) 17 ; 77 L. T. 550 ; 48 W. R. 243 165 Neuchatel Asphalte Co., Lee v. (1887), 41 Ch. D. 1 ; 58 L. J. (ch.) 408 ; 61 L. T. 11 ; 37 W. R. 321 ; 1 Meg. 140 . . 131 New, In re, [1901] 2 Ch. 534 79 Afrikander, etc., Co., Booths, [1903] 1 Ch. 295 ; 72 L. J. (ch.) 125 ; 51 W. R. 193 ; 87 L. T. 309 ; 19 T. L. R. 67 ; 10 Manson, 56 173, 209 Beeston Co., Salton v., [1899] 1 Ch. 775 ; 68 L. J. (ch.) 370 ; 80 L. T. 521 ; 47 W. R. 462 . . . . 75 British Iron Co., [1898] 1 Ch. 324 ; 67 L. J. (ch.) 164 ; 78 L. T. 155 ; 46 W. R. 376 ; 5 Manson, 168 . . . 46 Chile, etc., Co., In re, [1889] 45 Ch. D. 598 . . . Ill Flagstaff Co., In re, [1889] W. N. 123 . . . . 240 de Kaap, Ltd., In re, [1908] 1 Ch. 589 . . . . 237 London and Brazilian Bank v. Brocklebank (1882), 21 Ch. D. 302 ; 51 L. J. (ch.) 711 ; 47 L. T. 3 ; 30 W. R. 737 . 115 Mashonaland Co., [1892] 3 Ch. 577 ... 188 , etc., Omnibus Co., In re, [1908] 1 Ch. 621 . . . 164 Tivoli, Astley v., [1899] 1 Ch. 151 182 Newton v. Birmingham Small Arms, [1906] 2Ch.378; 75 L. J. (ch.) 627 ; 95 L. T. 135 ; 54 W. R. 621 ; 13 Manson, 267 ; 22 T. L. R. 664 205 v. Debenture Holders of Anglo-Australian Co., [1895] A. C. 244 138 New Trinidad, etc., Co., Ltd., Foster v., [1901] 1 Ch. 208 ; 70 L. J. (ch.) 123 ; 49 W. R. 119 ; 8 Manson, 47 . . 134 Vacuum Cleaner Co., British Vacuum Cleaner v., [1907] W. N. 144 19 New Zealand Midland Rail. Co., In re, [1901] 2 Ch. 357 ; [1901] W.N.105,111;70L. J.(ch.) 595 ; 49 W. R. 529 . . 170 v. Peacock, [1894] 1 Q. B. 622 107 Ni [er Merchants' Co. v. Capper (1877), 18 Ch. D. 557 n. ; 25 W. L. 365 221 Table of < 'asi s. \\\ ii P LOB Nonnandy v. Ind Coope & Co., [1908] 1 Ch. 84 . . 183 NortliK.nt [ronworks, MoMahon u.,'[1891] 2 Oh. 148 . - West Transportation Co. v. Beatty (1887), L2 \. 0. 589 187 Western Bank, Moore v., [1891] 2 Ch. 599 ; 60L.J.(ch.) 627 ; 64 L. T. 456 ; 40 W. B. 93 100 Nortou v. Yates, [1 ( J05] W. N. 175 149 O. 125 80 129 ( >akhank Oil Co. v. Crum (1882), 8 App. Cas. 65; 4S L. T. 537 128 ( lid Bushmills Co., Adair v., [1908] W. N. 24 . . . . 118 Omnium Investment Co., In re (1895), 2 Ch. 127 . Ooregum Gold Co. v. Roper, [1892] A. C. 125; 01 L. J. (ch.) 337; 66 L. T. 427; 41 W. B. 90 Oppeuh. inner, In re, [1907] W. N. 54 Ormerod's Case, In re, L894] 2 Ch. 475; G3 L. J. (ch.) 578; 8 Et. 715; 70 L. T. 795 ; 42 W. P. 70] ; 1 Manson, L53 77, 174 Otto Electrical Co., In re, [1906] 2 Ch. 390; 75 L.J. (CH.)I 95 L. T. 141; 54 W. R. 601 ; 13 Manson, 301 ; 22 T. L. B. 261 60,70 Palmer's Decorating and Furnishing Co., In re, [1904] 2 Ch. 743 ; 73 L. J. (ch.) 828 ; 53 W. 11. 142 . . . . 150 Panama Co., In re (1870), L. B. 5 Ch. App. 318 . . . 117 Panhard Levassor Motor Co., Ltd., Societe Panhard ct Leva- or v., L901] 2 Ch. 513 19 ParingaMine (1909), Ltd., Barrow v., [1909] 2 Oh. 658 . 173 — , Ltd., Keatinge v., [1902] W. N. 15 . . . 173 -, Smith v., [1906] 2 Ch. 193 ; 75 L. J. (en.) 702 ; 94 I.. T. 571 ; 13 Manson, 316 1S7, 193 Paris Skating Kink, In re (1877), 5 Ch. D. 959; 37 L. T. 298; 25 W. B. 701 222 Parker i>. McKenna (1874), L. B. 10 Ch. App. 118 . . . 186 Patent Floor Cloth Co., In re (1872), 26 L. T. 467 . Ivory Co. v. Howard (1888), 38 Ch. D. 156; 57 L. J. (OH.) 878 ; 58 L. T. 395 ; 36 W. B. S01 ... 51 Patentwood Keg Syndicate v. Pearse, [1906] W. N. 104 . . 192 Pauline Colliery Syndicate, Ltd., Natal Land Co. v., [1904] k. 0.120; 73 L. J. (r. c.) 22 ; 89 L. T. 078 ; 11 Manson,27 53 Payne v. Cork Co., [1900] 1 Ch. 308; 69 L. J. (en.) 156; 82 L. T. 44 ; 48 W. B. 325 ; 16 T. L. B. 135 ... 250 Peaoock, New /.aland, etc., Co. <•., [18941 1 Q. B. , several of the paragraphs have been omitted. This chapter should be read as explaining the form, clause by clause. Section 1. Clause I. The Name. Any name may be chosen subject to the following restrictions : 1. The last word of the name must be " limited." 2. The words " royal " or " imperial " and other similar words must not be used without authority. 3. The name must not resemble that of any other existing company or firm. As to I. — When an old business is turned into a limited company, the old name is often retained with the addition of " limited." The name should be as short as possible, e.g., "Jons, Limited," and "The Palmer Tyre, Limited." The name (with the word " limited " ) must be painted C.L. 18 Principles of Company Law. up (a) or affixed to the outside of every office or place in which business of the company is carried on, in a conspicuous position, easily legible, and on all cheques (L), notices, advertisements, bills, etc., of the company. This is to ensure that all persons dealing with the company shall have clear notice that the liability of the members is limited. If the company makes a contract without the use of the word " limited," the effect may be most serious for the officers of the company ; suppose, for instance, Mr. Salomon, contracting on behalf of his company, had omitted the word "limited," the contract would have been made by him personally (c) ; and — Atkins & Co., Ltd. v. Wardle (1889), 58 L. J. Q. B. 377. A, B, and C, the directors of the South Shields Salt Water Baths Co., limited, accepted bills thus : — " Accepted A, B, C, directors of the S. Shields Salt Water Baths Company." Held, the directors were personally liable. There is one exception to the rule that the word " limited " must be used. Companies formed to pro- mote art, science, etc., which do not propose to pay dividends, but to apply all gains towards the working of the company, may register a name without the word "limited" (d). They thus become corporations, and can own property and sue in their own names, and the liability of the members is limited, e.g., Xewnham College, Cambridge, and the Cyclists' Touring Club. (a) Companies Act, s. 63. Penalty, £5 a day ; and the same, if a person, not being a limited company, uses the word " Limited." (b) Companies Act, s. 282. Penalty, £50, and personal liability if the company does not pay. (c) See also Penrose v. Martyr (1858), E. B. & E. 499; Chapman v. Smethurst, [1909] W. N. 65. (d) Companies Act, ss. 19 and 20. A licence must be obtained from the Board of Trade, and it may be revoked. Memobandtjm of Association. 19 As to 3. — A new company may not select a name so like that of an existing company or firm us to lead to confusion (< ). The registrar may refuse to register such a name, or may be prevented by injunction from register- ing it, and even if he does register it, the other com- pany may get an injunction and have it removed. This jurisdiction is not confined to cases where the old name is actually registered. Societe Panhard et Levassor v. Panhard Levassor Motor Co., Ltd., [1901] 2 Ch. 513. The well-known French company had no agency in England, bol their ears were used in England. An English company waa formed — capital £100, with only seven members. The object was to prevent the French company from being registered in England in their own name, and thus competing move successfully with English firms: — Held, the name of the English company must be si ruck off the register. The seven members were ordered, either — (1) to change the name with the consent of the Board of Trade, or (2) to wind up the company, Change of Name. A company may change its name, either — (1) by special resolution with the consent of the Board of Trade, which will always be given if there is a good reason for the change, or (2) if it has by inadvertence registered a name similar to that of an existing company, then by consent of the registrar (/). In order to prevent difficulties arising from a change of name it is enacted that all proceedings brought by (e) Be Cash A Co., [1907] 2 Oh. 189; British Vacuum Cleaner Co. v. New 7a* warn Cleaner Co., [1907J W. N. 144. (/) Companies Act, s. 8. 20 Principles of Company Law. or against the company in its old name remain good notwithstanding any change of name (g). Section 2. Clause II.— The Registered Office. The Memorandum must state whether the office is to be in England (which includes Wales), Scotland or Ireland : such information is all that is required ; for it is enough to show where the company will be registered ; thus, if " in England," it will be registered at Somerset House. This fixes the domicil of the company, and it cannot be changed without the consent of Parliament. But the situation of the office may be changed from one part of England to another by giving notice to the Eegistrar. Every company must have a registered office (h). The register of members (i) is kept there : writs and notices must be served there ; but if there is no registered office, an order for substituted service will be made, or the writ may be served on the secretary and directors at an office which is not registered. Re Fortune Copper Mining Co. (1870), 10 Eq. 390. The registered office of the company had been pulled down. The writ was served on the secretary and directors at an unregistered office : — Held, good service. (g) Companies Act, s. 8 (5). (h) Companies Act, s. 62. Penalty, £5 a day. (i) It should be clearly understood that the register at Somerset House kept by the Registrar is quite distinct from the company's own register of members kept by its own secretary. Memorandum ot Association. 21 Section 3. Clause III. The Objects of the Company. The company cannot do anything outside the powers given in the Memorandum — anything so done becomes ultra vires, and the Memorandum cannot be changed without leave of the court. If an act is done by the directors which is ultra vires (beyond the powers of) the company, it is void, and the company cannot make it valid, even if every member assents to it. Ashbury Railway Carriage Co. v. Riche (1*75), L. K. 7 II. L. p. f'>72. The Memorandum ;mvu the company power to make ami Bell railway carriages. The directors bought a railway concession in Belgium. The Articles gave express power to the company to extend its business beyond the Memorandum by special resolution. The company passed a special resolution to ratify the purchase: — Held, the purchase was bad. " If every shareholder had been in the room, and if every shareholder had said, 'that is a contract which we authorise the directors to make,' it would be void. The shareholders would thereby by unanimous consent, have been attempting t<> do the very thing which by the Act of Parliament they were prohibited from doing" (j>er Lord Caibns, L.O). This rule is meant to protect future shareholders and the public at large who deal with the company. But it' the act had been ultra vires (beyond the powers of) the directors only, the shareholders could have ratified it. Or if it had been ultra vires the Articles, the com- pany could have altered its Articles in the proper way. See the last-mentioued case, at p. (>74 of the report. 22 Principles of Company Law. If property is acquired by ultra vires expenditure, the company's rights over it may he protected. National Telephone Co. v. Constables of St. Peter Port, [1900] A. C. 317, 321. The company put up telephone wires in Guernsey. The defendants cut them down. There was no power in the Memo- randum to put up wires there : — Held, that fact alone would not prevent the company from suing for damage done to the wires. The powers in the Memorandum must not, how- ever, be construed strictly, and the company may do anything which is fairly incidental to the powers specified. Foster v. London, Chatham and Dover Rail. Co., [1895] 1 Q. B. 711. The company acquired a piece of land for the purposes of its railway. The railway was erected on arches. The company let the arches as workshops, etc. The neighbours objected (on account of noise and rubbish), and claimed that it was ultra vires : — Held, valid, as being fairly incidental to the powers of the company. On the other hand, the following was held not to be incidental. Attorney- General v. London County Council, [1902] A. C. 1(55. The council had power to run tramways. It ran omnibuses to feed the tramways. — Held, this was outside its powers. N.B. — These were statutory companies, but the same principle applies to the special statute as to a Memorandum of Association. Powers not expressly mentioned in the Memorandum may be implied if they are warranted by the con- stitution of the company. Thus a trading company has implied power to borrow (see p. 136) and to sell land {Re Kingsbury Collieries, Ltd., [1907] W. X. p. 1 1 8), Memorandum of Association. 23 and to give pensions or other rewards to its servants <>r employee (J). Very wide powers conferred by general words in the Memorandum (such as clause (u) in the form od p. L5) have practically no effect. A company usually has a main object, which is put first in the list of its objects — or there may be two or more main objects, as in clauses (a) and (b) in the form on p. 13. The detailed powers which are usually set out under clause :'> of the Memorandum are usually construed as merely incidental to the main objects of the company. The main objects be acquired except on special terms. Re Cyclists' Touring Club, [1907] 1 Ch. J»i'.'. The company was registered without the word "limited" (see p. 18). The Memorandum stated that the ohjects were "to promote, assist, and protect the use of bicycles, tricycles, and other similar vehicles on the public roads." The company proposed to alter its powers by admitting all tourists, including motorists : — Held , the alteration must not be allowed, as it did not fall within clause (a) to (e) of the section : especially as one of the objects of the company was to protect cyclists against mot orist s. The Court may require an alteration in the name of the com- pany ()>), unless such an alteration would be very inconvenient (q). (m) Companies Act, s. 9. (n) This includes anv judge of the Chaueerv Division, lie Essex, etc., Society Limited, [1909] W. N. 102. (o) Jewish Colonial Trust Limited, [1908] 2 Ch. 287. (v) Indian Mechanical Gold Co., [1891] 3 Ch. 538. (5) Trust Co. of Australasia, [1908] \V. N. 229. 26 Principles of Company Law. The procedure is by petition to the court (>•). A company governed by a deed of .settlement may adopt a Memorandum and articles in its place by the same procedure (sect. 264). A company can hold lands in spite of the statutes of Mortmain. By sect. 16 (2) of the Companies Act a company registered under the Act can hold land except companies formed to promote art, science, charity, or other object not involving the acquisition of gain (s). Section 4. Clause IV.— The Limitation of Liability. A statement that the liability of members is limited (as in the form on p. 15) without more, means "limited by shares " — -that is, that no member can be called upon tu pay more than the nominal amount of his share, or so much thereof as remains unpaid ; and, if his shares be fully paid up, his liability is nil. A company may be limited by guarantee. Then clause 4 will run, " Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company ... for payment of the debts . . . etc. . . . such amount as may be required, not exceeding £ ." This form of company is not nearly so common as the former, and is dealt with on p. 212. (r) A form of petition will be found under the heading " Reduc- tion of Capital." (s) S. 19. A company registered in a British possession may hold lands if it has filed certain documents with the Registrar, ss. 274 and 275. Mbmobanduw of Association. Section 5. Clause V. The Capital Clause. This clause must state the amount of the nominal capital of the company and the number and amount of the shares (/). Sec clause 5 of the form on p. 15. There is no legal limit to the amount of capital or of each share : some companies have a capital of only £7, while the Union of London and Smith's Bank has a capital of £20,000,000. The shares may be Is. each or £5000, or any other amount. The amount of capital is determined by the cost of starting the business, and the amount required for working it when started. Thus, suppose the business and goodwill are to be purchased by the company for £200,000 in cash and £100,000 in shares, and £100,000 is needed for workiii" capital. Allowing 650,000 for emergencies, the amount of cash required to be raised would be £350,000. £150,000 of this may be borrowed by the issue of debentures, say 1500 debentures of £100 each. This will leave £200,000 to be subscribed in cash, besides the £100,000 worth of shares for the vendors of the business. The capital of the company will then be £300,000, divided into (say) L000 live per cent, preference shares of £100 each, and 200,000 ordinary shares of £1 each (for money borrowed on debentures is not " capital "). (t) Companies Act, s. 3. 28 Principles of Company Law. The fact that there are different classes of shares need- not be stated in the Memorandum, but may be provided for in the Articles. Sometimes the rights of the preference shareholders are specified in the Memorandum so as to give them further security, for it is then impossible for the com- pany to change their rights except by leave of the court or by agreement sanctioned by a resolution passed by three-quarters of the preference shareholders (»). The Memorandum may give express power to the company to alter these rights. But if this is done, there seems to be no particular reason for setting out the rights in the Memorandum. Other provisions may be inserted in the Memo- randum, but they are not necessary. Section 6. Association Clause and Subscription. See the clause at the end of the form on p. 16. There must be at least seven persons, and they must subscribe for at least one share each. The full name and description of each must be set out. Any one may subscribe, even an infant (Re Laxon & Co., [1892] 3 Ch. 555). His contract to take shares is voidable but not void. All the members may be foreigners, provided the business or its management is to be carried on in England. And an English registered company can (u) See Companies Act, s. 45, pout, p. 123. Form of Articles of Association. 29 own a British ship though all its members are foreigners (R. v. Arnand (1846), 9 Q. B. 80G). The signatures must be attested by a witness; but one witness to all the signatures is sufficient. The duties of the subscribers are — (1) to pay for the shares for which they have subscribed ; (2) to sign the Articles of Association ; (3) to appoint the first directors ; and (4) usually to act as directors until such appoint- ment (;«). Form of Articles of Association. The following are some of the clauses contained in the articles of a company now in existence, and will serve to show some of the matters usually dealt with. {Many of the clauses are omitted for the sake if brevity.) The Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. Company limited by Shares. Articles of Association of Blank Company, Limited. 1. Definitions. — "The Companies Act" means the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. "The Office" means the registered office of the Company. " Mouth " means calendar month. Words importing the singular number include the plural number. (./) This depends on the Articles. 30 Principles of Company Law. 2. Table " A " not to apply.— The regulations con- tained in Table "A" in the First Schedule to the Companies Act, shall not apply to the company. 3. Preliminary contract. — The company shall forth- with adopt the agreement dated the 31st December, 1909, and made between William Jones of the one part and Alfred Smith on behalf of this company of the other part, which has, for the purpose of identification, been initialed by three of the subscribers to the Memorandum of Association, and the directors shall carry the said agreement into effect with or without modification. Shares. 4 Capital. — The capital of the company shall be divided into 5000 preference shares of £1 each, and 20,000 ordinary shares of £1 each. The said preference shares shall confer the right to a fixed cumulative preferential dividend at the rate of five per cent, per annum, and the right in a winding up of the company to repayment of capital in priority to all other shares. 6. Underwriting commission. — The directors may exercise the powers conferred on the company by s. 89 of the Companies Act, but so that the commission in such section mentioned shall not exceed twenty-five per cent., payable either in cash or shares, on the shares in each case offered for subscription. Certificates. 11. Certificates. — The certificates of title to shares shall be issued under the seal of the company, and signed in such manner as the directors shall prescribe, FOHM OF AlKTICLBS OF ASSOCIATION. 31 L2. Members entitled to one gratis. — Every member shall be entitled without payment to one certificate for all the shares registered in his name. Every certificate of shares shall specify the numbers of the shares in respect of which ii is issued, and the amount paid up thereon. Calls. 15. Calls. — The directors may, from time to time, make such calls as they think fit upon the members in respect of all money unpaid on the shares held by them, and not by the conditions of allotment thereof made payable at fixed times, and each member shall pay the amount of every call so made on him to the persons and at the time and at the place appointed by the directors. A call may be made payable either in one sum or by two or more instalments. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the directors authorising such call was passed. Seven days' notice at least of any call shall lie giveu specifying the time and place of payment, and to whom such call shall be paid. FoitFEITUKE AND LlEN. 19. //' call or instalment not paid, notice may bt served. — If any member fail to pay any call or instal- ment on or before the day appointed for the payment of the same, the directors may at any time thereafter dming such time as the call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on such member requiring him to pay the same, together with any interest that may 32 Principles of Company Law. have accrued, and all expenses that may have been incurred by the company by reason of such non- payment. 20. (Form of notice.) 21. If notice not complied with, shares may be for- feited. — If the requirements of any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any shares in respect of which such notice has been given may at any time thereafter, before payment of all calls or instalments, interest and expenses due in respect thereof, be for- feited by a resolution of the directors to that effect. Such forfeiture shall include all dividends declared in respect of the forfeited shares, and not actually paid before the forfeiture. 23. Forfeited shares become the property of the com- pany. — Any shares so forfeited shall be deemed to be the property of the company and the directors may sell, re-allot or otherwise dispose of the same in such manner as they think fit, and either subject to or freed from the calls made prior to forfeiture. 24. Arrears payable, not ivithst audi ng forfeiture. — Any member whose shares have been forfeited shall, notwithstanding, be liable to pay, and shall forthwith pay to the company all calls, instalments, interest, and expenses owing upon or in respect of such shares at the time of forfeiture, together with interest thereon from the time of forfeiture until payment at the rate of ten per cent, per annum, and the directors shall enforce the payment of such moneys or any part thereof if they think fit, but shall be under no obligation so to do. Form of Articles of Association. 33 25. Power to annul forfeiture. — The directors may, at any time before the share so forfeited shall have been sold, re-allotted, or otherwise disposed of, annul the forfeiture thereof upon such conditions as they think fit. 26. Company's Urn. — The company shall have a first and paramount lien upon all the shares (other than fully paid-up shares) registered in the name of each member (whether solely or jointly with others) for his debts, liabilities, and engagements, solely or jointly with any other person, to or with the company, whether the period for the payment, fulfilment, or discharge thereof shall have actually arrived or not, and such lien shall extend to all dividends declared on such shares. 27. As to enforcing lien by sale. — For the purpose of enforcing such lien the directors may sell the shares subject thereto in such manner as they think fit; but no sale shall be made until such period as aforesaid shall have arrived, and until notice in writing of the intention to sell shall have been served on such member, his executors or administrators, and default shall have been made by him or them in the payment, fulfilment, or discharge of such debts, liabilities, or engagements, for seven days after such notice. Transfer and Transmission Shares. 30. Execution if transfer. — The instrument of trans- fer shall be in writing, signed both by the transferor and the transferee, and the transferor shall be deemed C.L. D 34 Principles of Company Law. to remain a holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in the register in respect thereof. 31. Form of transfer. — The instrument of transfer of any shares shall be in the usual or common form, or in such other form as the directors shall approve. 32. Restraint on transfer. — The directors may de- cline to register any transfer of shares upon which the company has a lien, and in the case of shares not fully paid up, may refuse to register a transfer without assigning any reason therefor. 37. Trusts not recognised. — The company shall he entitled to treat the registered holder of any share as the absolute owner thereof and accordingly shall not be bound or affected by notice of any trust, charge, or other interest, legal or equitable, partial or absolute, by virtue whereof any person other than the registered holder or the survivor of joint holders shall be, or shall claim to be, interested in any share. 39. Persons entitled by transmission to be registered. — Where any person entitled under the transmission clause to any partly paid shares shall fail for two months after being thereto required by the directors in writing to procure himself or some other person to be registered as holder of the shares, the directors may, at any time thereafter, before compliance with the request, by resolution, forfeit such shares. Share Warrants. 40. Power to issue share warrants — Conditions. — The company, with respect to fully paid-up shares, may issue warrants (hereinafter called " share warrants ") stating Form of Articles of Association-. 35 that the bearer is entitled to the shares therein specified, and may provide, by coupons or otherwise, for the pay- ment of future dividends on the shares included in such warrants. The directors may determine, and from time to time vary the conditions upon which share warrants shall be issued, and in particular, upon which a new share warrant or coupon shall be issued in the place of one worn out, defaced, lost, or destroyed, upon which the bearer of a share warrant shall be entitled to attend and vote at general meetings, and upon which a share warrant may be surrendered and the name of the holder entered in the register in respect of the shares therein specified. Subject to such conditions, and to these presents, the bearer of a share warrant shall be a member to the full extent. The holder of a share warrant shall be subject to the conditions for the time being in force, whether made before or after the issue of such warrant. Conversion of Shares into Stock. 41. Paid-up shares convertible into stock. — The com- pany (in general meeting) may convert any paid-up shares into stock, and re-convert any stock into fully- paid shares of any denomination. When any shares have been converted into stock, the several holders of such stock may henceforth transfer their respective interests therein, or any part of such interests, in the manner and subject to the regulations hereinbefore provided. Provided always that the directors may from time to time, if they think fit, fix the minimum amount of stock transferable, and direct that fractions of a pound shall not be dealt with, but with power, at 36 Principles of Company Law. their discretion, to waive such rules in any particular case. Increase and Reduction of Capital. 43. Increase of capital. — The company in general meeting may, from time to time, increase the capital by the creation of new shares of such amount as may be deemed expedient. 48. Reduction of capital. — The company may from time to time reduce its capital or cancel shares in any manner permitted by law, and may consolidate or sub- divide any of its shares, and paid-up capital may be paid off upon the footing that the amount may be called up again or otherwise. Borrowing Powers. 49. Borrowing powers. — The directors may from time to time, as in their judgment they may deem expedient, borrow, for the purposes of the company, any sum or sums of money, and they may secure the moneys so borrowed by the issue of debentures or debenture stock, mortgages, bonds or other instruments of charge upon the whole or any part or parts of the company's pro- perty or assets (both present and future) including its uncalled capital for the time being, or otherwise as they may think fit. The directors shall duly comply with the requirements of section 93 of the Companies Act, or any statutory modification thereof in regard to the registration of mortgages and charges therein specified and otherwise. General Meetings. 50. Statutory meeting. — The statutory meeting of the company shall (as required by section 65 of the Com- Fokm of Articles of Association. 37 panies Act) be held within a period of not less thau one month or more than three months from the date at which the company shall be entitled to com- mence business, and the directors shall comply with the other requirements of that section, as to the report to be submitted and otherwise. 51. General meetings. — Other general meetings shall be held once in the year 1910 and once in every subse- quent year, at such time (not being more than fifteen months from the date of the last preceding meeting) and at such place as may be prescribed by the company in general meeting; and, if no other time or place is prescribed, a general meeting shall be held at such time (subject as aforesaid) and at such place as may be determined by the directors. 53. When extraordinary meeting to be called. — The directors may, whenever they think fit, and they shall upon a requisition made in writing by members holding not less than one-tenth of the issued capital of the compan y, upon which all calls or other sums then due have been paid, forthwith proceed to convene an extra- ordinary general meeting of the company. 58. Notices of meetings. — Seven clear days' notice at tin- least, specifying the place, day, and hour of meeting, and, in case of special business, the general nature of such business, shall, except as next hereinafter mentioned, be given by notice sent by post or otherwise served as hereinafter provided. 59. Accidental omission of initio- not to invalidaU resolution. — The accidental omission to give any such notice to any of the members or the non-receipt by 38 Principles of Company Law. any member of such notice, shall not invalidate any resolution passed at such meeting. Proceedings at General Meetings. 60. Business of ordinary general meetings. — The business of an annual general meeting shall be to receive and consider the statement of income and expenditure, the balance-sheet, the ordinary reports of the directors and auditors, to elect directors and other officers in the place of those retiring by rotation or otherwise, to declare dividends and to transact any other business which under these presents ought to be transacted at an annual general meeting. All other business transacted at an annual general meeting, and all business transacted at an extraordinary general meeting shall be deemed special. 64. How questions decided. — Every question sub- mitted to a meeting shall, unless unanimously decided, be decided in the first instance, by a show of hands, and in the case of an equality of votes the chairman shall, both on show of hands and at a poll, have a casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which he may be entitled as a member. 65. Declaration of chairman conclusive. — At any general meeting (unless a poll is demanded in writing on or before the chairman's declaration next hereinafter referred to, by at least five members personally present, or by a member or members holding or representing by proxy or entitled to vote in respect of at least one- tenth of the nominal amount of the capital represented at the meeting) a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried by a particular Form of Ai;ti< i es of Assoi ia i ion. 39 majority, or lost or aot carried by a particular majority, and an entry to that effect in the book of the pro- ceedings of the company shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of 1 1 if votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution. Votes of Members. 71. Voting power.— Subject to any special terms as to voting upon which any shares may have been issued, or for the time being be held, every member of the company, upon a show of hands, shall have one vote, and upon a poll one vote for every share held by him of any class. 74. Proxies. — Votes may be given personally or by proxy. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing, under the hand of the appointor, or if such appointor is a corporation, under its common seal. No person shall be appointed a proxy who is not a member of the company, and qualified to vote, except that a corporation holding shares conferring the right to vote may appoint one of its officers or members its proxy although not a member of the company. Directors. 80. Number <;/' directors. I'nless and until other- wise determined by a general meeting, the number of directors shall not be less than three or more than seven. The continuing directors may art, qo| with- standing any vacancy in their body, but BO that if the number falls below the minimum fixed by the regula- tions of the company for the time being, the directors 40 Principles of Company Law. shall not, except for the purpose of filling up vacancies or summoning a general meeting of the company, act so long as the number is below the minimum. 83. Remuneration. — The directors (other than the managing director, if any) shall receive, by way of remuneration in respect of each financial year of the company, fifty guineas per annum for each director, with an addition of fifty guineas per annum for the chairman, and a sum equal to five per cent, of the net profits of the company divided amongst the members in that year. In addition to their remuneration the directors shall be paid all travelling and other expenses incurred while on the business of the company. 84. Qualification. — The qualification of a director shall be the holding of 300 shares of the company. A director may act before acquiring his qualification, but if not already qualified, shall acquire the same within two months from his appointment. 85. When office of director vacated. — The office of director shall be, ipso facto, vacated : (a) If he become bankrupt, or suspend payment, or file a petition for liquidation of his affairs, or compound with his creditors. (It) If he be found a lunatic or become of unsound mind. (c) If he absent himself from the meetings of the directors for a period of six calendar months without special leave of absence from the directors, unless he is absent on the business of the company, or if he fails to attend at Form of Articles of ASSOCIATION. 41 least one half of the board meetings held in any year, etc. 86. Directors interested in contracts with company. No director, or intended director, and no person standing in a fiduciary capacity or position to the company shall be disqualified by his office from con- tracting with the company, either as vendor, or other- wise, nor shall any sucli contract, or any contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf of the company, with any company, or partnership of or in which any such director or person shall be a member, or otherwise interested, be avoided, nor shall any director or person so contracting or being such member, or so interested, be liable to account to the company for any profit realised by any such contract or arrangement by reason only of such director holding that office, or of the fiduciary relation thereby estab- lished. Provided that the fact of his being interested therein, and the nature of his interest, shall be disclosed by him to the meeting of the directors at which the contract is determined on if his interest then exists, or in any other case at the first meeting of the directors after the acquisition of his interest, and except in respect of the agreement referred to in Article 3 hereof, no director shall vote in respect of any such contract or arrangement, and if he do vote his vote shall not be counted. A general notice that a director is a member of any firm or company, and is to be regarded as interested in all transactions with such firm or company shall be sufficient disclosure under this Article, and after such general notice shall have been given it shall not be necessary to give any special notice or notices relating to any particular transaction with such firm or company. 42 Principles of Company Law Eotation of Directors. 87. Retirement of directors. — At the annual general meeting to be held in the year 1913, and at the annual general meeting in each succeeding year, one-third of the directors, or if their number is not a multiple of three then the number nearest to, but not exceeding one-third of the directors, shall retire from office. 99. Acts valid, not-withstanding defective appoint- ment. — All acts done at any meeting of the directors, or of a committee of directors, or by any person acting as a director, shall, notwithstanding that it shall after- wards be discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of such directors or persons acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were dis- qualified, or that their or any of their offices were for any reason vacated, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed, and was qualified to be a director. Powers of Directors. 106. General powers. — -The management of the busi- ness of the company shall be vested in the directors, who may exercise all such powers of the company as are not hereby, or by statute, expressly directed or required to be exercised by the company in general meeting, subject nevertheless to any regulations of these Articles, and to the provisions of the Companies Act, and to such regulations not being inconsistent with the aforesaid regulations or provisions as may be prescribed by the company in general meeting ; but no regulation made by the company in general Form of Akth les of Association. 43 meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such regulation had not been made. Managing Directors. 108. Power to appoint. — The directors may, from time to time, appoint one or more of their body to be managing director or managing directors of the company, either for a fixed term, or without any limita- tion as to the period for which he or they are to hold such oftice, and may, subject to any contract between him or them and the company, from time to time, remove or dismiss him or them from office, and appoint others in his or their place. Dividends. 113. Dividends. — The company in general meeting may. (subject to any preference or priority for the time being existing and subject to the provision hereinafter contained), declare a dividend to be paid to the members in proportion to the amount paid up or credited as paid up on the shares. No larger dividend shall be declared than is recommended by the directors, but the company in general meeting may declare a smaller dividend. 1 14. Only out of profits. — No dividend shall be pay- able except out of the proiits arising from the business of the company. The declaration of the directors as to the amount of the net profits of the company shall be conclusive. Registers. L19. The company shall keep registers of members, directors, and mortgages as required by sections 25, 44 Principles of Company Law. 75, and 100 respectively of the Companies Act and shall make the returns required by section 26 of the Companies Act (a). Accounts. 122. Proper accounts to he kept. — The directors shall cause true accounts to be kept of the sums of money received and expended by the company, and all matters in respect of which such receipt and expenditure take place, and of the assets, credits and liabilities of the company. Such of the books of account as shall be in the United Kingdom shall be kept at the registered office of the company, or at such other place or places as the directors think fit. Names, Addresses, and Descriptions of Subscribers. Jobn Jones, of William Smitb, of Tbomas Brown, of Benjamin Green, of Andrew Black, of Artbur Drew, of John Smitb, of Pated this 3rd day of February, 1910. Witness to all the above written signatures, George Browne. (a) Clauses of this character are frequently inserted to act as reminders to the officers of the company. (• 45 ) CHAPTER IV. THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. BEFORE reading this Chapter, read the form of Articles of Association on the last five pages, which Articles are actually in use by an existing company. (Owing to the length of the whole document, only the more im- portant and instructive clauses are set out.) The Articles must be printed and signed by the same persons as signed the Memorandum, with at least one witness, and stamped as a deed. It is not necessary to have Articles. If there are none, a form of Articles called Table A. applies, and becomes the Articles of the company. The regulations of a company are the Articles, together with any special resolutions passed by the company. That is to say, the regulations which the members are under a statutory covenant to observe. The Articles bind the company and the members thereof to the same extent as if they had been signed and sealed by each member and contained covenants by each member to observe them (a), and any new regulations are as binding as it' the)- had been originally inserted in the Articles (b). la) Companies Act, s. 14. (b) Companies Act, s. 13. 40 Principles of Company Law. Result. (1) Each member is bound to the company ; (2) Each member is bound to the other members ; Borland v. Steel Bros., [1901] 1 Ch. 279. The Articles, as altered, provided that the shares of any member who became bankrupt should be sold to certain persons at a certain price. B. became bankrupt. His trustee claimed that he was not bound by the altered article : — Held, the Articles, as altered in the proper way, are a personal contract between B. and the rest of the members, and B. and his trustee are bound (c). (3) Neither the company nor the members are bound to outsiders ; Eley v. Positive, etc., Co. (1876), 1 Ex. D. 88. The Articles provided that E. should be employed as solicitor for the company. The company employed other solicitors. E. sued the company for breach of contract : — Held, there was no contract with E. and he could not sue. (4) The company is not bound to the members. (Note. — The company is only bound " as if the members had signed," and the signature of the mem- bers cannot bind the company.) But the company may lie liable on an implied contract in the terms of the Articles. New British Iron Co., [1898] 1 Ch. 324. Article 62 provided that the remuneration of the directors should be £1000. A director sued the company for his fees:— Held, " the Article is not in itself a contract between the company and the directors : it is only part of the contract constituted by the Articles between the members of the company inter se. . . . (c) And see Attorney-General v. Jameson, [1904] 2 I. R. 646. The A.RTICLBS of Association. 47 " Bui where, oil the footing of that Article, the directors are employed by the company and accept office, the terms of Article 62 are embodied in and form pari of the contract between the company and the directors. The Articles are subject to the Memorandum, and cannot give powers which are not given by the Memorandum. But for purposes of construction on points which need not necessarily be put in the Memo- randum, they are to be read together, and the Articles may then explain or amplify the Memorandum {London Financial Association v. Kelk (1883), 26 Ch. I). 