Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter discusses the two principal types of capital that companies acquire: share capital (capital obtained by selling shares) and debt capital (capital borrowed from others). Having obtained share capital through the selling of shares, the law requires that the company ‘maintain’ that capital by not distributing it in unauthorized ways, notably by prohibiting companies from returning capital to the shareholders prior to liquidation.
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Chapter
This chapter discusses the two principal types of capital that companies acquire: share capital (capital obtained by selling shares) and debt capital (capital borrowed from others). Having obtained share capital through the selling of shares, the law requires that the company ‘maintain’ that capital by not distributing it in unauthorized ways, notably by prohibiting companies from returning capital to the shareholders prior to liquidation.
Chapter
This chapter considers how companies raise money through a combination of equity and debt finance. It discusses the issuance of shares; share capital; financial assistance by a company for purchase of shares; classes of shares; finance through borrowing; secured loans; registration of charges; priority of charges; remedies of debenture-holders; receivers; position of lenders and debenture-holders; and steps to be taken by a lender to a company.
Chapter
Lee Roach
This chapter assesses what share capital is. A share is an item of property that confers upon its holder rights as set out in the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) and the constitution. A public company must have an allotted share capital of at least £50,000, while private companies are not subject to a minimum share capital requirement. Who has the power to allot shares depends upon the type of company, the class of share being allotted, and how many other classes of shares the company has. However, shareholders generally have a right of pre-emption meaning that, when a company issues new shares, they have to first be offered to the existing shareholders. Meanwhile, a transfer of shares occurs where a shareholder sells or gifts his shares to another, while a transmission of shares usually occurs where shares pass from one person to another due to the operation of law.
Chapter
This chapter assesses what share capital is. A share is an item of property that confers upon its holder rights as set out in the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) and the constitution. A public company must have an allotted share capital of at least £50,000, while private companies are not subject to a minimum share capital requirement. Who has the power to allot shares depends upon the type of company, the class of share being allotted, and how many other classes of shares the company has. However, shareholders generally have a right of pre-emption, meaning that, when a company issues new shares, they have to first be offered to the existing shareholders. Meanwhile, a transfer of shares occurs where a shareholder sells or gifts their shares to another, while a transmission of shares usually occurs where shares pass from one person to another due to the operation of law.
Chapter
This chapter examines the nature of shares and the share capital of companies, and the provisions for the maintenance of capital as they apply to companies with a share capital. It begins by defining what a share is before moving on to discuss the classifications of share capital. The process by which shares are created is examined in detail, including an examination of the allotment and issuing of shares, the minimum capital requirement, and the company’s ability to issue different classes of share. The chapter then discusses the capital maintenance regime—a series of rules designed to protect the company’s creditors by preventing capital from being returned to shareholders (including the restructuring of share capital, and the rules relating to distribution of profits).
Chapter
This chapter discusses the rules which ensure that a company’s legal capital is maintained in the company’s hands. It covers: controls over a company’s distribution of capital; permitted reductions of capital; redemptions and repurchases of shares; financial assistance by a company for the acquisition of its own shares; and dividend distributions.
Chapter
This chapter discusses the rules which govern distribution of the company’s assets to its shareholders and the rules which ensure that a company’s legal capital is maintained in the company’s hands. It covers: controls over a company’s distribution of capital; permitted reductions of capital; redemptions and repurchases of shares; financial assistance by a company for the acquisition of its own shares; and dividend distributions.
Chapter
This chapter examines the controls imposed on return of a company’s capital to its members, first by considering the common law general principle that return of capital to shareholders is illegal unless permitted by statute. It then discusses the problem of how to distinguish between a legal distribution of profits and an illegal return of capital; transfer of profits to a capital redemption reserve and use of profits to pay up bonus shares; company’s issuance and redemption of redeemable shares or purchase of its own shares; purchased shares as treasury shares; and how a company may reduce its issued share capital by special resolution. The chapter also looks at capitalisations and employees’ share schemes. It includes analysis of three court cases that are particularly significant to distributions and the maintenance of capital.
Chapter
This chapter examines the controls imposed on return of a company’s capital to its members, first by considering the common law general principle that return of capital to shareholders is illegal unless permitted by statute. It then discusses the problem of how to distinguish between a legal distribution of profits and an illegal return of capital; transfer of profits to a capital redemption reserve and use of profits to pay up bonus shares; company’s issuance and redemption of redeemable shares or purchase of its own shares; purchased shares as treasury shares; and how a company may reduce its issued share capital by special resolution. The chapter also looks at capitalisations and employees’ share schemes. It includes analysis of three court cases that are particularly significant to distributions and the maintenance of capital.
Chapter
This chapter considers one way of becoming a shareholder of a company with a share capital: by taking shares from the company in exchange for a contribution of capital. The number and class of shares of the company that the member holds determines the extent of the member’s undertaking to contribute capital, and of entitlement to share in distributions and vote at meetings. Share allotment in exchange for a capital contribution is explained, and the need for public companies to have a minimum contributed capital is emphasised. The chapter also looks at possible remedies available to a person who has been induced to take an allotment of shares by a misrepresentation, including rescission of contract. Finally, it examines ways of altering a company’s share capital.
