What are the reasons for updating your Articles of Association? Articles are adopted on incorporation and then often only referred to when there is a constitutional issue, keeping your Articles updated could prevent an issue from arising. Ideally, they are updated with each major update to Company law (this was 2006) and older Articles are often tricky to understand or have outdated clauses about having to hold an AGM or automatic pension entitlements for Directors.
TOP TEN REASONS TO UPDATE YOUR ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
1.Legal Compliance: Changes in the legal and regulatory landscape may necessitate updates to ensure compliance and alignment with current laws and regulations.
2. Adaptation to Business Changes: As a company grows or changes its business model, its articles may need to be updated to reflect new structures, objectives, or operations.
3. Clarification of Rights and Responsibilities: Over time, it may become necessary to clarify the rights and responsibilities of shareholders, directors, and officers to avoid misunderstandings or disputes.
4. Simplification of language: Using clear and transparent language helps shareholders, directors, and officers better understand their roles and responsibilities.
5. Improvement of Corporate Governance and Compliance with Best Practices: Updating the articles to align with best practices in corporate governance, as recommended by industry standards or corporate governance guidelines in order to improve transparency and accountability.
6. Resolution of Conflicts, Ambiguities and drafting errors: Articles may need to be updated to resolve conflicts, ambiguities and errors that have arisen or become apparent since the last revision.
7. Flexibility and adaptability: Updating the articles can provide greater flexibility in decision-making processes, add efficiency, and allow the company to adapt more effectively to changing circumstances. For example, the use of electronic signatures, or holding virtual Board Meetings.
8. Resolution of Practical Issues: Sometimes practical issues arise that were not foreseen when the articles were originally drafted, and updating them can help address these issues and improve operational efficiency. An example of this would be having a deadlock clause stating what happens when the Shareholders are split on a decision.
9. Safeguarding Stakeholder Interests: Updating the articles can help safeguard the interests of various stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, creditors, and the broader community.
10. Risk Mitigation: Regularly updating the articles helps mitigate legal, operational, and reputational risks by addressing any gaps or deficiencies in the governance framework.
For a free review of your Articles of Association please contact your account manager at Virtual Company Secretary Limited who will advise of the impact on your company and any action you need to take.
For further information, please contact us here.
The information above does not in any way constitute advice. Seeking specialist expertise and support is highly recommended for all Company Directors.