107). The Articles must not contain anything illegal or ultra vires the company. Any Article which is the same in substance as any Article in Table A., cannot be void on these grounds (Loch v. Queensland Investment Co., [1890 | A. C. 401). The Articles may be freely altered by the com- pany, subject to the two last rules, and provided (1) They are altered by a special resolution at a general meeting. I.e., a resolution passed by a three-quarters majority lit' those present at a meeting of which due notice has been given, and confirmed at another meeting (two weeks to one month later), by a simple majority of those present (, that if the (. was entitled to assume that the debentures were valid, and he thus had priority over the other creditors. r.tit if the person dealing with the company has notice of the irregularity, he is affected by it {Howard v. Patent Iron/ Co. (1888), 38 Ch. D. 156, at pp. 170, 171). ( 52 ) CHAPTER V. FORMATION OF A COMPANY. Section 1. The Preliminary Contract. Very frequently a company is formed for the purpose of purchasing an existing business or property : then the promoters of the company are in this difficulty, they do not want to go to the expense of forming the company until they have a binding contract from the owner of the business (or vendor) to sell it to the com- pany ; but, on the other hand, the company cannot make a binding contract until it is incorporated. Sometimes a preliminary contract is made between the vendor and some person who acts as agent or trustee for the company about to be formed. The position of the agent is curious, because a person cannot act as an agent for another person who is not yet in existence ; therefore — (1) The company, when it comes into existence, is not bound by the contract. Re English & Colonial Produce Co., [1906] 2 Ch. 435. A solicitor, on the instructions of persons who became the directors of the company, prepared the Memorandum and Articles before its formation: — Held, the company was not liable to pay Formation of a Company. 53 the solicitor's costs, although it. had taken the benefit of his work (see the judgment of Vaughan Williams, L.J., at p. 441(a)). (2) The Company cannot sue the vendor on the contract. Natal Land Co. v. Pauline Colliery Syndicate, Limited, [1904] A. ('. 120. The N. Company agreed with Mrs. C, as agenl of the P. Syndicate hefove its formation, that the company would grant a lease of a mine to the syndicate. The syndicate was registered, and discovered a seam of coal. The company refused to carry out the contract: — Held, then' was no binding contract between tin- company and the syndicate. And (3) The agent remains personally liable on the contract, even if it is afterwards ratified by the com- pany (Kehier v. Baxter (1866), L. It. 2 C. P. 174). Hence it is usual to provide in the contract that (a) If the company adopts the agreement, the agent's liability shall cease ; and (b) If the company does not adopt the agree- ment within (say) two months, either party may rescind the contract ; so that the agent escapes liability in either event. Then, as soon as the company is incorporated, it enters into a new agreement with the vendor to carry out the terms of the preliminary agreement. Such a Dew agreement may be implied l>y the acts of the company (see Natal Land Go.y. Pauline Colliery Syndicate, \ L904] A. 0., at p. 126). (a) Expenses of registration cannot he recovered from the Company in the ahsenee ol an express or implied request on the part of the Company that they should be paid (National Motor Mail Coach Co., [1908] 2 Ch. 515. 54 Principles of Company Law. Note, that the agent could probably sue the vendor on the contract and recover damages, if he has suffered any. As a consequence of these difficulties it is now becoming the more usual practice not to make any contract until the company has been incorporated. Section 2. Registration. (a) New Companies. Persons wishing to form a new company must pro- duce to the Eegistrar of Companies (1) The Memorandum of association (b). (2) The Articles of association (b). (3) A list of the persons who have consented to become directors (c). (4) A statutory declaration that the requirements of the Act have been complied with (cc). The proper stamp duties must be paid arid the Eegistrar enters the name of the company on the register. The company then comes into existence; but it cannot commence business until it has complied with section 87 of the Companies Act (see p. 65). (b) Existing Companies. Any company which existed before the Companies Act (1862) may be registered under the Companies Act (d), if it has seven members, except — (b) Companies Act, s. 15. (c) Companies Act, s. 72 (2). (cc) Companies Act, s. 17 (2). (d) Companies Act, s. 249. Formation of a Company. (1) an unregistered company after a winding up has commenced (Hcrctilc* I»sirra?ice Co. (1871), 11 Eq. 321); (2) companies (other than joint stock companies) in which the liability of members is limited by Act of Parliament. Kxisting companies are not bound to register under the Act. Form. Such a registration can take place with the consent of a three- quarters majority of members present at the general meeting of the company (e), and the following information must be supplied to the Registrar : — 1. A list of members. •_'. A copy of the charter or deed of settlement of the company. 3. The amount of the nominal capital. •1. The Dumber Of shares. 5. The name of the company, with the addition of the word " limited." Section 3. The Certificate of Incorporation. "When the Memorandum has been signed and the fees paid, the registrar enters the name of the new company in the register, and hands over a certificate of incor- poration in the following form : " I hereby certify that Blank Company, Limited, is this day incorporated under the Companies (Con- solidation) Act, 1908, and that the company is limited," — Given under my hand at London this 4th day of February, 1910. The certificate is conclusive. — By the Companies Act, 1862, s. ltf. tin' certificate was declared to be conclusive evidence (<•) Companies Act, s. 249 (2). TiG Principles of Company Law. that the Act had heen complied with. But doubts arose on the construction of this section, and it was held that if it was legally impossible that the company could have been properly registered, the court could go behind the certificate, and hold that there never had been a company. National Debenture Co., [1891] 2 Ch. 505. Held, if only six members really signed the Memorandum, the certificate would not be conclusive. This was doubted in Ladies' Dress Association v. Ptdbrook, [1900] 2 Q. B. 381. In order to avoid such doubts, section 18 was repealed and now the certificate is conclusive evidence that all the requirements of the Companies Act, in respect of registration and of matters precedent and incidental thereto have been complied with, and that the associa- tion is a company authorised to be registered, and duly registered under the Companies Act (/). A company registered out of the United King- dom (g) must file with the registrar (a) a copy of its charter or memorandum and articles ; (b) a list of directors ; (c) the name of a person on whom process may be served ; (d) an annual summary (see p. 86). (/) Companies Act, s. 17, replacing s. 1 of the Act of 1900. See also Be Walker & Smith, Limited (1903), 88 L. T. 792, where an invalid reduction of capital was held valid because the registrar had certified it. (g) Companies Act, s. 274. ( '57 ) CHAPTER VI. THE PROMOTER AND THE PROSPECTUS. Section 1. The Promoter. The term " promoter " is not a term of law, but of business, usefully summing up in a single word a number of business operations familiar to the com- mercial world, by which a company is brought into existence (a). A promoter is " one who undertakes to form a company with reference to a given object, and to set it going, and who takes the necessary steps to accom- plish that purpose" (b). He is not a trustee or agent for the company, for it has not yet come into existence ; but he stands in a fiduciary relation towards it, just as if he were a trustee (c), and is liable to refund secret profits, etc., in the same way as a director. If, therefore, the promoter wishes to sell his own property to the company, he should either (i.) see that there is a board of independent persons appointed as directors of the new company, or (ii.) lie should disclose all the facts to the public by means of a prospectus. (a) Whaley Bridge Co. v. Qreen (1879), 5 Q. B. D. 111. lb) Twycross v. Grant (1877), 2 C. P. D. 541. (c) Rawlins and Macnaghten, p. 238. 58 Principles of Company Law. Section 2. The Prospectus. A prospectus is usually a circular sent round by the promoters after the formation of the company to induce the public to take shares in the company. It is denned in the Companies Act as " any prospectus, notice, circular, advertisement, or other invitation, offer- ing to the public for subscription or purchase any shares or debentures of a company " (d). The object of a promoter in issuing a prospectus is to make it as attractive as possible. The object of the legislature is to prevent the public from being misled and defrauded. The promoter must take great care — 1. Not to make any untrue statements, because — (a) an allotment of shares may be set aside for fraud or misrepresentation ; and (b) he may be sued for damages for fraud ; and (c) he may be sued for compensation for mis- representations under section 84 of the Com- panies Act, which replaces the Directors' Liability Act, 1890. 2. To disclose all matters which he is bound to disclose by the Companies Act. As to i. Untrue statements, (a). — Rescission for fraud or misrepresentation (e). Fraud. — A contract to take shares is governed by the same rules as other contracts, and therefore any (J) Companies Act, s. 285, as to what is an issue to the public, see p. 209. (e) See Rawlins and Macnaghten, p. 224. The Promoter and the PnosPECTtfs. 59 person induced by fraud to take shares may rescind the contract, and have his name struck off the register. But he cannot both retain the shares and get damages (Houldsworih v. Glasgow Bank (1880), 5 App. Cas. 317). Misrepresentation. — Any person who takes shares on the faith of statements contained in a prospectus may set aside the contract and apply to be struck off the register if those statements are false, even though they were made innocently. Bui he must apply — (1) within a reasonable time; and (2) before proceedings to wind up the company have been commenced. The misrepresentation need not be the sole reason which induced the applicant to apply for shares, if he really acted upon the misrepresentation (Edgington v. Fitzmaurice (1885), 29 Ch. D. 459). Statements of opinion or exaggerated views of the advantages of a company are not enough to upset a contract to take shares. But if they are so gross that, taking the whole thing together, there was really a misrepresentation of fact, the contract may be set aside. Greenwood v. Leather Shod Wheel Co., [1900] 1 Ch. 421. The prospectus stated in large type, "orders have already been received from the House of Commons," and "wheels for the trolleys in the House of Commons have been ordered, and arc now in use." In fact, the person who supplied refreshments to the House had one trolley with these wheel-, hut not ordered by the House of Commons : — Held, the prospectus wa«J fraudulent and the contract void. 60 Principles of Company Law. Concealment in a prospectus may amount to fraud, but only if it is such a concealment as implies a falsehood (/). (b) Damages for fraud. In Berry v. Peek (1889), 14 App. Cas. 337, it was held that a director was not liable in damages for false statements in a prospectus if he honestly believed them to be true, even though there was no reasonable ground for his belief; for the common law action of deceit will not lie unless " a man makes a statement to be acted upon by others, which is false, and which is known by him to be false or is made by him recklessly or without care whether it is true or false " (see p. 350 of the report). This still remains the law as to fraud or deceit ; but after this decision directors and promoters were subjected to the special liability in respect of compensation mentioned below. (c) Compensation under section 84. A director is liable to compensate any person who is damaged by a false statement in a prospectus unless — (i.) he had reasonable grounds for believing it to be true ; or (ii.) he made the statement upon the authority of an expert whom he had reasonable grounds for believing to be competent ; or (iii.) the statement was a correct copy of an official document. (/) See cases in Kawlins and Macnaghten, p. 224, and in Buckley, pp. 91 and 92. The Pbomoteb am- the Pbospectus. 61 As to 2. — Matters which must be disclosed. These are now contained in the Companies Act, s. 81. The abuses intended to be remedied by the legisla- ture were — 1. Material facts were frequently suppressed. 2. The directors often had no stake at all in the company. :'). Many companies proceeded to business, even if only a few of the shares had been taken up and the company failed for want of sufficient capital. 4. Much of the money subscribed went to pay purchase money inflated by profits of some syndicate who sold the property to the promoters. The legislature has attempted to remedy these a buses by the following provisions: — If the company issues a prospectus, then the pro- spectus must be dated, a copy must be signed by every director or proposed director (y), and filed with the registrar, and the prospectus must state on the face of it that a copy has been so tiled. The prospectus must state (Ii) *(a) The contents of the Memorandum, with the names, descriptions, ami addresses of the signatories, ami the number of "founders " or deferred shares (if any). *(b) The number of shares (if any' fixed by the Articles as the qualification of a director and the re- muneration of the directors. *(c) Names, descriptions, and addresses of directors, (il) The minimum subscription on which the directors may proceed to allotment (see p. 65 . (>/) S. 80. Penalty, £5 per day. (h) S. 81. 62 Principles of Company Law. (e) The number of shares or debentures issued as fully or partly paid up otherwise than in cash. (f) The names and addresses of the vendors and the amount payable to each. (g) The amount of the purchase money, specifying the amount paid for goodwill, (h) The amount of the underwriting commission (if any). (See p. 171.) *(i) An estimate of the preliminary expenses. (j) The amount paid to any promoter, and the considera- tion for such payment, (k) The date of and parties to any material contract and a reasonable place where it may be inspected ; but not if made — (1) in the ordinary course of the company's business ; or (2) more than two years before the issue of the prospectus. (1) Names and addresses of the auditors (if any). *(m) The interest of every director or promoter in the promotion of or the property to be acquired by the company, and any sums paid to him to induce him to become or to qualify him as a director, (n) Where the shares are of more than one class, the rights of voting attached to the several classes of shares. The requirements of this section are set out in full in the appendix. *If a prospectus is issued more than one year after the company is entitled to commence business, then — (1) none of the provisions marked * above apply ; and (2) contracts made more than two years before the prospectus need not be disclosed. Any condition binding the applicant to waive the provisions of this section is void. B. Where no prospectus is issued. The Peomoter and the Prospectus. 63 By section 82 of the Companies Act the company must iilc with the registrar a " statement in lieu of prospectus " containing most of the information which would he required in the prospectus. (See the Second Schedule to the Companies Act set out in the Appendix.) A director is not liable if — (1) he did not know of the matter not disclosed ; or (2) the non-compliance arose from an honest mistake of fact on his part. Otherwise he is probahly guilty of a misdemeanour, and liable in damages to the members of the company. The effect of the disclosures required by the Act is shortly as follows : — (a) Th> Contents of the Memorandum. This shows the objects of the company and the amount of capital. (b) The qualified /((in of the Directors. This shows how far the directors are prepared to put faith in the company themselves. It is usual to provide that no person shall be qualified to act as director unless he holds a certain number of shares. (See Art. 84 in the Form on p. 40.) These sections do not make it necessary for the company to fix any such qualification ; hut if there is none, any person reading the prospectus can see that the directors have no personal interest at all in the success of the company. By s. 72.— A person cannot be appointed a director of the company by its articles or named as such in the prospectus unless he has (1) signed a consent to act, and 64 Principles of Company Law. (2) signed the Memorandum for his qualification shares or a contract to take such shares from the company {i.e., not as a present from the promoters). This applies only to companies which invite the public to take shares, and probably does not apply to a prospectus sent to existing shareholders or debenture holders only {Burrows v. Matabele Gold Co., [1901] 2 Ch. p. 27). The result of non-compliance is not stated in the Act. Probably the appointment is void, and the person responsible has committed a misdemeanour and is liable in damages (*). By s. 73. — A director must take up his qualifica- tion shares within two months ; and if he ceases to hold them, he vacates office. (dj The Minimum Subscription. The directors or promoters must determine before- hand whai is the minimum amount of capital with which they can successfully carry on the business of the company. This is called the " minimum sub- scription." The amount (A) of the minimum subscription must be stated in the prospectus (I) or in the state- ment in lieu of prospectus. A business cannot as a rule be successfully worked without a certain amount of capital, and if a company starts with insufficient capital it is almost sure to meet with failure. Notwithstanding this, promoters of companies who had failed to obtain the necessary capital from the public, frequently persisted in the formation of the company, and thus caused almost inevitable loss to the persons who had subscribed for shares. (i) Buckley, p. 767, and Rawlins and Macnaghten, p. 203. (k) " 10 per cent, of the shares offered " is a sufficient statement of the amount (West Yorkshire Darracq Co., [1908] W. N. 236). (I) The prospectus is for the purpose the particular prospectus on which the applicant relies (Rousscll v. Burnliam, [1909] 1 Ch. 127). The Pbomoteb ami the Pbospectus. 65 By s. 85. No shares offered to the public are to be allotted until the "minimum subscription" has been subscribed and the amount due on allot- ment (which must nut be less than five per cent, of the value of each share) has been paid in cash- The com- pany need not fix any minimum subscription: but if it does not, or if none is stated in the prospectus, or in the statement in lieu of prospectus, the whole capital must be subscribed before any shares are allotted. On any allotment of shares after the first allotment of shares offered to the public, the amount paid on allotment must not be less than five per cent, hut the rest of this section does not apply. This section does not apply to the allotment of debentures. Any clause in the prospectus waiving the provisions of this ii is void [in). The amounts due on allotment must be paid in cash. Mears v. Western Canada Pulp Co., [1905] 2 Ch. 353. Directors allotted shares when the exact amount of the minimum ription had been subscribed and the amounts due on appli- cation bad been paid by cheques ; some of the cheques were not paid :— Held, the allotment was had. By s. 87. — The company cannot commence business until (a) the amount of the minimum sub- scription has been subscribed (n), (b) every director has paid on every share which he La liable bo pay for in cash, the same amount as members of the public must pay on application and allotment, (o a statutory declaration has been made bo this effect, and (d) if there is no prospectus, a sbatement in lieu of prospectus has been tiled. Contracts made by the company before it has become (m) s. 85 i i) (n) Penalty .too per diem. C.L. 66 Peinciples of Company Law. entitled to commence business are provisional only, and do not become binding on the Company (V) until it has become entitled to do so. Tin's includes preliminary contracts which have been adopted by the company; and probably even the contract of the signatories of the Memorandum to take shares in the company is void if the company never obtains the minimum subscription {Re Otto Electrical Co., [1906] 2 Ch. 390). (e) Shares and debentures issued for a con- sideration other than cash (see p. 81). (f) The names of the vendors and the amounts payable to them. The purchase money paid to each vendor must be disclosed in the prospectus whether he sells directly to the company or sells to other persons who sell to the company. In the latter case the purchase money paid to each vendor must be shown. A person is a vendor under this section if he has entered into any contract, absolute or conditional, to sell or buy or for an option to buy any property to be acquired by the Company, and (a) the purchase money is not fully paid when the prospectus is issued ; or (b) the purchase money is payable wholly or partly out of the proceeds of the issue of shares offered by the prospectus ; or (c) the contract depends on the result of that issue (p). (o) S. 87 (3). These words seem to imply that the contract is binding on the parties other than the company. (p) S. 31 (2). Tin; Promotes axu the Prospectus. 6"i Brooks v. Hanson, [1906] 2 < !h, 129. In May, 1901, Win'. 'In- agreed to sell certain patent rights to a syndicate for £15,000. This sum was paid to Wheeler before the end of May. On June 1st, 1901, the syndicate agreed to ell the patents to a company iur £5K,5(>i>, and the company issued a prospectus on the same day which did not refer to the contract between Wheeler and the syndicate: — Held, Wheeler was nol a vendor, and this contract need not be Bet out. Held also, that if the £15,000 had not hern paid to Wheeler before June 1st, L901, and the company bad agreed to buy from the syndicate the benefit of its contract with Wheeler, then Wheeler would have been a vendor. The test seems to be whether any of the cash paid by the company is paid to the original vendor ur not. (g; The amount of the purchase money speci- fying the amount paid for goodwill. It is very difficult to determine the value of the goodwill of a business, and large sums are often paid for goodwill which are soon afterwards written off as having been entirely lost. ( h ) Underwriting Commission (sue Chapter XIII.). (i) An estimate of the preliminary expenses. These expenses include the stamp* payable on the formation of the company, legal costs and other expenses connected with the preparation of the Memorandum and Articles and other documents and advertising the prospectus. (j) The amount paid to any promoter as to promoters, see p. 57. (k) The dates of and parties to every material contract. A somewhat similar provision was contained in the Companies Act, 1867, s. 38, and was interpreted to include all contracts which imposed any obligation on the company, or which were entered into by promoters ((ir persons who afterwards became promoters) relating 68 Principles of Company Law. to the affairs of the company, and which were material for an intending shareholder to know. Gluckstein v. Barnes, [1900] A. C. 240. The old " Olympia Co." was in difficulties, and the debentures were worth very little. X. Y. and Z., as trustees for a syndicate, bought up a great number of debentures veiy cheap. Then they bought " Olympia " for £140,000, and sold to a new company for £180,000. The result of this was, that the debentures were paid in full out of the £140,000, and X. Y. and Z. marie a profit on the debentures of £20,000. X. Y. and Z. became directors of the new company. They disclosed their profit of £40,000, but not their profit of £20,000 :— Held, there was not sufficient disclosure, and X. Y. Z. must pay the £20,000 to the company. If any contract required to be disclosed by the Act of 1867, or by the Act of 1908(2), is not disclosed, any person who has taken shares on the faith of the pro- spectus can claim damages from the directors who issued it ; but only if he can show — (1) that the undisclosed contract was a material one ; and (2) that he has suffered damage by its non-dis- closure (/•). (1) The names and addresses of the auditors- it is the business of the auditors to check the accounts of the company and report to the shareholders (see p. 204, post) ; it is therefore important that they should be reliable persons. (m ) The interest of every director in the promotion (7) Re Wimbledon Olympia, Limited, [1910] 1 Ch. 630. (r) Nash v. Calthorpe, [1905] 2 Ch. p. 237. And see Macleay v. Tint, [ 1906] A. C. 24 ; and Marshall v. Morrison, [1907] W. N. 29, The Promotes and the Prospectus. 69 of or in the property proposed to lie acquired l»y the Company. If the director is a member of a firm, any Buch interest acquired by the firm musl be disclosed. Any sums paid to a director to induce Lira to become a director or to qualify him to acl as director must also be stated. (n) Rights of voting at meetings. [fthe shares are all of one class, the voting rights need nol be disclosed. The provisions of some of the earlier Acts were often made useless by a clause in the prospectus that appli- cants should waive ilic provisions of the section. This " waiver clause '' had to be straightforward ami clear. H so, it was good aud effectual to cover bond Jlde slips (s). Tf it was " tricky " it was void. Greenwood v. Leather Shod Wheel Co., [1900] 1 Ch. 421. The same prospectus as is mentioned on p. 59, contained the clause : " There may be contracts which perhaps ought to be referred to " . . . " any subscriber shall be deemed to have waived all rights to further particulars of these contracts*": — Held, "the waiver clause is clearly tricky and fraudulent. It is printed in small type so asto ''-cape attention. It is worded s<> as to conceal and nol t" afford notice of the contract of December 3rd to which the promoter was a party." The clause was void ' . All such waiver clauses in prospectuses issued after 1901 are now void ( u >. An "abridged prospectus" is sometimes advertised in news- papers. Such a pros] ins dues not as a rule contain many of the (.s-) Macleay v. Tait, ubi sup. (t) And see' Watts?. Bucknall, 1908 l Ch. 7GG. (u) Sect, si hi. 70 Principles of Company Law. disclosures required by the Act. Those who issue the prospectus attempt to protect themselves by stating that the prospectus is not an invitation to subscribe for shares, but an invitation to the public to apply for prospectuses, and the form of application attached to the advertisement is usually a form by which the applicant applies for a full prospectus. It is probable, however, that such an " abridged prospectus " is really a ' ' prospectus " within the meaning of the Act, and the provisions so elaborately framed are probably void as waiver clauses under section 81 (4). This view is strengthened by the provisions of section 81 (5), which provides that if a prospectus is published as an advertisement, the contents of the Memorandum need not be set out. This seems to imply that all the other requirements of the section must be complied with. If, therefore, the applicant reads and relies upon the abridged prospectus and does not read the full prospectus, there would be a considerable risk of his being able to obtain rescission of his contract (x). Companies sometimes evaded these provisions by being registered outside the United Kingdom. Any such company must now, if it has a place of business within the United Kingdom, file with the registrar a copy of its charter or Memorandum and Articles, a list of its directors, and the other matters set out in section 274 of the Companies Act. Any company incorporated in a British possession which has filed these particulars may now hold lands in the same way as a company incorporated in England notwithstanding the Statutes of Mortmain (y). The form given below is a form of prospectus actually used by an existing company (with some modifications and omissions). The student should read this form and ascertain whether, and, if so, how, the provisions of the xVct have been complied with. x) Roussell v. Burnham, [1909], 1 Ch. 127. ij) Companies Act, s. 275. The Promotki: a.nd the Prospectus. Form of Prospectus. A copy of this prospectus has been filed with the Registrar of Companies. BLANK COMPANY, LIMITED. (Incorporated under the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1008.) Capital ---- £140,000 Divided into 14,000 G per cent, cumulative preference shares of £5 £ each ~ 14,000 ordinary shares of £5 each 70,000 Issue of 12,000 G per cent, cumulative preference Bhares of £5 each 60,000 L0,500 ordinary shares of £5 .each ... 52,500 £112,500 To be paid up as follows : £ s. d. 1 ( > per share on application. 1 „ „ allot nt. and the rest in calls as required. (Or the whole amount may be paid on applicati The preference shares are entitled to a preference as to capital and dividend over the ordinary shares. It is intended to pay dividends thereon half-yearly on June I5tb and December 15th. Directors : A. Smith, of , Director of Companies. .1. <;. B., of , Brewer. R. c, of . Brewer. Solicitors : G. F. & Co. 72 Principles of Company Law. Bankers : C. & C. Bank. A uditors : G. H. & Co., of Seen fury and Offices: J. King, Fleet Street, E.C. Prospectus. This company has been formed to acquire, as from July Gth, 1909, the whole of the business of Jones & Sons, established upwards of 100 years. The property acquired by the new company comprises : (a) The freehold brewery and makings known as Blank Brewer}-. (b) Ninety-nine freehold licensed houses. (c) Ten leasehold licensed houses. (d) Dwelling-houses, shops, cottages, stabling, and valuable land. The brewery premises cover a large area, and are in good and substantial repair. There are two good makings of 90 and 30 quarters capacity respectively. The plant is equal to 30 quarters. The brewery is well found in loose and moveable stocks, casks, drays, and other appliances. The books and accounts of Jones & Sons show the profits to have been as follows : £ s. d. For the year ending October, 190G 17,402 18 11 1907 15,G68 2 1908 1G,714 7 (Or an average of £1G,595 3s. 'Id.) The purchase price of the properties to be acquired, including the two properties mentioned, has been fixed by the vendors, Messrs. B. and I., of , at £211,591 5s. Gd., payable as to £100,000 by the allotment of first mortgage debenture stock of that amount, and the balance in cash. The Tin: L'iiomotkr and the Prospectus. 7-". price for the loans, Btocks, book debts, casks, horses, drays, etc., has been fixed by valuation at £9504 3s. 5d. The properties acquired have been examined and reported upon for the purp of this purchase by Mr. A. Smith, managing director of the Thames Brewery Co., Limited, ami a director of this compan; being of a value in excess of the purchase consideration, apart from any goodwill attaching to the brewery. No part of the purchase price is, therefore, paid in respect of goodwill. The properties are sold to this company by Messrs. B. and I., of , who recently purchased them from Jones & Sons, Limited, for the sum of £202,5'J1 5s. Qd. The company will pay all the preliminary expenses relating to the formation of the company, the issin- of this prospectus, the preparation of the contracts hereafter mentioned, the registration of the company, and the fee of .Mr. A. Smith, one of the directors, for his services in negotiating the purchase and reporting upon the properties amounting to ^1000. The whole of such preliminary expenses are estimated to amount to V..'iOOU. The following contracts have been entered into : 1. Dated August 20th, 1906, between Thomas Jones of , mi behalf of Jones & S.m<, Limited, of the one part, and J. . is interested in the sale as partner in the linn of B. and I.; Mr. A. Smith is interested to the extent of the receipt of the fee above mentioned. The articles of association provide as follows: The qualification of every director -hall he the holding in his own right of shares in the company of £500 nominal value. The directors respectively shall he entitled to he repaid out of the funds of the company all personal expenses incurred in or about the business of the company, and in addition thereto, each of the first directors (other than the managing director) shall he paid for his remuneration out of the funds of the company at the rate of t!K«i pel' annum. The minimum subscription of -hares upon which the company 74 Principles of Company Law. will proceed to allotment is £20,000, but the whole of the present issue has been underwrittten by Messrs. B. and I. in consideration of a sum of £6000, part of the sum of £211,591 5s. Gd. payable to them by the company as above mentioned. On a show of hands each member present in person shall have one vote, and on a poll each member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for each ordinary share held by him, and one vote for every five preference shares held by him. A copy of this company's memorandum of association will be found printed in the fold of this prospectus, and forms part thereof. Copies of the above-mentioned contracts, auditor's certificate, and the memorandum and articles of association can be seen at the offices of the solicitors to the company before the closing of the list of applications. The company will pay a brokerage of one-half per cent, on all allotments made in respect of applications bearing brokers' stamps. Application for a settlement and quotation for this issue of pre- ference and ordinary shares will be made in due course. If no allotment is made, the deposit will be returned in full by post, and where the amount allotted is less than that applied for the available balance will be appropriated for the payment due on allotment, and any excess returned by post to the applicant. Prospectuses and forms of application may be obtained at the offices of the company, or from the solicitors, bankers, brokers, and auditors. September Wth, 1909. (One copy is signed by all the directors.) Memorandum of Association of Blank Company Limited. Here follows the form of Memorandum of Association set out on p. 13. ( 75 ) CHAPTER VII. MEMBERS OK SHAREHOLDERS. Section 1. How Persons may become Members. PERSONS may become members of a company in any of the following ways : < 1 1 Persons who sign the Memorandum are deemed to have agreed to be members, and on the registration of the company must be put on the register of members (><). (2) Persons who have agreed to beeome members, cither — (a) by applying for an allotment of shares, or (b) by taking a transfer from a member, become members when entered on the register of members. (3) A person who acts as director is sometimes deemed to have agreed to take his qualifica- tion shares (Salton v. New Beeston Co., [1899] 1 Ch. 775). As to i. — Neither allotment nor registration is necessary to make a subscriber to the Memorandum a member of the company. Every subscriber to the Memorandum must take the shares for which he subscribed, and pay for them, and (a) I lompany's A.ct, s. 24. 76 Principles of Company Law. he is only excused if all the shares have already been taken (Tuffnell's Case (1883), 29 Ch. D. 421). If the company never becomes entitled to commence business, he can probably get his money back on the ground that the contract is void (b). He must take them from the company: — (other- wise the first subscriber might take his one share and transfer it to the second, and so on), for the same shares cannot be made to do double duty (c). This rule occasionally led to hardship before the Act of 1900 ; for a vendor who agreed to take shares as part of the purchase- money, and iu ignorance signed the Memorandum for those shares, found himself bound to take them twice over. Re Timmins, Limited, [1901] W. N. 238. But this decision depended on section 25 of the Companies Act, 18G7, which is now repealed by the Companies Act, 1900. liven now it is safer to provide ex- pressly in the Articles that the shares to be allotted in payment of the purchase-money are the same as those in respect of which the Memorandum is signed, and it is better to avoid the question by the vendor not signing the Memorandum at all, or by his signing for one share only. As to 2. — A person who agrees to become a mem- ber (d), does not become a member until his name is put on the register. But he is entitled to specific performance of the company's agreement to make him a member. The register is only prima facie evidence ; thus, if a person who has agreed to become a member is not put on the register the court may rectify the register on the winding up of the company {Ar/mCx Case (1887), 36 Ch. D. 702, at p. 707); and a person who is wrongfully removed from the register, remains (b) See Re Otto Electrical Co., [1906] 2 Ch. 390. (c) Buckley, p. 52. (a) For rules as to a contract to take shares, see p. 90. Members ob Sh ireholdebs. 77 a member (Barton v. London and North Western Bail. Co. (1889), 24 Q. 11. I). 77): and if a person who has not agreed to take shares is put on the register, he is not a member (Ormerod's Case, [1894] 2 Ch. 17"'); and if he has 1 icon induced to take the shares by misrepresentation the register can be rectified (e). Section 2. Who may become a Member. (1) A company may become a member of another company, if it is authorised by its Memorandum to take shares, or if it takes the shares in payment of a debt by way of compromise (/) (Lands Allotment Co., [1894] 1 Ch. 616, at p. 630). I In t a company cannot acquire its own shares and become a member of itself, eveu if expressly authorised so to do by its Memorandum (//). (2) An infant may take shares, subject to a right to repudiate them on attaining full age. Hamilton v. Vaughan Sherrin Co., [1894] .'! Ch. 589. Miss II. (aged eighteen , applied for twenty £5 shares, ami paid £] each on allotment. X" dividends wen' paid. Six weeks later slu- repudiated the shares: — Held, she could repudiate all further liability as she hail taken no benefit under the contract. (3) A married woman even before L882 could hold shares as her separate estate. If she held them other- wise, her husband was liable for calls. (c) Such an application was made by the company itself, Re London Y) lec troli us Co., I I'.HHi \V. N. I I'.), ami was made ex parte with a \ i. -w to avoiding the expense of adding numerous shareholders a . parties. (/) Buckley, p. 8, ami see Companies Act, s. 68, as to the way in which such a company can vote. (,j) Trevor v. Whitworth (1887), 12 A. 0. 10'.). 78 Peinciples of Company Lam-. Since the Married Women's Property Act, 1882 (45 & 4G Vict. c. 75), a company may (if its Articles so provide) refuse to register a married woman as a member, if there is any liability on the shares. (4) A person who lends money to the company on a mortgage of its shares, becomes liable as a member in respect of those shares. Addison's Case (1870), 5 Ch. A p. 294. A. lent the company £500 by taking 100 £5 shares and paying for them, with an agreement that the money was to be paid back on one month's notice. A. gave the notice, and the company re-paid the £500. A. transferred the shares to a nominee of the company : — Held, the company had no power to take back its own shares. A. was liable to pay £500 in respect of them. (5) A person who takes shares in the name of a fictitious person, becomes liable as a member. Re Klondyke Gold Co., W. N. (1899), 1, 2. S. carried on business under an assumed name ; lie took shares in that name and became bankrupt. His trustee tried to avoid liability as a shareholder : — Held, S. was liable. Persons who do not become Members. A person who agrees to place shares does not thereby agree to take shares, and therefore does not become a member. Gorissen's Case, (1873) L. R. 8 Ch. 507. G. agreed that he would " place " 1000 shares for the company in consideration of being appointed its agent. The company registered G. as a holder of 1000 shares : — Held, G. was not a shareholder : he had not agreed to take shares, but only to find other persons who would take them. MJBMBEBS OB SHABEHOLDEES. 7'.' A trustee with [tower of sale cannot sell the trust property for shares. Re Morrison, [1901] 1 Ch. 701. A testator gave all his property to trustees on trust to sell and invest in the ordinary trustee investments. He had an iron business. The trustees wished to turn the business into a com- pany by selling it to a company in return for shares: — Held, the trustees had no power to do this, and the court had no power to sanction it. But where trustees were authorised to hold shares in a particular company, and that company was wound up and its husiness trans- ferred to another company as part of a reconstruction scheme, the court allowed the trustees to hold the corresponding shares in tin- new company (lie New, [1901] 2 Ch. 534). A person may eease to be a member by — (1) transfer (hut he remains liable to be put on the " B. list" for one year, see p. 82) (2) forfeiture (see p. 109) ; (3) sale by the company under its lien (see p. 113) ; (4) death (the shares are transmitted to his personal r< sentatives) ; (5) winding-up of the company. Section 3. Liability of Members. (1) Apart from express agreement. A shareholder must pay the whole nominal amount of his share in cash. Otherwise he will be liable for the amount unpaid on the winding-up of the company. " Cash " means " such a transaction as would, in an action at law for calls, support a plea of payment." Thus, if the company owes A. £100, and A. then agrees to take I (10 £1 shares in satisfaction of the SO Principles of Company Law. debt, the shares are fully paid up in cash. It is not necessary for A. to pay a cheque for £100 to the company, and for the company to hand it back to A. Larocque v. Beauchemin, [1897] A. C. 358. The company agreed to buy a paper mill for $35,000 in cash. The vendors then agreed to take 50,000 shares in the company, and paid for some of them in cash, but the rest were paid for by the company retaining part of the $35,000 which they owed the vendors. (Note. — This was not an agreement to sell for shares, but to sell for cash, and a later independent agreement to take shares) : — Held, the whole 50,000 shares had been paid for in cash. Lord Macnaghten : " If a transaction resulted in this, that there was on the one side a bond fide debt payable in money at once for the purchase of the property, and on the other side a bona fide liability to pay money at once on shares, so that, if bank notes had been handed from one side of the table to the other in payment of calls, they might legitimately have been handed back in payment for the property, it appears to me that the Act does not make it necessary that the formality should be gone through of the money being handed over and taken back again. 1 ' The most important result of this rule is the further rule that shares cannot be issued at a discount, i.e. a company cannot issue a £100 share with an agreement that only £75 shall be paid. Ooregum Gold Co. v. Roper, [1892] A. C. 125. The company was in difficulties. Its £1 shares stood at 2s. Gd. The directors issued 120,000 £1 shares with 15s. credited paid up, so that only 5s. was payable on each share : — Held, this would have been illegal, even if the Memorandum had expressly authorised it. Shares must not be issued at a discount even by way of compromise (Mother Lode Gold Mines v. Hill (1003), 10 T. L. R. 341), nor in any other indirect way (A). (/() Cf. Bury v. Famalina Development Corporation, [1909] 1 Ch. 7oi. Members' ob Shareholders. 