Chapter
This chapter considers one way of becoming a shareholder of a company with a share capital: by taking shares from the company in exchange for a contribution of capital. The number and class of shares of the company that the member holds determines the extent of the member’s undertaking to contribute capital, and of entitlement to share in distributions and vote at meetings. Share allotment in exchange for a capital contribution is explained, and the need for public companies to have a minimum contributed capital is emphasised. The chapter also looks at possible remedies available to a person who has been induced to take an allotment of shares by a misrepresentation, including rescission of contract. Finally, it examines ways of altering a company’s share capital.
Chapter
This chapter begins with an overview of the company ‘capital’ and its importance. It then discusses: attracting capital and protecting both shareholders and creditors; terminology associated with legal capital; the legal nature of shares; 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
Lee Roach
This chapter addresses what is known as the capital maintenance doctrine — a series of rules designed to protect the company's creditors by ensuring that capital is maintained and not returned to the company's members. Any limited company can reduce its share capital by passing a special resolution followed by court confirmation. A private company can reduce its share capital by passing a special resolution supported by a solvency statement. On the other hand, public companies are generally prohibited from providing financial assistance to others to acquire their shares. Meanwhile, a company can generally only pay a dividend out of distributable profits. The typical three-stage process for paying dividends is the directors recommend an amount to be distributed by way of dividend; the company declares the dividend by passing an ordinary resolution; and the dividend is paid out.
Chapter
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
This chapter addresses what is known as the capital maintenance doctrine—a series of rules designed to protect the company’s creditors by ensuring that capital is maintained and not returned to the company’s members. Any limited company can reduce its share capital by passing a special resolution followed by court confirmation. A private company can reduce its share capital by passing a special resolution supported by a solvency statement. On the other hand, public companies are generally prohibited from providing financial assistance to others to acquire their shares. Meanwhile, a company can generally only pay a dividend out of distributable profits. The typical three-stage process for paying dividends is that the directors recommend an amount to be distributed by way of dividend; the company declares the dividend by passing an ordinary resolution; and the dividend is paid out.
Chapter
Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter examines how company law governs maintenance of a company’s share capital, with emphasis on the distinction between private and public companies. It also discusses various ways in which shareholders might legally receive funds (‘distributions’) from the company, including issuance of shares and payment of shares in kind (that is, goods, property, or services rather than in cash). The relevance of the nominal value of shares issued to shareholders, the issue of paying dividends to shareholders, and disguised return of capital to shareholders are considered as well. The chapter also examines two other means of returning funds to shareholders, reduction of share capital and redemption or purchase by a company of its own shares, before concluding with an assessment of the prohibition and the exceptions concerning the issue of financial assistance for the acquisition of shares in a public company.
Chapter
Titles in the Core Text series take the reader straight to the heart of the subject, providing focused, concise, and reliable guides for students at all levels. This chapter examines how company law governs maintenance of a company’s share capital, with emphasis on the distinction between private and public companies. It also discusses various ways in which shareholders might legally receive funds (‘distributions’) from the company, including issuance of shares and payment of shares in kind (that is, goods, property, or services rather than in cash). The relevance of the nominal value of shares issued to shareholders, the issue of paying dividends to shareholders, and disguised return of capital to shareholders are considered as well. The chapter also examines two other means of returning funds to shareholders, reduction of share capital and redemption or purchase by a company of its own shares, before concluding with an assessment of the prohibition and the exceptions concerning the issue of financial assistance for the acquisition of shares in a public company.
Chapter
The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions and coursework. Each book includes typical questions, suggested answers with commentary, illustrative diagrams, guidance on how to develop your answer, suggestions for further reading, and advice on exams and coursework. This chapter examines the law on share capital for public and private companies. The doctrine of capital maintenance ensures that the company has raised the capital it claims to have raised; and that the capital is not subsequently returned, directly or indirectly, to the shareholders. There is a great deal of (mainly statutory) law surrounding this doctrine This chapter considers the capital maintenance doctrine itself and many related topics, including: the issue of shares for non-cash consideration, issue of shares at a discount, reduction of capital, purchase of a company’s own shares, redeemable shares, payment of dividends, and financial assistance by a company for the purchase of its own shares.
Book
Derek French
Mayson, French & Ryan on Company Law looks at all aspects of current UK company law. The 37th edition continues the tradition of providing accurate technical detail, examination of theory, and quotations from key cases. The volume starts with an overview of the topic. Next it looks at the establishment of companies. It moves on to consider finance which includes an examination of shares, accounts, loans, market abuse, capital and borrowing. The next part of the text considers governance. It looks at shareholders, directors, duties of directors, company secretaries and auditors, remedies and acting for a company. The last part of the text examines insolvency and liquidation.
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