A limited company memorandum of association is a document that outlines the key terms and conditions under which a limited company operates. It is a legal document that must be filed with the Companies House when a limited company is incorporated. In this essay, we will explore the key features of a limited company memorandum of association and its role in the operations of a limited company.
The memorandum of association is one of the three main documents that make up a company's constitutional documents, along with the articles of association and the register of directors and secretaries. The memorandum of association sets out the company's name, the objects it is formed to carry out, and the amount of share capital it is authorized to issue. It also specifies the company's registered office and the names of its initial subscribers, who are the first members of the company.
One of the main purposes of the memorandum of association is to define the scope of the company's business activities. It sets out the objects of the company, which are the purposes for which it has been formed. The objects may be general or specific, depending on the nature of the business. For example, a company that is formed to manufacture and sell a particular product would have specific objects, whereas a company that is formed to engage in any lawful business activity would have general objects.
The memorandum of association also specifies the amount of share capital that the company is authorized to issue. This is the maximum amount of money that the company can raise through the sale of shares. The share capital is divided into a number of shares, which can be bought and sold by the members of the company. The share capital and the number of shares are usually set out in the articles of association, which are the second of the company's constitutional documents.
Another key feature of the memorandum of association is the company's registered office. This is the address at which the company's records are kept and where legal documents can be served on the company. The registered office must be located within the country in which the company is incorporated.
Finally, the memorandum of association lists the names of the company's initial subscribers, who are the first members of the company. These individuals are responsible for subscribing to the memorandum of association and agreeing to become members of the company. They are also responsible for taking up at least one share in the company.
In summary, a limited company memorandum of association is a key document that outlines the key terms and conditions under which a limited company operates. It sets out the company's name, objects, share capital, registered office, and initial subscribers. It is a legal document that must be filed with the Companies House when a limited company is incorporated and plays a crucial role in the operations of the company.