81 Mosely v. Koffyfontein Mines, [1904] 2 Ch. 108. The company proposed to issue debentures at a discount of 20 per cent. (/.c. to borrow money and to become liable to re-pay £100 for every £80 lent). Every liolder of a debenture was to have the righl to surrender every £1 worth of his debentures in return for a fully paid £1 share:— Held, this arrangement was not legal, as the result would be that a liolder might gel LOO £1 shares for E80. This rule was not altered by the Companies Act, L900, s. 8 (g), which, although wide La its terms, only allows underwriting commission under certain restric- tions, see p. 17.1. ( 2 ) Agreements to allot shares for a consideration other than cash. — Shares may be issued as fully paid up in return for services. The company must register with the registrar within one month, a con- tract iu writing (or particulars of the contract if it is not in willing*// )) showing tin' title of the shareholder and the consideration thai lie gave for the shares (i). By an Act of L867 (/), the contract had to he regis- tered at once, and if default was made, the shareholder was liable to pay for the shares in full. Under the presenl Act, if default is made, the directors are subject to penalties, but the liability of the shareholder is not affected. This is not an exception to the rule that shares must lie fully paid up, hut only to the rule that they must be paid in cash. (g) Now s. 89 of the Companies A.ct. (h) S. 88 (2) of the Oompanie Let. (i) S. 88 of the Companies \et. (j) 30 & 31 Vict. o. 181, s. 25. C.L. G 82 Principles of Company Law. If the proper contract is filed, the court will not inquire into the adequacy of the consideration. Re Wragg, Limited, [1897] 1 Ch. 79G. The vendors sold an omnibus business to the company for £40,000, of which £20,000 was to be paid in fully paid shares. The proper contract was filed. Evidence was given that the business was not worth anything like that amount :— Held, if there is fraud, the contract can be set aside; but apart from that, if a contract is filed, the court will not go into the adequacy of the consideration (k). A shareholder who transfers his shares remains liable to a certain extent ; for on a winding-up two lists are made, The " A " list or list of present members ; and The " B " list or list of persons who have ceased to be members within one year before the winding up. Any person on the " B " list is liable to the extent of the amounts unpaid on his shares if— (1) on the winding-up debts exist which were in- curred while he was a member ; and (2) the members on the "A" list cannot satisfy the contributions required from them (/). (The position of persons on the "B" list is fully explained in Helbert v. Banner (1871), L. B. 5 H. L , at p. 34.) (k) And see Mosely v. Koffyfontein Mines, [1904] 2 Ch. at p. 116. (/) Buckley, p. 286 ct seq. Members ob Sb lreholdebs. 83 Section 4. Register of Members. The register contains fche name and address of each member, the amount and numbers of his shares, the date of acquiring them, and the amount paid up. It is open to members gratis, and to non-members on payment of Is. (m) and any person may demand a copy at Gi/. per 100 words, but he may not make extracts Balaghat Co., [1901] 2 K. B. 665; overruling Boord v. African Co., W. N. (1897) 174(h). Thus it is possible for any person who wishes to ileal with the company to know who are the members; and for how much each is liable. It is generally safe to rely on the register, for although it is not conclusive, it is prima facie (o) proof that the person on the register is the person liable. Thus, if a person allows himself to be on the register without objecting, he maybe held liable; but if he was induced to become a member through fraud, and did not discover bhe fraud until the winding-up, he will not be liable Baillie's Case, [18«J8] 1 Ch. lie. B. wished to join an old society called the " Auctioneers Institute of the United Kingdom." A new society, "The Institute of Auctioneers and Valuers," persuaded him to join, pretending to he the old society :— Held, B. may he struck off the register. " No notice of any trust shall be entered on the register " (p). — This means that the company need (m) Companies Aft, s. 30. (a) The motives of the person requiring the copy appear t" bi immaterial : Davies v. Gas Light and Coke Co., [1909] 1 Ch. 248. (o) See i>. 76. (/■) ( \>in]innieM Act , s. "27. 84 Principles of Company Law. not take any notice of a trust even if it has con- structive notice that there is a trust. Simpson's v. Molson's Bank, [1895] A. C. 270. Trustees held shares in the bank under a will upon trust for S. The trustees transferred some of the shares to a person who was not entitled to them. A copy of the will was deposited in the bank, and the president of the bank was one of the executors of the will : but in spite of this the bank registered the transfer : — Held, the bank was not liable to S. ( in calls. The clerk claimed that be was entitled to be indemnified by the broker; but the broker claimed that tbe indemnity must be limited to the value of the trust property [viz., the shares, which were valueless) : — Held, the broker inu-l indemnify the clerk by paying the whole £400 (r). An executor of n shareholder is not personally liable to pay calls, unless he either — (1) applies to be put on the register ; or (2) buys shares with money belonging to the testator's estate. If he does, he is entitled to an indemnity from the estate. If he does not, the estate is liable to the company for calls. Thus the estate is ultimately liable in either case. An executor is entitled to he put on the register on proof of his title, and the company is not entitled to qualify the entry of his name on the register, by showing that he holds the shares in a repre- sentative capacity (,s). Another result of the rule that trusts shall not be put on the register is that where there are several mortgages of the same shares, the mortgagee first in date has priority, not the first who gives notice to the company (t). (r) But this does not apply to the trustees of a club where the understanding is that the members are aot to be called upon to pa> mure than their subscriptions (Wise v. Perpetual Trustees C'o.,ri'Jb3J A. 0. 139). (s) lie T. II. S.nni.lrrs ,f- (V, /../.. [T'.MW 1 (1, II ,. (/) See SocUU Generate v. Walker (1885), ll App. ('a-. 20. 86 Principles of Company Law. Section 5. Annual List of Members. A company must make a list of its members and every year send it to the Begistrar(w). This list must contain the names, addresses, and occupation of all the members and the number of shares held by them, distinguishing between the shares issued for cash and those issued otherwise than for cash. The list must also contain a summary called the "Annual Summary." This summary must specify and contain (x) — (1) The names and addresses of the present members and of past members who were members at the date of the last return. (2) The amount of capital and the shares into which it is divided. (3) The number of shares taken since the com- mencement of the company. (4) The amount of calls made on each share. (5) The total amount of calls received and calls unpaid and of shares forfeited. ((3) The amount paid for underwriting shares and debentures since the last return. (7) The number of share warrants and the number of shares comprised in them. (u) Companies Act, s. 26. — The list must be made within 14 days after the first ordinary general meeting of the company and sent to the Registrar within seven days. It must be signed by the manager or secretary. (.) The total amount of the debts secured by mort- gages and charges. (LO) A balance sheet showing capital, liabilities, and assets. ( 88 ) CHAPTER VIII. SHARES. A share is a right to receive a certain proportion of the profits of the company and of the capital of the company when it is wound up. The shares in a company are all numbered and the shares of each member are identified by these numbers. Section 1. Allotment. Allotment is the appropriation to a person of a certain number of shares. An application for shares is an offer to take shares ; allotment is the acceptance of that offer by the company. The following is a form of application for shares : No. Form of Application for Ordinary Shares. BLANK COMPANY, LIMITED. {Incorporated under the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1008). Issue of 10,500 Ordinary Shares of £5 each. To the above named Company, Gentlemen, Having paid to your hankers the sum of £ , being a deposit of £1 per share on of the above-mentioned ordinary shares, I (we) request you to allot to me (us) that number of Shares. 89 ordinary shares upon the terms of your prospectus, dated September 1st, 1909, and I (we) hereby agree to accept the same or any Bmaller number that may be allotted to me (us) and to pay the balance, if any, due on allotment as provided by the said prospectus, and I (we) authorise you to place my (our) name on the register of members in respect of the shares so to be allotted to me (us). r Name in full (Rev., Mr., Mrs., or Miss) To he Address in full written Occupation distinctly. | Date , 19 . '. Usual signature The allotment of shares is governed by the Companies Act, and subject to the provisions of the Act, by the cominon-law rules of contract. By s. 85 of the Companies Act, 190s, no shares are to be allotted until the "minimum subscription " (a) has been subscribed and the ainuunt due on application (which must not be less than live per cent, of the nominal amount of the shares) has been paid. If the minimum subscription is not subscribed (&) within forty days after the issue of the prospectus, the money paid by subscribers must be returned within the next eight days. If not, the directors become liable to repay the money with interest at live per cent, from the end of the forty-eight days. The effect of allotting shares before the minimum subscription lias been subscribed is — (1) the allotment may be sel aside within one month of the statutory meeting; and [a] See i>. 05. (b) The application moneys are not considered to be duly paid until the cheques have l d duly cleared [National Motor Mail Co., [1908] 2 Ch. 228 ; Mearsv. West Canada Pulp Co., [1905] 2 Ch. 353, 3G0. 90 Principles or Company Law. (2) any director who has knowledge of the fact is liahle to compensate the company or the members (c). This section (except the provision as to the amount payable on application) does not apply to any allot- ment of shares after the first allotment of shares offered to the public. A person to whom shares are allotted cannot safely deal with them until this section has been complied with, and the company has become entitled to com- mence business under s. 87 (see p. 65). Finance and Issue, Limited v. Canadian Produce Co., Limited, [1905] 1 Ch. 37. The company by mistake allotted 40,000 shares before the minimum subscription had been subscribed : — Held, the allottees have a right to rescind their allotments, but the company may give to eve?y allottee an option to have the allotment cancelled and the money returned. Subject to these provisions of the Companies Act the same rules apply to a contract to take shares as to any other contract. The application is the offer : the allot- ment is the acceptance. Thus, an application may be withdrawn at any time before notice of allotment has been posted to the allottee, or reached him in any other way. Dunlop v. Higgins, (1848) 1 II. L. C. 381. The allotment letter was delayed in the post. The allottee repudiated :— Held, the contract was complete when the allotment letter was posted. (c) Companies Act, s. 8G ; and see Burton v. Bevcm, [1908] 2 Ch. 240, where a director who was not present at the meeting at which the Board determined to go to allotment, was held not to be liable. Shares. 91 Household Insurance Co. v. Grant, (1878), 4 Ex. I ». 216. The same result where the letter was lost in the post. I>ut it' the company is bound to allot a certain number of shares to a certain person, the contract is complete so soon as the application is posted. Thus, Buppose on an issue of further capital, each holder of three old shares is entitled to two of the new shares {i.e., two shares are offered to him on certain terms), the holder accepts the offer if he applies for the shares. Notice of allotment is not necessary if the applicant states that he does not require notice. If there is undue delay in the allotment, the offer Lapses ; Ramsgate Hotel Co. v. Montefiore (1866), L. R. 1 Ex. 109. M. applied for shares June 28th. Shares allotted November 23rd. ]\I. refused to take them : — Held, the offer had lapsed before acceptance. Conditional applications may be made ; Roger's Case (1868), 3 Ch. App. 633. I!, wanted to be appointed local manager of a company. He was told he would have to take 100 shires. He applied for the shares, but was not appointed. He refused to take them: — Held, the application was conditional on his being appointed local manager, and he might refuse. There is no contract if the applicant thinks he is applying to a different company: at any rate, if he is induced to do so by fraud {Baillie's Case, [1898] I Ch. 110 : sec p. 83). Shares in a company ure personal property, eveu 92 Principles of Company Law. though the company owns land (d). There are, how- ever, some exceptions, e.g. the New River Company, a share in which is real property (e). Section 2. Certificates. A member of a company has a right to a certificate of his shares, which must be prepared and ready for delivery within two months after the shares have been allotted or a transfer registered (/). The certificate is usually in the following form : No. Share Certificate. BLANK, LIMITED. This is to certify that Thomas Smith of (address) is the registered proprietor of one hundred ordinary shares often pounds each, numbered 2551 to 2650 both inclusive, in the above-named company, subject to the Memorandum and Articles thereof, and that up to this date there has been paid in respect of each such share the sum of five pounds. Given under the common seal of the said companv the 11th day of March, 1909. John Jones, | William Brown, ( Directors - Samuel Green, Secretary. The object of a certificate is to enable a shareholder on dealing with his shares to show at once a good prima facie title. It is therefore very difficult for a shareholder to deal with his shares without producing the certificate. Consequently, money is often lent to the shareholder, (d) Entwhistle v. Davis (1867), L. B. 4 Eq. 272. (e) And may be held by several persons as tenants in common (Swayne v. Fawkener, Showers, P. C. 298 (263)). (/) Companies Act, s. 'J2. Shares. 93 the lender taking possession of the certificate by way of security. Loss of the certificate. — The Articles usually pro- vide that if a certificate is lost or destroyed the com- pany will grant a new one, on satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction. The effect of a certificate. — " A certificate is a statement that the company asserts that the person to whom it is granted is the registered shareholder entitled to the shares included in the certificate, and that the amount certified to lie paid has been paid" ( Ihiekley, p. 42). The company may be liable in two ways : 1. Estoppel as to title. Tf the company authorises the issue of a certificate stating that A. is the registered holder of certain shares, it cannot afterwards allege that A. is not entitled to those shares. Dixon v. Kennaway, [1900] 1 Ch. 833. Liddel was the secretary of a company ami a stockbroker. Mrs. 1>. applied to L. lor 300 shares in the company, ami paid for tin in. Pitman (clerk to L.), who owned no shares, executed a transfer of 300 shares to Mrs. D. The company, without requiring P. 'a certificate to lie produced, registered the transfer ami gave Mrs. I >. a new certificate : — Held, the company is estopped from denying the validity of Mrs. D.'s certificate ami is liable to her in damage But if an officer of the company issues certificates without the authority of the company, there is no estoppel. Kuben v. Great Fingall Consolidated, [1906] A. ('. 439. R. lent money to the secretary of the company on the security of a share certificate. The secretary signed his own Dame on the 94 Principles of Company Law. certificate, affixed the seal of the company, and forged the names of two directors: — Held, the certificate was simply a forgery, and the company was not bound by it. 2. Estoppel as to payment. If the certificate states that the shares are fully paid, the company cannot afterwards allege that they are not fully paid. Bloomenthal v. Ford, [1897] A. C. 15G. R., the stationer of the company, agreed to lend £1,000 to the company on the security of 10,000 fully paid shares. The com- pany issued 10,000 shares to him with a certificate on which they were described as fully paid. In fact, nothing had been paid. The company was wound up, and B. was put on the list of con- tributories : — Held, the company and its liquidator were estopped from denying that the shares were fully paid, and B. could be removed from the list. Such a statement in the certificate would not help a person who knew that the shares were not paid for iu full in cash {African Gold Co., [1899] 1 Ch. 414). The certificate does not certify anything as to the equitable interest in the shares. If a person who is not the registered holder of the shares obtains any rights over the share certificate {e.g. by a mortgage of or agreement to transfer the shares), it seems that the company is not under any duty to that person. Rainford v. James Keith, Limited [1005], 1 Ch. 29G. C, the registered holder of 120 shares, mortgaged them to It. by deposit of his certificate. Later, C. sold the same shares to Y., telling the company that a friend of his held the certificate, but not by way of security. The company registered Y. as the holder, and gave him a certificate : — Held, the company was negligent in accepting such an excuse from 0. But held, the company was not liable for such negligence as it owed no duty to It. (although the certificate stated that no transfer would be registered without the production of the certificate). Sii ■. Note. — There was no question of e toppel by certificate in this case, for the certificate Bimply stated thai C. was the registered holder, which was true (g). Section 3. Transfer. A shareholder has power to transfer his shares by s. 22 of the Companies Act. The form of transfer is generally governed by the Articles. See Arts. 30 and 31 on p. 34. If there are no provisions in the Articles, the transfer must he in writing, signed by the transferor, as it is a transfer of a chose in action (A). But it need not be 1>\- deed. A transfer is usually in the following form: o mp, 10b.) " p| I. Thomas Smith (the transferor), of , in con- sideration of the sum of one hundred pounds paid by John Jones, of , hereinafter called the Baid trans- feree, Do hereby bargain, Bell, assign and transfer to the Baid § o transferee : 7 12 250 shares of £1 each, 15 shillings paid, numbered - L- 104, 'Jol i,i lo4,4f>0, I. nth inclusive, of and in the under- EL 5 taking called Blank, Limited. To held unto the said i raiisl'crcc. his executors, adminis- 3 trators and a-siirns, subject to the several conditions on ~ which 1 held the same immediately before the execution r hereof; and I, the said transferee, do hereby agree to accept -'• ~ and take the said shares, subject to the conditions afore- ~. ~ said. r^ 5 A witness our hands and seals, this twelfth day of March, ! in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and i. -r seven. ^ ,= (g) This case was overruled on the facts. S. C, [1905] 2 Ch. 1 17 ; hut the decision of the point of law was not upset; and see Longman v. Bath Electric Trams, L905, 1 Oh. 646. (Ii) Judicature Act, L873 (86 & :',T Viet. c. 66), B. '!■> (0). is H 8 96 Principles of Company Law. Signed, sealed, and delivered, by the above-named Thomas Smith, in the presence of — Witness's — Signature, A. Baker. Address Occupation Thomas Smith (Seal). Signed, sealed, and delivered, by the above-named John Jones in the presence of — Witness's — Signature, B. Gkeen. Address Occupation J. Joxes (Seal). The transfer is executed by the transferor, and handed to the transferee with the share certificate. The transferee executes it, and sends it to the company for registration. Until registration the transfer is not complete, but the transferee has a mere equitable interest. The company must register the transfer as soon as possible, having regard to any inquiries that may be necessary. If the officers of the company delay the registration unduly, the transferee may be given all the rights which he would have had if they had registered it within a proper time. Sussex Brick Co., [1904] 1 Cli. 598. Transferees of shares sent the transfer to the secretary. He replied that they would be submitted to the directors at the next board meeting. The company was wound up before tlie next meeting. The liquidator refused to recognize the transferees as share- holders : — Held, the transferees must be registered "nunc pro tunc,'" i.e., as if they had been registered when the registration ought to have been made. Sharks. 97 Stamps. A transfer must be stamped 10s. if for a nominal consideration, but if for value it must be stamped ml ralarnn at tlie same rate as the convey- ance of land under the Stamp Act, 1891 (i.e., at the rate of 5*. lor every £50 or part of £50, except that special rates are fixed for amounts below £300) (i). Every shareholder has a right to transfer his shares, and the transfer will be good even if made to a man of straw, when the company is in difficulties, for the purpose of avoiding liability ; provided that it is an absolute out-and-out transfer without any trust or reservation for the transferor (Be Pass' Case (1859), 4 De. G. & J. 544 ; Discoverers Finance Corporation, Ltd. (No. 2), Lindlar's Case, [1910] 1 Ch. 207 and 312). I 'nt this right may be restricted by the regulations (j). A power is usually given to directors to refuse a transfer if calls are in arrear ; and a discretionary power may be given them even to refuse any transfer without assigning reasons (k). See Art. 32 on p. 34. The court will not inferfere with their discretion unless it can be shown that they did not act bond fide Re Coalport China Co., [1895] 2 Ch. I'M. By Article 3 of the company, "The directors may refuse to register any transfer . . . where they are of opinion that the proposed transferee is not a desirable person to admit to member- ship." The directors refused to register a certain transfer, and (i) The stamp duty on a transfer on sale of shares has not been changed h> the Finance Act, 1910 (hi Ed. VII. o. 8), see sect. 73. The ad valorem duty is, however, now chargeable on a Voluntary transfer, except on an appointment of new trustees, or where no beneficial interest passes l>\ the transfer (see s. 74 (0)). (/) Attorney-Qeneralv. Jameson, L904, •! I. R. 644. (k) This is not allowed by the Uules of the stork Exchange, and should not he inserted if a quotation on tin' Stock Exchange is desired. C.L. II 98 Principles of Company Law. gave no reasons: — Held, in the absence of evidence that the directors had not acted bond fide, their refusal could not be questioned. Sometimes the Articles provide that the other share- holders shall be given the right of first refusal of the shares before they can be transferred to outsiders. Similarly, an agreement, that on the bankruptcy of any member his shares shall be sold to certain persons at a certain price is good {Borland v. Steel Bros., [1901] 1 Ch. 279. See p. 46). The company cannot object to transmission on death or (subject to the last paragraph) on bankruptcy, even if calls remain unpaid. Specific performance of a contract to transfer shares may be decreed, unless the directors (acting within their powers) refuse to register the transfer; then an action for damages will lie against the transferor. Mortgage of Shares. — Shares are usually mortgaged by depositing the share certificate with the lender. Sometimes the borrower also executes a blank transfer : he fills up the transfer form but leaves the name of the transferee blank, and deposits the certificate and the transfer with the mortgagee. If the money is not paid within a reasonable time, the mortgagee may put in his own name as transferee and get the transfer registered, and thus secure a transfer of the shares, or he may sell the shares after giving reasonable notice (I). Deverges v. Sandeman, [1902] 1 Ch. 579. I), bought shares through his broker, but did not pay the purchase price (carried over). He gave a blank transfer to his broker as security. The broker asked for payment in July, 1897, (I) Cf. Stubbs v. Slater, [1910] 1 Ch. at p. 639. Khaki-: 99 and after a long correspondence, the broker sold the shares in November, 1898 : — Held, the sale was good. [f the transferor prevents the purchaser from being registered as a shareholder, lie is liable to pay damages if the shares afterwards fall in value (I/uopcr v. lints, | L906] I Ch. 549). If by the articles of the company a transfer of shares must he under seal, a blank transfer cannot he filled up withoul a power of attorney (Powell v. London ,<,,,/ Provincial Bank, [1893] 2 Ch. 5.".;",). But the mort- i!\'i^ee may enforce the arrangement as an agreement to give liitu a legal transfer(m). This form of mortgage of shares is aol ;il all ;i good security: for, if the transferor fraudulently tells the company that he has lost his certificate, he can get a new one and transfer the same shares to a purchaser. It is no use to give an ordinary notice of the mortgage to I lie company, as the company is not hound to take notice of any trusts or equities affecting the shares. The only safe course is to give the company notice supported by affidavit under order 46, r. 4.(11 >. This is called "notice in lieu of distringas " because ii takes the place of iIm' old writ of distringas. The mortgagee simply files an affidavit and a form of notice at tin' central office : he then serves an office copy of the affidavit and a duplicate of tin' notice on the company. The effeel is that it' the mortgagor attempts to transfer the shares, the company musl give the mortgagee notice that it will register the transfer unless lie takes proceedings within eight days to pre\ ''lit it. Priorities as between several transferees. — If none of the transfers tire registered the lirst in poinf of time has priority {Peat \. Clayton, [1906] 1 Ch. 659). (»t) Buckley, p. 577. (») Rules of the Supreme Court. 100 Principles of Company Law. But if a transferee, who is later in date, is the first to have himself registered as a member, he gets priority. And this priority is not losl merely because there is some detail which remains to be done by the company before he is put on the register {Moore v. North Western Bank, [1891] 2 Ch. 599). This detail must be something that the company is bound to do. Ireland v. Hart, [1902] 1 Ch. 522. T. held shares as trustee for his wife. Later he deposited with II. a blank transfer and the certificate, as security for his own debt. (Thus I.'s wife had the earlier equity.) H. filled up the transfer form and took it to the company for registration, but I. told the company not to register the transfer, and the company refused to do so : — Held, the wife was first in time, and therefore had priority, for Ihe company were not hound to transfer to H. if they had any good reason for refusing. Certification of transfers. — If a shareholder trans- fers part only of his shares, a new certificate will be required. Thus A. has one hundred shares and wishes 1 i i sell fifty to B. A. hands his certificate and transfer to the company. The company stamps on the transfer (before it is handed to B.) "certificate for 100 shares has been lodged at the company's office (signed) , secretary " (see form on p. 95). The company is said to " certify the transfer." The company then prepares two new certificates for fifty shares each and gives one to A. and one to B. A delivery of a " certificated transfer " in this way is accepted by the Stock Exchange as a good delivery of the shares. The company does not, however, thereby guarantee A.'s right to the certificate, but merely intimates that documents apparently in order, or a Shares. L01 document purporting to be ;i certificate, have been handed in, and that A.'s name appears on the register (Bishop v. Balkis Consolidated Co. (1890), 25 Q. B. D- 512). George Whitechurch, Limited v. Cavanagh, [ 1 !•< »'J | A. ( '. 117. Transfers of shares were lodged with the secretary of the company without the certificates. The secretary fraudulently certified thai the certificates were in the company's office: — Held, the company was ool liable. A company does not do more than authorise the secretary to give receipts for certificates which have actually been lodged. The company usually retains the original certificate, and when the transfer is complete the original certifi- cate is cancelled and new certificates are issued l>y the company. If the company negligently parts with the original certificate and enables the transferor to commit a fraud, then (1) it may be liable to the transferee it he is damaged thereby ; but (2) it is not liable bo any one else. Longman v. Bath Electric Tramways, Limited, [1905] 1 Ch. 646. I>. tran.^fiMTi.'d 1 ;")()(• share* tu IT. and M. The company certified the transfer, and by mistake sent il riginal certificates to B. B. borrowed money from l>. on the security of these certificate Held, the company was not Liable to L. If a transfer is forged, and the company registers the transfer and gives a certificate to the transferee, the true owner remains entitled to be put back on the register. The company <\<n the register, but if it issues a certificate, and any person 102 Pkinciples of Company Law. acts on the faith of it and suffers damage, the company will be liable (Bloomenthal's Case, [1897] A. C. 156). When the company receives a transfer for registra- tion, it usually writes to the transferor telling him of the proposed transfer, and saying that the transfer will be registered unless he objects. This gives the holder of shares an opportunity of preventing fraudulent or forged transfers from taking effect. The holder is not bound to reply to the letter, and if he does not, he will not be thereby estopped from denying the validity of the transfer (Barton v. London and North Western Bail. Co. (1890), 24 Q. B. D. 77). If a shareholder transfers his shares, and the transfer turns out to be invalid, he remains liable for calls on the shares. See Addison's Case (1870), 5 Ch. App. 294, on p. 78, ante. If the transfer is valid, the transferee becomes liable, on an implied contract, to pay subsequent calls, and to indemnify the transferor against any liability in respect of them, subsecpuent to the date of the transfer (Levi v. Ayres (1878), 3 App. Cas. 852). Trifling irregularities in the execution of a transfer do not make it void. Thus a transfer may be good, though the shares are wrongly numbered (o) ; and if the transferee is registered as the holder of the shares the transfer will be effective though it is not signed by the transferee (p). Transfers made during the winding up of the company are void, unless sanctioned by the court (q). (o) Buckley, p. 581. ( p) Be Taurine Co. (1833), 25 Ch. D. 118. (2) See p. 228, post. Shares. 103 Section 4. Transmission. On the death of a shareholder his shares vest in his personal representatives (r), and his estate remains liable t'ur calls. I lis representatives can sell the shares without being registered, but they are entitled to be put on the register if they wish. If the representatives are thus put on the register, or it' they buy new shares on behalf of the deceased's estate, they become personally liable for calls, but are entitled to be indemnified by the beneficiaries. In order that the company may get the benefit of this liability, the articles frequently contain clauses in- tended to induce or compel the representatives of a deceased shareholder to be registered within a certain time. See Article 39, p. 34. On the bankruptcy of a shareholder his trustees in bankruptcy can sell and transfer his shares, or may repudiate them if there is a liability. If the shares are repudiated, the company can prove in the bankruptcy of the shareholder for the amount remaining unpaid on the shares. If this is done and the company receives a dividend in the bankruptcy, it cannot afterwards sue the bankrupt for calls; but tlic shares are not fully-paid Bhares, and are nol entitled to rank as fully-paid Bhares in the winding up of the company i jee //• West Coast Gold Fields, Ltd., [1906] 1 Oh. 1). On Marriage. — Before 1883 on the marriage of a woman entitled to shares, the shares became vested in her husband : now they remain her separate property (s). (>■) Shares in a limited eompain are personal property, even though the conipnnv holds land. Sco p. 91. (s) Married Women's Property Art, 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. 0.75) s. 1. 104 Principles of Company Law. On the appointment of new trustees the shares must be transferred to the new trustees by an ordinary transfer. They cannot be vested in the new trustees by a vesting declaration (t). Section 5. Share Warrants. When shares are fully paid the company may (if authorised by its regulations) issue share warrants under seal, stating that the bearer of the warrant is entitled to the shares therein specified. The shares then become transferable by delivery of the share warrant (u). Such share warrants are (probably) negotiable instruments (Bechuanaland Exploration Co. v. London Trading Bank, [1898] 2 Q. B. 658, see p. 157). Note that this can only be done when the shares are fully paid. No stamp duty is payable on a transfer, but a heavy stamp duty must be paid when the warrants are first issued (v). A share warrant is usually in the following form : THE COMPANY, LIMITED. Shake Warrant. This is to certify that the bearer of this warrant is entitled to fully paid shares of £ each in the above-named company, subject to the regulations of the company and to the conditions indorsed hereon. (/) Trustee Act, 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 53), s. 12 (3). (u) Companies Act, s. 37. (c) Three times the ad valorem stamp duty on a transfer at the nominal value : Stamp Act, 1801 (54 & 55 Vict. c. 39), sched. i. . Shares. L05 The conditions indorsed on the share warrant con- tain the following among other provisions ; 1. Warrants shall only be issued on the request of the share- holder. ■_'. The certificate must he surrendered to the company. 3. Coupons for dividends shall he attached. 4. Dividends may he paid to the bearer of the coupons. When a share warrant is issued in respect of any shares, the name of the shareholder is struck off the register, because the shareholder thenceforth is the person (whoever he may be) who holds the share warrant, and the history of the shares no longer appears on the register, as the company does not know who the shareholder is, or who is entitled to the dividends. For this reason, "coupons" are attached to each share warrant, dated with the dates on which dividends will become payable during several years following the issue of the share warrant, and the dividend will lie paid on each such date to the person who produces the appropriate coupon. The holder of a share warrant is not strictly a member of the company under s. 24 of the Companies Act (see p. 75), because, though he may have agreed to become a member, his name is nut entered on tlic resistor. But where there are share warrants the articles usually provide that the holder of a share warrant shall be a member of the company and shall have all the powers of voting, etc., as if he were on the register, and that he must produce his share warrant to the company before he can attend any meeting or vote. 106 Pbinciples of Company Law. Section 6. Calls. Shares are frequently issued in the following way . (say) £100,000 is offered to the public in 1000 shares of £100 each, payable as to £10 on application, £20 on allotment, another £20 in three months' time, and the remaining £50 when called for. The iirst two and probably the third of these payments (viz., the £10, £20 and £20), are not "calls" (*). If the company wishes to call in the whole or part of the remaining £50, the directors make a "call." Each shareholder is under a statutory liability, in the nature of a specialty debt (y), to pay the remain- ing £50 when thus called upon. The call is made in the manner specified in the Articles, usually by the directors, who pass a resolution at a board meeting and direct the secretary to give all shareholders notice of the call. If the call is made otherwise than in the manner specified in the Articles, the call is invalid, and the shareholder is not bound to pay. Re Cawley & Co. (1889), 42 Ch. D. 209. A resolution of the directors was passed, fixing the amount of a call, hut it omitted to fix the date of payment : — Held, there was no valid call until a subsequent resolution was passed, fixing the date of the call. Mere trifling irregularities will not make a call (.!•) Croskey v. Lank of Wales (1863), 4. Gift. 314. (y) Companies Act, s. 14. Shakes. 107 invalid, and the Articles may provide that a call shall be good in Bpite of any irregularity. Dawson v. African Consolidated Co., [1898] 1 Cli. 6. The Articles of the company contained a clause the same as clause ' , '. 1 on p. 12, ante. Three of the directors made a call. One of them happened to be disqualified by having parted with his qualification shares for a few days: — Held, the call wa good. The Articles may also provide that if a call is not paid when due, interest will be charged at a certain rate. The i">wer to make a call is in the nature of a trust to be exercised by the directors for the benefit of the company. If, therefore, a call is made, not for the benefit of the company, but: for the advantage of the directors, the call may be .prevented by an injunc- tion, or the directors may be. compelled to hand over for the benefit of the company the advantage gained by them. The following is an example of a call properly made. New Zealand, etc., Co. v. Peacock, [1894] 1 Q. B. 622. The A. company, in accordance with powers in its Memo- randum, sold its undertaking to the B. company for shares in the B. company. Some of the capital of the A. company had not been railed up, and the A. company called up this capital for the purpose of paying it over to the B. company. Some of the share- holders objected : — Held, the call was good. In the following case the call was held to have been improperly made. Alexander v. Automatic Telephone Co., [1900] '-' <'h. 56. The directors paid up nothing on their own shares, but made all the other shareholders pay 3s. 6d. on each share, partly on allotment, and partly by a call. The directors did nol tell the other shareholders of this difference : — Held, this was a breach 108 Principles of Company Law. of trust, and the directors must pay to the company 3s. <>'/. on each of their shares. The directors may (if authorised by the regulations) allow shareholders to pay up the amount due on their shares before any call has been made, and may pay interest on the amount so paid "in advance of calls." But directors must only exercise this power if it is for the benefit of the company. Sykes' Case (1872), 13 Eq. 255. The company had no money wherewith to pay the directors' fees. The directors therefore paid into the company's bank the amounts remaining due on their shares, and on the same day paid the amount to themselves in payment of their fees : — Held, this payment was not for the benefit of the company, and the directors remained liable to pay the amount as still due on their shares. A shareholder who has paid up money in advance of calls, becomes a creditor of the company for the amount due to him as interest ; therefore, if there are no profits, the interest must be paid out of capital {Lock v. Queens- land Investment Co., [1896] A. C. 461). Calls cannot be made until the minimum subscrip- tion (z) has been subscribed (Companies Act, s. 87). Calls must be paid in cash : otherwise the shareholder will remain liable on the winding-up of the company. If, however, cash to the amount of the call is actually due from the company to the shareholder for his services, the call may be set off against this amount, for the transaction amounts to a payment in cash (a). On a transfer of shares, the transferee is under an (z) See p. G5. (a) Cf. Larocquev. Beauchemin, [1897] A. C. 358, the fact.. of which case are summarised on p. 80, ante. ■ Shares. 109 implied contract to indemnify the transferor against subsequent calls (/>). If, however, the call was made before the transfer, bul payable after the transfer, the transferor apparently remains liable to pay the call; for a transferor "tranfers his rights to future payments and his liability to future calls" (National Bank of Wales), | L897] 1 Ch. at p. 306). Tlie date when a call is "made," depends on the Articles of the company. If these are silent, the date of the resolution of the directors is usually the date of the call; but it depends on the practice of the com- pany (c). If a call is not paid within twenty years after it is made, the claim of the company is barred under the Statute of Limitations. Debts due from the company cannot as a rule be set off against calls. See p. 245. Section 7. Forfeiture. The directors have no power to declare the shares of any member to be forfeited unless such power is given them by the Articles. See Article '1 1 , on p. '.VI. The Articles usually provide that if a shareholder does nut pay calls, his shares may lie declared forfeited. The shares then become the property of the company, and may be sold for any price they will fetch. That is tu say, forfeited shares may be re-issued at a discount. lb) ±cr p. ID!. (c) Addams v. Ferick (1859), 26 Beav. 384 at p. 398. 110 Principles of Company Law. Morrison v. The Trustees Corporation W. N. (1898) 154. Several £10 shares with £3 paid were forfeited. The directors sold them to other shareholders (as £5 5s. shares with £2 5s. paid) for £1 10s. each :— Held, this sale was good. A purchaser of forfeited shares cannot, as a rule, vote until all arrears of calls are paid (Randt Gold Co. v. Waimoright, [1901] 1 Ch. 184). Forfeited shares cannot be cancelled without leave of the court, as this would amount to a reduction of capital. The power to declare shares forfeited is in the nature of a trust to be exercised for the benefit of the company. Thus, if shares are declared forfeited for the purpose of relieving a friend from liability, the forfeiture may be set aside. Re Esparto Trading Co. (1879), 12 Ch. D. 191. H. and G. were given certain shares to qualify them as directors. They paid nothing on the shares. Later, the company was not doing well, and II. and G. asked the directors to cancel their shares. This was done :— Held, II. and G. were liahle to pay the whole nominal amount of their shares. And it seems that shares cannot be forfeited except for non-payment of calls or other similar reason, as any attempt to forfeit shares for any other reason would probably amount to a purchase of its shares by the company (Trevor v. Whitvjorth (188G), 12 A. C. at p. 417)/ Though forfeiture is in the nature of a penalty, equity will not relieve a shareholder from forfeiture if it is duly and bona fide declared. Shares. Ill Sparks v. Liverpool Waterworks Co. (1807), 13 Vos. 428. By a byelaw of an incorporated company, shares were to be forfeited if calls were do! complied with within ten days'. S. wae absent from London for twenty-seven days afterthe call was made. His share wen- forfeited : — Held, S. cannot be relieved from the forfeiture. Bat a slight irregularity will make the forfeiture void (unless it is the company itself that tries to say that the forfeiture is bad), and the shareholder may bring an action for annulment of the forfeiture. Garden Mining, etc., Co. v. McLister (1875), 1 App. Cas. 39. Three directors declared certain shares forfeited: but two of the three had been re-elected at a meeting of which the proper notice had not been given (three directors were a quorum): — Held, the forfeiture was bad. Or he may (if the Articles so provide) prove for damages on the winding up of the company (/.V New Chile, etc., Co. (1889), 45 Ch. D. 598). Any clause in the Articles is void which provides thai a shareholder shall forfeit his shares if he takes any proceedings against the company, or which in any way restricts the right of a shareholder to present a petition for winding up the company (Peverill Gold Mines, Limited, [1898] 1 Oh. 122). Where the liability of the shareholder to pa} i he call is questioned, the court may restrain the company from declaring the shares forfeited during the trial of the action I Lamb v. Sambas Rubier Co., [1908] 1 Ch. 845). If shares are forfeited, the company cannot sue the shareholder for the calls which he lias not paid, unless the Articles expressly so provide. If they do, he cannot he <.