Companies (Amendment) Act, 1983

Shares and debentures of private company not to be offered to public.

21.—(1) A private company and any officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence if the company—

(a) offers to the public (whether for cash or otherwise) any shares in or debentures of the company; or

(b) allots, or agrees to allot, (whether for cash or otherwise) any shares in or debentures of the company with a view to all or any of those shares or debentures being offered for sale to the public.

(2) Sections 51(2) and 61 of the Principal Act shall apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that Act.

(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the validity of any allotment or sale of shares or debentures or of any agreement to allot or sell shares or debentures.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.