In Singapore, companies get registration approval after paying the $1 paid-up capital, a shareholder, at least one share, a registered address, and one resident director. The last two must hold citizenship in Singapore. Notable, shares in companies in this region do not only specify ownership in the company. Shareholders get different responsibilities, obligations, and rights as well.
This post will cover further details on these factors and shareholder roles in Singapore companies.
Shareholders are business entities or individuals who lawfully own one or multiple company shares within a business. They are not part of the company’s base operations, and their share value increases with association with the business’ growth. The shareholders can exercise their rights and give opinions on the company’s conduct and policies they have the shares.
They have multiple responsibilities within the company, such as voting on internal operations-related debates. Plus, they have the power to advocate and even propose certain resolutions for their company.
The shareholders in companies cannot use their assets like profit quantity or properties, unlike creditors. The latter gets the first claim for any of the company’s assets. For example, if there is no property left following the creditors’ claims, shareholders cannot get any of the company property during dissolution.
Typically, the level of claim and power a shareholder can enjoy depends on the number of shares they have in the company.
In Singapore, the regulations regarding the engagement and rights of shareholders fall under the governance of non-statutory and statutory instruments besides the main legal system.
The main non-statutory instruments are multiple and include options like the Listing Manual (Listing Manual of the Singapore Exchange) and the Governance Code (Singapore Code of Corporate Governance, 2012). On the other hand, the statutory instruments are the SFA or Securities and Futures Act and CA or the Companies Act in Singapore.
One of the primary functions of companies’ shareholders in Singapore is to complete the whole shares-related payment. Shareholders can handle partial payments in different periods. However, when the company requests the payment completion of these shares, shareholders need to complete it as soon as possible.
One must pay the full sum that was originally allotted to them during the initial period of share purchase. The exact details of these transactions, like the payment method and terms, can differ for each shareholder.
For example, if a listed company uses a securities brokerage company to purchase shares, they would discuss the payment terms with these professionals. Non-listed companies must add the terms for share payment in a written shareholder agreement.
In private-owned companies, the shareholders’ decision to remove errant or underperforming directors is up for getting a challenge. Changes to the constitution of the company can modify this decision.
For public companies that have over 50 shareholders and zero share transfer restrictions, the Company Act states that provisions in the service contract of directors or the constitution can claim to downplay the directors’ approval/demotion action.
In some cases, companies notice violations, but they avoid taking the matter to legal authorities. Here, the shareholders have the option to bring legal action on behalf of the company. This process is called derivative action. Alternatively, sometimes, directors of the company can use their role to do actions that harm the structure or operations of the company.
For example, a director may take financial incentives from another firm privately, causing a disadvantageous transaction for the company. At this point, the company should pass a resolution for legal action in response to this unlawful action.
If the director in question is a majority shareholder within the company, the organization can disregard or fail to pass any disciplinary actions against them. This is because this director would hold majority voting power.
At this point, the general shareholders can take legal action using the derivation action provision against the direction, as mandated under the CA rules.
Another crucial obligation for the shareholders is to handle many communication matters for the company. They read and even respond to external queries on time. One of the main reasons for this is the close association of the shareholders with the board of directors.
For example, after a resolution on approval of shares gets accepted at the AGM meeting, the applicants get the information about the general mandate. The company can also choose to raise its funds via a Rights Offer. Here, they offer new shares to their current shareholders.
If an individual with the shares in the company does not respond to this notice within the deadline, the company makes the assumption that they are not interested in subscribing. After that, they cannot opt for the new shares, or their current status can get dissolved.
The shareholders conduct and handle proper communication regarding such matters. They also take part in EGM, which occurs during special circumstance situations. These include cases like a takeover offer for a company. In case the shareholders do not respond to this information on time, they cannot vote on the resolutions.
We appreciate your interest in IMC and are eager to address your needs.
To ensure we address your needs accurately and promptly, please fill out this form. This will help us in identifying and connecting you with the appropriate team of experts in our organization.
We take pride in our responsiveness and aim to get back to you within a span of 1-2 business days. Your journey towards solutions starts here.
Companies we have worked with
© 2024 IMC Group. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 IMC Group. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 IMC Group. All Rights Reserved.