\wA as a contributory, for he has ceased to 112 Principles of Company Law. be a member, but he may be sued as an ordinary debtor to the company. Ladies Dress Association v. Pulbrook, [1900] 2 Q. B. 376. A.'s shares were forfeited for unpaid calls. More than one year afterwards the company was wound up. If A.'s liability depended on his being a contributory to the company, he could not be made to contribute after ceasing to be a member for one year: — Held, A. was liable as an ordinary debtor, and could be sued. Section 8. Surrender. The articles frequently give power to the directors to accept surrenders of shares ; this relieves them from going through the formality of forfeiture, if the share- holder is willing to surrender the shares. But a sur- render can only be accepted where a forfeiture would be justified. Bellerby v. Rowland and Marwood's Co., Limited, [1902] 2 Ch. 14. Three of the directors of a company, in order to relieve the company of a loss of £4000 which had been incurred, agreed to surrender for the benefit of the company several of their shares. The shares were £11 shares, and had been paid up to the extent of £10 per share. Held, the surrender was void, and the directors remained holders of the shares. " A company cannot be a shareholder in itself. Every sur- render of shares, whether fully paid up or not, involves a reduction of capital which is unlawful except when sanctioned by the court. Forfeiture is a statutory exception, and is the only exception." (d). (d) Per Cozens-Hardy, L.J., at p. 32. This dictum, however, appears to go much further than any other authority ; for, in Trevor v. Whitworth (lS.SG), (12 A. C, at p. 418), it was said that each case must depend ou its own circumstances. Shares. I L3 So also the surrender will be void ii it amounts to .1 purchase of (he shares by the company, or if it is accepted for the purpose of relieving a member from his liabilities (Lord Wattscourts 1 Case, W. N. (1899), 258). Section 9. Lien. The Articles generally provided that the company shall have a first lien on the shares of each member for his debta and liabilities to the company. Sec Article 26, on p. 33. The effect of this is to give a mortgage or charge to the company over the shares of each member to secure any debt which may be due from the member to the company. The lien also extends to the dividends on the shares. Power should also be given to the cum puny to enforce the lien by sale. Fur though the company has a mortgage there is some doubt whether it is a mortgage by deed, and if it is not, no power of sale is implied under s. 1!' of the Conveyancing Ad, 1 SSI. The company cannot enforce its lien by forfeiture : for this would amount to foreclosure without an order of the court. Any clause in the Articles giving the company power to do so (excepi where the lien is for unpaid calls), would probably be void (seep. 110, antt >. It' the company has a lien on A.'s shares for a debt, and A. raises the money from 13. to pay the debt, A. may call upon the company to assign its lien to B. C.L. I 114 Principles of Company Law. Everett v. Automatic Co., [1892] 3 Ch. 506. E. owed £4670 to the company. The company pressed for payment and threatened to sell E.'s shares. H. agreed to pay the £4670 to the company at the recpiest of E., on condition that the company transferred its lien on the shares to him (H.). The company refused to do this : — Held, the company was hound to transfer its lien. Priority. — If a shareholder mortgages his shares and the mortgagee gives notice to the company, and then the shareholder incurs a liability to the company, the mortgage has priority over the lien to the company. Bradford Banking Co. v. Briggs (1886), 12 App. Cas. 29. The Articles gave the company a "first and paramount lien" over the shares for calls, etc. A shareholder deposited his share certificates with the hank as security for an overdraft. The bank gave notice to the compan}'. Then the shareholder became in- debted to the company for calls. The company claimed — (1) A first lien by agreement; (2) that it need not take notice of any trust : — Held, the bank have priority. The notice was not " notice of a trust." But the regulations may provide that any mortgagee who takes with notice of the company's lien, may be postponed to that lien. The Articles should give the company a lien for all sums in which a shareholder be " indebted " to the company. This is better than the word " due," for this reason : Suppose a share- holder owes money to the company and gives a bill of exchange payable in six months, the debt is not due, though the shareholder is indebted, so that the lien will only attach if " indebted " is used (e). The company may enforce the lien against the registered shareholder even though he is only a trustee. (e) Stockton Iron Co. (1875), 2 Ch. D. 101. BhAEES. 11' New London and Brazilian Bank v. Brocklebank (1882) 21 Ch. D. 302. The trusties of a marriage settlement inv< ie of the trust funds in 123 £20 shares in the company. The Articles contained clause 2G on p. 33, and also provided that the lien should apply to a debt due from a member jointly with other persons who were not members. One of the trustees was a partner of a firm which owed money to the company: — Held, the company has a lien for the partnership debt over the 123 shares. But the lien of the company would uot prevail, if the company had uotice of the trust before the debt to the company was incurred (/). It seems to follow that if a shareholder sells his shares, they do not become subject to a lien for debts incurred by him after the transfer has been lodged with the company for registration, even though the company refuse to register the transfer. If a shareholder only sells some of his shares the buyer can insist on the company paying itself first out of the shares which are not sold (Gray v. Stone and Funnell (1893), 69 L. T. 282). The death of a shareholder does not destroy lieu ; in fact, the lien is good if it is first imposed after his death {Allen v. Gold Reefs, [1900] 1 Ch. 656 ; see p. 53). (/) Bradford Banking Co. v. Briggt £ Co. (1886) 12 A. 0. 29. ( 116 ) CHAPTER IX. CAPITAL. The word " capital " is used in several senses — (1) Nominal capital = the nominal value of the shares which the company is authorised to issue by its Memorandum. This must be stated in the Memo- randum, and also each year in the annual summary (a). (2) Issued capital = the nominal value of the shares actually issued. (3) Paid-up capital = the amount paid up or credited as paid up on the shares. (4) Capital assets = the actual property of the company. (5) Debenture capital = The amount borrowed by the company and secured by debentures. This is not a proper use of the word "capital," as borrowed money is not capital at all. Section 1. Classes of Capital. The capital may be divided into different classes of shares, or it may consist wholly or partly of stock (see p. 120). This may be provided either in the Memorandum or in the Articles. Usually the Memo- randum gives the company power to divide the capital (a) Companies Act, s. 26, < ' \n PAL. 1 1 i into classes with special, qualified or deferred rights, and the Articles specify the rights of eacli class of shareholders. If no power is given to suit-divide capital either in the Articles or in the Memorandum, the company can give itself power to do so by altering its Articles (Andrews v. Gas Meter Co., [1897] 1 Ch. 361). See p. 48. If the rights of the various classes are fixed in the Memorandum, the company cannot change the rights of the different classes except by a special resolution confirmed by an order of the court (unless the Memo- randum itself gives the company power to vary the rights; Re Welsbach Co., [1004] 1 Ch. 87); and no special privilege of any class can be interfered with except by a resolution passed by the shareholders of that class in the manner mentioned in section 45 of the Companies Act (see p. 123, post). If the rights of the different classes of shareholders are fixed by the articles and not by the Memorandum, they can be altered by special resolution without leave of the court (Re Australian Estates Co., [1910] 1 Ch. 414). Capital is frequently divided into — (1) Preference shares; (2) Ordinary shares ; (3) Deferred shares. 1. Preference shares. -The holder of preference shares is usually entitled to a lixed dividend of, say, five per cent, before any dividend is paid on the ordinary shares. But if so, he is usually not entitled to more than his five per cent, however prosperous the company may be. 118 Peinciples of Company Law. Preference shares are either cumulative or non- cumulative. Where they are cumulative, then, if the profits of the company in any year are not sufficient to pay the fixed dividend on the preference shares, the deficiency must be made up out of the profits of subsequent years. Preference shares are presumed to be cumulative, and ambiguous language in the Articles will not be enough bo make them non-cumulative. Foster v. Coles, [1906] W. N. 107, and 22 T. L. R. 555. The articles originally provided that the preference shares should be cumulative. The Articles were altered on re-construction and the word "cumulative" was omitted: — Held, they were still cumulative, as there was no express contrary intention. But they may be made non-cumulative by express provision or by any language which is sufficiently clear. Staples v. Eastman Photo Co., [189G] 2 Ch. 303. The Articles provided that "The holders of preference shares shall be entitled out of the net profits of each year to a preference dividend at the rate of ten per cent, per annum : — Held, this was sufficient to make the shares non cumulative (b). Unless the preference shares are made " preferential as to capital," they are paid off equally with the ordinary shares on the winding-up of the company. Welton v. Saffery, [1897] A. C. 299, at p. 309. The original shares were issued to the directors only. Later more shares were issued as " ordinary," " discount," and "bonus " shares. The " discount " shares were issued at a discount, the (b) And see Adair v. Old Bushmills Co., [1908] W. N. 24. Capital. L19 bonus Bhares for nothing. The e, of course, bad to 1"' paid up in full, but the boldera contended thai they nee,d only pay up sufficienl to payoff the debts, and need no! pay the resl of the amount due on their Bhares for the purpose of making an equal division among the shareholders : — Held, the company could have i I shares if it liked, which, after the debts had been paid, should be paid in full before any other shares; but the company bad imt done so. Therefore the whole capital must be paid up, and the surplus, after paying off the debts, divided equally among the shareholders. If, however, the preference shares are made " pre- ferential as to capital," any surplus capital of the company after payment of debts will (apart from special provisions in the articles (c)) be applied first in paying off the capital of the preference shares, then in paying off the capital of the ordinary shares, and the remaining assets will ho divided rateably between the preference and the ordinary shares (Re Espuela Land Co., [1909] 2 Ch. 1ST). 2. Ordinary shares. (Jenerallv the greater part of the net profits of the company, after paying the fixed dividend on the preference shares (if any), are paid as dividend on the ordinary shares As to how such dividends are paid, see I Jhapter X. 3. Deferred shares or founders' shares. — These shares arc usually entitled to a proportion of the profits if the dividend on the ordinary shares amounts to more than a fixed amount, e.g. the deferred shares may be entitled to half the profits after a dividend of ten per cent, has been paid on the ordinary shares. Deferred shares are usually taken by the promoters. (c) As in Re II". J. Hall £ Co., /.«/., [1909] lCh.521. Where there were special provisions that arrears of dividend on the preference shares should be paid off first . 120 Principles of Company Law. Sometimes they are allotted to them as fully paid up in consideration of their bearing the expenses of pro- motion, or they may be issued by way of bonus or commission to persons who subscribe for ordinary shares. In either of these cases a contract or par- ticulars of a contract must be filed with the registrar (d), and the number of founders' shares must be stated in the prospectus or statement in lieu of prospectus (e). Reserve capital. — -A company may by special reso- lution declare that any portion of its capital, which has not been already called up, shall not be capable of being called up except in the event of and for the purpose of the company being wound up(/). That is, reserve capital is capital which cannot be called in except on winding up. Eeserve capital cannot be turned into ordinary capital without leave of the court, and it cannot be dealt with or charged by the directors. Bartlett v. Mayfair Property Co., [189S] 2 Ch. 28. The company by special resolution declared that £5 out of each £10 share should be reserve capital. The company then issued debentures charging its undertaking and property, including its uncalled capital : — Held, the reserve capital of £5 per share was not charged, and the debenture holders had not therefore a first claim upon it. 5. Stock. — When shares have been fully paid up, they may be turned into stock (g). Stock is not divided into equal parts or shares, and the divisions arc not numbered, but it may bo divided into any (d) See p. 81. (e) See p. 01. (/) Companies Act, s. 59. (g) Notice must be given to the Registrar (Companies Act, s. 42). Capital. 121 amounts. Tims ii would be possible to hold 610 6s.8d. of Stock, though the ■Oiurt's had originally been £100 shares. It may be either (1) registered stock. Then a register of stockholders Is kept, and stock certificates similar in form to share certificates, are granted, and the stock is transferred by similar transfers, and the dividends are paid in the same way as in the case of shares. Or (2) unregistered stock. Then share warrants are issued to the holders, and these are transferable by delivery. Stockholders are members of the, company, and can vote at meetings, hut if the stock is unregistered they must prove their right to the stock before voting. The difference between shares and stock is explained by Lord Cairns in Morrice v. Aylmcr (1874), 10 Ch. A.pp. 1 L8, ;n p. L54: "The use of the term ' stock,' merely denotes that the company have recognised the fact of the complete payment of the shares, and thai the time lias come when those shares may he assigned in fragments, which for obvious reasons could not be permitted before, but thai stock shall still be the qualification, e.g., of directors who must possess a certain number of shares, ami that the meetings shall 1 f persons entitled to this stock who meet and vote as liareholders, in the proportion of shares which would entitle them to vote before the consolidation into stock.'' And it, was there hell that a bequest of shares in a company would include Btock. Skction 2. Increase and Alteration of Capital. A company may increase or alter its capital if authorised t<> d<> so by its regulations (A). No special |/;| < lompanii let, . 1 1 . 122 Principles of Company Law. method is specified in the Act (i). (Contrast this with reduction which must be by special resolution, con- firmed by the court.) Notice must be given to the Eegistrar. If the regulations do not authorise the company to increase or alter its capital, it may alter its articles by special resolution and give itself the power to do so (J). The new capital may consist of preference, ordinary or deferred shares, provided there is nothing in the Memorandum to prevent it. If there is, the Memorandum may be altered by leave of the court (k). Capital is increased when a company has issued all its authorised capital and requires more funds, e.g. to extend its business. Thus, the capital may be increased from £20,000 in 20,000 ordinary shares of £1 each, by the addition of £10,000 in 100 five per cent, preference shares of £100 each. Stamp duty is payable on the amount by which the nominal capital of the company is increased (/). Capital is altered when shares are consolidated. E.g. every twenty Is. shares are turned into one £1 share. Or sub-divided. E.g. every £1 share is turned into 20 Is. shares. This can be done under s. 41 of the Companies Act, provided the proportions of the amounts paid and unpaid remain the same. On sub-division of shares, preferential rights may be attached to "one part of each old share; e.g., each old share may be divided into one preferred share and one deferred share. (i) The power may be delegated to the directors : Mosely v. Koffy- fontein Mines, Limited, [1910] W. N. 176. (j) The alteration of the articles and of the capital may be effected by one resolution : Campbell's Case (1873), L. R. 9 Cb. Ap. at p. 21. (A) See p. 117, ante. (I) Attorney-General v. Anglo Argentine Co., [1909] 1 K. B. G77. Capital. L23 Capital may also be altered by being re-organised, /.'., by altering the rights of tbe holders of different classes of shares ; but if this involves an alteration of the Memorandum it must be done by a special resolu- tion confirmed by the court, and no special rights attached to any class can be interfered with except by a resolution passed by a majority in number of the shareholders of that class who hold between them at least three-fourths of the capital of that class, and confirmed in the same way as a special resolution | m ). Section 3. Reduction and Diminution of Capital. Where some of the capital of the company has been lost, the company ought not to pay dividends out of its profits without making provision for this loss. If the loss is very great, this would practically make it impossible for the company to pay dividends at all: consequently the company is given power to write off the lost capital and pay dividends without regard to this loss. A company may reduce its capital by special resolu- tion confirmed by the court, if its regulations contain power to do so(w). This can be done (1) by reducing the liability of members for uncalled capital ; (2) by writing off lost capital. (.*!) by paying off capital which is in excess of the wants of the company, or in any other waj whatever which may be approved by the court ( »). It is not sufficient that the Memorandum contains (m) Companies A ■ ■ t . -. 15, and see p. 117, ante. (n) Companies it 16; aaid see Pooler. National Bank of China, [1907 J A. G. 229. 124 Principles of Company Law. power to reduce, unless the Articles provide for it also (Be Dexine Patent Packing Co., [1903] W. N. 82). If they do not, they must he altered by special resolution. The following case shows how capital may be reduced by leave of the court, and may be altered in two ways : Re Welsbach Incandescent Co., [1904] 1 Ch. 87. By the Memorandum, the capital was to be £3,500,000 divided into — (1) £5 five per cent, cumulative preference shares; (2) £1 ordinary shares to be paid seven per cent, after (1) ; (3) £1 deferred shares to be paid seven per cent, after (2) ; and the rights of the different classes might be modified by special resolution. More than £2,000,000 of the capital was lost. A special resolution was passed that the capital be reduced to £1,345,000 divided into— (1) preference shares of 13s. each ; (2) ordinary shares of 5s. each ; (3) deferred shares of Is. each ; (i.e. each £1 ordinary share became a 5s. share, etc.) Then by a special resolution all these were turned into stock, and each £2 of stock was re-converted into one £1 six per cent, preference share, and one £1 ordinary share : — Held, resolution confirmed: the court being satisfied that the £2,000,000 had been really lost, and that the scheme was fair and reasonable. The most usual form of reduction is an " all round reduction " ; i.e., the lost capital is written off all the shares in proportion to their nominal value : but it may be written off one class of shares and not off others. Re Quebrada Copper Co. (1888), 40 Ch. D. 3G3. The company lost some capital, and passed a resolution to write it all oil the ordinary shares, and not to touch the preference shares: — Held, resolution confirmed; but only after full notice Capital. L25 of the effect of this resolution bad been given to all the share- holders. Neither form of reduction will be allowed if it is unfair to any class of shareholders. Barrow Haematite Co., [1900] 2 Ch. 846. The capital was divided into preference and ordinary shares. The preference shares had no preference as to capital, and qo voting power. No dividends had ever been paid on the ordinary shaies. A resolution was passed to reduce the capital by one- quarter all round : — -Held, this was not fair on the preference shareholders. Resolution not confirmed. But the fact that the shares were never paid for in cash will not prevent the reduction, if a proper contract was filed under section 88 of the Companies Act ( Ii'i Omnium Investment Co., [1895] 2 Ch. 127), nor the fact that the voting power will be altered (Be Colmer, Ltd., [1897] 1 Ch. 524). A forfeiture of shares may, unless the shares are re-issued. involve a reduction of capital. This appears to ho the only case in which a reduction of capital can take place without the leave of the court. Form of proceedings to obtain the sanction of the court. — The special resolution is first passed. Then the company must apply to the court by petition to confirm the resolution. The petition is in the following form: In the High ( Ioukt of Justice. < ihancery 1 Hvision. In the Matter of the Blank Company, Limited and Reduced, and In the Matter of the Companies (Consolidation I Act, 1908, To His Majesty's High Court of Juatice. 126 Principles of Company Law. The humble petition of the Blank Company, Limited and Eeduced, showeth as follows : (1) Your petitioner, the above-named company, was incor- porated, etc. Here state : The nature and history of the company. The special resolution. Facts showing that it is a proper case for reduc- tion. If the reduction involves a return of capital or a reduction of liability for uncalled capital, an inquiry is ordered as to the debts and liabilities of the company, and all the creditors must consent or be paid off. Where capital is reduced on tbe ground that it has been lost, evidence is usually given to prove the loss (o). There has been some conflict of authority as to the form in which the order should be made (p). If the order is made, and the petition confirmed, the order must be advertised, and the words " and reduced " added to the name of the company for a short period (Companies Act, s. 48). But the addition of these words may be dispensed with, e.g., if the company is carrying on business abroad {Sumatra Tobacco Co., W. N. (1898) 80). The object of the addition of these words is to give notice to creditors who may be giving credit to the company on the faith of the amount of capital which appears in the Memorandum. The County Court has jurisdiction to sanction the (o) In Re Louisiana, etc., Co., [1909] 2 Ch. 552, the reduction was confirmed without any evidence of the loss ; but it appears that Lord Macnaghten, in Poole v. National Bank of China, [1909] A. C. 229, merely laid down the rule that, where there is any other sufficient reason for reduction, loss need not be proved ; and it should be noted that in the Louisiana Co.'s case it was certified that there were no creditors. (p) Lees Brook Spinning Co., [1906] 2 Ch. 394, followed in 1906 W. N. 202, and 1909 W. N. 23— not following Be Calgary Co., [1906] 1 Ch. 111. Capital. 127 reduction if bhe capita] Is not more than £10,000, but the Eigh Courl bas also jurisdiction in such a case (q). Capital may lie "diminished" by cancelling shares which have uot been taken up or agreed to be taken up by any person. This may, if the articles so provide, be done by an ordinary resolution (r). It is not a reduc- tion of capital (s). A company may reduce its paid-up capital without reducing its nominal capital. This is effected by a special resolution that accumulated profits shall be returned to the shareholders in reduction of the amount paid up on their shares, the liability on the shares being increased by the Bame amount (t). The leave of the court is not required for this, as the nominal capital is not reduced (w). The amount so returned will be payable to a tenant for life as income unless the proper resolutions have been passed (cc). | m Be Portsmouth, etc., Cleaner Co., [1908] W. N. 203. (?•) Companies Act, s. 41 (1). (s) Companies Act, s. 41 (4) (t) Companies Act, s. 40. («) See generally Neale v. City of Birmingham Tramways, [19101 W.N. 17--.. J (i Be Piercy, 1907] 1 Ch. 289. ( 128 ) CHAPTER X. DIVIDENDS. Dividends are the profits of trading divided among the members in proportion to their shares. The proportion may be determined by agreement in the Articles ; if not, dividends are paid on each share in proportion to the nominal value of that share, without reference to the amount paid up on it. Oakbank Oil Co. v. Crum (1882), 8 App. Cas. 05. The capital was divided into 40,000 £1 shares fully paid up, and 20,000 £1 shares with 5s. only paid up. A dividend was declared in proportion to the amount paid up on the shares : — Held, this could not be done. The Articles therefore sometimes provide that the dividends shall be paid to the shareholders "in pro- portion to the amounts paid up on the shares held by them respectively." The dividends in each year on the ordinary shares vary with the amount of the profits made by the com- pany : but the dividends on the preference shares are usually at a fixed rate. The power to pay dividends is not expressly given by the Companies Acts, but it is inherent in every trading company, and it need nut be given by the Memorandum. The mode of payment of dividends is determined by the Articles. These generally provide that dividends Dividend . i--' arc to be paid by the directors with the sanction of a general meeting. The declaration of ;i dividend creates a debl (a) from the company to each shareholder, for which, he is entitled tn sue. Re Severn and Wye Rail. Co., [1896] 1 Ch. 559. II. held shares in the company upon which dividends were declared from 1832 to 1873. These dividends were never claimed or paid. In 1896, the question arose whether the right to the dividends was barred: — Held, when a company declares a dividend, a debt immediately becomes payable to each share- holder, for which he can sue at law, and the Statute of Limitations immediately begins to run. The debt is in the nature of a specialty debt, and is not barred until twenty years have elapsed. Re Drogheda Steam Packet Co., [1903] 1 I. R. 512. Dividends were sued for more than six years, but less than twenty years after they were declared ;— Held, "the right to the shares is evidenced by a certificate under tin seal of the company, and the certificate constitutes a specialty obligation, and such certificate incorporates the Articles ui' Association." Therefore they were not barred. The most important rules as to payment of dividends are (1) dividends should only be paid out of profits, and (_') dividends cannot be paid out of capital. See Re Sharpe, Masonic Co. v. Sharpe, [1892] 1 Ch. 154. Exception : Where shares are issued for raising money to be spenl mi the construction el' works, the company may pay interest on the capital so raised, though no profits are earned, if the («) As between tenant for life and remainderman dividends may be apportioned (Be Oppenheimer, | t907] W. N. 54). C.L. K 130 Principles of Company Law. payment is (1) authorised by the Articles, (2) sanctioned by the Board of Trade, and (3) not more than 4 per cent. (6). These rules are clear, but difficulties arise iu deter- mining in each particular case whether the dividends have really been paid out of capital or not. Thus, suppose a company has some freehold premises which are increasing in value, and leasehold premises which are decreas- ing, and the business of the company is to buy and sell coal : and suppose the capital account of the company for the last two years shows the following result : Capital Account. For iy09. Fur 1910. £ £ (1) Leaseholds worth 10,000 8,000 (2) Freeholds worth 10,000 11,000 (3) Stock of coal worth 10,000 5,000 (4) Excess of receipts for coal over cost of coal bought ... 5,000 15,000 Disregarding (1). (2), and (3), the profits fur 1910 would appear to be £15,000. But this is obviously too much, for the stock of coal has been lessened by £5000, and this should be deducted. Also the leasehold and freehold premises together are worth £1000 less than in the previous year, and this £1000 ought to be deducted, making the profit for the year £9000. But whether this £1000 must legally be deducted is a question of some difficulty. The cases seem to show that the capital account and the revenue account must be kept separate. A distinction must be drawn between — (1) "Circulating capital," i.e., "property acquired or produced with a view to re-sale or sale at a profit " (e.g., the coal in this case), and (b) Companies Act, s. 91. ' DlVIDBNDI 131 ('!) "Fixed capital," i.e., " property acquired and intended for retention and employment with a view to profit" (c) (e.g., the leaseholds and freeholds above). Both legally and commercially any loss of circulating capital must be accounted for before the profits are ascertained. Commercially also any loss or depreciation of " fixed capital " should be taken into account, and this is generally done by means of a sinking fund, but legally there are cases in which profits may be paid away as dividends without providing for loss or depreciation of fixed capital. Any improvement or appreciation of tixed capita] may, however, be counted as profit. The following eases show the extent of the rule: Lee v. Neuchatel Ashphalte Co. (1887), 41 Ch. D. p. 1. Tin' company was formed to take over a concession to work asphalte, granted for twenty years, but renewed in 1871 for another twenty years. The concession was paid for l>y 100,000 shares and £8000 in cash. The accounts of 1885 showed a surplus of £17,000. The directors proposed to pay away in dividends £16,000 of this, without making any allowance for the fact thai the concession was running out: — Held, (1) the .1 et had not depreciated (owing to the renewed concession, they were more valuable than when the company was formed); (2) the company was ool bound to make up in available assets the whole of its nominal share capital, before paying dividends; (3) the directors were not bound to set aside a sinking fund. The next case carries the rule further : Verner v. General Commercial Trust, | L894] 2 Ch. 2(38. The company was formed to purchase investments, and to borrow and lend money and pay the profits as dividends. In (c) Buckley, p. 653. 132 Principles of Company Law. 1894, the receipts exceeded the expenditure by £23,000; but many of the investments bad deteriorated, making a loss on the value of the assets of £250,000 : — Held, " the statutes do not expressly prohibit payment of dividends out of capital, but their provisions are wholly inconsistent with the return of capital to shareholders." The dividend may, however, be paid in this case. There is no legal liability to have even a sinking fund. Note that in this case the investments were intended to be retained, and it seems only reasonable that a company should not be bound to meet every depreciation of its investments before paying dividends. For such depreciation may often be only temporary. Had the business of this company consisted of speculating in investments, the investments would have been circulating capital, and any loss must have been accounted for. The effect of these cases has been explained and somewhat lessened by Fakwell, J., in — Bond v. Barrow Haematite Co., [1002] 1 Ch. 353. The company lost £200.000 owing to a lease of certain mines becoming useless through flooding, and £50,000 owing to deprecia- tion of its property generally : — Held, Verner's Case does not lay down a general rule that in every company fixed capital may be sunk or lost ; but that there are companies in which this may be done. The £200,000 loss is a loss of circulating capital, there being no difference between mines of ore and a stock of ore. As to the £50,000 loss, the burden of proof is on the directors to show (1) that it is fixed capital, and (2) that in a company of this nature such fixed capital may be sunk. Lee v. Neuchatel is not an authority for stating that no company owning depreciating property need ever create a depreciation fund. In that case there had been no loss of assets. The result of these cases is, that it is at any rate unsafe for directors to pay away profits as dividends without making some provision for making good loss of fixed capital. The balance-sheet ought to be made out on sound Dividends. 133 business lines. The proper way is to take the facts as they stand, estimate the value of the property and the losses sustained, as compared with the previous year and strike the balance. If this is done bona fide the dividend will not 1»<' fraudulent, even if some of tin- property was in fact valued too high. National Bank of Wales, [1899] 2 Ch. C20 at p. 070, affirmed as Dovey v. Cory, [1901] A. C. 477. Bad debts were included in the balance-sheet as assets : if iliese had been written off, no dividends could have been paid. The defendant director relied on the statements of the manager that the debts were good : — Held, a director is not liable if he acts on the advice of a person whom he believes to be capable and honest: and the defendant was not liable. If directors do pay dividends out of capital, they may be sued for the whole amount of the dividend actually paid out of capital. But they may recover from each shareholder the dividend received by him, if he knew that it was paid out of capital ; and a share- holder who took the dividend with such knowledge cannot sue the directors (Towers v. African Tug <'>>., [1904] W. N. 54). As to accretions. — Any increase in the value of the assets may be paid out as dividend. Lubbock v. British Bank of South America, [1892], 2 ( !h. 1 98. The company bad pari of its undertaking in Brazil with a capital of £500,000. It Bold this part for 6875,000 and agreed not to cany on a similar business. Later, the company paid £75,000 to be released from this agreement, so that the net profit on the sale (after various other payments) was £205,000: — Held, this may he distributed as profit. (The judgment of Chitty, J., at pp. 200, 201 should be read as to the mode n\' taking accounts.) 134 Principles of Company Law. But the whole accounts for the year must be taken into account. Foster v. New Trinidad, etc., Limited, [1001] 1 Ch. 208. The company had bought up an old company : among the assets were promissory notes for $127,000 which were treated in .the balance-sheets as a bad debt and of no value. The notes were unexpectedly paid up in full. The directors proposed to distribute $100,000 of this as profit: — Held, "the question of what is profits depends on the whole accounts fairly taken for the year, capital as well as profit and loss, and although dividends may be paid out of earned profits in proper cases though there has been a depreciation of capital, an estimated accretion in value of one item cannot be deemed to be profits without reference to the whole accounts fairly taken." On the whole, in practice, business principles are generally followed, and this was meant to be done, otherwise the provisions of the Companies Act allowing capital to be written off when lost would be useless (d). Profits paid to a reserve fund remain profits and may be paid as dividends though there is a loss on capital (e). Dividends must be paid in cash unless there is an express agreement to acept shares or debentures, etc. Hoole v. Great Western Rail. Co. (1867), 3 Ch. App. 262. The company had made profits, but had no available capital, and proposed to give the shareholders fully -paid shares instead : Held, the shareholders are entitled to claim payment in cash. When shares are transferred at or near the time of a declaration of dividend, the agreement usually specifies whether the tranferee or the trariferor shall get the (d) See p. 123. (e) Re Hoarc & Co., Limited, [1904] 2 Ch. 208 at p. 213. PlVIDENDS. L35 benefit of the dividend. If the trarfferee is to get the dividend the transfer is said tn be "cum dividend," if not, " ex dividend." If there is no agreement the buyer is entitled to all dividends declared after the date of the agreement for sale. Black v. Homersham (1878), 4 Ex. D. 24. August 1st, sale of shares by auction; by the conditions of sale tin- transfer was to be completed on August 29th. August 24th 1 D Of dividends declared. August 29th, transfer completed : — Held, the dividends belong to the buyer. Completion relates back to the time when the purchase was made. The buyer bought the shares on thai day at their then value. ( i::»; ) , J^ CHAPTER XI. BORROWING POWERS. Every trading company has an implied power to borrow money for the purpose of its trading ; but this power cannot be exercised until the minimum subscription has been subscribed (a). If a company has power to borrow, it has also power to charge its property as security for payment of the loan. General Auction, etc., Co. v. Smith, [1891] 3 Ch. 432. The company was formed for the purchase and sale of estates, to accept loans on deposit and make advances. The Memorandum contained no power to borrow. The company borrowed on the security of some of its land in order to pay back a deposit: — Held, being a trading company, it had full power to borrow and charge its property. The borrowing powers of a trading company are generally exercised by the directors, but this depends on the Articles. Other companies have no power to borrow unless the Memorandum of Association gives them power to do so ; but they may by applying to the court extend the Memorandum (see p. 25). Sometimes the Memorandum limits the power to borrow. /•>'.r rent (ll< Round- wood Colliery Co., [1897] 1 Ch. 373). (2) A creditor who gets a garnishee order absolute < Eobson v. Smith, [1895] 2 Ch. 124); (/) (3) A clerk or servant or other person entitled to preferential payment under the Bankruptcy Acts, has priority over debentures which create only a floating charge (//). (4) A judgment creditor if the goods are seized and sold by the sheriff before the debenture- holder takes steps. But if the goods are not sold, the floating charge has priority. Davy & Co. v. Williamson & Sons, [1898] 2 Q. B. 194. The debentures created a floating charge. Goods of the company were seized by the sheriff under a Ji. fa. Then the debenture-holders for the first time took steps to enforce their security, and claimed priority : — Held, the debentures have priority : the debentures being a valid charge, the company had no interest in the property available to satisfy a judgment debt. Seizure of goods by the sherill* is not a dealing with the assets in thr ordinary way of busim (Note that, when the goods are sold under the ft. fa. they become the property of the purchaser.) A clause is frequently inserted in the debentures that the company shall not be able to create mortgages in priority to or pari /><<*.•j, Co., U»o5 1 Ch. 576 [) Palmer, Co. Free. III. 71. Debentubes. 155 (4) The company can be made t insure, repair, etc. Debentures sometimes contain a clause that the tights of the debenture-holders may be modified with the consent of a majority of (say) three-fourths of them, and that this consent shall bind all the debenture-holders (Sneath v. Valley Gold Co., [1803] 1 Ch. 477). Suction 3. Debentures to Bearer. The objeci of making a debenture payable to bearer is that it may become a negotiable instrument, that is to say : (1) It is transferable by delivery. (7) As to the stamp ou a debenture trust deed, seo Suffield v. Inland Revenue Commissioners, [1908] 1 K. B. 865. 156 Principles of Company Law. (2) A transferee in due course gets a title indepen- dent of any defects in the title of the transferor. (3) No notice of transfers need he given to the company. (4) No stamp duty is payahle on a transfer. As in the case of share warrants, the interest is payable to the bearer of a coupon, which is merely an order on the company or the company's bank to pay a certain sum to the person who presents it on or after a certain date. Several coupons are attached to each debenture and are cut off by the holder one by one as the date for payment of each arrives. Form of debentures to bearer. — The form is much the same as the form of a debenture to registered holder (on p. 143), except that the agreement is to pay " to the bearer on presentation of this debenture " and to pay interest " in accordance with the coupons annexed hereto." The conditions indorsed on the debenture contain some of the same clauses, but omit all reference to a register or registered holder, and also contain the following clauses : (1) Interest shall be payable only to the person producing the coupon. (2) When the principal sum due is paid oft', the debenture and coupons must be surrendered. (3) The company may safely pay interest to the bearer of the coupon. (4) Notices affecting the holders (e.g., of intention to pay off") may be given by advertisement. (5) The debenture is to be treated as negotiable. (6) On the request of the holder, the company will exchange his debenture for a debenture to registered holder. Debentuees. 157 Debentures payable to bearer are negotiable. There was at one time some doubt as to this, for at common law an instrument under seal could nol be negotiable {Crouch v. Credit Fonder (l.s7:;>, L. It. 8 <,». B. ?>74). But it was held that in the case of a foreign instrument under seal, if it was treated by the general custom of merchants as being negotiable, it would be recognised as such by English law (Goodvrin v. Robarts (187o), L. K. H> Ex. 337). It is now settled that the latter doctrine applies also to English documents even thoimh under seal. Bechuanaland Exploration Co. v. London Trading Bank, [1898] 2 Q. B. 658. The plaintiffs held debentures of an English company, payable to bearer and under the Beal of the company. The plaintiffs kept them in a safe of which their secretary had the key. The secretary pledged the debentures with the defendant bank as security for a loan. The hank took them bond fide, having recently received from the plaintiffs an assurance that their secretary was absolutely trustworthy : — Held, the debentures are negotiable. The defendants have a good title. Bearer debentures are now recognised as negotiable without the necessity of proving a custom of merchants to treat them as such. Edelstein v. Schuler, [1902] •_> K. B. 144. Debenture bonds, payable to bearer, were stolen and sold through a broker: — Held (BlGHAM, J.), "The time has passed when the negotiability of bearer bonds, whether government bonds oi trading bonds, foreign or English, can be called in question. The existence of the usage has been so often proved that it must be taken to be part of the law." 158 Principles of Company Law. Section 4. Registration of Debentures. A debenture need not be registered as a bill of sale, even if it includes chattels, for, by the Bills of Sale Act, 1882, s. 17, debentures of "any mortgage, loan, or other incorporated company " (r) need not be registered. Re Standard Manufacturing Co., [1891] 1 Oh. G27. It was argued that the debentures of a company must be registered as bills of sale, unless it was a morgage or loan company or some similar company, i.e. that the words "other company" must be construed ejusdem generis : — -Held, the section applies to all incorporated companies. The reason is that sufficient provision is made in the Companies Act for the registration of debentures. Debentures must be registered under the Com- panies Act. By sect. 93 every mortgage or charge created by the company (s) (a) for securing an issue of debentures ; or (b) charged on uncalled capital ; or (c) by an instrument which if made by an individual would be a bill of sale ; or (d) which creates a floating charge ; or (e) is a mortgage of land (ss) ; or (;■) This includes a company registered in Guernsey (Clark v. Balm, Hill & Co., [1908] 1 K. B. 667). (s) If created between January 1st, 1901, and July 1st, 1908, the Act of 1900 applies, which includes only (a), (b), (c), and (d) above. If created after July 1st, 1908, (e) and (f) also apply. (ss) Thus, if a solicitor claims a lien over the deeds of a company for his costs his lien should be registered. So also a contract for sale of land to a company should be registered if the vendor wishes to rely on his lien for unpaid purchase-money. Debentures. 