MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

Memorandum of Association of a company is its charter & defines the limitations of the powers of a company. It contains the fundamental condition upon which alone the company is allowed to be incorporated
- Lord Cairns

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

Definitions Memorandum of Association of a company as originally framed or as altered from time to time in pursuance of any previous companies law or of this Act
Sec.2 (28)

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

The purpose of Memorandum of Association is to enable the share holders, creditors and those who deal with the company to know what its permitted range of enterprise is.
- Lord Macmillan

FORM OF MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

Form as given in table B, C, D, & E in Schedule I Printed Divided into paragraphs Numbered consecutively Signed by at least 7 persons for public & 2 for private company. Signatures attested by one witness. Subscribers shall at least take one share

CONTENTS OF MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

Six Clauses
Name Objects Registered office

Liability

Capital

Association or subscription

DOCTRINE OF ULTRA VIRES The words : Ultra means beyond Vires means the powers Ultra Vires means beyond the powers

A company which owes its incorporation to statutory authority cannot effectively do anything beyond the powers expressly or impliedly conferred upon it by the statute or Memorandum of Association.

ASHBURY RAILWAY CARRIAGE & IRON COMPANY LTD. Y. RICHE

The company has been formed with the object : To make and sell, or lend or hire railway carriage and wagons and all kinds of railway plants, to carry on the business of mechanical engineers and general contractors etc. The company contracted with Riche to finance the construction of Railway line in Belgium. The company repudiated the agreement and was sued for breach of contract.

ASHBURV RAILWAY CARRIAGE & IRON COMPANY LTD. Y. RICHE

Rich Contended : Firstly, that the contract in question came well within the meaning of the words general contractors, and, was therefore, within the powers of the company, secondly, that the contract was ratified by the majority of the shareholders.

EFFECTS OF DOCTRINE OF ULTRA VIRES

Void Ab Initio Injunction Personal Liability of Directors Acquisition of Property that is Ultra Vires Directors personally liable to third parties

ALTERATION OF NAME CLAUSE

Special Resolution. Written Approval of Central Government. No Approval of Central Government is necessary if the change of name involves only the addition or deletion of the word Private. Change by ordinary resolution and approval of Central Government when name is identical or too closely resembles the name of an existing company.

CHANGE OF REGISTERED OFFICE

From one premises to another premises in the same city, town or village By passing a resolution of Board of Directors

CHANGE OF REGISTERED OFFICE

From one town or city or village to another town or city or village in the same state 1. Special Resolution. 2. Confirmation of Regional Director when jurisdiction of Registrar of companies is changed. 3. Copy of (i) & (ii) to be filed with ROC. 4. Notice of new location to ROC within 30 days.

CHANGE OF REGISTERED OFFICE

From one state to another state 1. Special Resolution 2. Confirmation of Central Govt. 3. For certain Purposes only
(As given in section 17)

ALTERATION OF OBJECTS CLAUSE

A. Special Resolution B. Alteration is sought on any of these grounds: To carry on its business more economically & more efficiently To attain its main purpose by new or improved means To enlarge or change the local area of its operations To carry on some business which under existing circumstances may conveniently or advantageously be combined with the business of the company To restrict or abandon any of the objects specified in the memorandum To sell or dispose off the whole or any part of the undertaking To amalgamate with any other company C. Copy of (A) is filed with ROC within 30 days

ALTERATION OF LIABILITY CLAUSE

The liability of a member of a company cannot be increased unless the member agrees in writing. From unlimited liability, it can be made limited by re-registration of the company.

ALTERATION OF CAPITAL CLAUSE

Increase of authorized share capital.

Consolidation and subdivision of shares. Conversion of shares into stock & vice versa.

Diminution of share capital.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Definition Article means the articles of association of a company as originally framed or as altered from time to time in pursuance of any previous companies laws or of this Act

Sec.2 (2)

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

. The articles proceed to define the duties, the right and the powers of the governing body as between themselves and the company at large and the mode and form in which the business of the company is to be carried on and the mode and form in which changes in the internal regulations of the company may from time to time be made. - Lord Cairns

CONTENTS OF ARTICLES

1. The extent to which Table A is applicable 2. Different classes of shares and their rights 3. Procedure of making an issue of share capital and allotment thereof 4. Procedure of issuing share certificates and share warrants 5. Forfeiture of shares and the procedure of their re-issue 6. Procedure for transfer and transmission of shares

CONTENTS OF ARTICLES

7. The time lag in between calls on shares conversion of shares into stock 8. Directors, their appointment, remuneration, qualifications, etc. 9. Account and audit 10. Lien of shares 11. Payment of commission on shares and debentures to underwriters 12. Rules for adoption for preliminary contracts if any

CONTENTS OF ARTICLES

13. Re-organization and consolidation of shares capital 14. Alteration of share capital & Buyback of shares 15. Borrowing power of directors 16. General meeting, proxies and polls 17. Voting rights of members 18. Winding up

ALTERATION OF ARTICLES (SEC 31)

Procedure : Alteration by passing a special resolution. Copy of resolution to be sent to registrar within 30 days. Copy of altered articles to be registered within 3 months of passing of resolution.

LIMITATIONS REGARDING ALTERATION OF ARTICLES

1. Alteration should not be inconsistent with a. Provisions of Company Act or any other statute b. Conditions contained in memorandum 2. Approval of govt. to be obtained in certain cases 3. Alteration must not deprive any person of his rights under a contract 4. Alteration must not constitute a fraud on the minority 5. Alteration must be bonafide for the benefit of the company as a whole

BINDING FORCE OF MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES (SEC 36)

The following are the legal implications:

Company is bound to its members Each member is bound to the company Each member is bound to other members in exceptional case only Neither the company nor the members are bound to outsiders

Memorandum of Association
Charter of Company Defines the scope of the activities

Articles of Association
Regulations for interal management Rules for carrying out the objects of company. Subordinate to the memorandum. Company limited by shares need not have it (Table A applies) Can be altered by special resolution.

Supreme document Must for every company

Strict restrictions, alteration only with sanction of central govt./ tribunal. Act, Ultra Vires is wholly void & cannot be ratified.

Act Ultra Vires (but intra vires the memorandum) can be ratified.

DOCTRINE OF CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE

Documents are open & accessible to all. Presumption that any outsider dealing with company documents. It is a negative doctrine, acting only against the outsiders & not the company. has read & understood the

DOCTRINE OF INDOOR MANAGEMENT

Persons dealing with the company in good faith have a right to assume that the internal requirements prescribed in public documents have been observed Persons are not bound to enquire into regularity of internal proceedings Exceptions : Knowledge of irregularity Negligence on part of the outsider Forgery Acts outside scope of apparent authority