[The
following guest post is contributed by Saumya Kakkar, Associate and Govinda
Toshniwal, Senior Associate, both with NovoJuris Legal. They can be
contacted at relationships@novojuris.com]
following guest post is contributed by Saumya Kakkar, Associate and Govinda
Toshniwal, Senior Associate, both with NovoJuris Legal. They can be
contacted at relationships@novojuris.com]
The objects clause of the
Memorandum of Association (“MOA”) of
a company enlists and defines the main and the ancillary aims and objects for
which the company is incorporated. Any activity or business the company carries
out, or intends to do so, should fall under the ambit of this object clause.
The company is restricted from performing an activity which is outside the
scope of this object clause. The Supreme Court of India recognized this “doctrine
of ultra vires” in the case of Laxman Swami Mudaliar v. Life
Insurance Corporation of India and stipulated that any act beyond the
permitted activities as defined in the objects clause of the MOA of the company
is considered void, irrespective of the fact that the shareholders or directors
of the company have assented to it.
Memorandum of Association (“MOA”) of
a company enlists and defines the main and the ancillary aims and objects for
which the company is incorporated. Any activity or business the company carries
out, or intends to do so, should fall under the ambit of this object clause.
The company is restricted from performing an activity which is outside the
scope of this object clause. The Supreme Court of India recognized this “doctrine
of ultra vires” in the case of Laxman Swami Mudaliar v. Life
Insurance Corporation of India and stipulated that any act beyond the
permitted activities as defined in the objects clause of the MOA of the company
is considered void, irrespective of the fact that the shareholders or directors
of the company have assented to it.
The MOA of the company clearly defines
the objects for which it has been established, thereby permitting the use of
funds of the company only for a particular range of activities. This rule was
established to protect the interests of the creditors and investors and to keep
a check on the manner of utilization of their monies. In order to avoid this
rule being attracted, companies started framing a wide objects clause by including
all possible business activities ancillary to the main object.
the objects for which it has been established, thereby permitting the use of
funds of the company only for a particular range of activities. This rule was
established to protect the interests of the creditors and investors and to keep
a check on the manner of utilization of their monies. In order to avoid this
rule being attracted, companies started framing a wide objects clause by including
all possible business activities ancillary to the main object.
A limited liability partnership (“LLP”) is a relatively new business
structure combining the features of a company and a partnership, and was
introduced by the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (“LLP Act”). The liability of partners in
an LLP is limited to their agreed contribution to the business. The prospective
partners in an LLP enter into an agreement which includes a“business
description” stating the business to be carried on by the LLP.
structure combining the features of a company and a partnership, and was
introduced by the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (“LLP Act”). The liability of partners in
an LLP is limited to their agreed contribution to the business. The prospective
partners in an LLP enter into an agreement which includes a“business
description” stating the business to be carried on by the LLP.
The question that arises is: Whether the doctrine of ultra vires applies
to the business description/object stipulated in the LLP Agreement to safeguard
the interests of the investors/creditors of the LLP, considering that the
liability of the partners of an LLP is limited to their contribution?
to the business description/object stipulated in the LLP Agreement to safeguard
the interests of the investors/creditors of the LLP, considering that the
liability of the partners of an LLP is limited to their contribution?
Section 67(1) of the LLP Act stipulates
that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
direct that “any of the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)
specified in the notification— (a) shall apply to any limited liability
partnership; or (b) shall apply to any limited liability partnership with such
exception, modification and adaptation, as may be specified, in the
notification.”
that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
direct that “any of the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956)
specified in the notification— (a) shall apply to any limited liability
partnership; or (b) shall apply to any limited liability partnership with such
exception, modification and adaptation, as may be specified, in the
notification.”
Section 366 of the Companies Act,
2013 (the “Companies Act”) defines “company” with reference to the Part 1
of Chapter XXI of the Companies Act dealing with “Companies Authorized to Register under this Act” as any partnership
firm, limited liability partnership, cooperative
society, society or any other business entity formed under any other law for
the time being in force which applies for registration under this Part.
2013 (the “Companies Act”) defines “company” with reference to the Part 1
of Chapter XXI of the Companies Act dealing with “Companies Authorized to Register under this Act” as any partnership
firm, limited liability partnership, cooperative
society, society or any other business entity formed under any other law for
the time being in force which applies for registration under this Part.
Section 371(2) of the Companies Act
states that any instrument that constitutes or regulates an LLP, i.e, the
incorporation document or the LLP Agreement is equivalent to a memorandum of
association of a company that is incorporated under the Companies Act or under
Companies Act, 1956 (corresponding Section 578). Such instrument shall be
treated in the same manner, and similar incidents needs to be inserted in a LLP
Agreement or an incorporation document of a LLP that are required to be
inserted in a memorandum of association of the company. For the purpose of
understanding, the “instrument” as
per section 371(7) of the Companies Act includes deed of settlement, deed of
partnership, or limited liability
partnership.
states that any instrument that constitutes or regulates an LLP, i.e, the
incorporation document or the LLP Agreement is equivalent to a memorandum of
association of a company that is incorporated under the Companies Act or under
Companies Act, 1956 (corresponding Section 578). Such instrument shall be
treated in the same manner, and similar incidents needs to be inserted in a LLP
Agreement or an incorporation document of a LLP that are required to be
inserted in a memorandum of association of the company. For the purpose of
understanding, the “instrument” as
per section 371(7) of the Companies Act includes deed of settlement, deed of
partnership, or limited liability
partnership.