159 (f) is ;i mortgage of book debts, shall so far as it creates a charge be void as against the liquidator and creditors of the company, unless it be delivered for registration with the registrar within twenty-one days of its creation. Besides the register kept by the registrar the company must : (1) keep ;i register of mortgages and charges speci- fically affecting property of the company (sect. 100) ; (2) keep copies of all mortgages and charges which have to be registered with the registrar (sect. 93 (9)). The company usually keeps a register of debenture^ - holders ; but it is not bound bo do so. In case of a series of debentures the register states — (a) the total amount secured ; (h) dates of resolutions and deeds (if any) which created the charge; (c) description of the property charged ; and (d) names of the trustees (if any) (sect. 93 (3)). Right of Inspection. (1) The register kepi by the registrar must be open to the in tion of any one on payment of nut more than Is. (t), (2) The register of mortgages kept by the company must be open to creditors and members of the company free, and to other persons on payment of not more than Is. («), (3) The copies of mortgages registered with the registrarmusl be open to creditors and members free, but qoI to other persons (. 43. The company issued 100 debentures of £100 each at £95 each. Forty of these were deposited with creditors as security: — Held, this was a good charge. The validity of the issue was not dis- puted (A). On winding-up, the company's power to issue de- bentures ceases. But the company can allot the rest of a series already issued at any time before winding-up, even after an action has been commenced by debenture-holders to enforce their security. Hubbard & Co., W. N. (1808) 158. Some of the debentures of an issue were not taken up. The interest fell in arrear. The' debenture-holders commenced an action for a receiver. The company allotted some of the remain- ing debentures of the series to its solicitor as security for the costs of the defence : —Held, the issue was good, as the receiver had not yet been appointed. If money is advanced to the company under an agreement that debentures shall be issued, this creates a charge at once in equity. Pegge v. Neath, etc., Co., [1808] 1 Ch. L83. The company borrowed money from 1'. and gave him a pro- missory note, and undertook to issue to P., when railed on, see I mortgage debentures to that amount. An action was brought by the ti rst and some of the second debenture-holders to enforce their (h) And sec Mosely v. Koffyfontein Mine. L904 2 Ch. 108. 166 Principles of Company Law. security, and they obtained judgment. Then P. claimed to have his second debentures issued to him : — Held, P. is in equity a holder of second mortgage debentures to the amount of his debt. Specific performance of an agreement to give de- bentures may be enforced against a company : and the company can specifically enforce against another person an agreement to take debentures (i). Before the Act of 1907 the latter agreements could not be specifically enforced. South African Territories, Limited v. Wallington, [1898] A. C. 309. The company issued a prospectus for 1500 debentures of £50 each, payable as to ten per cent, on application, and the rest by instalments. W. signed an application form for sixteen debentures, and paid £80, and thereby agreed to take sixteen debentures on the terms of the prospectus. The company allotted the debentures, but W. refused to pay anything further. The company claimed (1) specific performance ; (2) damages: — Held (Lord Halsbury), " The real nature of the transaction is an agreement by the applicant to lend money at certain interest." You cannot get specific performance of a contract to lend money. But an action for damages for breach of contract will lie. Section 7. Remedies of Debenture-holders. A debenture-holder who wishes to realise his security and get his money back, may make use of all or any of the following remedies. 1. He may sue on behalf of himself and all other debenture-holders to obtain payment or to enforce his security by sale. The court then appoints a receiver and (if necessary) a mauager (see p. 153), and declares (i) Companies Act, s. 105. Debentures 167 the debentures to be a charge ou the assets of the company, directs inquiries as to who- are debenture- holders, etc., and orders a sale of the property (&). The bolder of one of a Beries of debentures cannol .sell the property charged unless the debenture contains an express power of sale. Blaker v. Berts and Essen Waterworks L889), 41 Ch. D. 406. Any surplus proceeds of sale after payment of the principal, interest, and costs ., ! I'.ioi; \Y. N. -JO), For this purpose a statement of claim should he prepared ( /.V Ditpont, [1906] W. N. U), and Bhould be supported hy evidence. The statement of claim can only be dis- pensed with if the company consents to the order. [Be Kitson Empire Co., [1'JIO] W. N. 154). For the form of the order. Bee ih iqgleston ( 'oal ( 'o. (ubi swp.). ii \ to the order of payment, ■■ Calgary dk Medicirn Hat Co., [1908] t> Ch. 652. 168 Principles of Company Law. then have priority over the claims of the debenture- holders (m), but will be postponed to the receiver's right of indemnity (n). Leave to borrow money in this way will only be granted where there is clear evidence of advantage. Securities Investment Corporation v. Brighton Alhambra (1893), 68 L. T. 249. The receiver appointed by debenture-holders of a music hall had already borrowed £1000, and had carried ou the business for some time at a loss. He applied for leave to borrow another £1000, in order to sell the business as a going concern : — Held, leave will not be granted, for this is a mere speculation. If the receiver exceeds the amount authorised, his right of indemnity does not extend to the excess, even if he acted bond fide, unless it was reasonably necessary for him to borrow without applying to the court (Be British Power, etc., Co., Limited, [1906] 1 Ch. 497) (o). 4. The debenture-holder may apply to the court for foreclosure, which may extend even to the uncalled capital of the company (Sadler v. Worley, [1894] 2 Ch. 170). But this remedy is not usual, as it is necessary for all the debenture-holders of every class to be parties to the action. Elias v. Continental Co., [1897] 1 Ch. 511. Four out of five debenture-holders sued for foreclosure : — Held, (to) Be Glasdir Copper Mines, Limited, [1905] W. N. 172. (») A. Boijnton, Limited, [1910] 1 Ch. 519. As to priorities where default is set off against indemnity see Be British Poiver Traction Co., [1910] W. N. 194. (o) And S. C, [1907] W. N. 49 as to what was authorised in that case. I M.lsKNTURES. 169 where the legal estate is in tin- iimrl'ja'jee- ami foreclosure means simply depriving the mortgagor of his equitA of redemption, it is DOi neeessaiy I'm' all parties to be present : but where it involves conveying the property of the company to the mortgagees, they must all be present. 5. He can present ;i petition for winding up the company, as he is a creditor (see p. 217). 6. He may have the property sold, if the debenture trust deed gives the trustees a power of sale. 7. If the company is insolvent, and his security is insufficient, he may value his security and sue for the balance of his debt or give up his security and sue for the whole debt. The proceeds recovered by any of these means may be applied by the debenture-holder in payment of his costs, principal debt and interest, but not interest which became due after winding up. A plaintiff who sues on behalf of himself and all other debenture-holders of the same class, has a first claim against the proceeds for his costs. A second debenture-holder who is made a party gets his costs only out of the surplus if any) after payment of the first debentures (p). The amount of costs that he may recover depends on a rule, at first sight rather curious. (1) If the assets are insufficient to pay the deben- tures of his class in full, he gets solicitor and client costs. (2) If the assets are sufficient to pay the debentures of his class in full, but not sufficienl to pay (/>) Re Clayton Engineering Co., [1904] W. N. 28. 170 PitiNCiPLES of Company Law. the subsequent debentures, be only gets party and party costs (q). The reason of this is that in the first case the costs come entirely out of the pockets of the persons whose rights he has been enforcing ; while in the second, they come out of the residue of the fund which is going to persons not benefited by his exertions (r). (q) But if the plaintiff cannot pay to his solicitor the difference between party and party costs and solicitor and client costs, the solicitor has a lien on the property recovered in the action for the difference (Re W. C. Home d Sons, Limited, [1906] 1 Ch. 271 ; and see form of order on p. 277). (r) Netv Zealand Midland Bail. Co., [1901] 2 Ch. 357 ; and see Re Clayton Engineering Co., [1904] W. N. 28. ( 171 ) CHAPTER XIII UNDERWRITING. An underwriting agreement is an " agreement whereby, previously to an offer of a company's shares to the public for subscription, some person undertakes, in consideration of a commission, to take the whole or a portion of such (if any) of the offered shares as may not be subscribed for by the public" (Rawlins and Macnaghten, p. 220). Similar agreements may be made for underwriting debentures. When a company offers a number of shares to the public, it is very often most important to secure that the whole issue shall be taken up. Even if the shares arc almost certain to be taken, unforeseen events may happen, such as the outbreak of war or attacks against the company in the newspapers, which would endanger the success of the issue. Consequently, a company is usually willing to pay a small commission on all the shares offered to the public to any one who will agree to take all the shares (if any) that the public do not take. Brokerage is rather different. If the company agrees with A. that if he takes so many shares, the company will allow him a commission of £2 per cent., this may amount to issuing shares at a discount ; but if A. is a 172 Principles of Company Law. broker, and employed as such by the company for placing shares, a proper commission or " brokerage " may be paid. A person who " places " shares does not take them himself, but finds other persons who will take them. A reasonable brokerage has always been allowed. Metropolitan Coal Association v. Scrimgeour, [1895] 2 Q. B. G04. A payment of two and a half per cent, to brokers was held to be valid. Underwriting commission may only be paid under certain conditions. By section 89 of the Companies Act no company may apply any of its shares or capital, either directly or indirectly, in the payment of any commission, discount or allowance to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe for or procure subscriptions for any shares unless — (1) the payment of the commission is authorised in the articles, (2) the payment does not exceed the amount or rate authorised, and (3) the amount or rate agreed to be paid is disclosed in the prospectus or statement in lieu of prospectus (a). Sometimes the underwriter enters into subsidiary contracts with other persons to relieve him of some of his liability for a commission. This is called "sub- underwriting." The commission paid to sub-under- writers need not be disclosed in the prospectus (b). (a) This section does not affect the power to pay brokerage s. 89 (3). (6) S. 81 (1) (h). Undeewbiting. 173 The result is that a company cannot apply its capital or shares in the paymenl of underwriting commission except in the manner imtitioned in the Act. This provision bae been used as an indirect way of issuing shares at a discount. Thus, the company agrees to pay to everypcrson who subscribes fur one £1 share tbe sum of 5s. by way of commission. It is, however, exceedingly doubtful whether such a scheme is legal, and if it is really nothing more than an issue of shares at a discount it would probably be void (see Keatinge v. Paringa Mines, Limited, | 1902] W. X. 15). There is a distinction between payment of a "commission" and "discount." The word " commission " seems to imply some service to the company beyond the mere agreement to take up shares in return fur the company's agreement to allot them (see also Shorto v. Colwill, [1909] W. N. 218, and Burrow v. Paringa Mines, Limited, [1009] 2 Ch. 658.) It was at one time thought that the Act prevented a company from giving as the consideration for under- writing shares, an option to take further shares at par (c). This has now been held to be legal. Hilder v. Dexter, [1902] A. C. 474. Shares were offered to fourteen persons on the terms that for each share taken up, the applicant should have an option of taking within a year one other share at par (c) ; and if he should take up this share within the year, then he should have a further option "f taking up another share at par within the next year: — Held, this is valid. The company is not applying "any of its shares or capital," and is not paying "a commission, discount or allowance." 'the result is. in any case, that the company jets "par " for the shares. Before the Act of L907 the payment was only allowed on an offer of shares to the public (./). (c) Taking a share at "par" means, giving £100 for a 6100 share. To give less, is to take at a discount ; to give more, is t,, take at a premium. («/) See luu.th New Afrikander Co., 1903] I Ch. 295,and Shenvell v. Combined Incandescent Syndicate, Limited, and not.- tl on p. 209. 174 Principles of Company Law. The contract usually takes the form of an under- writing letter, which may be either — (1) An offer, which does not become binding until the company communicates its acceptance (e). Ex parte Stark (1897), 1 Cii. 575. S., by letter, offered to subscribe or find securities for 10,000 shares, or so many as the company should agree to issue to him : — Held, this was merely an offer. Or, (2) An acceptance of the terms offered by the com- pany. Carmiehael's Case, [1896] 2 Ch. 643. C. signed a letter agreeiug to take 1000 shares in consideration of a certain commission :— Held, this was a complete contract. The payment may be made direct by the company or by the person to whom the shares are allotted (/). The amount of commission paid in respect of shares and deben- tures must be stated in the annual summary, and the rate of com- mission paid in respect of debentures must be entered in the register of mortgages kept by the registrar (. 183, C.L. 178 Principles of Company Law. Section 2. Appointment of Directors. The first directors are usually named in the Articles. — This is not now a valid appointment unless each of the proposed directors has — (i.) signed and filed with the registrar a consent to act as director ; and (ii.) signed the memorandum for his qualification shares or a contract to take them from the company and pay for them (d). If not named in the Articles, the first directors are appointed by the subscribers to the Memorandum. This must be done either — (1) by the majority at a meeting of subscribers ; or (2) by a writing signed by all the subscribers. If they do not meet, all the subscribers must sign the appointment, unless the Articles provide otherwise. See — John Morley Building Co., [1891] 2 Ch. at p. 392, and Re Great Northern Salt Works (1890), 41 Ch. D. 472. The company adopted Table A. (see p. 45 ante), which contains no provisions on this subject. A meeting ot* three of the seven subscribers appointed A., B., C, and D. as directors. Later, all seven subscribers signed a document appointing A., B., C, and E. as directors : — Held, the first appointment was bad, the second good. A company must keep a register of its directors, and send copies of the register to the registrar and must (d) Companies Act, s. 72. DlEBCTOES. 17'.» also notify bo the registrar airy change among its directors (c). Section 3. Quorum. A quorum is the number of directors who must be present at any meeting. The minimum number is the number of directors who must be holding office at any time. If a minimum number of directors is fixed by the Articles, and the number falls below the minimum, the remaining directors cannot act. But the Articles may authorise the directors to act in spite of a vacancy. Re Bank of Syria, [1901] 1 Ch. 115. l'>\ the Articles the affairs of the company were tu be conducted by a council of not less than three. Article i'2 allowed the Council to act in spite of a vacancy. The numbers of the council were reduced to two. The remaining two gave certain securities : — Held, these securities would have been void, but were saved by clause 42. The quorum of directors is usually fixed by the Articles. A qnorum may be defined as "The number of directors qualified to act who must be present at a meeting to enable them to act as a board." Re Greymouth Point Elizabeth Railway, [1904] 1 Oh. 32. The Articles contained a clause the same as Article 86 (on p. 41), and two directors were to be a quorum. There were only three directors: two of these lenl £2000 to the company, and the hoard (viz., the three directors) agreed to give them debentures to secure it. Thus, though three directors were present, two were disqualified from voting under Article 80 : — Held, the agreement wa i void. (c) Companies Act, b. 75. 180 Principles' of Company Law. If no quorum is fixed by the Articles, the number of directors who usually act will be sufficient ; but in any case, notice of the meeting must be given to all the directors. Section 4. Qualification. There need not be any qualification for directors, but the Articles usually provide that nq person shall act as director unless he holds a certain number of shares. See Art. 84 on p. 40 above. If any qualification is fixed, then — (1) It must be disclosed in the prospectus (/) ; (2) Each director must take his qualification shares within two months of his appoint- ment, otherwise he vacates office, and renders himself liable to a fine of £5 for every day that he acts as director (g) ; (3) The company cannot commence business until every director has taken up his qualifica- tion shares and paid on them, if payable in cash, the same proportion as the public have to pay on application and allotment (A). The Articles frequently provide that the qualifica- tion of a director shall be the holding of a certain number of shares " in his own right." It would perhaps be better to provide that he must hold them " beneficially," for the former words are satisfied if the director holds the shares as " trustee for others " (i), (/) Companies Act, s. 81 (1) (b). (jg) Ibid., s. 73. (h) Companies Act, s. 87. (i) Howard v. Sadler, [18 ( J3] 1 Q. B. 1. In such a case the dividends on the shares belong to the beneficiaries, but the remuneration of the director or trustee belongs to him (Re Dover Coal-Field, Limited , [1908] 1 Ch 65. DlBECTOBS. 181 unless it appears od the register that he is merely a trustee. Boschoek Proprietary Co. v. Fuke, [19061 J ( h l48 - A director was entered on Ihe register as the holder of Bhar< liquidator of another company: -Held, be was not qualified. And the director must hold the shares in such a way that the company may safely deal with him as owner of the shares. Sutton v. English & Colonial Co., [1902] 2 Ch. 502. The i[Ufilification of a director was the holding of 100 shares "in his own right." S., a director held 1000 shares. S. became bankrupt; his trustee in bankruptcy gave notice to the company that he claimed the shares, but did nut wish to be registered for a few days. The hoard of directors excluded S. as being dis- qualified : — Held, S. was disqualified. Shares which are held by a director jointly with any other person may be a sufficient qualification (/•). If a director takes his qualification shares as a present from the promoters, this is a breach of trust, and he must account to the company for the amount. Hay's Case (1875), 10 Ch. App. 604. The directors agreed with Hay, thai if In- would become a director they would give him forty £25 shares as his qualification. The promoters then paid Hay £1000. Hay then applied t>> the company for the shares, and paid £1000 for them: — Held, Hay holds tlir £1000 as trustee for the company, Disqualification and Removal. A director becomes disqualified if he loses his quali- fication, or if he docs any act which, by the Articles, amounts to a disqualification (see Art. 85 on p. 1"). (k) annul, v. Briggs, [1910] W. \\ 17. 182 Principles of Company Law. e.g., to hold a paid office under the company such as a paid trustee of a debenture deed (Astley v. New Tivoli, [1899] 1 Ch. 151). " Absenting himself," as in clause 85 (c) (p. 41 , above), refers only to voluntary absence. Mack's Claim, [1900] W. N. 114. A director who lived in Belfast was seriously ill and unable to travel, and failed to attend several meetings : — Held, he did not vacate his office. When the disqualification consists in " making a secret profit," the disqualification ceases as soon as the transaction is complete. Re Bodega, [1904] W. N. 7. W., one of the directors, made a secret profit in 1900. He was re-elected in 1901. In 1902 the secret profit was discovered: — Held, the disqualification ceased as soon as it became complete in 1900, and the re-election in 1901 made him a director again. A disqualified director ceases to be a director, and therefore cannot act. If he does act, the company may restrain him from doing so by injunction, but cannot sue him for damages. An individual shareholder cannot take any proceed- ings against him for acting ; for an individual share- holder cannot, as a rule, sue to redress a wrong done to the company. This is the rule in Foss v. Harbottle (1843), 2 Ha. 461. Burland v. Earle, [1902] A. C. 83. Directors instead of paying profits to shareholders invested thorn : — Held, To redress a wrong done to the company the action should be brought by the company itself, except where the persons against whom relief is sought hold the majority Directors. 183 of the shares and will nut allow the company to bring an action; and even then, only in cases of fraud and ulti'a vires, and not for mere informalities (7). The Articles generally contain a clause that it' it shall afterwards appear that the directors were disqualified, or improperly elected, any acts done by them shall be valid in spite of the disqualification. See Art. 9'.' on P- 42. This applies both to dealings with outsiders and to dealings with the members of the company. British Asbestos Co. v. Boyd, [1903] 2 Ch. 439. P>., Jl., ami M. were directors. Two formed a quorum. The Articles contained the same clause as Article 99 (on p. 4"2), and it was a disqualification to hold any office of profit in the company. At. resigned. B. became secretary lor two months, and was there- fore disqualified. During that time B. and K. appointed I ». as director. The appointment of D. was disputed: — Held, D's appointment was valid. Article 99 (together witli Companies Act. 1862, section t!7, now section 71) covers cases where the facts causing disqualification were known at the time, hut the knowledge was not present to the minds of the directors. Also, this clause applies to a question of internal management, such as the appoint- ment of a director. A director who has resigned cannot withdraw his resignation (///). A director who is unsatisfactory may be removed by the company, but the power of removal is governed entirely by the Articles (n). If there is no such power in the Articles, the company may give itself the power by special resolution. (/) As to the use of the company's nam. Bee Normandy v. In, l Coope, Limited, \ L908] 1 Ch. 84 ; and Marshall's Valve < 'o. v. Manning .( I 'o., [1909] 1 Ch. 267, where the solicitor was held personally liable to |>av the i (to) Olossopv. (ih>ssi>/>, 1907 \V. X. 170. (n) Brotime v. La Trinidad, L887 87 Ch. D. l. 184 Principles of Company Law. Section 5. Remuneration of Directors. The remuneration of the directors (if any) must be stated in the prospectus (o). Directors are not entitled to any remuneration apart from express agreement. The Articles usually provide for their remunera- tion ; if so, it cannot be changed or increased without a special resolution (p). Directors cannot get their travelling and other expenses in addition to their remuneration, unless this is expressly provided for (q). If the Articles provide for remuneration, it becomes a debt due from the company to the directors, and may be sued for, and may be paid out of capital if there are no profits. Re Imndy Granite Co. (1872), 2G L. T. 673. The remuneration was to be one-tenth of the profits, but not less than £100 a year. There were no profits for several years : — Held, the directors were entitled to £100 a year. When a company is making no profits, the directors frequently agree to waive their remuneration, but they are not bound to do so. If the remuneration is to be " at the rate of £ — a year," a director who acts for part of a year is entitled to a proportionate share of remuneration; but if it is to be " a yearly sum of £ — ," or even " £ — per annum," (o) Companies Act, s. 81 (1) (b). (p) Boschock Co. v. Fake, [1906] 1 Ch. 148. (q) Young v. Naval, Military, etc., Limited, [1905] W. N. 41. Directors. 185 In' will not get anything in any year unless he acts for the whole year. Inman v. Ackroyd and Best, Limited, [1901] 1 K. B. 613. The remuneration was to 1"- "the Bum of £125 per annum per director." I. served for our year and Beven months: — Held, if it. had been " al the rate of" s - L25 per annum, I. would be entitled to be paid for one year .'11111 seven months. But in this ease he is only entitled to be paid £125 for the one complete year. If a director is a trustee of his qualification shares, he may retain his remuneration for himself (r). Section 6. Powers of Directors. The powers of the directors are generally described in the Articles, and there is usually a clause giving them powers of management and all the powers of the company which are not otherwise dealt with. See Art. IOC on p. 42. This genera] clause is not to be construed "ejusdem generis," but is valid and effectual. Re Pyle Works (No. 2), [1891] 1 Ch. 17.".. Two directors of the 1*. Company gave a guarantee to a railway company, by reason of which the railway company agreed to carry j 1- mi rn-ilit for tin- I'. ( 'ompany. The board of the I'. ' lompanj therefore agreed that it should indemnify the two directors by a charge on its uncalled capital. The Articles only gave directors power to secure money when borrowed. The Memorandum gave the company power to i^n,- securities generally. The Articles contained clause 106 on p. 12 : -Held, the directors have power in jive this charge. The directors are the only persons who can deal with the matters thus assigned u< them, and their decision cannot be (r) Be Dovei Coal Field, Limited, L907 W. N. 119. 180 Principles of Company Law. overruled even by a general meeting of the company (s), unless the Articles are altered by a special resolution, or unless the directors are acting in their own interests against the interests of the com- pany (t). They should, however, communicate their policy to the shareholders, and are bound to do so, if their policy is attacked by any of the shareholders («). The shareholders may enlarge the powers of the directors, and so enable them to do anything that the company could do ; or, if the directors do some act beyond their powers, the shareholders may ratify their act, if it is within the powers of the company. A director cannot make a contract with the company, otherwise there would be a conflict between his own private interest and his duty to the company. Any such contract will be held to be void, without any inquiry as to its fairness. Parker v. McKenna (1874), 10 Ch. App. 118. S. agreed to take 9000 shares on certain terms by which he was to pay £30 premium down, and the rest by instalments. The directors took over part of his bargain and released him from some of its terms : — Held, this was a contract in which it was important for the directors to watch the interests of the company. Therefore the contract with them was void, and they must refund the profit made on the shares. There are two exceptions to this rule — (1) A director may agree to take shares or deben- tures of the company. (2) The Articles may modify the rule and allow a director to make contracts with the company, (s) Automatic Filter Co. v. Cunninghame, [1906] 2Ch. 34; Salmon v. Quin & Axtens, Limited, [1909] 1 Ch. 311. (/) Marshall's Valve Gear Co., [1909] 1 Ch. 267. (u) Peel v. London £ North-Western Bail. Co., [1907] 1 Ch. 5. Directors. 1st provided, e.g., that he does not vote See Art. 86 on p. 41. This docs aot prevent him from voting on the same question al a meeting of shareholders (■<■). The directors must act at a meeting (called a "board meeting") unless the Articles give them power to acl otherwise. The meeting must be duly summoned ; that is, due notice of the meeting must be given to every director. The meeting may be held anywhere, e.g., in a passage (//). The decisions of the directors take the form of resolutions, e.g., " Eesolved that shares Nbs. to be allotted to ," etc. .Minutes of the meetings are kept and signed by the chairman. Directors may not delegate their powers unless the Articles expressly give them power to do so. Re Liverpool Household Stores (1890.1, 59 L. J. Ch. 624. Directors, under powers expressly given by the Articles, delegated all their powers to a committee of three. This was recognised as valid. The powers of directors cease on the commencement of a winding-up. Section 7. Liability of Directors. Directors are not personally liable on the contracts which they make as agents for the company, but they may he liable — (x) North-West Transportation Co. v. Beatty, [1887 12 a. 0. 589. (y) Smith v. Parmga Mines, [1906] 2 Ch. 198. 188 Principles of Company Law. (1) on an implied warranty of authority (see p. 137) ; (2) to persons who subscribe for shares, in case of untrue statements in the prospectus (z) see p. 60) ; or (3) to the company in case of gross negligence. Merchant's Tire Office v. Armstrong, [1901] W. N. 162. Directors voted £15,000 to one of their number for "services," whereas he had only rendered the ordinary services of a director : —Held, this is gross negligence, and they are liable. It is not necessary to prove fraud, where directors have applied capital in payment of objects ultra vires, e.g., in the payment of dividends out of capital (Masonic Co. v. Sharpe, [1892] 1 Ch. 154, at p. 165). But if they act within their powers in the bona fide exercise of their discretion they are not liable, and the burden of proof lies on those who seek to charge them with bad faith. Re New Mashonaland Co., [1892] 3 Ch. 577. The directors agreed to lend £1250 to G., on his giving security. Cheques were paid to G. at once, but he never gave security : — Held, this is a doubtful case, but the burden of proof lies on the plaintiffs to prove fraud, and they have not done so. The directors are not liable, as they have acted in their discretion. A director is not liable if he can show that he acted without knowledge of the facts which made his act illegal, provided he was not guilty of negligence (a). And in any case if he has acted honestly and reasonably and ought fairly to be excused, the court can relieve him from liability (b). (z) Companies Act, s. 84. (a) Dovey v. Corey, [1901] A. C. 477. (b) Companies Act, s. 279. Directors. L89 A director who habitually abstains from board meet- ings may become liable for the ads of his co-direotors. But lie is nut bound to attend all board meetings. Re Denham & Co. (1883 I, '-'■". < Ih. I '. 752. All the powers of management were vested in D. C, one of the directors, did not attend the board meetings as a rule. Dividends were paid for four year.- out of capital. < '. himself on one occasion moved a resolution for a dividend at fifteen per cent. : — Held, C. was not liable. A director who signs cheques makes himself liable if the cheque ought not to have been paid (c). The procedure by which a director may be made liable is by misfeasance summons under section 215 of the Companies Act. If one of several directors has been made to pay for misfeasance, he is entitled to contribution from the others. Ashurst v. Mason (1875). L. R. 20 Eq. 225. B., a director, held 250 shares with nothing paid. He resigned. lli^ shares were, by a resolution of the directors, transferred to A., one of the directors, in trust for the company. This, of course, was illegal. The company was wound up, and A. had to pay in full : -Held, all the directors are liable to contribute their shares of this loss. This ease was followed and explained in Jackson v. Dickinson, [1903] 1 Ch. 952. which should be read. The same rule applies to bis liability under the section 84 of the Companies Act, and even though some of the directors are dead (d); but net if be has been guilty of fraud and the others have not(e). (c) Rawlins and Macnaghtcn, p. 25'J. [d) Shepheard v. Bray, [1906] 3 Oh. 235; bul ee S. C, 2 Ch. 571. (c) Companies Aet, s. 84 (-4). 190 Principles of Company Law. Directors may also become liable for penalties if they- do not comply with certain of the provisions of the Companies Act which include (1) Keeping a register of members (s. 25, penalty £5 per day). (2) Making an annual list and summary (s. 26, penalty £5 per day). (3) Sending to the registrar notice of conversion of shares into stock or of consolidation or division of shares (s. 42, no penalty specified). (4) Calling a general meeting every year within the proper time (s. 64, penalty £50). (5) Sending in a proper report before the statutory meeting (s. 65, no penalty expressed). (6) Sending in a proper return of allotments (s. 88, penalty £50 per day). (7) Sending to the registrar copies of special and extraordinary resolutions (s. 70, penalty £2 per day). (8) Keeping a register of directors and notifying changes in the board (s. 75, penalty £5 per day). (9) Stating in every balance sheet the amount paid by way of underwriting commission until written off (s. 90, no penalty expressed). (10) Keeping registers of mortgages and charges and allowing inspection (ss. 93, 100 (fine £50), 101 (fine £5), 102 (fine £5). It is usually the duty of the secretary of the com- pany to make himself acquainted with all the details of the Companies Act, and to see that the directors comply with its requirements. (. 191 ) CHAPTER XV. MEETINGS AND RESOLUTIONS. Section I. Meetings. Meetings of shareholders are of three kinds : (1) Statutory meeting. - -A company must hold a ?**- ' general meeting within not less than one month and not more than three months i'ronrthe date at which it is entitled to commence busmess(a). This meeting is called the statutory meeting. A report must be senl t<> all the shareholders seven days before this meeting, stating. (a) the Dumber of shares allotted, how much has been paid up, and the consideration for allotmenl ; (b) the cash received by the company for these shares; (c) an abstract of the receipts and payments of the company, and an estimate of the preliminary expen: i (d) names, etc., of directors, auditors, manager and secretary ; (e) it' an\ contract is to be submitted to the meeting for modification, then particulars ul' the contract and the propo ed modifications. A list of members must be produced at the meeting. This ensures that within a short time from the commencement of a company, all the shareholders shall have a chance of ascertaining tin' exact position of the company. (a ) Companies Act, s. 65. 192 Principles of Company Law. The company cannot before the statutory meeting alter the terms of any contract referred to in the prospectus except subject to the approval of the statutory meeting (6). (2) Ordinary meeting.— The articles generally pro- vide that there shall be an annual general meeting, to be held on a certain date. This is an ordinary meeting. There must be at least one general meeting every calendar year, not more than 15 months after the previous meeting (c). (3) Extraordinary meeting. — If there is some busi- ness which must or ought to be transacted before the next ordinary meeting, the directors may call an extraordinary meeting. The holders of not less than one-tenth of the issued shares of the company may at any time compel the directors to call an extraordinary meeting (d). The Articles may extend this power (e.g., by allowing the holders of one-twentieth of the issued capital to requisition a meeting), but they cannot restrict it. If the directors neglect to call the meeting, the requisitionists may call it themselves. Such a requi- sition must be signed by the requisitionists, and in case of joint holders of shares all the joint holders must sign (c). All these meetings are general meetings, and similar business may be transacted at all of them. (6) Companies Act, s. 83. (c) Ibid., s. 64, penalty £50. (d) Ibid., s. 66, which also provides for the manner in which the meeting shall be held. (c) Patentwood Keg Syndicate v. Pearsc, [1906] W. N. 164. Meetings, and Reboli tions. L93 Every member is entitled to notice of a general meeting. Smythe v. Darley ( 1 8 19), 2 H. I.. < las. 789. (In an election of a treasurer for Dublin by the board of magis- trates, notice was not sent to one of the board : — Held, the board were a corporate body, and the election was void. I'.ul the Articles nearly always modify this rule, and provide that notices may be sent by post, etc. See Articles 58 and 59 on pp. 37 and 38. If special business is to be transacted the notice must specify its nature. Tiessen v. Henderson, [1899] 1 Ch. 861. A notice convening extraordinary general meetings to consider two alternative schemes of reconstruction of the company did not disclose that the directors were strongly interested as underwriters, etc. in one of the schemes : — Held, the notice was bad (/). But notices are not construed very strictly. Young v. South African Syndicate, [1896] 2 Ch. 268. The notice of a meeting stated thai the object was to adopt new regulations instead of Table A., but did not set out the contents of the new regulations :— Held, this notice was good ('< ; against, 23; but there are 200 voting bj proxy, and I declare the resolution carried": — Held, proxies cannot be counted on a show of hands, therefore the declaration was, on the face of it, illegal, and the resolution was void. ()), and debts owed by the company must also he deducted from the assets. See item (c . Oil the Other side is set out the value of tile assets. Notice (a) Hinds v. Buenos Ayres <'<>., [1906] W. N. 187. (6) Companies Act, b. 26. (c) Ibid., s. 114. (d) Ibid., s. 91 (7). (< ) Ibid., s. 90. 200 Principles of Company Law. BLANK COMPANY, Balance Sheet, Liabilities. To Share Capital authorised — 150,000 Cumulative 5J per cent, preference shares of £1 each... Less 8,000 cancelled in accordance with special resolution passed November 5th, 1909, confirmed November 22nd, 1909 ... 50,000 Ordinary shares of £1 Less 8,000 cancelled in accordance with special resolution passed and confirmed as above Issued and subscribed (a) — 125,000 Cumulative 5£ per cent, preference shares of £1 each Less 8,000 cancelled as above £ s. d. 150,000 8,000 50,000 8,000 142,000 42,000 £184,000 50,000 Ordinary shares of £1 each ... Less 8,000 cancelled as above 125,000 8,000 50,000 8,000 117,000 42,000 To G per cent. 1st Mortgage Debenture Stock Sundry Trade and other Creditors (c) Bills Payable Reserve Account (b) Bad Debt Reserve Account (b) Building (b) Insurance Reserve (b) Exchange Reserve at Shanghai Suspense Account for Dividend on Preference Shares (1st Oct. to 31st Dec, 1909) ,, Profit and Loss Account balance, as per Account below (e) (Note.- -Contingent Liability on Bills discounted £4,888 11) 159, 20 48, 19 000 000 486 16 973 15 4 8.500 1,204 1 8 700 175 71 3 4 608 15 397 12 8 £263,117 4 Accounts and Auditors. 201 LIMITED. liUt December, 1909. ASBBT8. By Goodwill, Trade Marks, and Patents, as per E s. d. £ s. last Balance Sheet m 58,987 10 ,, Freehold Property, as per last Balance Sheet 8,584 7 ,, Amount expended during year 13 13 2 „ Leasehold Property, as per last Balance Sheet " Less Written off for Depreciation (d) ... Fixed Plant and Machinery at Homerton, as per last Balance Sheet ... Amount expended during the year 1,048 8 2 220 3 11 2,324 4 389 8 3 2,713 14 7 581 1 7 1,422 4 3 Less Written off for Depreciation (d) ... m , ■, „ 2.132 13 Tools and Stores at llomorton 247 4 fixtures, Fittings, Furniture, and Plant, at Queen Victoria Street, Upper Thames Street, and at shops as per last Balance Sheet 4,891 18 3 Fjxpended during the year 39 4 1 4,931 2 4 Less Written off for Depreciation ... 360 4 8 4,570 17 8 Fixtures at Montreal, New York, and Shanghai, less written off for Depreciation 888 15 8 Fixtures and Plant at Glasgow, less written off for Depreciation 104 5 1 Fixtures at Homerton less written off for Depreciation 320 6 2 Travellers and Warehouse Plant, less written off for Depre oiation 577 14 10 Silver Milliliters' Plant, loss written off for Depreciation ... 147 3 8 Investments at mi, Idle quoted prices, December 31st, 1909 580 11 3 Bills Receivable ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 117 2 1 Sundry Debtors 80,909 2 2 Less Reserve for Discounts ... 1,344 18 79 624 4 2 Amount due by H.M. Customs ' a o a j ... ... a j i Advance on .Leases ... ... ... ... ... ... goo Suspense Account of amount paid in anticipation at shops, Shanghai and New York 00 19 9 Stock as per Inventories at London and Glasgow (certified by Managing Directors) and at Shanghai, Montreal, and New York 93,196 17 2 Goods in Transit for Shanghai 105 4 4 (ash. At Bankers 2,125 18 11 In band 395 6 L0 £203,117 4 6 5,890 4 7 202 Principles of Company Law. Profit and Loss Account, To Director's Fees and Managing Directors' £ s. d. £ s. d. Remuneration (g) 2,500 „ Auditors' Fees 210 „ Pensions 130 18 2,840 18 „ Interest 7 17 1 ,, Balance carried down (h) ... 9,974 8 8 £12,823 3 9 To Dividend at b\ per cent, per annum on Preference Shares (i) ,, Debenture Interest (i) „ Amount transferred to Reserve (i) „ Balance carried to Balance Sheet (j) £ s. d. 6,765 306 3 5 1,000 3,397 12 8 £11,468 16 1 Atiditors' (k) TT"l' auditors in general meeting. P. and R. were employed as auditors on two occasions, (h) Be Kingston Cotton Mill Co. (No. 2), [1896J 2 Ch. 279. The value of the company's stock-in-trade was grossly overstated for several years in the balance sheets, and the directors were thus enabled to pay dividends out of capital. The auditors accepted the certificate of the manager (a business man of high repute) as to the value of the stock. The auditors did not examine the books; if they had done so, and had added to the value stated in the previous year the amount spent on stock and deducted the amount received from sales, they would have seen that the valuation required expla- nation : — Held, the auditors were not liable : it was no part of their duty to take stock. (i) Leeds Estate Co. v. Shepherd (1887), 36 Ch. D. 787. The Articles provide that the Directors should receive remuneration only if the dividends exceeded 5 per cent. The manager prepared a delusive balance sheet, which enabled the directors to declare dividends of over 5 per cent, and pay themselves their remuneration. The auditors did not look at the Articles or at the books of the company, but accepted the statement of the manager, and certified the accounts " to be a true copy of those shown in the books of the company." The dividends were in fact paid out of capital: — Held, the auditor was liable. Accounts and Auditors. 207 Imt were never formally appointed :— Held, they could no! be made liable as "officers " <>f the company. Remuneration. —The remuneration of an auditor is fixed by the general meeting which appoints him, and is paid by the company (A). Auditors are agents for the shareholders: but the shareholders are not necessarily bound by notice of everything of which notice is given to the auditors (7). (k) Companies Act, s. 112 (7). (I) Spackman v. Evans, L. R. 3 H. L. 196, 235. ( 208 ) CHAPTER XVII. PRIVATE COMPANIES. " A private company " is defined by the Companies Act to mean " a company which by its articles (a) restricts the right to transfer its shares ; (b) limits the number of its members (exclusive of persons who are in the employment of the company) to fifty; and (c) prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any shares or debentures of the company (a). Several joint holders of a share are for the purposes of this definition treated as one member (b). The Act does not specify in what manner the right to transfer shares must be restricted. It is probably sufficient if the right is so restricted that the directors can prevent the number of members from being increased beyond fifty. Usually all the shares of a private company are held by a few persons, frequently members of the same family. Legally, the position of a private company is in most respects the same as that of a public company, and even if one member holds practically all the shares, the company is a distinct " being " or " person " (see Salomon v. Salomon & Co., Limited, ante p. 6). (a) S. 121. (b) S. 121 (3). Private Companies. 