This chapter deals with raising capital from shareholders (equity capital). It considers: attracting capital and protecting both shareholders and creditors; terminology associated with legal capital; the minimum capital requirements for company formation; limiting access to shares; offers to the public to purchase shares and remedies for misleading offers; and collecting in the company’s capital (issue of shares at a discount, issue of shares at a premium and issue of shares in exchange for property).
Chapter
12. Distributions to Shareholders and Capital Maintenance
Chapter
21. Share capital—capital raising and payment
This chapter considers the statutory rules governing share capital requirements, especially the rules governing allotment of shares, payment for shares, and capital raising. Share capital rules are predominantly statutory and this chapter looks at the statutory framework on allotment including the authority of the directors to allot shares, the need for rights issues; the ability to accept a non-cash consideration; and the prohibitions on various types of consideration, in the case of public companies. Minimum capital requirements and the need to avoid issuing at a discount are considered. A key issue for public companies is whether to make an offer of their shares to the public or seek to have their shares traded on a public market. The regulatory framework for public offers of shares, essentially requiring a prospectus, is considered.
