A Director Cannot be Absolved from Responsibilities by Appointing an Alternate Director
Reviewing constitution (usually in the context of a corporate transaction) is part of my job as a corporate lawyer. It’s not always fun but it’s always a good refresher of the Companies Act 2016. While reviewing the constitution of a company, I came across the following provision which made me …
Nominee director’s duty
In an M&A transaction where the sale and purchase of shares is not for the entire issued share capital of a company, it is prudent for shareholders to enter into a shareholders’ agreement to govern their relationship. The shareholders would typically want the right to nominate their representatives to be …
Three things to consider when appointing independent director of PLC
Assessment of a candidate for the role of an independent director of a public listed company (“𝗣𝗟𝗖”) is important and requires extensive due diligence, in particular for a company which is undertaking an IPO exercise. The following are 3 things to consider when assessing a candidate for the role of …
Directors to declare their interest in contracts
Non-declaration of director’s interest in contracts is a common issue encountered when reviewing directors’ resolutions in the course of legal due diligence for M&A or IPO exercise. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 X is a director and shareholder of Company A as well as Company B. Company A and Company B enter into …
Liabilities of alternate director
Do you know that you are subject to the same directors’ liabilities under the Companies Act 2016 when you agree to act as alternate director? Anyone who consents to act as an alternate director should also understand the implication of doing so. Some points to note on alternate director: • …
Non-executive director’s appointment letter
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)* published a guidance note on sample non-executive director’s appointment letter. The sample letter aims to provide an initial checklist of the elements a company intends to cover in its appointment letter and is not intended to be a prescriptive template. Although the …
CEO, CFO and COO are subject to directors’ duties
Directors’ duties are not limited to formally appointed directors. The definition of a “director” is not limited to a person who is formally appointed as a director. Whether a person is a director depends more on the person’s responsibilities than title. The definition of a “director” under section 2 of …
Directors’ and shareholders’ powers
Ever wonder which corporate actions require board of directors’ approval and which require shareholders’ approval? This depends on the division of management powers between directors and shareholders of a company. Sources of powers The main sources which set out and divide the management powers between directors and shareholders are as …
What to consider before appointing a director?
Prior to appointing a person as a director, check to ensure the person: 1. is at least 18 years old; 2. is not an undischarged bankrupt, who has not obtained leave of the Official Receiver or Court to be appointed as a director; 3. has not been convicted of an …
Directors’ independence
Directors’ independence has been a key focus of the Securities Commission Malaysia (“𝗦𝗖”) and Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (“𝗕𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗮”) lately as can be seen from the following amendments or proposed amendments: 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (“𝗠𝗖𝗖𝗚”) The SC issued the revised MCCG on 28 April 2021 which took effect …