Introduction
Once the Companies Bill 2012 (the "Companies Bill") comes into force all existing private companies will have to make a decision whether to convert to:
- a company limited by shares (CLS); or
- a designated activity company (DAC); or
- another type of company (public limited company, Societas Europaea).
The Companies Bill provides for an 18 month transition period, commencing on the commencement date (expected to be 1 June 2015). At the end of that transition period, where an existing private company fails to elect to convert to some other type of company, that company will be deemed to have become a CLS.
Conversion Process – The New Regime
The CLS
A CLS will operate with a single constitutional document, with no requirement to include an objects clause as, under the Companies Bill, a CLS will have full and unlimited contractual capacity. A CLS will have no requirement to have an authorised share capital.
Furthermore, a CLS can just have one director and one shareholder and may dispense with holding a physical annual general meeting, regardless of the number of shareholders in the company (previously only single member companies could dispense with the need for a physical annual general meeting). Under the Companies Bill, a CLS may not list, or have admitted to trading, any securities.
The Companies Bill sets out a clear framework for the conversion process to a CLS. The most efficient way in which to do this is for the existing private company to pass a special resolution to adopt a new constitution to replace the existing memorandum and articles of association. Until an existing private company converts to a CLS, it will be treated as a DAC during the 18 month transition period.
In the event that the shareholders of an existing private company do not adopt a new constitution, the directors of that company are required to prepare a constitution for the company and deliver a copy to each shareholder and to the Companies Registration Office. This process must be completed before the end of the 18 month transition period.
The DAC
Unlike a CLS, a DAC must have an objects clause setting out its designated activities and the company's name must end with "designated activity company" or DAC. The constitutional documentation will comprise a two-part single document namely a memorandum and articles in the form prescribed in the Companies Bill. Unlike the CLS, the DAC must have an authorised share capital.
The Companies Bill obliges a DAC to have at least two directors (one of whom can also be the company secretary) and a DAC may be either limited by shares, or limited by guarantee, with a share capital.
The Companies Bill provides a straightforward mechanism for re-registration as a DAC.
Within 3 months prior to the end of the 18 month transition period, the Companies Bill sets out two re-registration procedures:
- an existing private company may re-register as a DAC by passing an ordinary resolution; or
- in the event that the directors of a private company do not put an ordinary resolution to its members, a shareholder(s) holding more than 25% of the voting rights can serve a notice in writing on the company requiring it to re-register as a DAC.
The Companies Bill also makes provision for relief where a company does not re-register as a DAC before the end of the 18 month transition period. Essentially, one or more of a company's shareholders holding not less than 15% of its issued share capital, or one or more creditors meeting certain qualification criteria may apply to the Irish courts for an order directing the company to reregister as a DAC.
Next Steps
The commencement date of the Companies Bill is expected to be 1 June 2015. At this juncture, it is advisable for Irish private companies to review their current business activities and requirements and to decide which course of action is in the best interests of the company, its directors and shareholders.
It is anticipated that private companies regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (i.e. UCITS management companies, AIFMs, insurance companies and companies registered under the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations, 2007 (as amended) or the Investment Intermediaries Act, 1995) will convert to DACs before the end of the transitional period. Further, it is anticipated that those companies which are required to limit their operations to specific businesses (such as special purpose vehicles) within their constitutional documents will also wish to convert to DACs within this timeframe.
All companies will need to choose between converting to a CLS or a DAC (or another suitable company type such as a public limited company) to ensure that its business needs are met in a legally robust manner.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
