Companies Act 2014

CHAPTER 8

Protection for minorities

Remedy in case of oppression

212. (1) Any member of a company who complains that the affairs of the company are being conducted or that the powers of the directors of the company are being exercised—

(a) in a manner oppressive to him or her or any of the members (including himself or herself), or

(b) in disregard of his or her or their interests as members,

may apply to the court for an order under this section.

(2) If, on an application under subsection (1), the court is of opinion that the company's affairs are being conducted or the directors' powers are being exercised in a manner that is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b), the court may, with a view to bringing to an end the matters complained of, make such order or orders as it thinks fit.

(3) The orders which a court may so make include an order—

(a) directing or prohibiting any act or cancelling or varying any transaction; (b) for regulating the conduct of the company's affairs in future;

(c) for the purchase of the shares of any members of the company by other members of the company or by the company and, in the case of a purchase by the company, for the reduction accordingly of the company's capital; and

(d) for the payment of compensation.

(4) Where an order under this section makes any amendment of any company's constitution, then, notwithstanding anything in any other provision of this Act, but subject to the provisions of the order, the company concerned shall not have power, without the leave of the court, to make any further amendment of the constitution, inconsistent with the provisions of the order.

(5) However, subject to the foregoing subsection, the amendment made by the order shall be of the same effect as if duly made by resolution of the company, and the provisions of this Act shall apply to the constitution as so amended accordingly.

(6) A certified copy of any order under this section amending or giving leave to amend a company's constitution shall, within 21 days after the date of the making of the order, be delivered by the company to the Registrar.

(7) If a company fails to comply with subsection (6), the company and any officer of it who is in default shall be guilty of a category 4 offence.

(8) Each of the following—

(a) the personal representative of a person who, at the date of his or her death, was a member of a company, or

(b) any trustee of, or person beneficially interested in, the shares of a company by virtue of the will or intestacy of any such person,

may apply to the court under subsection (1) for an order under this section and, accordingly, any reference in that subsection to a member of a company shall be read as including a reference to any such personal representative, trustee or person beneficially interested as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) or to all of them.

(9) If, in the opinion of the court, the hearing of proceedings under this section would involve the disclosure of information the publication of which would be seriously prejudicial to the legitimate interests of the company, the court may order that the hearing of the proceedings or any part of them shall be in camera.