20'J Tims the company is not bound by notice of matters which are in the knowledge of the one important member (see The " Bimatm Wood," [1907] P. 1). It is sometimes difficult to say whether a company has issued an invitation to the public or not ; but the test seems to be that the invitation must have been issued — (1) by the oompany itself (c) ; and (2) to any person who chose to apply for the shares. Sherwell v. Combined Incandescent Syndicate, Limited, [1907] W.N. 110. The directors printed a thousand copies of a prospectus headed " Strictly private and confidential : not for publication," and some were distributed by the directors among their friends : — Held, this was not an invitation to the public. A private company is exempt from the following- provisions of the Companies Act : — Sect. 2G (3) That the annual summary must include a balance sheet. Secf. 65. That a report must be sent to the members before the statutory meeting (see p. 19] i Sect. 72. That directors must not act unless they have filed a consent to act and have signed the Memorandum or a contract for their qualification shares (see p. ITS). Sect 82. Which requires the issue of a statement in lieu of a prospectus where no pro- spectus is issued. (c) Thus in Booth v. New Afrikander ( 'o., [1903] 1 Ch. at p. 315, it was held that an offer by the liquidator of an old company, of shares in a new company, was not an offer to the public within s. H of tin- Act of 1900. And see Biurows v. Matabele ld Co., [1901] 2 Ch. 23. C.L. P 210 Principles of Company Law. Sect. 85. No allotment of shares to be made until minimum subscriptions subscribed (see p. 65). Sect. 87. That a company must not commence busi- ness until the minimum subscription is subscribed and the directors have paid the proper proportion on their shares (see p. 65). Sect. 114. Which gives the holders of preference shares the right to inspect balance sheets. The Articles of Association of a private company usually contain special provisions (d) and for the purpose of obtaining the privileges of a private com- pany should provide as follows : — (1) The transfer of shares should be restricted, e.g. so that only members, or the sons or daughters, etc. , of members, can become shareholders (e). (2) The number of members (exclusive of employees) should be limited to 50. (3) Invitations to the public to subscribe for shares or debentures should be prohibited. (4) If it is intended to give some of the shares to employees, a provision should be inserted that they must transfer their shares if they are dismissed. The vendor or chief member is often made governing director for life, and other directors are exempted from the rule which makes directors retire by rotation, etc. A private company may consist of two members on\y(f). (d) See Palmer's Company Precedents, 10th edit., vol. i. p. 876 et seq. I, ) Attorney-General v. Jameson, [1904] 2 I. R. 644. (/) Companies Act, s. 2. Private Companies. 21 1 It may form itself into a public company by com- plying with the provisions of section 121 of the Com- panies Act. A "Syndicate" is the name usually given to a company com- posed of a few members formed for the purpose of exploring or investigating the value of some property and of selling it, if satisfactory, to a larger company. Syndicates are usually limited companies, and may be either public or private. ( 212 ) CHAPTER XVIII. GUARANTEE COMPANIES. A company limited by guarantee need not necessarily have any capital at all. Each member undertakes to contribute a certain sum if the company is wound up. The Memorandum of Association therefore contains a declara- tion of this guarantee, but does not contain any statement as to the amount of capital, or that the liability of members is limited. In other respects, the Memorandum and Articles are similar to those of a company limited by shares. If the company has a capital divided into shares, the amount of the capital and the number of shares must be stated in the Memorandum (a). This provision was first made by the Companies Act, 1900, consequently in case of a company registered after the Act of 1900, the capital cannot be altered without a change of the Memorandum, which requires the leave of the court, but if registered before the Act, it may be able to change its capital by merely changing the Articles. If there is no capital, persons dealing with the company have very little security, as there is no liability on the members until the company is wound up, and by that time most of the members may have retired. If there is no capital divided into shares, no person who is not a member can participate in the profits of the company if it was registered after the 1st January, 1901 (b). (a) Companies Act, s. 4 (2). (b) Ibid., s. 21 (1). ( 213 ) CHAPTER XIX. WINDING UP BY THE COURT. If the members wish the company to come to an end, or if it becomes insolvent, or if for any other reason it becomes desirable that the company should cease to exist, it is wound up. A company may be wound up in three ways : (1) Compulsory winding up by the court ; (2) Voluntary winding up ; (3) Winding up under the supervision of the court. Whichever way is selected, a liquidator or liquidators are appointed to administer the property of the com- pany, and they must apply the assets of the company, first, in the payment of creditors in their proper order, and then in distributing the residue among the share- holders according to their rights. A company cannot be made bankrupt. Section 1. When a company may be wound up by the court. A company may be wound up by the court when (a) — (1) the company has passed a special resolution (6) to wind up ; or, (a) Companies Aot, b. L29. (6) Sou p. 1%. 214 Principles of Company Law. (2) default is made in filing the statutory report or holding the statutory meeting (c) ; or (3) the company does not commence business within a year from its incorporation or suspends business for a year ; or, (4) the number of the members falls below seven (or in case of a private company below two) ; or (5) the company is unable to pay its debts ; or (6) the court is of opinion that it is just and equitable that it should be wound up. As to (i). — A company may be wound up for any cause whatever if a sufficient number of members pass a special resolution that it shall be wound up. As to (3).— The power of the court to wind up a company which has not carried on business for a year is discretionary, and will not be exercised unless there are indications that the company has no intention of continuing its business. Re Capital Fire Insurance (1882), 21 Ch. D. 209. A fire insurance company had commenced a considerable business in France within the year, and intended to commence in England so soon as sufficient capital should be subscribed. An order to wind up was refused. A company will not be wound up because it has ceased to carry on one of several businesses, unless that business is the main object of the company. Re Amalgamated Syndicate, [1897] 2 Ch. 600. For facts, see p. 23. A company which has amalgamated with another company cannot be wound up on the ground that it has ceased to carry on business as a separate company. (c) See p. 191. Winding it by the Codet. 215 As to (4). A company is not often wound u\< by the court on the ground that the members are les than seven, because the court will not usually make an order to wind up where there are very few members, hut will leave the company to wind up voluntarily. As to 15 1.— A company is deemed to be unable to pay its debts, — (1 ) if a creditor to whom the company owes £50 or more has served on the company a demand for payment, and the debt has not been paid within three weeks ; {'2) if an execution or a judgment remains unsatis- fied ; or (3) if it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the company cannot pay its debts (d). The court must take into account contingent liabilities and assets of the company (e) ; but other- wise may Ik- satisfied by any evidence that it deems to be sufficient. Re Globe Steel Co. (1875), L. R. 20 Eq. 337. The company accepted a bill of exchange in part payment for l^ouiIs bought. No demand had been made or execution levied under section 80 (1) or (2). The bill was dishonoured : — Held, this was sufficient proof of insolvency. A company may be wound up even when its assets are valuable, if they are locked up in investments and the company is being carried mi at a loss. [d) Companies Act, s. 130. (e) Ibid., a. 130 (4). 216 Pkinciples of Company Law. Re Factage Parisien, explained (18(57) L. R. 2 Cli. App., at pp. 746, 747. The company was carrying on its business at a loss, and was paying its debts by making new calls on the members : — Held, the company may be wound up. " If they are carrying on business at a manifest loss, and it is totally impossible to make any profit, it can scarcely be said that this court will consider it just and equitable that the company should be allowed to continue when people who have embarked property to a considerable amount in it do not wish it to go on. ... It is quite distinct from saying that it is an insolvent company, or that it cannot pay its debts, because the persons managing it will take care to have all the debts paid by making calls to meet them." As to (6). — It was at one time held that the court could not wind up a company on the ground that it was "just and equitable," unless there was some cause similar to those mentioned in sub-ss. (1) to (4), but this doctrine is now practically disregarded {Sailing-ship "Kentmere," W. N. (1897) 58). The court will not, however, make the order unless there is some special reason for doing so. Thus, general charges of fraud are not usually sufficient (/ ). Re Medical Battery Co., [1894] 1 Ch. 444. Serious charges were made against the manager Harness of defrauding the public. The company went into voluntary liquidation, but some creditors wanted to have it wound up by the court : — Held, fraud towards the outside world is no ground for compulsory winding up. But where the whole object of the company was fraudulent, the company has been wound up. (/) Fraud, if alleged, must be specifically proved and it is not sufficient that it should appear in the statutory affidavit alone (London & Hull Soap Works, Limited, [1907] W. N. 254). Winding it i-.v the Coubt. 217 Re T. E. Brinsmead & Sons. [1897] 1 Ch. I"». W6. T. E. Brinsmead and two of his sons bad been in the employ of the old firm of John Brinsmead & Sons. They started a company, and agreed to sell to this company the business and name of T. E. Brinsmead & Sons. They were restrained by an injunction from using the name Brinsmead on the ground ol fraud. A petition for compulsory winding up was then presented : — Held, the company was initiated to carry oul a fraud; and was hopelessly embarrassed by a lot of actions for fraud; therefore it was just and equitable that it should be wound up. A company may be wouiid up under this section for the purpose of defeating a reconstruction scheme which is prejudicial to the shareholders (g). Si;i TION 2. Who may Petition. Winding up by the court is commenced by a petition to the court. Either a contributory or a creditor may petition or both together, for the order LS made for the benefit of all (h). I. Petition by contributory. —A contributory can- not petition unless he has held his shares for at least six months during the eighteen months preceding the petition, except where — (1) he is an original allottee, or (2) the number of the members has heroine less than seven. A fully paid shareholder can petition ; so can a member whose calls are in arrear; bo can a contribu- tory on the P>. list (i). Any provision in the Articles (;/) Consolidated South Rand Mines, 1, united, [1909] 1 Ch. 491. (h) Companies Act, s. 188. <;) Buckley, p. 321. 218 Principles of Company Law. which deprives members of their right to petition is void. See p. Ill above. The court is not bound to make the order on a contributory 's petition, and may always have regard to the wishes of the creditors and other contributories (&). The court will not order a winding-up if the interest of the petitioning contributory is very small, and the majority of the members do not wish the order to be made ; or if the number of shareholders is very small : Re Professional, etc., Building Society (1871), L. R. 6 Ch. 856. Four members of a building society wished for compulsory winding up ; the rest did not. The order was refused. or if presented in bad faith. Re Metropolitan Saloon Omnibus Co. (1859), 28 L. J. Ch. 830. Certain creditors had brought a winding-up petition against the company, which was dismissed with costs. They then persuaded a shareholder to present a petition for the purpose of annoying the company : — Held, the petition is maid fide and bad. But the court will generally make the order where there is anything which seems to require investigation. Re Varieties, Limited, [1893] 2 Ch. 235. The company was formed to build a music hall on land leased to the company by S. S. was to build the hall. S. and his nominees held 3700 shares. The county council refused to sanction the plans. The holders of 3900 shares voted for a voluntary winding-up and appointed the secretary as liquidator. 847 independent share- holders wanted a winding-up by the court to inquire into the actions of S. : — Held, the conduct of S. may require investigation; the company must be wound up by the court. A contributory must allege and prove that there are assets (I). (k) Companies Act, s. 145. (1) Kaslo-Slocan Mining Corporation, Limited, [1910] W. N. ly. Winding dp b? the Court. 219 Re Rica Gold WaBhing Co. (1870). 1 1 I h. I ». 36. A clergyman who held seventy-five til shares petitioned for winding-up <>u the ground thai the directors had been guilty of fraud. The company had no assets except whal might be got from the Fraudulent directors:— Held, the petitioner lias nut alleged or proved thai there were Bufficienl assets to give him a tangible interest in the winding-up. The petition was dismissed. If the company does not send out proper notices before the statutory meeting, a contributory may petition to wind up the company (m). The fact that a voluntary winding up has com- menced does not prevent a contributory or a creditor from obtaining a winding up order if he is prejudiced by the voluntary winding up (n) (see further p. 233, post). 2. Petition by creditor. The court (except in special circumstances) is bound to make the order to wind up if the creditor can prove that he has an undisputed debt and any of the things have happened which are enumerated in s. 129 (see p. 213, above). And the burden of proving that there are assets does not lie on the creditor (o). But the court may refuse to order a winding-up if the majority of creditors do not want it: Re Ilfracombe Building Society, [1901] 1 Ch. 103. All the creditors except C. agreed to accept 12s. Qd, in the pound. ( '. afterwards petitioned to wind up : — Held, the petition must be dismissed. or if tin' order will do no good. (in) Companies \<-i, ss. L29 and 137. (/;) Companies Act, s. 197, and sec National Electricity Co., I 1902 2 Ch. 34. (,») Be Krasnapolsky Co., i-' 1 -' 3 Ch. 171. But the petition should state that there are assets l l'J02J W. N. 77). 220 Peinciples of Company Law. Before the Act of 1907 the court could refuse to make the order if there was nothing to wind up or no assets for the ordinary creditors (see Re Greenwood & Co., [1900] 2 Q. B. 306). But now " an order to wind up a company shall not be refused on the ground only that the assets of the company have been mortgaged to an amount equal to or in excess of those assets, or that the company has no assets " (p). And even before the Act the court has made the order in special circumstances, though there was pro- bably nothing for the unsecured creditors. Re Alfred Melsom & Co., [1906] 1 Ch. 841. The debenture-holders were carrying on the business in the name of the company, but no receiver had been appointed. There was no proof that there would be anything for the other creditors : — Held, even if there is nothing for the ordinary creditors it may be "just and equitable " that the company should be wound up — for they are obtaining credit from persons whose rights may be swallowed up at any moment by the debenturediolders (q). The court is not bound to make the order at once ; but may direct the petition to stand over for a time. Re Brighton Hotel Co. (1868), L. B. 6 Eq. 339. The shareholders were getting up a subscription to pay off the immediate debts and were going to appoint new directors and cut down the expenses : — Held, the petition must stand over for four weeks to allow this to be done. (p) Companies Act, s. 141. (q) See as to the position of creditors in this case, London Pressed Hinge Co., [1905] 1 Ch. 576, and for cases in which a similar order was made, Re Chic, Limited, [1905] 2 Ch. 345 ; and Re Criggleston Coal Co., [1906] 2 Ch. 327. Winding dp by the Court. 221 A creditor whose debt is disputed on some substantial ground cannot generally get a winding-up order. The court may either order the petition to stand over until the validity of the debi can be determined or may dismiss the petition, and may even restrain the creditor by injunction from bringing a threatened petition. Niger Merchants' Co. v. Capper (1877), 18 Ch. i>. 557 n. C. claimed £500 from the company for services. The company said they owed C. £200 only and had a set-off for this. 0. then threatened to wind up the company if he was not paid. The company was solvent: — Held, injunction granted to restrain C. from bringing the petition. But the court will sometimes decide the validity of the debt forthwith. Re Imperial Silver Quarries Co. (1808), lf> W. ft. 1220. J. sold a silver mine to the company for shares and debentures. The principal secured by the debentures was repayable out of profits. J. sold six debentures to A. One and a half years' interest became due, but there had been no profits. A. petitioned to wind up the company. The company disputed A.'s claim on the ground that the interest was payable out of profits only: — Held, this was not a very substantial dispute, and depended only on the construction of (lie debentures; the court decided that A.'s claim was good and made the order to wind up. A debenture-holder may petition if the principal sum is payable to the debenture-holders direct, but not if it is payable to the trustees of adebenture trust deed (Re Uruguay Central Rail. Co. (1879), 1 1 Ch. I). 372) (r) and the order has been refused where the debenture- holders had power to appoint a receiver, and bad not done so (s). (r) Re Dunderland Co., Limited, [1909] 1 Ch. 446 (Debenture Stock holder). (s) Be Exmouth Docks Co. (187:5), L. H. 17 Eq. 181. 222 Principles of Company Law. The assignee of a debt can petition, but not a creditor of a third party who has, by means of a garnishee order, attached a debt due from the company to the third party. A creditor who has commenced a petition cannot sell his debt and the right to carry on the petition (Be Paris Mating Rink (1877), 5 Ch. D. 959). A creditor whose claim is contingent or prospective can petition on giving security for costs (t). British Equitable Bond, etc., Limited, [1910] 1 Ch. 574. The holder of an insurance policy which had not matured pre- sented a petition. Held, he can petition. A creditor whose claim is unliquidated cannot petition; he must first get a judgment fixing the amount of the debt. The creditor's debt need not amount to ,£50 ; but the court will not usually make a winding up order if the petitioning creditor's debt is small. The £50 mentioned in s. 130 (see p. 215) is usually regarded as suggesting the minimum amount. Re Leyton Cycle Co., [1901] W. N. 225. The petitioning creditor's debt amounted to £35. The court made the order but without costs. Afterwards it was stated that the petition was supported by creditors for £128, and the order was then altered so as to give the petitioner his costs. Where the company refused to pay the debt because it was thought to be too small to support a winding-up petition, the Court made a compulsory order (re World Industrial Bank, Limited, [1909] W. N. 148). An action will lie for maliciously presenting a winding-up petition. (/) Companies Act, s. 137 (1) (c). Winding, dp by the Court. 223 Quartz Hill Co. v. Eyre (1883), 1 1 Q. B. I >. 674 Held, no special damage need be proved, " for the presentation of the petition is from its very nature calculated to injure the credil of the company." Tim courl may wind up a foreign company if the mana gement is conducted in England, but not other- wise. Re Commercial Bank of India (18G8), L. R. G Eq. 517. The company was formed, incorporated and had its principal place of business in India. It had a branch office in England : — Held, it may be wound up in England. Section 3. Procedure on winding up by court. — Proceedings to enforce winding up are commenced by petition, which is in much the same form as the petition on p. 125, and is supported by an affidavit of the petitioner (u). If the capital of the company is not more than £10,000 the petition may be presented in the county court ; if more, in the High Court. The court may either — (1) dismiss the petition with costs; or (2) order it to stand over (see p. 220) ; or (3) make an order for winding up under supervision of the court (see p. 234) : or (4) make a compulsory order for winding up the company, or any other order that may be just. (k) Tho affidavit of some other porsou will be accepted if thi i reason for so doing (Be African Farms, Limited, 1906 1 Ch. f>40). 224 Principles of Company Law. If the order is made to wind up compulsorily, the court appoints a liquidator and may settle the list of contributories, make calls, etc., but these powers are now usually exercised by the liquidator. If a con- tributory is dead, the court may order that his estate be administered by the court. The winding-up dates from the presentation of the petition (v), except for the purpose of preferential payments (see p. 242), when it dates from the order (x). Persons entitled to be heard on the hearing of the petition are (1) the company; (2) any creditor; (3) any contributory. Questions arising in the winding up can, with certain exceptions, be heard by the registrar (y). An appeal from his decision lies to the judge {He Pretoria Pietersburg Railway Co., [1904] 2 Ch. 170). The petition must be presented at the registrar's office and must be advertised in the London Gazette and one other London or local paper, or as the registrar shall direct (z). A slight mistake in the form of the advertisement will not invalidate the proceedings (a). Costs. — If the petition is successful, the petitioner's costs are a first charge on the assets of the company available for the ordinary creditors ; e.g., not on property over which debenture-holders have a claim. So, also, if the company, while in liquidation, brings or defends an action and is ordered to pay costs, they (v) Companies Act, s. 139. (x) Ibid., s. 209. (ij) Winding-up Rules, 1909, r. 5. \z) Winding-up Rules, 1909, r. 27. (a) Re Saul Moss & Sons, Limited, [190G] W. N. 142. Winding it i:y the Court. 225 are paid first out of the assets of the company (re Wenborn & Co., [1905] 1 Ch. 413). A person who lodges a second petition when one is already presented, may have to pay the costs. Two companies cannot be wound up by the same order. Appeal lies to the court of appeal (b). The court may stay the proceedings in the winding- up, if they ought to be stayed for any reason. When the affairs of the company are completely wound up, the court makes an order that the com- pany be dissolved. The liquidator communicates this order to the registrar, who makes an entry in the register that the company is dissolved (c). The com- pany then ceases to exist. Leases held by the company come to an end (d), and freehold land held by the company reverts to the grantor (e). Any chattels of the company that may happen to remain become vested in the Crown as bona vacantia. Re Taylor's Agreement Trusts, [1904] 2 Ch. 737. The liquidator of a company agreed to sell letters patent to A., but the company was dissolved before the patent was assigned to A. : — Held, the patent was vested in the Crown. The Crown is not bound by trusts and therefore does not become a trustee of such chattels for the purchaser ; but it appears that a new trustee of the property may (6) Security for costs must bo given Consolidated South Hand, Limited, 1909, W. N. 66. (c) Companies Act. s. 17'J. (a) Hastings Corporation v. Letton, r.tos] l K. B. 878. (e) Ibid, at p. 384. Co. Lit.. 18 B. C.L. Q 226 Principles of Company Law. be appointed (/) and a vesting order made under section 35 of the Trustee Act, 1893 (g). When a company has been dissolved, the court may within two years make an order declaring the dissolu- tion to have been void (h). A winding-up petition can only be withdrawn subject to the power of the court to substitute another creditor or contributory as petitioner (i). For the effect of a winding-up order see Chapter XXTII. (/) Re 9, Bomore Road, [190G] W. N. 16. \g) Farwell, J., made a vesting order without the appointment of a trustee in Re General Accident Assurance, Limited, [1904] 1 Ch. 147, and in Re Richard Mills & Co., [1905] W. N. 36 ; but Buckley, J., held that it was impossible to make a vesting order without appoint- ing a new trustee in Re Taylor's Agreement Trusts, [1904] 2 Ch. 737 ; and see Re Rnddington Land Co., [1909] 1 Ch. 701. (h) Companies Act, s. 223. (i) Winding-up Rules, [1909] r. 36. ( 227 » CHAPTER XX. VOLUNTARY WINDING UP. The object of a voluntary winding up is that the company and its creditors shall be left to settle their affairs without coming to the court, but to provide them with every facility for applying to the court if necessary. Section 1. How and when a Company may be Wound up voluntarily. There are three possible ways of winding up voluntarily. Each way requires a different form of resolution. A company may be wound up voluntarily when (a) (1) the period fixed for the duration of the company has come to an end, or an event upon which the company is to be wound up has happened and the company has in general meeting passed an ordinary resolution to wind up ; or (2) the company has (for any cause whatever) passed a special resolution (b) to wind up voluntarily ; <>r (a) Companies Act, 8. L82 (6) See p. 196. 228 Principles of Company Law. (3) the company has passed an extraordinary reso- lution that it cannot by reason of its liabilities carry on its business, and that it is expedient that the company be wound up. As to (i).— A company can only be wound up by ordinary resolution if it is bound to cease under the terms of its regulations. As to (2). — The company may be wound up by special resolution for any reason, even if it is flourishing. As to (3). — Where a company is to be wound up by extraordinary resolution the notices calling the meeting must state that it is proposed to wind up the company because its liabilities prevent it from carrying on its business. Re Silkstone Fall Colliery Co. (1875), 1 Ch. D. 38. Notices were sent out of a meeting "to pass a resolution for the voluntary winding-up of the company, if it should be deter- mined to do so." An extraordinary resolution was passed for winding up : — Held, the notices were bad, as they did not specify that it was to be wound up for this reason. A voluntary winding-up dates from the passing of the resolution which authorises it (c). In case of a special resolution it dates from the second or confirmatory resolution. Effect of voluntary winding up (d). (1) The company ceases to carry on its busi- ness except for the purpose of beneficial winding up. (2) Transfers of shares arei void except with the sanction of the liquidator. (c) Companies Act, s. 183. (d) Companies Act, ss. 184 and 205. Voluntary Winding up. 229 Taylor's Case, [1897] 1 Ch. 298. After winding up T. transferred liis shares to P., and P. trans- ferred them to K. with the consent of the liquidator :— Held, the transfers were good. R. must be put on the A. list and T. and P. <>n the B. lis! of contributories. Transfer of shares between the first and second meeting (in case of a special resolution to wind up) are good (e). Debentures may be transferred (> ). (3) Alterations in the status of members are void. Costello's Case (1869), L. K. 8 Eq. 504. Special resolution to wind up passed August 7th. < '. trans- ferred his shares to an infant Q. on August 14tli. Resolution confirmed August 23rd. The infant reached full age in October. The infant then confirmed the transfer : Held, the transfer was void. Q. was an infant at the date of the winding-up, and there- fore cannot change his status so as to become capable of ratifying after the winding up. (4) The corporate state and powers of the com- pany continue. Section 2. Proceedings on Voluntary Winding up. (1) (/) The property of the company is applied first in satisfaction of the liabilities of the company pari passu ; and subject thereto is distributed among the members. (2) A liquidator is appointed by the company in general meeting. If the company is wound up by (< ! Buckley, p. 453. I /) Companies Art, s. L86. 230 Principles of Company Law. special resolution the liquidator may be appointed either at the confirmatory meeting or at a subsequent meeting. A special resolution is not necessary, nor need special notice be given of the intention to appoint liquidators. Re Trench Tubeless Tyre Co., [1900] 1 Cb. 408. Notices were sent out of a meeting to confirm a resolution to wind up and to appoint W. as liquidator. At the meeting M. was appointed :— Held, 'the appointment was good, as no notice was needed. (3) On appointment of the liquidator the powers of the directors cease, unless continued by. the sanction of the company in general meeting or of the liquidator. (4) If there is more than one liquidator their powers may be exercised by any one of them if this is sanctioned by the company at the time of their appointment; if not, by any two. But they may not otherwise delegate their powers. Bolognesi's Case (1870), L. R. 5 Cli. App. 567. After winding up, a director, who was also one of the four liquidators, accepted a hill of exchange : — Held, the company was not hound to pay. (5) The liquidator may, without leave of the court, exercise all the powers of a liquidator appointed by the court. This includes power to sell. But the liquidator sometimes asks the sanction of the court before selling. (6) The liquidator settles the list of contributories, and his list is 'prima facie evideuce of their liability. (7) The liquidator must call a meeting of creditors within seven days {g). (g) Companies Act, s. 188. Voluntas Winding up. 231 (8) The liquidator must pay the debts of the com- pany and settle the rights of the contributories inter se. If In- fails i" do bo, the creditor or contributory who is nut paid can apply to the court under section 193 of the Companies Act ; but he cannol claim payment from the liquidator personally either under ibis section (A) or by an action commenced by writ(») ; but if the liquidator has destroyed the remedj of the creditor or con- tributory by allowing the company to be dissolved or (possibly) by parting with all its assets, the liquidator becomes personally liable. Pulsford v. Devenisli, [1003] W. N. 179. The b'quidator negligently omitted to pay one of the creditors of the company. The company was wound up and ceased to exist : -Held, the liquidator was still under his statutory liability tu pay the debts, and must pay the plaintiff out of his own pocket. [f there is no liquidator the court may appoint one, and the court may dismiss a liquidator for due cause (j), and appoint another. Re Sunlight Incandescent Co., [1900] 2 Ch. 728. Held, the court may appoint an additional liquidator without dismissing any of the existing ones, if there is due can je. The company may delegate to its creditors the power to appoint liquidators. Arrangements by a company with its creditors or members are binding — (1) on the company, if sanctioned by an extraordinary resolution ; (2) on the creditors or members or any class of creditors or members it' acceded to by three- quarters in number and value of the creditors or members or class affected (A;), but subject to appeal to the court (I). (h) Wall's Waterfall Co., [1896J 1 Oh. 947. ji) Knowles v. Scott, | L891] l Oh. 717. i /) Companies Art, b. 186 (ix.). (k) Ibid., B. 120. (/I Ibid., 5. L91. 232 Principles of Company Law. The court may for this purpose call a meeting of creditors or members, and may declare the arrangement binding, if it is confirmed by a three-quarters majority(m). Re Tea Corporation, Limited, [1904] 1 Ch. 12 at p. 23. On the winding-up, the assets were not sufficient to leave any- thing for the ordinary shareholders. An arrangement was made ; the preference shareholders and creditors voted for it; but the ordinary shareholders voted against it : — Held, as the ordinary shareholders had no interest in the assets, their dissent did not matter. The liquidator or any creditor or contributory may apply to the court (n) as in a winding-up by the court, and the jurisdiction of the court is generally much the same as on a winding-up by the court. The liquidator may summon general meetings of members, and must do so at the end of every year of the winding-up, and make a report to the members (o). When the affairs of the company are fully wound up, the liquidator prepares an account, calls a general meeting, and lays the account before the meeting. Notice of this meeting is given to the registrar, and after three months the company is deemed to be dissolved ( p), and ceases to exist {Re Westbourne Grove Drapery Co., W. N. (1878), 195). If after the meeting it becomes desirable to keep the company alive for more than the three months, this may be done by an order deferring the date of dissolution (p) or the dissolution may be declared void (q). The costs of a voluntary winding-up are payable first out of the assets (r). (in) Companies Act, s. 120. (n) Ibid., s. 193. (o) Ibid., s. 194. (p) Ibid., s. 195. (q) Ibid., s. 223. (r) Ibid., s. 196. Voluntary Winding i p. 233 A creditor has a right to a winding-up by the court in spite of a voluntary winding-up having commenced: but the court will uot make the order unless it thinks that the creditor's rights are pre- judiced by the voluntary winding-up (s), or unless the general body of creditors cliii in a winding-up by the court (Re Bishop & Son, [1900] 2 Ch. at p. 258). The court will not as a rule upon the petition of a contributory make an order for compulsory winding-up after a voluntary winding-up lias commenced, unless — (1) the voluntary winding-up is fraudulent; or (2) there are circumstances of suspicion ; or (3) a searching investigation is needed. But the court has a discretion and has power to make the order whenever the contributory would be pre- judiced by a voluntary winding-up (/). Re National Company for Distribution of Electricity, [1902] 2 ( !h. 34. After voluntary winding-up commenced, some fully paid share- holders presented a petition for compulsory winding-up, though there were ample assets, mi the ground thai some of the directoi had received presents: — Held, a compulsory order may be made mi tlic petition of fully paid shareholders, where there are surplus assets, and even though there is do fraud. But not in this case, as it would not bring anything to the shareholders. If the court makes an order for compulsory winding- up after a voluntary winding-up has commenced, this does not make the proceedings under the voluntary winding-up void, and the court may adopt all the previous proceedings (/' ). In such a case the winding-up dates from the pre- sentation of the petition (x). (.s) Companies Act, s. 197. (/) Ibid., s. L97. (;/) Ibi), relating to the appointment of liquidators by the court. (Sub-sect. 10, making the acts of a liquidator valid in spite of any defect in his appointment, applies to a winding-up under supervision. Section 1">'2, requiring the Official Receiver to summon meetings of creditors and contribntories, Section L53, requiring the liquidator to give information to the Official Receiver. Section 154, requiring payment of the moneys in the hands ol the liquidator into the Bank of England. Sections 155 and 156, requiring the liquidator to send accounts to the Board of Trade and to keep proper books. Section 157, as to the release of the liquidators. Sections L58 and L59, as to the control of the liquidator by the ii tings of creditors and the Board of Trade. Sections 160 and 161, as to committee of inspection and special managers. Section lt'»2, as to the appointment of the Official Receiver to be receiver for debenture- holders. Section 173, as to making rules for the conduct by the liquidator of the powers of the Court.. Section 175, providing for the public examination of proraotei . directors, or other officers of the company. Since the Companies Act, 1900, gave creditors power to apply to the court in a voluntary winding-up, the chief reason for ordering a winding-up under supervision has gone. But the order is still some- times made. If a petition is presented for winding-up under supervision, the court cannot make a compulsory order on the motion of a creditor (o) ; and if an ordei is made for winding-up under supervision, a creditor cannot present a petition for compulsory winding-up, lnit the official receiver may do so (. I>. &U3. (d) Jubilee Sites Syndicate, [1899] 2 Oh. 204. ( 236 ) CHAPTER XXII. LIQUIDATORS. Section 1. Appointment. On a winding-up by the court. — As soon as the winding-up order is made the official receiver becomes provisional liquidator (a). Tie summons meetings of creditors and contributories to determine — (1) whether another liquidator shall be appointed ; and (2) whether a committee of inspection shall be appointed. Such a committee if appointed must consist of con- tributories or creditors and must meet once a month. The official receiver may apply to the court for the appointment of a special manager. Shortly after the winding-up has commenced the court appoints a liquidator (b). (Before 1890 he was called the official liquidator.) He must notify his appointment to the registrar and give security not to make away with the assets (c). The liquidator should be an independent person ; but the secretary of the company may be appointed, (a) Companies Act, s. 149, 3 (b). (b) Ibid., s. 149. (c) Ibid., s. 149, 3(c). LlQUIDATOBS. 237 unless his conduct, or that of the directors, ought to be inquired into. The wishes of the creditors are regarded in the choice <>f I lie liquidator. Re Association of Land Financiers (1878), 10 Ch. D. 269. The company was wound up ami \Y. was appointed liquidator. 250 unsecured creditors applied l>y motion that two creditors might be appointed instead ofW. The order was made as asked. The liquidator is paid a salary; he may resign or may be removed by the court. A contributory or a creditor can apply for his removal ; but not an outside person (d). The liquidator takes into his custody all the property of the company. The property does not vest in the liquidator. He is a trustee for all persons who were creditors of the company at the date of the winding-up. (It is for this reason that the statute of limitations does not run after the winding-up has commenced.) The liquidator represents both the company and the creditors; he is in the position of a receiver and manager of partnership assets, and he must give the creditors and contributories every assistance in inspecting the books of the company, etc. Powers of the liquidator (e). (1) To bring and defend actions in the name of the company. [f be brings an action in the came of the company he does col lie. ■dine liable for costs; but if be brings it in his own name he is personally liable, but has a right to be indemnified out of the ol the companj . |,/l Re Neivd, Ka,i/\ Limn,,!. l'.KJS] l ( h. 589. i. i Compani _ \< ' - . l. r >l. 238 Pkinciples of Company Law. (2) To carry on the business of the company so far as may be necessary for the beneficial winding-up. Re Wreck Recovery Co. (1880), 15 Ch. D. 353. The company was being wound up. L., oue of the shareholders who believed in the value of the company's patents, made a contract with the liquidator whereby he was to have the use of the plant of the company to raise three sunken vessels at his own expense, the profits (if any) to go to the company: — Held, the contract was bad ; as it was not for the purpose of beneficial winding-up, but to resuscitate the company. (3) To sell the property of the company. (4) To execute and seal documents and deeds on behalf of the company. (5) To prove in the bankruptcy of any contributory. (6) To draw bills of exchange, etc. (7) To raise money on the security of the assets. (8) To take out letters of administration to any deceased contributory. (9) To do all things necessary for the -winding-up of the company and distributing the assets. Also, by the Winding-up Eules, 1909, the liquidator may exercise the following powers, which by the Companies Acts are assigned to the court : (1) Summon meetings of the contributories. (2) Fix a date by which creditors must prove their claims or be debarred from all remedy against the company ; (3) Settle the lists of contributories (/). There are two lists, the " A. list " or list of persons liable to contribute as present members, and the " B. (/) See Companies Act, s. 163. Liquidators. 239 list" of persons who have ceased to be members within a year of the winding-up. See p. 82, above. Each list distinguishes between those who are liable personally and those who are liable as personal representatives, etc. The liquidator is entitled and is bound to get all contracts fur the allotment of shares otherwise than for cash filed with the registrar (Re X. & Co., [1907] 2 Ch. 92). (4) To make calls on the contributories for the purpose of paying the debts of the company and for adjusting the rights of the contributories inter se (g). An immediate call may be made, though by the terms of 'allotment the calls are only payable by instal- ments; for the statutory right of the liquidator to make calls takes the place of the company's right to make calls under its agreement (Fowler v. Broad' Night Light Co., [1893] 1 Ch. 724). Any order made by the court as to calls is con- clusive ; but is only ■prima, facie evidence against tin- real estate of a deceased, contributory unless the heir or devisee was on the list of contributories (A). On a winding-up under supervision the same rules apply as to the liquidators, but with the exceptions and modifications mentioned on pp. 234 and 235. On a voluntary winding-up the liquidator is appointed by the company in general meeting, and has the same powers as a liquidator in a winding-up by the court. See p. 237. l\' his appoint incut is defective he cannot sue for remuneration, but if the company or the new liqui- dator take advantage of his services he can claim reasonable payment (Re Allison, [1904] 2 K. B. 327). g) See Wakefield Boiling Stock Co. on p. 245. h) Companies Act, s. 168. ( 240 ) CHAPTER XXIII CONSEQUENCES OF WINDING-UP. (1) As to proceedings against the company.— After the winding-up petition is presented the court may stay any proceedings against the company (a). After the winding-up order all proceedings against the company must cease, unless the court gives special leave for them to continue. This includes distress for rent by a landlord. But the court will not, as a rule, interfere if the distress was levied before winding-up, though not completed till afterwards. If rent accrues after the winding-up for the convenience of the winding-up, the landlord will be allowed to distrain in full (b) ; for all costs incurred in the winding-up are payable in full before the assets are distributed. The same rules apply to a winding-up under super- vision. On a voluntary winding-up the court may restrain proceedings against the company. Westbury v. Twigg, [1892] 1 Q. B. 77 The plaintiff got judgment for a debt against the company on the same day as the voluntary winding-up commenced. Next day the sheriff took possession in execution of the judgment : — Held, if on a compulsory winding-up the execution would be stayed ipso facto, then the court has power to do so at any time before the sale. (a) Companies Act, s. 140. (6) Rawlins and Macnaghten, p. 317. Consequences of Winding-up. I'll The object of the court is to ensure that all creditoi are paid pari passu as far as it is just. (2) As to dispositions by the company. Disposi- tions by the company of its property after the com- mencement of the winding-up are void unless the courl otherwise orders. Gibbs and West's Case (1870), L. R. 10 Eq. 312. After the winding-up petition the company wanted money a1 once, and borrowed £5000 t'nmi its bank, and gave the bank a charge for £5000 on the proceeds of a call made before winding- up, which would be paid in a few days: Held, the i ey was borrowed to preveni the cessation of the company. Therefore the court ought to allow the charge. Any disposition by the company which would be a fraudulent preference in the case of a private trader, is the same on the winding-up of a company | R< Stenotyper, Limited, | L901] 1 Ch. 250). The liquidator can make contracts but only so far as necessary for the beneficial winding-up of the com- pany. See p. 238. (3) As to the creditors of the company. In the winding-up of any company whose assets are insufficient for the payment of its debts the same rules prevail as to (1) the respective rights of secured and unsecured creditors (2) as to debts provable, and (.">) as to the valuation of annuities and future and con- tingent liabilities as are in force under the law of bankruptcy (c). This applies to a voluntary winding-up if the com- pany is insolvent (d), (v) Comnanie \,-t , s. ii< »7 I 1 I. (./) Be Thos. Salt d Co., t908 \V. N. 63. C.L. B 242 Peinciples of Company Law. Result of this Rule. A secured creditor may cither (1) value his security and prove in the winding-up tor the balance of his debt, or (2) give up his security and prove for the whole amount (e). Where the security is only a floating charge secured by debentures, certain unsecured debts are paid before the debenture-holders (/). These preferential payments are — (i.) Rates and taxe3 for not more than one year. (ii.) Wages of a clerk or servant for not more than four months and not exceeding £50. This may include the secretary (g) (iii.) Wages of a workman for not more than two months and not exceeding £25. (iv.) Compensation due to an employee under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, but not exceeding £100. These preferential payments have priority also over a landlord's right of distraint (h). Unsecured creditors are paid in the following order : — (1) Preferential payments as above. (2) Other debts pari passu — except that (3) debts in respect of which a rate of interest is paid varying with the profits of a business are postponed until other debts are paid in full. (e) Re Ligonel Spinning Co., [1900] 1 I. R. 326. (/) Companies Act, s. 209. (g) Caimeij v. Back, [1906] 2 K. B. 746. (h) Companies Act, s. 209 (4). Consequences of Winding-up. 243 Debts which may be proved include "All debts payable un ;i contingency, and all claims against the company, present or future, certain or contingent, ascertained or sounding in damages" (<). Re Patent Floor Cloth Co. (1872), 26 J,. T. 467. D. and . and Gr. claimed £800 damages: — Held, they can claim for a fair proportion of their prospective loss. Persons who claim to be creditors must prove their debts within the time fixed by the liquidator ( /). If a creditor does not prove within the time fixed, he may still prove, and may then be paid out of any assets remaining in the hands of the liquidator; but he cannot upset any dividend which has been paid (k). If he has not claimed enough in his proof, he may get leave to amend it (/). The costs of proving a debt are added to the amount of the debt. But if the creditor commences an action for the debt before the winding-up, and the liquidator continues to defend the action, and fails, the costs are paid first out of the assets (m). The court has a discretion and has refused to allow costs to be paid in this way, where the liquidator offered to allow the creditor to prove in the winding-up for an amount to be ascertained in the winding-up proceedings (><). A creditor cannot prove for interest mi his debt alter the commencement of the winding-up (o). Set Off.- -The same rules apply as in bankruptcy. (;) Companies Act, s. 206. (j) Tbid., ss. 169 and 173, and rule 102 of L909. (k) General Bolting stork Co. (1871), L. B 7 Ch. 616. (I) Be Henry Lister, [1892] 2 Ch. 417. (m) Wenborn cD Co., [1905] 1 Oh. 418. (n) Cf. Bose .v Co. v. Garden Lodge Co. (1878), ■> Q. B. I '. iiJ >. (o) Re Thos. Salt, [1908] W.N. 6:3. 244 Peinciples of Company Law. Therefore where there have been mutual dealings between a creditor and the company, the debt due from one can be set off' against the debt due from the other, and the creditor can only prove, or be made liable for, the balance ( p). As to set off - in case of calls, see p. 245. The bankruptcy rules as to fraudulent preferences also apply (q). Re Jackson & Bassford, Limited, [1906] 2 Ch. 467. The principal director of a private company guaranteed the overdraft of the company at its bankers, and the company agreed to give him debentures " whenever called upon by him to do so." The director called for his debentures less than four weeks before the company was wound up. — Held, the debentures were a fraudu- lent preference. And if a floating charge is created within three months of a winding-up, the charge is void except as to any money paid at the time the charge was given unless the company can be proved to have been solvent (?-). Columbian Fireproofing Co., [1910] W. N. 95. Money advanced a few days before the charge was given and in reliance on a promise to execute the charge was held to be money paid " at the time." The reputed ownership clause (s) (by which the property of other persons left in the possession of the bankrupt may pass to the trustee in bankruptcy) does not apply to the winding-up of a company. (p) Bankruptcy Act of 1883, s. 38. (q) Companies Act, s. 210. (>) Ibid., s. 212. (s) S. 44 (iii.) of the Bankruptcy Act, 1883. Consequences of Winding-up. 245 Gorringe v. Irwell Works 1 886 >. 3 1 Ch. D. 1 29. C. & Co. owed money to the I. Company. The I.. Company owed money to II. & Co. The I. Company wishing to pay II. & Co., wrote to them, "We hold at your disposal £425 'hie to us from C. & Co." No notice of this assignment was given to the debtor (C. & Co.) The I. Company was wound up : — Held, the assignment is. good (as between the I. Company or their liquidator, and H. & Co.) The reputed ownership clause does not apply to the winding up of companies. (4) As to contributories. — The liabilities of the contributories and their rights over the assets of the company are adjusted by the court. Re Wakefield Rolling Stock Co., [1892] 3 Ch. 165. The capital was divided into 30,000 fully paid Ll shares and 24,000 shares of £5 each on which £1 was paid. Some of the £5 shares had been fully paid up in advance of calls. On the winding-up, after paying the debts, there was not enough to pay all the contributions in full : — Held, tin- assets must be applied (1) in paying back the amount advanced on the B5 shares with interest ; (2) in paying 16s. per share on the fully paid £1 shares ; and (3) the rest to be divided pro rata between the holders of all shares. And the court may make calls on the partly paid shaves in order to distribute the assets fairly among all the shareholders ( Welton v. Saffery, \>. 1 IS). A person who is wrongfully put <>n the list of con- tributories may apply to the court to rectify tin- list; and he does not lose his right by delay, at any rate if the company has not been injured by the delaj (ShewelVs Case (1867), L. R. 2 Ch. 387 ». A contributory who is a creditor of tin- company cannot set off his debt against his liability for calls ; whether the call was made by the company before liquidation or by the liquidator afterwards. 246 Principles of Company Law. In re G. E. B. (a debtor), [1903] 2 K. B. 340. The liquidator obtained judgment against B. for calls. The company owed money to B. The liquidator served a bankruptcy notice on B. B. claimed that the notice was bad as he had a right of set off, and, therefore, did not owe anything to the company : — Held, the notice was good ; for he had no right of set off. The court may order any contributory to pay to the company any sum due from him (7). But a fully paid shareholder may not be put on the list of con- tributories merely to give the court this summary power against him. Re Marlborough Club Co. (1868), L. R. 5 Eq. 365. The liquidator proposed to supplement the list of contributories by a list of fully paid shareholders who owed money for sub- scriptions, drinks, etc. to the club : — Held, these shareholders cannot be put on the list solely to give the court jurisdiction to enforce payment of debts due from them. (5) As to the servants of the company. — A wind- ing-up by order of the court operates as a discharge of the servants of the company. Measures Brothers, Limited v. Measures, [1910] 1 Ch. 336. M. agreed to act as director for the company for seven years and that he would not engage in any competing business for seven years after he should cease to hold office. The company was ordered to be wound up. Held, the winding-up order operated as a wrongful dismissal of M., and he was free from his agreement not to compete with the company. A voluntary winding-up does not operate as a dis- charge (Midland Counties Bank v. Attwood, [1905] 1 Ch. 357). (6) As to the officers of the company. — When a (t) Companies Act, s. 165. Consequences of Winding-up. 241 winding-up order has been made, the court may summon any officer of the company, or any person indebted to the company, or who has property of the company in his possession, or who can give any in- formation as to the company and order him to bring with him any books and documents relating to the company (u). And the court may order that any person who has taken part in the promotion of the company or has been a director or officer of the company, shall attend and be publicly examined as to the formation and business of the company and as to his conduct (a?). There need only be a, prima facie ease of suspicion. Re Bank of Hindustan (1871), L. R. 13 Eq. 178. F. held forty-five shares in the company and could not be found. Mrs. E., his mother-in-law, refused to give his address : -Held, an order may be made for Iter examination. Such an order will not lie made merely for the purpose of enabling a dissentient shareholder in a reconstruction (see p. 248) to ascertain the value oi his share of the assets (re British Building Stone Co., [1908] 2 Ch. 450). The person examined must answer questions which relate to mere hearsay, but not questions which may tend to incriminate him (y). "Officer of the company" includes the directors, managers, etc., and may include the secretary. solicitor (z), or auditors (a) of the company. (u) Companies Act, s. 174. art Ibid., a. 175. (//) The person examined may be entitled to bis costs if he is a I ii it v or likely to be a partv, but not otherwise (Re Appleton, [1905] I <'h'. 74'.»|. (?) Be Liberator Society (1898), 71 L. T. 406. (a) See p. 206. 248 Principles of Company Law. CHAPTER XXIV. RECONSTRUCTION. Beconstkuction generally means that a company- needs more capital and cannot get it without putting- some pressure on the existing shareholders. To do this a new company is formed, and the old company sells its undertaking to the new company in return for shares in the new company, in such a way that each shareholder in the old company is entitled to one or more shares in the new. But whereas the shares in the old company were fully paid, those in the new company are only partly paid, so that each shareholder must either undertake a fresh liability for calls or give up his shares. This can only be done under the provisions of section 192 of the Companies Act, which provides an ample safeguard for the rights of shareholders who dissent from the scheme, provided they notify their dissent in the proper way. By section 192. — If a company is being or is proposed to be wound up altogether voluntarily, and its property is proposed to be transferred or sold to another com- 1 hi i iv, the liquidators of the first company may, with the sanction of a special resolution, receive in compensa- tion, shares, etc., in the other company to distribute among the members of the first company. This shall Reconstruction. 249 be binding on the members of the first company. But if any member who has not voted for the special resolution, expresses his dissent in writing addressed to the Liquidator and Left al the registered office of the company within seven days after the confirmation of the resolution, he may require the liquidator either — (1) To abstain from carrying the resolution into effect; or (2) to purchase his interest at a price to he deter- mined hy agreement or in default by arbitration. The money must he paid before the company is dissolved. If within a year an order is made for winding up by the court or under supervision, the resolution becomes void unless sanctioned by the court (a). 'thus, the parties to such an arrangement can never be sure that it will ultimately be valid and binding, and the difficulty cannot be got over by applying to the court for its sanction, unless a winding-up order 1ms been made. The only way to make the arrangement certain is to apply to the court for an order for winding up under supervision, and when the order is made, to apply that the arrange- ment may be sanctioned. This was dime in lie New Flagstaff Co., W. N. (1889) 123. If a shareholder does not dissent in the manner provided by the Act within seven days, lie loses his rights in the company. The notice of dissent- must comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Statute. (o) A contributor) may petition to wind up the company for the purpose d1 id unless they make proper provision for the rights <>f dissentient shareholders (&). Bisgood v. Henderson's Transvaal Limited, [1908] 1 Ch. 743. 'I'll mpany by special resolution approved a scheme for the sale (under a power in its Memorandum) of all its undertaking to a new company for shares in the new company of £1 each credited as paid up to the extent of 17s 6d. per share only. The shares in the new company were to he distributed among the shareholders in the old company. If any shareholders did not approve, the shares to which they were entitled were to be sold and they were to he paid their proportion of the purchase price. Held, the scheme was ultra vires and void. A company cannot sell its assets under this section to a foreign company (c). (b) As to the rights of the shareholders to set aside the transaction after it has been completed, see Clinch v. Financial Corpora \.. It. 4 Ch. 118. (c) Thomas V. United Fatter Companies of France, Limited, [1909] 2 Ch. 484. APPENDIX. COMPANIES (CONSOLIDATION; ACT, 1908. Section 26. — (I) Every company having a share capital shall once at least in every year make a list of all persona who, on the fourteenth day after the first or only ordinary general meeting in the year, are members of the company, and of all persons who have ceased to be members since the date of the last return or On the case of the first return) of the incorporation of the company. (2) The list must state the names, addresses, and occupa- tions of all the past and present membi ra therein mentioned, and the number of shares held by each of the existing members at the date of the return, specifying shares trans- ferred since the date of the last return or ) The number of shares taken from the commencement of the company up to the date of the return ; (c) The amount called up on each share ; [) Where any such prospectus as La mentioned in this section is published as a newspaper advertisement, it shall not be necessary in the advertisement to specify the con- tents of the memorandum or the signatories thereto, and the nurnher of shares subscrihed for by them. (6) in the event of non-compliance with any of the requirements of this section, a director or other person responsible for the prospectus shall not incur any liability by reason of the non-compliance, if he proves that — (a) as regards any matter not disclosed, he was not cognisant thereof ; or (6) the non-compliance arose from an honest mistake of fact on his part : Provided that in the event of non-compliance with the requirements contained in paragraph (m) of subsection ( 1; of this section no director or other person shall incur any liability in respect of the non-compliance unless it be proved that he had knowledge of the matters not disclosed. (7) This section shall not apply to a circular or notice inviting existing members or debenture holders of a company to subscribe either for shares or for debentures of the com- pany, whether with or without the right to renounce in favour of other persons, but subject as aforesaid, this section shall apply to any prospectus whether issued on or with reference to the formation of a company or >uhseipiently. (8) The requirements of this section as to the memo- randum and the qualification, remuneration, and interest of directors, the names, descriptions, and addresses of directors or proposed directors, and the amount or esti- mated amount of preliminary expenses, shall not apply in the case of a prospectus issued more than one year after the date at whicli the company is entitled to commence business. ('J) Nothing in this section shall limit or diminish any 260 Principles of Company Law. [Sect. 82. liability which any person may incur under the general law or this Act apart from this section. Section 82. — (1) A company which does not issue a prospectus on or with reference to its formation, shall not allot any of its shares or debentures unless before the first allotment of either shares or debentures there has been filed with the registrar of companies a statement in lieu of prospectus signed by every person who is named therein as a director or a proposed director of the company or by his agent authorised in writing, in the form and containing the particulars set out in the Second Schedule to this Act. (2) This section shall not apply to a private company or to a company which has allotted any shares or debentures before the first day of July nineteen hundred and eight. SECOND SCHEDULE. The Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. STATEMENT IN LIEU OF PROSPECTUS filed by Limited, pursuant to section eighty-two of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. Presented for filing by The Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. LIMITED. STATEMENT IN LIEU OF PROSPECTUS. The nominal share capital of the company £ Divided into . . .... Shares of £ J! each. Appendix. 201 Names, descriptions, and addresses of directors or proposed directors. Minimum subscription (if any) fixed by the memorandum or articles of association on which the com- pany may proceed to allotment. Number and amount of shares and debentures agreed to be issued as fully or partly paid-up otherwise than in cash. The consideration for tho intended issue of those shares and deben- tures. Names and addresses of (a) vendors of property purchased or acquired, or proposed to be (b) purchased or acquired by the company. Amount (in cash, shares, or deben- tures) payable to each separate vendor. Amount (if any) paid or payable (in cash or shares or debentures) for any such property, specifying amount (if any) paid or payable for goodwill. \ mount (if any) paid or payable as commission for subscribing or agreeing to subscribo or procuring or agreeing to procuro subscrip- tions for any shares or debentures in the company, or Rate of the commission .... Estimated amount of expenses preliminary Amount paid or intended to be paid to any promotor. Consideration for tho payment. 1. shares of £ fully paid. 2. shares upon which E per sluice credited as paid. 3. debenture £ 4. Consideration. Total purchase price £ Cash E Shares .....£ Debentures . . . t Goodwill Amount paid. ,, payable. Rate per cent. Name of promoter. Anion: Considerate (a) For definition of vondor, sec Section 81 (2) of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. (b) Sec Section 81 (3) of tho Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. 262 Principles of Company Law. Dates of, and parties to, every material contract (other than contracts entered into in the ordi- nary course of the business in- tended to be carried on by the company or entered into more than two years before the filing of this statement). Time and place at which the con- tracts or copies thereof may be inspected. Names and addresses of the auditors of the company (if any). Full particulars of the nature and extent of the interest of every director in the promotion of or in the property proposed to be ac- quired by the company, or, where the interest of such a director consists in being a partner in a firm, the nature and extent of the interest of the firm, with a state- ment of all sums paid or agreed to be paid to him or to the firm in cash or shares, or otherwise, by any person either to induce him to become, or to qualify him as, a director, or otherwise for services rendered by him or by the firm in connection with the promotion or formation of the company. Whether the articles contain any Nature of the provisions, provisions precluding holders of shares or debentures receiving and inspecting balance sheets or re- ports of the auditors or other reports. (Signatures of the persons above-named as directors or proposed directors, or of their agents authorised in writing.) TEST QUESTIONS which should be considered by the Student after reading each Chapter. CHAPTER IK. 1. What restrictions are imposed on the choice of a name by a limited company ? 2. Can a limited company in any case dispense with the use of the word " limited " as part of its name ? ■ '. How is the domicile of a company (1 ) fixed and (2) changed? 4. If there is no registered office, how can writs be served? 5. Distinguish between acts which are ultra vires the directors and ultra vires the company. • ;. How can the powers of a company be changed ? 7. Give an example of — (1) an illegal object. (2) a main object. S. What is the effect of a company giving up its main ubject? 9. Arc the powers in the Memorandum strictly construed? 10. In what different ways may the liability of members be limited ? 11. Give in outline the contents of a Memorandum of Association. L2. How many persons are necessary to form (I) a public company, (2) a private company ? L3. Wlin are the " signatories of the Memorandum"? What are their duties? OHAPTEB IV. L. What is meant by the "regulations" "fa company? 2. State some of the matters usually contained in Articles of Association ? :',. What is "Table A"? •1. How and with what restrictions can the Articles he altered? 264 Principles of Company Law. 5. To what extent are the Articles binding on — (1) the company ? (2) the members ? 6. Who is the Registrar of Companies? What matters are entered in his register ? Contrast his register with the register kept by the company. 7. State the rule in the Royal British Bank v. Tarquand. CHAPTER V. 1. What is the position of a person who enters into a preliminary contract on behalf of a company not yet formed ? 2. AVhat steps must be taken for the purpose of registering — (1) a new company ? (2) an existing unregistered company ? 3. How far is the certificate of incorporation conclusive evidence? CHAPTER VI. 1. What remedies has a person who has been induced to take shares by false statements in a prospectus ? 2. What is a prospectus ? 3. Enumerate the matters which must be disclosed in a pro- spectus. Does it make any difference if — (1) it is not issued to the public ? (2) it is issued more than a year after the company can commence business? 4. What is the " minimum subscription ? " 5. If a company does not issue a prospectus, what provisions apply ? CHAPTER YII. 1. In what three ways can persons become members of a company ? 2. Is it necessary in all cases that a person should be entered on the register before he becomes a member ? 3. In what case may a signatory of the Memorandum be excused from taking and paying for the shares for which he has signed ? 4. Is the entry on the register conclusive evidence that a person is a member ? Test Questions. 205 r>. Can (1) a married woman, (2) a company, (3) rui infant, be members of a company ? 6. Can a company buy its own shares? 7. How can a person reave fco be a member of a company? 8. Describe the liability of a member — (1) while he is a member; (2) after lie has ceased to be a member. 9. Under what circumstances can shares be alloted for a con- sideration other than cash? To what extent is the amount <>f the consideration material? 10. If the company allots shares in payment of an existing debt, is this an allotment for cash? 11. Who may inspect the register of members? May a member make extracts from the register? 12. Is a person liable as a contributory who has been induced to become a member by fraud V 13. Explain the position of a trustee who is entered on the register as a holder of shares. Is he personally liable fur calls? CHAPTER Till. 1. What is an allotment of shares? 2. In a contract to take shares, what constitutes the offer, and what constitutes the acceptance? 3. Can there be a conditional allotment? 1. What provisions must be complied with before any allotment is made? 5. Explain the form, object, and effect of a share certificate. 6. Slmw what is meant by — (1) estoppel as to title ; (2) estoppel as to payment. 7. How, and subject to what restrictions may a member transfer his shares ? 8. May directors refuse to register a transferee without assigning any cause ? 9. What rules govern the priority between several transferees of the same shares? lo. What is the effect of— (1) a blank transfer ? (2) a forged transfer ? 2GG Principles of Company Law. 11. If a shareholder neglects to notice a letter from the company stating that a transfer of his shares has been presented, is he thereby estopped from disputing the validity of the transfer ? 12. What is the effect of an invalid transfer? 13. On the death of a member in whom do his shares vest ? Are his executors liable for calls ? Is his estate liable ? Can the company insist on putting the executors on the register of members ? 14. What is a share warrant to bearer? When may it be issued? 15. What is a call ? Who can make calls ? 1G. What is the effect of money being paid up in advance of calls ? 17. Show by examples that the power of making calls is in the nature of a trust. 18. When may directors declare shares to be forfeited ? 19. May the company sell the forfeited shares? 20. When will equity relieve against such forfeiture ? 21. What is the effect of a clause that any member who takes proceedings against the company shall forfeit his shares ? 22. When shares have been forfeited, can the company sue the member for past calls ? 23. When has a company a lien on shares ? 24. Can lien be enforced — (1) by sale ? (2) by forfeiture ? 25. What rules determine the priority between the company's lien and a mortgage of shares made by a member ? 2G. Explain the difference in effect of the use of the words "due " and " indebted " in this respect. CHAPTER IX. 1. Explain the difference between preference and ordinary shares. 2. What is meant by cumulative preference shares with prefer- ence as to capital? If shares are described simply as pre- ference shares what cumulative or preferential rights do they carry 3. What are founders' shares ? What provisions in the Companies Act relate to founders' shares ? 4. How can a company create reserve capital ? What is the Test Questions. 2G7 nature of such capital? Can it be dealt with by the company ? 5. How may capital be (1) altered, (2) reduced, (3) increased ? 6. What i the effect of turning shares into Btock? What kind of shares may he turned into stock? 7. When (if at all) may capital be reduced without the L< of the court ? 8. What is meant by an all-round reduction? When is it allowed ? CHAPTER X. 1. What are dividends? How are they declared and paid, and in what proportion among the members V •_'. Out of what fund may dividends be paid? 3. Explain the difference between circulating capital and fixed capital. To what extent is this distinction of importance? 1. If directors wrongfully pay dividends out of capital, what is the extent of their liability? 5. Tf a director has been compelled to repay such dividends ran he recover any proportion from shareholders? CHAPTER XL 1. Ir it necessary that the Memorandum should give a company express powers of borrowing ? '1. How can the borrowing powers lie restricted? 3. What circumstances are sufficient to give a company power to charge its uncalled capital ? I. Whai words are necessary to create such a charg 5. Explain the effect of a company borrowing beyond its power-. 1'nder what circumstances can the lender (1) recover his money, (2) get a valid charge? 6. What are Lloyd's l'.onds? 7. Mention six ways in which a company can borrow money. CHAPTKR Xll. 1. What are debentures V '_'. What is debenture stock ? 2G8 Principles of Company Law. 3. Enumerate the conditions generally indorsed upon a deben- ture. 4. What is the effect of declaring that an issue of debentures shall rank pari passu ? 5. Define a floating charge, and explain its effect. 6. Does a floating charge take priority over (1) a subsequent legal mortgage taken (a) with (b) without notice of the debenture? (2) A subsequent equitable mortgage without notice ? 7. When does a floating charge crystallise ? 8. How is it that debentures are not generally assignable subject to equities ? 9. What are the respective advantages of appointing a receiver — (1) under a power in the debenture ? (2) by the court ? 10. When will a manager be appointed ? 11. What is the form of a trust deed to secure debentures? 12. What are the advantages of such a deed ? 13. How does a bearer debenture differ in form from a debenture to registered holder ? 14. Are bearer debentures negotiable ? 15. Specify the provisions of the Companies Act, as to the registra- tion of debentures, and the rights of members to inspect the registers. 16. What is the effect of non-registration? 17. Under what circumstances and with what limitations may the time for registration be extended ? 18. How may debentures be transferred ? 19. Can shares be issued at a discouut ? 20. Can debentures be issued at a discount ? 21. What is the effect of an undertaking by the company to issue debentures ? 22. Does a floating charge have priority over — (1) distress by landlord for rent ? (2) payments which have preference in bankruptcy ? (3) a garnishee order ? (4) judgment creditors? 23. Enumerate the remedies of debenture-holders. 24. Why is it that an order for foreclosure is not often made in a debenture-holder's action ? Test. Questions. 269 CHAPTER XIII. I . \\'h:it Lb underwril '1. What is brokerage ? 3. Under what circumstances is underwriting allowed? 1. Is it necessary to disclose sub-underwriting contracts in a prospectus V CHAPTER XIV. 1. Sbow that directors arc to some extent trustees and t<> Borne extent agents of the company. In what respect are they not properly described as trust' -. I low are first directors appointed V '■'>. What is the effect of the number of directors falling below the minimum fixed by the Articles? 4. Define a quorum of directors. 5. What provisions are made by the Companies Act. ae to the qualification of directors ? 6. Can a director sue the company for remuneration — (1) if none is agreed upon ? (2) if he has served for part of a year - / (3) if there are no profits ? 7. What powers are usually given to the directors ? 8. If a disqualified director acts as director, what is the result ? Can the Articles provide against this ? ( J. Under what circumstances can a director make contract.- with the company ? 10. Are directors liable for (1) slight negligence, (2) .^ioss negli- gence? What relief is given to directors in this respect by the Companies Act ? 11. Is a director hound to attend board meetings? 12. If one director is compelled to pay for misfeasance, can he recover contribution from the other directors? I 11 Al'lT.i; XV. 1. Distinguish between the three different kinds of meeiin members. •_'. What provision is made by the Companies Act for requisition- ing a meeting? 3. Can a chairman arbitrarily close a meeting? 270 Principles of Company Law. •i. To what extent is the chairman's entry in the minute book conclusive evidence ? 5. How are the votes taken at a meeting ? 6. Can proxies be counted on a show of bauds ? 7. Distinguish between — (1) an ordinary resolution ; (2) a special resolution ; and (3) an extraordinary resolution. CHAPTER XVI. 1. Are directors bound to keep accounts ? 2. Is a company bound to have its accounts audited ? 3. What are the duties of auditors ? •i. Can they be made liable for negligence ? CHAPTER XVII. 1. Define a private company. 2. How does a private company differ from a public company ? 3. What is a syndicate ? CHAPTER XVIII. In what respects does a company limited by guarantee differ from a company limited by shares V CHAPTER XIX. 1. When may a company be wound up by the court ? 2. Is fraud a sufficient ground for winding-up by the court ? 3. How may the insolvency of a company be proved ? 4. Who may petition for winding-up? 5. Contrast the rights of a contributory to demand winding-up by the court with those of a creditor. 6. Can a fully-paid shareholder petition ? 7 How long must a person have been a member of a company to entitle him to petition? 8. What orders may be made by the court on a winding-up petition? Test Questions. 271 CHAPTER xx. I. When and by what means may a company be wound up voluntarily ? L'. What is the effect of a voluntary winding-up? .'!. Sketch the proceedings in a voluntary winding-up. •1. Show the extent of the liquidator's liability for the debts oi the company. 5. Ilou is a liquidator appointed in a voluntary winding-up? <;. How does a company cume to an end on a voluntary winding- up ? 7. Contrast the rights ot' contributories and creditors to petition for winding-up by the court after a voluntary winding-up has commenced. CHAPTER XXI. 1. What is the effect of an order for winding-up under super- vision ? 2. Why is the order of less effect now than formerly ? CHAPTER XXII. 1. Enumerate the powers of a liquidator appointed by the court. L'. Docs the property of the company vest in the liquidator? 3. Dcline the position of a liquidator and discuss bis duties. CHAPTER XXIII. 1. What is the effect of a winding-up on — (1) proceedings against the company? (2) dispositions by the company oi" its property? '_'. How must a creditor prove his claims against the company ? ;;. What debts may be proved ? 1. What is tlie effect "!' not proving within the time specified? 5. How are the costs of proving a debt provided for? 6 What rules of bankruptcy practice apply to the winding-up of companies? 7. Show how the rights "t' the contributories are adjusted by the liquidator. 272 Principles of Company Law. 8. How docs winding-up affect the position of the servants of the company ? 9. What persons may be summoned and examined by the court on a winding-up? CHAPTER XXIV. 1. Describe the usual method of reconstruction of a company. 2. Can a contributory be deprived of his right to claim a sale of his shares under section 192 ? 3. Can the undertaking of a company be sold to a foreign company for the purpose of reconstruction ? T N D E X A. ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS, 69. ABSENCE, director's office vacated by, 182. ACCEPTANCE of application for shares, 88. directorship, agreement to take qualification shares, To. ACCOUNTS, 199. audit of, 204. balance sheet, 199. company, of, 1 99. directors to keep, 199. report of auditors upon, 201. ACCBETIONS TO CAPITAL may be distributed in dividends, L33. ACT OF PARLIAMENT, company incorporated by, 8. ACTION, change of company's name dues qo! abate, 1!any, 50. may be freely altered, IT. must not contain anything illegal, IT. registration, of, 50. stamp on, 4o. subjeel td the Memorandum, IT. Bubscripl ion of, 15. [ 3 ] Index. ASSOCIATION CLAUSE, 28. AUDIT accounts of company, 204. AUDITORS, appointment of, 204. duties of, 205. officers of the cornpan} 7 , are, 206. remuneration of, 207. B. BALANCE SHEET, 199. form of, 200-203. BANKING COMPANIES consisting of more than ten members must be registered, BANKRUPT, company cannot be, 213. disclaimer of shares by trustee of, 103. provisions in articles of sale of shares of a, 98. transmission of shares of, 103. BANKRUPTCY, member, of, 103. rules of, how far applicable in a winding-up, 241. BEARER, debentures to, negotiability of, 155, 150. share warrants to, 104. BLANK TRANSFER OF SHARES, 98. "B" LIST OF CONTRIBUTORIES, 82. BOARD MEETINGS, quorum at, 179. BONDS, LLOYD'S, borrowing on, 137. BORROWING POWERS, 130. company, by, 136. effect of exceeding, 137. powers of directors, as to, 136. receiver, by, 167. restrictions on exercise of power, 136. ultra vires, 137. [ 4 1 Inhk.v. BROKERAGE, 171. BUILDING SOCIETIES, LO. BUSINESS, not commenced within a year, ground for winding-up, 214. power >>{ liquidator to carry on, 238. restrictions on commencement of, 65. C. CALLS, 31, 10G. advance, payment of, in, 108. alter transfer, 108. cannot be made until minimum subscription subscribed, 108. cash, payment of, in, 110. date of, 109. directors to make, 107. are trustees as to, 176. executors, liability of, for, 88, 231. forfeiture for non-payment of, 111. future, 109. interest on, 107. irregularity, 106. liability for— 106. executors, of, 85, 239. registered shareholder, of, 106. transferee, of, 108. lien for, 113. making of, 106. not barred by forfeiture of shares, 111. power to make, 106, 107. set-off against, in winding-up, 245. speciality debts are, 106. Statute dt' Limitations, 109. winding-up, made by court in, 245. CAPITAL, 3. alteration of, 121, 122. amount of, 27. cancellation of lost, 124, L25. circulating, 130. classes of, 116. conversion of shares into Btock, 120. diminution of, L23, 127. dividends may not be paid out of, 129. division of, 1 17. fixed, L31. [ 5 ] Index. CAPITAL — continued. increase of, 121, 122. issued, 116. meaning of, 117. mortgage of uncalled, 138. nominal, 116. paid-up, 116. power to subdivide, 112, 117. reduction of, 123, 124. all round reduction, 124. evidence of loss, 126. proceedings to obtain leave of court, 124. words " and reduced," 126. reorganisation of, 123. reserve, 120. uncalled, mortgage of, 138, 139. receiver in case of, 139. CASH, consideration other than, allotment for, 81. meaning of, 79. payment for shares in, 79. CERTIFICATE, effect of, 93. incorporation of, 55. conclusiveness of, 55. of registration, conclusive, 56. of shares and stock, 92. estoppel raised by, 93. form of, 92. lost, renewal of, 93. mortgage by deposit of, 98, 99. prima, facie evidence of title, 92. CERTIFICATION OF TRANSFERS, 100. CHAIRMAN, adjournment of meeting by, 191. declaration by, as to passing of resolution, 196. of meetings, 194. CHANCE OF NAME, 19. CHARGE, •' floating." Sec Floating Charge. CHARTER, company incorporated by, 8. [ G 1 . Index. CHOSES-IN-ACTION, debeni area arc, I 62. COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS, before minimum subscription has been subscribed, 65. restrictions on, 65 COMMENCEMENT OP WINDING-UP by the court, 223. voluntary, 228. COMMISSION, underwriting, 171. COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION, 236. COMPANIES formed to promote science, IS. registered outside United Kingdom, 70. COMPANY, may bu a member, 77. COMPENSATION, for misstatements in prospectus, 60. COMPOSITION WITH CREDITORS, 231. COMPULSORY WINDING-UP. Bee Winding-up by tub Court. CONCEALMENT in prospectus, 60. CONCLUSION of compulsory winding-up, -'J">. voluntary winding-up, 232. CONCLUSIVE, certificate of incorporation to be, 55. CONDITIONAL allotment of shares, 91. CONSOLIDATION OF SHARES, L22. CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE, company bound by, 84. CONTRACT, allotment of shares for consideration other than cash, for, 81. articles of association, bow far a, 15, t6. constituting title of allottee to Bhares, 81. [ 7 ] Index. CONTRACT— continued. director and company, between, 186. disclosure of, in prospectus, 67. filing of, 81. made before incorporation of company, 56. provisional before commencement of business, 66. shares, to take, 88, 89. underwrite shares, to, 171, 173. with trustee for the company not formed, 52. CONTRIBUTORI ES. See Shareholders. adjustment of rights of, inter sc, 239. "A" list of, 82. bankruptcy of, 103. " B " list of, 82. calls on, 106. death of, 85, 103. deceased, liability of representatives of, 85, 239. holder of fully paid shares, 246. infant, 77. liability of, 79. lists of, 82. meeting of. See Meetings. past members, 82. petitions by, 217. CONVERSION of paid-up shares into stock, 120, 121. CONVEYANCING ACT, 1881, s. 19 (power of sale), 113. COPIES of articles and memorandum of association to be sent to members, 50. register of members, 83. CORPORATION, powers of, 8. COSTS, debenture holder's action, of, 169. in compulsory liquidation, 224, 225. COUPONS for dividends, on share warrants, 105. COURT, winding-up by. See Winding-up by the Court. [ « 3 Lnukx. CREDITORS, application to courl by, in winding-up, 234. arrangements with, 231. directors may be, for remuneration, 18-1. preferential, '-'12. proofs by, 243. winding-up petition by, 219. wishes of, 218. D. DATE, calls of, 109. commencement of compulsory winding-up, 223. voluntary winding-up, 228. prospectus, of, 61. DEATH ( ff member, 103. effect on lien, 115. DEBENTURE-HOLDERS, actions by, 166. appointment of receiver by, 167. sale by, 166. remedies of, 166. winding-up by, 168. DEBENTURE-HOLDERS' ACTION, appointment of receiver in, 152. costs of, 169. solicitor's lien for, 169. final judgment in, 153. foreclosure, ltJT. jeopardy of security, 153. manager appointed by court, 153. DEBENTURES, agreement to issue, 160, 161, 165, 166. assignable subject t< > equities, L63. bearer, payable to, 155, 156. conditions on, 143. creation of, 1 ">'■'. debenture stock, contrasted with, 111. definition of, 141. equities, company may, but need not disregard, 150. floating charge, 147. foreclosure of, L68. form of, 143. [ 9 ] Index. DEBENTURES— continued. inspection, right of, 159. irredeemable, 146. issue of, 164. at a discount, 163. modification of rights, 155. negotiable, 157. pari passu, meaning of, 146. payable to registered holder, 142. perpetual, 146. priorities in case of, 149. receiver appointed by the court, 152. debenture-holders, 152. register of, kept by company, 158. registrar, 159. registration of, 158, 159, 160, 161. re-issue of, 164. reserve capital, charge on, 120. specific performance of agreement to take, 166. transfer of, 162. transferred subject to equities, 163. trust deed, 154. form of, 155. uncalled capital, charge on, 138. winding-up, cannot be issued after, 165. DEBENTURE STOCK, certificate of, 142. definition of, 141. divisibility of, 142. is a debt, 142. negotiability of, 157. DEBTS, dividends are, 129. inability to pay evidences of, 215. preferential, 242. proof of, in winding-up, 243. remuneration of directors may be, 184. set-off of, 245. DECEASED CONTRIBUTORY, personal representatives of, 85. DECEIT, 60. DE FACTO DIRECTORS, 182. DEFAULT uf company in registering transfer, remedies for, 96. [ io ] .Index. DEFERRED SHARKS, 119. DELAY, allotment of shares, iii, 91. DELEGATION, powers by directors, of, 187. DEPRECIATION of capital, payment of dividends without regard to, 130-133. DETAILED POWERS IN MEMORANDUM, 2 J. DIMINUTION OF CAPITAL, 123, 127. DIRECTORS, accounts to be kept by, 195. agents for company, are, 175, 177. agreement to take qualification shares, 78. allotment of shares by, 176. appointment of, 64. first, 178. approval of transfer by, 97. calls in advance, receipt of, by, 108. to be made by, 107. ceasing to hold qualification shares, 181. compensation by, 60. consent to act, 64. contracts on behalf of company made by, 177. of, with company, 186. contract to take qualification shares from company, 64. contribution between, 189. de facto, acts by, 183. definition of, 175. delegation of powers of, 184. disqualification of, 181. duties of, 190. election of, 178. fiduciary position of, 173. first, 175. forfeiture of shares by, 109. fraud of, 60. interested in company's contracts, L86. [ 11 ] Index. DIRECTORS— continued. liability of, 60, 187, 188, 189. agents, as, 177. dividends paid out of capital, for, 133. for ultra vires acts, 188. fraud, for, GO. illegal commencement of business, for, 65. misfeasance, for, 189. negligence, for, 188. non-disclosure in prospectus, for, 63. qualification snares, for, 180. relief from, 188. secret profits, 182. limitation of actions against, 175. meeting of, 187. must take up qualification sbares, 64. names of, to be stated in prospectus, 61. negligence of, 188. position of, 175. powers of, 185. winding-up, after, 230. proceedings of, 187. qualification of, 63, 180, 181. quorum of, 178. ratification of irregular acts, of, 177. register of, 178. removal of, 183. remuneration of, 184, 185. wben a trustee, 185. resignation of, 183. retirement of, 42. rotation of, 45. secret profits obtained by, 182. subscribers are first, 29. trustees, how far, 175. votes of, 187. DISCLAIMER of shares by trustee iu bankruptcy, 103. DISCLOSURE of contracts in prospectus, 68. DISCOUNT, debentures may be issued at a, 164. forfeited shares may be issued at a, 109. issue of shares at a, 80, 173. DISPUTED DEBT, court will not make a winding-up order, on a, 221. [ 12 ] Index. DISQUALIFICATION of directors, 181. DISSENTIENT MEMBERS, purchase of interest of, 249. DISSOLUTION OF COMPANY after compulsory winding-up, 225. effect of, 225. on property, 225. vesting order on, 226. voluntary winding-up, 232 DISTRESS, 149. DIVIDENDS, accretions to capital may be used in payment of, 133. action for, limitation of, 129. niter date of agreement for sale, 135. arc a speciality debt, 129. capital, may licit be paid out of, 129. cash, arc payable in, 13 !. cumulative, 118, 119. debts, are, 129. declaration of, L29. bow paid, 128. payable oul of profits only, L29. payment of, with making provision for losses, 132. proportion in which paid, 128. "Statute of Limitations'' as to, 129. transfer, on, 134. what are, 128. DIVISION of shares into shares of smaller amount, 123. DOMICILE OF A COMPANY, 20. DUTIES OF SUBSCRIBERS, 29. E. ENLARGEMENT of time for registration, 161. ESTOPPEL, as to payment, 9 1. share certificate operates as. 93. [ L3 Index. EXAMINATION of officers as to affairs of a company in liquidation, 247. EXECUTION creditor, 149. EXECUTORS, liability of, 85. of contributory, 85. EXISTING COMPANIES, registration of, 54. EXPENSES of registration, recovery of, 53. preliminary, 62. EXTRAORDINARY MEETING, 192. EXTRAORDINARY RESOLUTION, definition of, 198. sanctioning compromise with creditors, 231. voluntary winding-up, for, 228. F. FICTITIOUS PERSON, allotment cf shares to, 78. FIDUCIARY POSITION of directors and promoters, 175. FIRST GENERAL MEETING, 191. FLOATING CHARGE, 147 definition of, 148. foreclosure of, 168. priorities in case of, 149. priority of preferential debts over, 242. registration of, 159. specific mortgages after, 148. when it crystallizes, 150. within 3 months of winding-up, void, 244. FORECLOSURE ACTION, 168. FOREIGN COMPANY, carrying on business in England, particulars to be filed by, 70. sale of assets to, in reconstruction, 251. winding-up by court of, 223. FOREIGNER may subscribe memorandum of association, 28. [ 14 ] I NDEX. FORFEITED SHARES, arrears of calls, 110. cancellation of, L10. FORFEITURE, 32. "calls," 110. for proceedings against company, 111. irregularity in, 111. liability for calls after, 111. nf shares, 109. |iu\ver to declare, is a trust, 110. relief against, will not be granted, 110. sale of forfeited shares, 109. shares may be issued at a discount, 109. FORGED TRANSFER of shares, 101. FORM of application for shares, 88. Articles of Association, '_".•. balance sheet, 200-203. certificate, 92. debenture, 143. trust deed, 155. Memorandum of Association, 1". Prospectus, 71. share warrant, 101. transfer of shares, 95. FORMATION OF A COMPANY, costs of, 52. steps in, 12. FOUNDERS' SHARES, 119. FRAUD in prospectus, 60. on minority, 48. rescission of contract tor, 58. winding-up fur, 216. FRAUDULENT PREFERENCE, 244. FUTURE CALLS, liability of transferee for, 10'.). G. GARNISHEE ORDER, 149. GENERAL MEETINGS. 8a Meetings. [ I"" ! Index. GOODWILL, prospectus to specify amount payable for, 62. GUARANTEE, companies limited by, 212. H. HUSBAND, liability of, for wife's shares, 77. I. IMPLIED CONTRACT to take qualification shares, 75. IMPLIED POWERS, 22. INABILITY to pay debts, 214. INADVERTENCE, omission to register mortgage by, 1G1. INCORPORATED COMPANIES, 8. INCORPORATION, certificate of, 55. INCREASE of capital, 121. INDEMNITY, definition of, 171. of past member by transferee, 102. personal representative of deceased member, 85. INFANT, allotment of shares to, 77. attaining majority during winding-up, 229. may be a member, 77. rescission of contract by, 77. "IN HIS OWN BIGHT," meaning of the words, 180. INJUNCTIONS TO RESTRAIN, name, use of, misleading, 19. presentation of winding-up petition, 217. INSOLVENCY OF COMPANY, evidence of, 215. ground for winding-up order, 213. [ 1G ] In 1 1 ex. INSPECTION of articles, 50. contracts mentioned in prospectus, 02. memorandum, 50. register of debentures, L59. members, 83. INTEREST disqualifying directors, 41, 186. in land, shares are Dot, U2. on calls, 107. INTERNAL AFFAIRS of company, 50. IRREGULARITY, EFFECT OF, in appointment of directors, 183. calls, 10G. forfeiture, 111. transfers, 102. ISSUE OF SHARES AT A DISCOUNT, 80. J. JUDGMENT CREDITORS, M0. "JUST AND EQUITABLE," meaning of, 210. K. KNOWLEDGE of memorandum and articles imputed, 50. L. LACHES, in applying for rectification of register, 245. LAND, power of company to held, 70. LANDLORD, distress for rent by, 149. C.L. [ •' Index. LEAVE OF THE COURT necessary for altering memorandum, 25. reduction of capital, 123. LEGAL MORTGAGE, registration of, 139. LIABILITY, limitation of, 26. of auditors, 205. directors, 63, 65, 133, 177, 24 7. executors, 85. liquidator, 231. members, 79, 82. trustees, 84. LIEN, death of member, effect on, 115. enforceable against trustee, 114. by sale, 113. extends to dividends, 113. in articles, 33. not enforceable by forfeiture, 113. on shares, 113. LIMITATION by guarantee, 212. of liability, 26. LIMITATIONS, STATUTE OF, breach of trust, 175. dividends, 129. "LIMITED," improper use of, 18. use of word, 17, 18. when it may be dispensed with, 18. LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ACT, 1907, LIQUIDATORS, voluntary winding-up, in, 229. applications to the court by, 232. appointment of, 230. duties of, 230. final account of, 232. liability of, 231. powers of, 230. [ IB ] . Index. LIQUIDATORS— continued. winding-up by the court, appointment of, 236. calls, power to make, L'.">9. contracts by, 238. distribution of assets by, 238. I lowers of, 237. property dues not vest in, 237. provisional, '-'.'56. removal of, 231. remuneration of, 239. settle lists of contributories, 238. winding-up under supervision, 239. LIST OF CONTRIBUTORIES, " A " List, 238. "B" List, 238. liquidator must settle, 238. paid-up shareholders not to be placed on, 2!0. persons liable in their own right to be distinguished, 239. rectification of, 245. LIST OF MEMBERS, annual, 86. at statutory meeting, 191. LLOYD'S BONDS, 137. LOST CAPITAL, power to cancel, 123. LOST SHARE CERTIFICATE, renewal of, 93. M. MAIN OBJECT, 23. winding-up, if gone, 23, 214. MALICIOUS PRESENTATION OF WINDING-UP PETITION, 222. MANAGER, appointment of, 153, 154. MARRIAGE OF MEMBER, 10:5. MARRIED WOMAN SHAREHOLDER, 77. MATERIAL CONTRACT, date aud parties to be stated in prospectus, 62, 67. MEETINGS, board, of, 187. [ 19 ] Index. MEETINGS— continued. company, of, 191. annual, 192. chairman of, 194. extraordinary meetings, 192. requisitions by shareholders for 192. first, 191. notice of, 193. ordinary meetings, 192. poll at, 194, 195. proxies, 195. quorum at, 193. show of hands, 194. statutory meetings, 191. default in holding, 219. list of members produced at, 191. report before, 191. when to be held, 191. votes at, 194. creditors, of, 238. directors, of, 187. subscribers to memorandum, of, 178. MEMBERS, actions by, 182. agreement to become, 75. annual list of, 86. bankruptcy of, 103. ceasing to be, 79. company may be, 77. death of, 103. effect on lieu, 115. definition of, 75. dissentient, 250. foreign, 28. how persons may become, 75. infant, 77. liability of past, 79, 82. present, 82. marriage of, 103. married woman, 77. minimum number of, 2, 210, 214. not, until name on register, 76. notice to, 193. register of, 76, 83. rights of, fixed by memorandum, 117. share warrants, holders of, are not, 105. signatories of memorandum are, 75. [ 20 ] Index. MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION, 2. alteration of, 25. ohange of name, by, 19. conversion of paid-up shares into stuck, by, 120. increase of capital, by, 1-1. reduction of capital, by, 123. with regard to the company's objects, 25. capital clause, 27. contents of, '_'. copies of, to be given to the members, 50. detailed powers in, 23, 24. form of, 13. infant, subscribed by. 28. inspection of, 50. knowledge of, imputed t" persons dealing with company, 50. must appear in prospectus, 61. name of company, to be stated in, 17. objects of company, to be stated in, 21. outsider not bound to inquire as to, 50. registration of, 50. relation of, to articles, 47. seven suhscribers are necessary, 28. signatories of, are members, 75. unalterable, 2. MINIMUM NUMBER of directors, 179 members of registered company, 210, 214. MINIMUM SUBSCRIPTION, 64. allotment voidable if not complied with, Mil, <)0. business cannot be commenced before, subscribed, G5. contracts made before, subscribed, 66. effect of allotment before, subscribed, 89. definition of, 64. no allotment until, subscribed, 65, 89. prospectus, must be contained in, 61. return of deposits if minimum subscription be not subscribed, 89. MINORITY, fraud on the, 48. MISFEASANCE, 189. MISBEl'KKSKNTATION, directors' liability for, 63. prospectus, in, 59. MISTAKE, application for shares l>y, 91. C 21 ] Index. MORTGAGES of chattels, 140. shares, 78, 98. priority of, 85. over lien, 114. register of, kept hy company, 158. registrar, 159. reserve capital cannot be charged, 120. uncalled capital, of, 138. receiver in case of, 139. MORTGAGE DEBENTURES, 142 {and see Debentures). K NAME OF COMPANY, 17. action by shareholder in, 182. addition of the word "limited" to, 17. words "and reduced" to, 126. change of, 19. injunction against use of, 19. memorandum, to be stated in, 17. penalty for not publishing, 18. similarity of, prohibition of, 19. NEGLIGENCE, auditor, of, 205. director, of, 188. NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS, debentures payable to bearer are, 157. share warrants (probably) are, 104. NEW COMPANIES, registration of, 54. NON-DISCLOSURE IN PROSPECTUS, 61. NON-EXISTENT PRINCIPAL, application for shares in name of, 81. NOTICE, allotment of shares, 91. company not bound by, 209. in lieu of distringas, 99. meeting of company, of, 187. of contents of memorandum and articles, 50. post, by, 193. [ 22 ] Inm.x. o. OBJECTS OF A COMPANY, 21. alteration of, 25. extension of, 25. incidental objects, 22. legality of, - 1, main object, 23. Memorandum of Association must specify, 21. power of company is limited to objects specified in memo- randum, 8. unlawful, must do! be, 24. OFFICE. See Registered Office. OFFICER OF COMPANY, auditor is, 20G. ell'ect of winding up by court un, 246. public examination of, 247. who is, 247. OFFICIAL LIQUIDATOR, 236 (and m Liquidator). OFFICIAL RECEIVER, provisional liquidator, 230. " ONE MAN " COMPANIES, 6. OPINION, statements of, in prospectus, 59. ORDINARY MEETING. -See Meeting. ORDINARY SHARKS, 1 Hi. OUTSIDER dealing with company, 50. P. PAID-UP SHARES, conversion of, into stock, 120. estoppel, by certificate, 94. holder of, is a contributory, 246. FAB I PASSU, 146. PARTNERSHIP, companies contrasted with, 5. limited, 7 n. (o). PAST MEMBER, liability of, 81'. [ 23 ] Index. PAYMENT, dividends, of, 129-134. of calls in advance, 108. shares, for — in cash, 81. otherwise than in cash, 81. PENALTY, default in filing contract constituting the title of the alluttee of paid-up shares, for, 81. name of limited company, for not puhlishing, 18. PERSON, company duly incorporated is a, 5. PERSONAL PROPERTY, shares are, 91. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of deceased member, 85. liability of, 85. transfer of shares by, 102. transmission of shares to, 103. PETITION for extension of objects, 26. reduction of capital, for, 125, 126. winding-up order, lor, 217. who may present, 217. And see Winding-up. " PLACING " SHARES, 78, 172. PLAINTIFF, undertaking by, on appointment of receiver, 153. POLL, demand for, 194. how taken, 194, 195. POST, notice of allotment, by, 91. service of notices, by, 193. POWER, 22 Articles of Association, to alter, 47. business, to commence, 65. land, to hold, 70. [ 24 ] Index. POWERS, alteration of, '-'•">. borrowing, L36. extension of, L'">. fairly incidental, what are, 22. implied, 22. incidental, main object of, 23. memorandum, in, 21 25. restrictions of, in case of a limited company, 8. to sell the whole undertaking, 24. POWERS OF DIRECTORS. See Directors. POWERS OF LIQUIDATORS. See Liquidators. PREFERENCE SHARES, 117. capital, preference as to repayment of, 118. cumulative, lis. rights of holders of, in winding-up, 118. PREFERENTIAL PAYMENTS in Bankruptcy, 2 12. PRELIMINARY CONTRACT, 30, 52. PRELIMINARY EXPENSES, statement as to, in prospectus, 62. PREMIUM, issue of shares at a, 173. PREPAYMENT of calls, 108. PRIORITY, costs, of, 224. lien, of, 111. of mortgage of shares, 85. over lien, Ml. secured debts, 148, 14 l J. transfers, of, 101. PRIVATE COMPANY, 208. articles of, 210. definition of, 208. exemptions of, 209. may Income a public company, 211. consist of two members, 210. position of, 208. PROFIT, company formed, nut fur, is. place of, director debarred from holding, 1-'-'. ret, liability of director for, 182. promoter for, 57. [ 25 ] Index. PROFITS, dividends payable only out of, 129. interest on calls paid in advance need not be paid out of, 108. what are, 129-134. PROMOTERS, definition of, 57. duty of disclosure, 57. fiduciary position of, 57. fraud by, 60. prospectus to disclose payment made to, 62. secret profit by, 57. PROOF OF DEBTS IN WINDING-UP BY COURT, 243. after time fixed, 243. amendment of, 243. costs of, 243. for interest, 243. PROPERTY OF COMPANY, appreciation of, 133. depreciation of, 130-133. floating charge on, 147, 148. PROSPECTUS, abridged, 69. action for misrepresentation in, 60. compensation for mistatements in, 60. concealment in, 60. dated, to be, 61. definition of, 58. directors' liability as to, 58. disclosure in, 58, 61. form of, 71. fraud in, 60. misrepresentation in, 59. must state contents of memorandum, 61. goodwill, 62. material contract, date and parties, 62. minimum subscription, 61. names of auditors, 62. directors, 61. vendors, 62. preliminary expenses, 62. purchase-money, 62. qualification of a director, 61, 180. shares paid up otherwise than in cash, 62. underwriting commission, 62. voting rights, 62. [ 26 ] Index. PROSPECTUS— continual. particulars to be contained in, 61. public, containing invitation to the, ii08. published more than one year after the commencement of business, 62. statement in lieu of, <>-. statements of opinion in, 59. waiver clause, 69. PIK (VISIONAL CONTRACTS, 66. PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, 236. PROXY, corporation may vote by, L95. costs of, 1 95. s 1 1 1 1 w of I lands, cannot be counted on, lit I. votes by, 105. PUBLIC, invited to subscribe, 209. underwriting, on issue to the, L73. PURCHASE of shares by company, I L3. PURCHASE-MONEY to be stated in prospectus, G-. Q. QUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, 63, 180, L81. acceptance of office whether a contract to take, ,."i. coni rart in writing to take from company, 64. director must take, 64. statement as to, in prospectus, 61. to be held "in Ins own right," 1.S0. validity of acts of disqualified director, L82. QUORUM at meetings of company, L93. definition of, I 79. directors, of, 179, 180. [ 27 ] Index E. RAILWAY COMPANIES, 8, 9. RATIFICATION by company of unauthorised acts of directors, 177. of contract made before incorporation of company, 53. RECEIVER, agent for company or the court, 152. appointment of, by court, 151, 152. debenture holders, 151, 152. borrowing by, 167. debenture-holders, for, 151, 152. in case of mortgage of uncalled capital, 139. jeopardy of security enables court to appoint, 153. manager, and, 153, 154. security given by, 153. RECONSTRUCTION, 248. form of dissent, 249. rights of dissentient, 249. sale of assets to foreign company, 251. undertaking for purpuses of, 248. scheme must comply with s. 1H2...250. winding-up by court to stop, 217. within a year destroys, 249. RECTIFICATION of register of members, 79, 245. time for applying for, 245. REDUCTION OF CAPITAL, 123, 124. "and reduced," addition of to company's name, 126. cancellation of unissued shares, 127. creditor's rights of, in case of, 126. evidence of loss, 126. petition to confirm, 125. return of paid-up capital, 124. sanction of court, when required, 124. REGISTER OF COMPANIES, defunct companies may be struck off, 246. registrar of joint stock companies, to keep, 2. REGISTER OF DEBENTURES, 158, 159. REGISTER OF DIRECTORS, 190. REGISTER OF MEMBERS, 76, 83. copies of, right to take, 83. entry in, generally necessary for membership, 75, 83. [ 28 ] Index. REGISTEB OF MEMBERS— continued. inspection of, 83. particulars, to be entered in, 83. prima facie evidence, 76. rectification of, 79, 245. registered office, to be kepi at, 20. removal from, 76. subscribers of memorandum ;ire members without entry in, 75, 7<>. transferee not entered in, may be a member, 96. trusts not to be entered in, 83. REGISTEB OP MORTGAGES AND CHARGES, 158, 159. debentures secured by mortgage or charge, 160. endorsement of registrar's certificate on debentures, 143. floating charge, in case of, 159. inspection of, 159. penalties for non- registration, 190. what mortgage and charge must be registered, 159. REGISTERED OFFICE OF COMPANY, 20. change of, '20. company must have, 20. name of company to be exhibited at, IT, L8. penalty for carrying on business without, 20. register of members to be kept at, 20. service of notices at, 20. situation of, to be stated in memorandum, 20. REGISTERED STOCK, 121. REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES, 2. annual summary, 86. appeals from, 224. certificate by, of incorporation of company, 65. change of company's name sanctioned by, 19. contract as to paid-up shares to be filed with, 81. registration by, of articles of association, 50. change of name of company, L9. memorandum of association, ">". mortgages ami charges, 158. order dissolving company, '-"-'">■ prospectus, 71. REGISTRATION, articles of association, "f, 50. change of name of company, of, L9. [29 ] Index. REGISTRATION— continued. company, of new, 54. existing, 54. contract for issue of shares for consideration other than cash, of, 81. extension of time for, 161. debentures, of, 158, 159, 160. memorandum of association, of, 50. mortgages and charges, of, 139. nunc pro tunc, 96. penalty for non-rpgistration, Si. prospectus, of, 71. transfer of shares, of, 96. REGULATIONS OF A COMPANY, 45. alteration of, 47. contract, how far they constitute a, 45. copies of, 50. definition of, 45. effect of, 45, 46. inconsistent with memorandum are invalid, 47. knowledge of, imputed to members, 50. persons dealing with company, 50. RE-ISSUE OF DEBENTURES, 164. RELIEF against forfeiture of shares, 112. REMEDIES OF DEBENTURE-HOLDERS, 166-170. REMOVAL of directors, 183. liquidator appointed by court, 231. REMUNERATION of auditors, 207. directors, 184, 185. promoter, 62. RENT accruing after commencement of winding-up, 240. distress for, before winding-up, 149. after commencement of winding-up, 240. REPORT, auditor, by, 204, 205. before statutory meeting, 191. liquidator, by, 232. [ 30 ] , Index. REPORT OF DIRECTORS, before statutory meeting, L91. form of, L91. particulars to be inserted in, 101. winding-up petition may be presented if reporl 1"- ao\ registered, 219. REPRESENTATIVE of deceased members, 85 (and see Personal Representative). REPUTED OWNERSHIP, bankruptcy rules as to, du not apply, 244. REQUISITION by sbarebolders for meeting, 192. RESCISSION of contract to take shares, 58, 59. RESERVE CAPITAL, 120. cannot be charged, 120. RESERVE FUNDS remain profits, 134. RESOLUTIONS OF GENE HAL MEETING OF COMPANY, altering memorandum of company, L'o. regulations of company, 47. appointing directors, 178. liquidators, 229. declaring dividend, L28, 129. extraordinary, 196, 198. sanctioning compromise with creditors and contribu- tories, 231. voluntary winding-up, for, L'.'T, 228. increase of capital, as to, 122. notice of, to be sent to registrar, 198. ordinary, 196. reducing capital, 123, 196. special, 196. articles of association, as to, 17, L96. change of name, as to, L9, L96, definition of, L96. majorities required to pass, L96. memorandum, alteration of, -•">. notice of, 197. reducing capital, L23. voluntary winding-up, for, 227, 228. •' ] Index. RESTRAINT OF PROCEEDINGS, against company after presentation of winding-up petition, 240. in liquidation, 240. RESTRICTIONS on commencement of business, 65. transfer of shares, 97. "RIGHT, IN HIS OWN," meaning of, 180. ROTATION of directors, 42. RULE in the Royal British Bank v. Turquand, 50. s. SALE of company's property, liquidator, by, 238. new company, to, 248, 250, 251. shares in another company, for, 250, 251. forfeited shares, 109. testator's business for shares in limited company, 79. SANCTION OF THE COURT to alteration of memorandum, 25. rectification of register of mortgages, 161. reduction of capital, 125. SCHEME of arrangement, 231. SCIENCE, company formed for the purpose of, 18. SEAL, execution in blank of transfers under, 98, 99. SEAL OF COMPANY, certificate of shares to be under, 92. [ 32 ] Index, secretary, •■ certifical ion " by, 100. duties of, 190. is an officer of the oompany, 2 17. SECRET PROFIT, liability of director to refund, 181. promoter to refund, 57. SECURED CREDITOR, nishee order, in respect of, L49. landlord, 149, 242. preferential payments in winding-up, to, 242. proof in winding-up by, 169. rights of, 149, 242. SECURITY, to be given by, liquidator, 236. receiver, 153. SERVANTS OF THE COMPANY, effect of winding-up by the Court on, li46. SERVICE, writs on company, of, 20. SET-OFF, contributory is not entitled to, -45. in winding up, 243. SHARE CERTIFICATE, 3, 94. estoppel raised by, 94, 95. form of, 92. lost, renewal of, 93. mortgage by deposit of, 98. prima facie evidence of title, 92. SHAREHOLDER, actions by, in name of company, ls - _'. adjustment of rights of, in winding-up, 245. allotment of shares, to, 75. articles of association, how far a contract between, 15, 16. bankruptcy of, 103. corporation may be, 77, 195. death of, 103. dissentient, 249. foreigner may be, 28. CL. [ 33 ] X Index. SHAREHOLDERS— continued. infant shareholder, 77. liability of present, 79. list of, 82. married woman may be, 77. meetings of, 191-195. minimum number of in case of registered company, 210, 214. notices to, 193. proceedings in name of company by, 182. register of, 76, 86. subscribers of memorandum are, 75. transferees not on register, may be, 76. votes of, 194. who are, 75. SHARES, allotment for consideration other than cash, 81. allotment of, 88. application for, 88. brokerage for placing, 171. calls on, 106-109. cash, payment for, in, 79. certificate of, 92. company may not purchase its own, 77. conversion of, into stock, 120. deferred, 119. discount may not be issued at, 80. difference between, and stock, 121. dividends on, 129. forfeiture of, 109, 112. " founders'," 119. interest in land, are not, 91, 92. liability on, 79. lien on, 133. mortgage of, 78, 98. notice of allotment of, 91. ordinary, 119. paid up otherwise than in cash, 62. personal estate, are, 91, 92. " placing," 78, 172. preference, 117. premium, issue of, at, 173. purchase of, by company, 113. subdivision of, 122. subscribed for, in memorandum, 75. surrender of, 112. taken in the name of fictitious person, 78. [ 34 ] • Index. SHARES- continued. transfer of. See Tb insfkb oi Shabe . t ransmissimi of, 103. underwriting, 171. SHARE WARRANTS, 104. arc (probably) negotiable instruments, 104. conditions on, 105. coupons for dividends on, 105. form of, 104. position of holders of, 105. stamps on, 104. SHOW OF HANDS, voting by, 194. SPECIAL MANAGER, 236. .SPECIAL RESOLUTION, articles may be altered by, 17. change of name, for, 19. definition of, 196. how to be passed, 11"). voluntary winding-up, for, 227. SPECIALTY DEBTS, dividends are, 129. limitation of actions for, 129. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OF CONTRACT to allot shares, 76. give debentures, 166. take debentures, 166. transfer shares, 98. STAMP DUTY, proxies, on, 195. t ransfer of shares, '.»7, lol. STATEMENT in lieu of prospectus, 62. STATUTE OP LIMITATIONS, breach of trust, 1 7"'. calls as tn, \i 19. dividends, in action fur, 12!». winding-tip order dues cot run against creditors after, 237. STATUTORY COMPANY 9. [ 35 ] Index. STATUTORY MEETINGS, definition of, 191. default as to, consequences of, 219. filing of directors' report before, 191. list of members to be produced at, 191. report before, 191. when to be held, 191. winding-up petition may be presented, if default is made as to, 219. STAY OF PROCEEDINGS, presentation of winding-up petition, after, 240. STOCK, 120. conversion of paid-up shares into, 120. debenture stock, 141, 142, 156. difference between shares and, 121. divisibility of, 120. members of company, stockholders are, 105, 121. registered, 121. share warrants to bearer issued in respect of, 104, 105. transfer of, 101. unregistered, 121. STOCK EXCHANGE. rules of, 97, 142. SUBDIVISION of capital, 117. of shares, 118. SUBSCRIBER of Memorandum of Association, 28. alien may be, 28. appointment of directors by, 178. corporation may be, 77. duties of, 29. infant may be, 28. liability of, 75, 76. meetings of, 178. member of company is a, 75. paid-up share subscribed for in memorandum, 75. seven persons must subscribe memorandum, 28. SUBSCRIPTION OF MEMBERS, 28. SUBSTRATUM of company gone, winding up because, 214. SUB-UNDERWRITING, 172. [ 36 ] ' [ndex. SUMMARY of capital and shares, 86. SUPERVISION, winding up under. See Winding-up under Supervision. SURRENDER OF SHARES, 112. only iu case where forfeiture allowed, 112. SUSPENSION of business for a year is a ground for a winding-up order, -11. SYNDICATE, 211. T. TABLE A., 45. adoption of, wholly or in part by registered articles, 15. validity of provisions of, 47. TIME, commencement of business, for, 65. extension of, for registration <>!' debentures, 161. mortgage or charge for registering, 159. statutory meeting for holding, 191. TRANSFER bankruptcy, provisions as to transfer in case of, MS. blank, effect of, 98. calls, after, 108. certificate, production of, (in, 98. " certification," 100. consideration for, to be stated, 95. directors arc trustees as to, lit;. discretion of directors as to registration of, '.(7. dividends declared after contract for, 135. during winding up, 102. duty of company to register, 96. effect of, invalid, L02. execution of, 96. forged, 101. form of, !*5. indemnity of transferor by transferee, 102. irregularity, 102. notice of, 102. nunc pro tunc, 96. of debentures, L62. shares or stock, 95. C 37 ] Index. TRANSFER— continued. pai^er, to a, 97. personal representatives, by, 103, 104. power to refuse registration of, 97. priority, 99. registration of, 96. restrictions on, 97 right of shareholders to, 97. shares, specific performance of a contract to, 98 stamp on, 97, 104. stock of, 104. TRANSFEREE, liability of, 102. objection by directors to, 97 rights of, 96. registration of, 96. TRANSFEROR, dividends, right to, 134, 135. liability of, 82, 102. TRANSMISSION OF SHARES, on appointment of new trustees, 1 04. bankruptcy, 103. death, 98. marriage, 103. TRUSTEE, appointment of new, 104. beneficiary must indemnify, 84. company, for, contract by, 52. director, how far, 175, 176. debenture holders, for, 154. for the company not formed, contract with, 52. liability of, 84. lien, enforceable against, 114. shares of, 84. sale of trust property, for shares, 79. TRUSTEE ACT, 1893, vesting order under, 224, 225. TRUST, power to declare forfeiture, is a, 110 TRUSTS, company not affected by notice of, 83. notice of, not to be entered on register, 83. provision in articles as to, 34. [ 38 ] • [ndex. U. ULTRA VIRES, acts of company, 21. directors, 21, 177. Imrruwing, 137. calls, 106. consent of all members cannot ratify, 21. payment of dividends ou1 of capital is, L29. regulations similar to Table A. cannot l>c, -17. UNCALLED CAPITAL, mortgage or charge of, 138. UNDERTAKING, mortgage of, 148. UNDERWRITING, 171. agreement form of, 174. commission for, 171. to be stated in prospectus, 62. disclosure of, 172. legality of, 173. on usue to the public, 173. option to take shares, 17.'!. INI NCORPORATED COMPAN1 KS, 7. UNITED KINGDOM, companies registered out of, 70. DELIMITED COMPANY, 10. ONLIQUIDATED DAMAGES, winding-up petition, cannot be presented for, 222. UNQUALIFIED DIRECT* ") I IS, L82. UNREGISTERED STOCK, 121. UNSECURED CREDITORS, rights as against debenture-holders, l 1 ''-'. rights of, in winding-up, 242. I si; OF WORD "LIMITED," 18. V. VALIDITY OF acts. of de facto directors, 182. disqualified directors, 183. [ 39 ] Index. VALUATION, of securities in winding-up, 1G9, 241, 242. VENDOR to be named in prospectus, 62. to company, 66. who is a, 66 VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP, adoption of proceedings by court, 233. alteration in status of members, after, 229. applications to court, 232. appointment of liquidators, 230. arrangment with creditors, 231. commencement of, 228. conclusion of, 232. contributory, rights of, 232. costs of, 232. creditor, rights of, 232. directors' powers in, 230. distribution of property, 229. dissolution of company, 232. effect of, on borrowers, 228. shares, 228. extraordinary resolution, by, 228. grounds for, 227. liquidator, liability of, 231. power of, 230. power of company during, 228. proceedings on, 229. against the company, 240. proof of debts, 243. resolution for, 227. special resolution for, 227. stay of actions against company, 240. transfer of shares during, 229. winding-up order after, 233. VOTES, at meetings, 194. by proxy, 195. declaration of chairman as to, 195. director interested in, 187. members of, 194. poll, 194, 195. right to, to be stated in prospectus, 62. show of hands, 194. stockholders', 105, 121. [ 40 ] VOTING RIGHTS, disclosure of, 69. [ndex. w. WAIVER CLAUSE in prospectus, 69. WINDING-UP, debentures cannot be issued after, 165. under supervision of Court, 234, '235. provisions which apply, 234, 235. WINDING-UP BY ORDER OP THE COURT, 213. adjustment of rights of contributories, 215. advertisement, 22 I. affidavit on, 223. after voluntary winding-up, 233. appeal, 225. appointment of, liquidator, 236. official receiver, 236. provisional liquidator, 236. special manager, 236. arrangements with creditors, 231. assets, distribution of, 245. do winding-up unless there are, 21.s, 220. assignee of a debt may petition, 221. books of company, 237. calls cannot be set of, 245. enforcement of, 245. commencement of, 224. committee of inspection, 2.'! HKOCLBS. 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Vested Remainders. Contingent Remainders. Executory Interests. Uses to bar Dower. Rights over Land in the Possession of Others. Copyholds. Leaseholds. Chattels which descend as Land. Mortgages. Limitation. Prescription. Contracts for the Sale of Land. 1 lovenants for Title. Registration. I >eath Duties. Principal Statutory Provisions relating to Real Property. 1 1 irms of Documents. Test Questions. — Index, Price 12/6; for Cash, post free, 10 5. BUTTERWORTH & CO., 11 & 12, Hell Yard, Temple Bar. THE "HORNBOOK" SERIES, No. i. TOKTS. " Invaluable to the Student." — -Justice of the Peace. " Every student who wants to master the principles of the Law of Torts cannot do better than devote a few weeks to a careful study of this handy book." — The Lawyer. Underhills Law of Torts. A Summary of the Law of Torts, or Wrongs Independent of Contract. By A. Underhili.. M.A., LL. D., formerly Reader to the Council of Legal Education, and J. Gerald Pease, B.A., Assistant Reader in Common Law to the Council of Lesal Education. With a set of TEST QUESTIONS by C. O. Blagden, M.A. Nin tii Edition . 1 9 1 1 . *.u*The law is stated in the form of principles, followed by notes explaining and illustrating the same. TABLE OF CONTENTS, Part I. The Nature of a Tort. Breach of Statutory Duties. Relation of Contract and Tort. Variation in the general principle where the unauthorised act or omission lakes place outside the Jurisdiction of our Courts. Personal disability to sue and to be sued for Tort. Liability for Torts committed by Others. The Effect of the Death or Bankruptcy of either Parlies. Damages in Actions for Tort. Injunctions to prevent the continuance of Torts. The Limitation of Actions for Tort. Part II. Defamation. Malicious Prosecution. Maintenance. Trade Molestation. Seduction. Deceit or Fraud. Negligence. Liability for Breach of Duty to prevent Damage from Dangerous Things and Animals. Liability of Employers for Injuries to their Servants and Workmen. Private Injury from Public Nuisances. Private Nuisances. Trespass to the Person. Trespass to Land and Di.-possession. Trespass to Goods, Detention and Conversion of Goods. Index. Price 10 6; for Cash, post free, 8/11. BUTTERWORTH & CO., 1 1 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. 6 THE " HORNBOOK" SERIES, No n. ROMAN LAW. "The book will prove a 'golden way ' to students desirous of passing the Roman bridge, even if that bridge were kept by Horatius himself." — Lii i(i Magazine. " Completes all that the prospective examinee should need to 'brush up ' before the time of torture." — Oxford Review. Willis AND Olivers Roman Law Examination Guide (Questions & Answers) By David T. Oliver, LL.M., of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law ; and W. Nalder Williams, M.A., 1,1.. i:.. Lecturer of Selwyn College, and formerly Scholar ol Trinity College, Cambridge. Third Edition (partly rewritten.) 1910. Price 10/6; lor Cash, post free, 8 10. A concise and simply worded Text Book which will serve as an intro- duclion to the Standard Authorities. Chalmers & Barnes' Students Guide to Roman Law. (Justinian and Gaius.) By Dalzell Chalmers, of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law, Law and Modern History Tripos, Cambridge, and L H. Barnes, 13. A., of Christ Church, Oxford, and the Inner Temple, Barrister-at- Law. 1907. Price 7/6 net; postage 4a. extra. BUTTERWORTH & CO., 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. 7 THE "HORNBOOK" SERIES, No. 17. DICTIONARY. " Every Law Student should possess himself of a copy, and every practitioner, by having a copy on his library shelf, might often save himself a good deal of time." — Law Notes. " A compact and excellent Dictionary, especially useful to Students and beginners. It contains also a Catalogue of all the English Law Reports which have appeared, giving the periods over which they extend, and the abbreviations by which they are usually referred to. This alone is worth the price of the book." — Canada Law Journal. "A number of new titles have been introduced, and a demand for more Latin maxims has been met with a large addition to those given in the previous editions. It is a first-class little law dictionary." — Law Students' Journal. MOZLEY AND Whiteleys Law DlCTIO NARV. By Leonard K. West, LL.D., and F. G. Neave, LL.D., both of the University of London, Solicitors. TJiird Edition. 1908. The definitions are crisp, concise, accurate, and illuminating, given in the fewest possible number of words. They are not mere compilations of law, but such as a Student will get real help from. Price 10/6 net ; postage 5d. extra. BUTTERWORTH & CO, n & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. 8 Appointed as a Text-Book fop the Institute of Bankers at their examinations. Cloth, 2s. 6d. net ; Postage 4d. extra. BANKING AND CURRENCY. THIRD EDITION. BY ERNEST SYKES, B.A. [Oxon.], FORMERLY OF THE LONDON AND COCNTY RANK. Lecturer on Banking and Currency to the London Chamber of Commerce. TOitb an Jntro&uction, BY F. E. STEELE, FELLOW OF THE INSTITUTE OF BANKEKS. Examiner in Bankiny and Currency to tlic London Chamber oj Commerce. CONTENTS.— Preface— Introduction— The Functions and Attri butes of Money — The Value of Money— Gresham s law 'I h> English Coinage— England's Adoption of the Gold Standard- Bimetallism : I. The French System. II. International Action- Credit : The Regulation of Note Issues — The Restriction of Cash Payments by the Bank of England— The Bank Charter Act of 1^-i 1 — The Development of Banking in England— Clearing Houses — The Functions of a Banker — The Relatii ds of a Eank< r to In l — Endorsements — Revocation of a Cust< mer's Authority— Bankers and Borrowers, I.— Bankers and Borrowers, II.- The Mi m j M — The Bank Return — The Foreign Ezchangi I —The Fori Exchanges, II. — The Stock Exchange— Financial Crises— Bil graphy — Test Questions (compiled fr< m the examination papers of the Enstitute oi Bankers, institute oi Bankers ii I, the Institute of Bankers in Ireland, and the London Chambi Commerce)— The Central Gold Reserve — Index. "Contains within a moderate compass a and interi ent of the leading questions relating to ey. The book deserves to he very widely know urnai. "Should prove of great assistance to those who arc reading for the examinations held under the auspices of the Enstitute of ' ist. "A diligent student of the book will not fail to pass the examinations."— Law (jutirti rly i.'i rit ir. BUTTERWORTH & CO., 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar, W.C. Cloth, Price 2s. 6d. net; Postage 4d. extra. METHODS AND MACHINERY OF BUSINESS. BY H. CLEMSON, DIPLOMA, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Lecturer at Principal London Commercial Institutes and at London County Council Centres. SECOND EDITION. WITH TWENTY ILLUSTRATIONS. A Book for use in every Merchants Office, and for the Student preparing for the examinations of the London Chamber of Commerce. CONTENTS. — Inland and Foreign Exchange : Bank Notes — Cheques — Inland Bills of Exchange —Foreign Bills of Exchange — The Export Trade— The Import Trade— Mint-Par of Exchange and Gold Points — Rates of Exchange — Arbitration of Exchange — Bills of Exchange. 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States the main outline of the subject plainly and simply to clear away its initial difficulties. Cloth, Price 2s. net; Postage 3d. extra. AN INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL LAW. BY ERNEST G. DIXON, TEACHER'S DIPLOMA, LONDON' CHAMBEB OF COMMERCE, WITH DISTINCTION IN COMMERCIAL LAW, MACHINERY OF BUSINESS, ECONOMICS, AND BANK IN', AND CURRENI -i . Lecturer on Economics and Machinery of Business at the Borough Polytechnic Institute, London, S.E. Examiner in Theory and Practice of Commerce to the Examination Board of the National Union of Teachers. CONTENTS.— Part I. The Sources, Scope, and Administra- tion of Commercial Law : The Sources of Commercial La The Administration of English Law — Action, Judgment, Execution — Property — Torts — Crimes — Criminal Courts. Part II. The Law of Contract: Contracts of Record — Contracts under Seal — Si : racts — Mistake — Misrepresentation — Offer and Acceptance — Consideration — Assignment — Discharge of Contract. Part 111. The Law op Commercial Relationships between Persons: Principal and Agent Partnership — Joint Stock Companies : Nature, Formation, Powers and Org miction — Promotion. Conduct, Wind up, Reconstruction -Suretyship and Guarant . Part IV. Thh Law relating to Goods (Choses in Possession): Sale of Goods — Carriage of Goods hy Land — Carriage of Goods by - — Insurance: General, Marine — Bailment — Lien — Pledge — Mortgage. Part V. The Law relating r > Choseb in' Action : Patents — Trade Marks— C »pyright Bills of Exchang i !'r imi Notes and Cheques— Bankruptcy. Index. BUTTERWORTH & GO., 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar, W, C. Can be cordially recommended."— Financial Times. Cloth, Price 2s. net; Postage 4d. extra. OFFICE PROCEDURE BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE: BEING A GUIDE TO A COMMERCIAL CAREER. BY H. CLEMSON, DIPLOMA, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Lecturer at Principal London Commercial Institutes and at London County Council Centres. WITH AN ARTICLE ON LIFE INSURANCE BY J. BURN, F.I. A., "Examiner to the Institute of Actuaries. AND AN ARTICLE ON RAILWAYS BY W. BRAZIER MARTIN, A.C.I. S., F.A.A. CONTENTS. — Letters : Copying and Indexing outward Letters — Letters : Addressing and Dispatching — Letters Received — Mercan- tile Contractions and Abbreviations — Telegraphic and Telephonic Messages, and Codes — Goods — Invoices and Sales Book — Consign- ment and Delivery Notes, and Receipts — Railways, Parcels Delivery Companies, and Parcels Post — Railway Routes — Credit Notes and Returns Book — Correspondence — Mediums of Exchange — Banking Accounts — Accounts (Mercantile) — Receipt and Payment — Bills of Exchange — Overdue Accounts — Publicity — Security — Life Assur- ance—Railways — International Commerce — Export Trade — Marine Insurance — Financing Exports — Import Trade — Importing Goods on Consignment — Partnerships — Joint Stock Companies — Test Questions — Index. BUTTERWORTH & CO., 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar, W.C. Further Boohs in this Series. 5- TRUSTS-— UNDERHILL'S LAW OF TRUSTS AND TRUSTEES. A Concise Manual of the Law. Sixth Edition. By A. Underhill, M.A., LL.D., Reader to the Council of Legal Education. With a Set of TEST QUESTIONS by C. 0. Blagden, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. 1904. Price 17s. 6d. \* THE LAW IS STATED IN THE FORM OF PRINCIPLES. FOLLOWED BY NOTES EXPLAINING AND ILLUSTRATING THE SAME. 6. EVIDENCE— POWELL ON EVIDENCE. The Principles and Practice of the Law of Evidence. Ninth Edition. By W. Blake Odgers, M. A., LL.D., K.C., Director of Legal Studies at the Inns of Co-art ; Gresharn Professor of Law, and Recorder of Plymouth, 1910. Price 20s. %» THE LAW IS S TATED IN THE FORM OF PRINCIPLES, FOLLOWED BY NOTES EXPLAINING AND ILLUSTRATING THE SAME. 3. CONVEYANCING.— STRAHAN'S INTRODUCTION TO CON- VEYANCING. A Concise Introduction to Conveyancing. By J. Andrew Strahan, M.A., LL.B., Assistant Reader to the Council of Legal Education. 1900. Price 10s. 6d. 9. VENDORS AND PU RCHASERS.-SEABORNE'S VENDORS AND PURCHASERS. A Concise Manual of the Law of Vendors and Purchasers of Real Property. By W. Arnold Jolly, M.A., of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-at-Law. Seventh Edition. 190S. Price 12s. 6d. 10. LEGAL HISTORY. — CARTER'S HISTORY OF ENGLISH LEGAL INSTITUTIONS. By A. T. Carter, M.A., D.C.L., Reader in Constitutional Law and Legal History to the Council of Legal Education ; one of the Readers to the Inns of Court ; Student of Christ Church. Fourth Edition. 1S10. Price 15s. BUTTERWORTfl & CO., 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. (3) UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 819 136 3 12. PARTNERSHIP. tfNDERHlLL'S LAW OF PARTNERSHIP. A Concise Treatise on the Law, with an Appendix containing the Partnership Act. By A. (Jndebhill, M.A., LL.D., formerly Reader to the Council of Lc"al Education. Second Edition. l'JOG. Price 5s. net. 13. MERCANTILE LAW— STEVENS' ELEMENTS OF MERCAN- TILE LAW. Fourth Edition. By Herbert Jacobs, Barrister-at-Law. 1903. Price 10s. Gd. 11 LIBEL AND SLANDER— FRASEK'S LAW OF LIBEL AND SLANDER. Principles and Practice, Emirth Edition. By Hugh Fiiaser, M.A., LL.D. Reader to the Council of Legal Education. 1908. Price 15s. *.» THE LAW IS STATED IN THE FORM OF PRINCIPLES. FOLLOWED BY NOTES EXPLAINING AND ILLUSTRATING THE SAME. 15. WILLS— UNDERHILL AND STRAHAN ON WILLS AND SET- TLEMENTS. The Principles of the Interpretation of Wills and Settlements. Second Edition. By A. Underhill, M.A., LL.D., Reader to the Council of Legal Education; and J. A. STRAHAN, M.A., LL.B., Reader of Equity in the Inns of Court. 190C. Price 15s. THE LAW 13 STATED IN THE FORM OF PRINCIPLES, FOLLOWED BY NOTES EXPLAINING AND ILLUSTKATINa THE SAME. 16. EXECUTORS AND ADMIN I STRATORS.-BOBblNs' AND MAW'S EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS. Fourth Edition. By the late L. G. G. Robbins, Late Reader in Equity to the Inns of Court; and F. T. Maw, Barrister-at-Law. 1908. Price L5s. net. BUTTERW0RTH & CO.. 11 & 12, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. ( i )