To quote Section 371(2) of the Act–
“All provisions contained in any Act of
Parliament or any other law for the time being in force, or other instrument constituting or regulating the
company, including, in the case of a company registered as a company
limited by guarantee, the resolution declaring the amount of the guarantee,
shall be deemed to be conditions and
regulations of the company, in the same manner and with the same incidents as
if so much thereof as would, if the company had been formed under this Act,
have been required to be inserted in the memorandum, were contained in a
registered memorandum, and the residue thereof were contained in registered
articles.”
Parliament or any other law for the time being in force, or other instrument constituting or regulating the
company, including, in the case of a company registered as a company
limited by guarantee, the resolution declaring the amount of the guarantee,
shall be deemed to be conditions and
regulations of the company, in the same manner and with the same incidents as
if so much thereof as would, if the company had been formed under this Act,
have been required to be inserted in the memorandum, were contained in a
registered memorandum, and the residue thereof were contained in registered
articles.”
Hence, by virtue of section 371(2)
of the Companies Act read with section 67(1) of the LLP Act, the doctrine of
ultra vires shall be applicable on the “business description/Object” in the LLP
Agreement/Incorporation Document and hence the LLP cannot perform a business
activity that is not included in the scope of the “business description/Object”
as provided in the LLP agreement/Incorporation Document. Further, rule 21(1)
& (2) of the LLP Rules, 2009 read with sub-section (2) of Section 23 of the
LLP Act, provide that any change in the
LLP Agreement (in Form 3) shall be filed with the registering authority within
30 days of such change along with the prescribed fee.
of the Companies Act read with section 67(1) of the LLP Act, the doctrine of
ultra vires shall be applicable on the “business description/Object” in the LLP
Agreement/Incorporation Document and hence the LLP cannot perform a business
activity that is not included in the scope of the “business description/Object”
as provided in the LLP agreement/Incorporation Document. Further, rule 21(1)
& (2) of the LLP Rules, 2009 read with sub-section (2) of Section 23 of the
LLP Act, provide that any change in the
LLP Agreement (in Form 3) shall be filed with the registering authority within
30 days of such change along with the prescribed fee.
Section 11 of the LLP Act mandates
the partners to provide the description of the business of the LLP in the LLP
Agreement, which forms a part of the incorporation documents, which are to be
registered with the registering authority. Further, the LLP Act permits change
of nature of business of the LLP in the manner or mode as prescribed in the LLP
Agreement and if the partners do not agree on such mode/manner, the change of
nature of business will require the consent of all the partners of the LLP, as
provided in Schedule 1 of the LLP Act.
the partners to provide the description of the business of the LLP in the LLP
Agreement, which forms a part of the incorporation documents, which are to be
registered with the registering authority. Further, the LLP Act permits change
of nature of business of the LLP in the manner or mode as prescribed in the LLP
Agreement and if the partners do not agree on such mode/manner, the change of
nature of business will require the consent of all the partners of the LLP, as
provided in Schedule 1 of the LLP Act.
Therefore, to perform any business
activity beyond the scope of the “business description” of the LLP
Agreement/Incorporation Document, the LLP needs to amend its “business
description” stated in Form 2 while registering the LLP by filing Form 3 within
30 days of such change with the registering authority.
activity beyond the scope of the “business description” of the LLP
Agreement/Incorporation Document, the LLP needs to amend its “business
description” stated in Form 2 while registering the LLP by filing Form 3 within
30 days of such change with the registering authority.
Considering a penalty is imposed on
providing false information in the incorporation documents, with a punishment
of imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years and with fine which
shall not be less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh
rupees, the business description and objects of the LLP provided in the
incorporation document, shall be in sync with the business activity of the LLP.
Also, if the partners of the LLP do not file any form, document, return,
statement or do not comply with the provisions of the LLP Act, the LLP and its
every partner shall be punishable with a fine which shall not be less than ten
thousand rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees.
providing false information in the incorporation documents, with a punishment
of imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years and with fine which
shall not be less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh
rupees, the business description and objects of the LLP provided in the
incorporation document, shall be in sync with the business activity of the LLP.
Also, if the partners of the LLP do not file any form, document, return,
statement or do not comply with the provisions of the LLP Act, the LLP and its
every partner shall be punishable with a fine which shall not be less than ten
thousand rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees.
To quote section 11 of the LLP Act
–
–
“(1) For a limited
liability partnership to be incorporated—
liability partnership to be incorporated—
(a) two or more persons
associated for carrying on a lawful business with a view to profit shall
subscribe their names to an incorporation document;
associated for carrying on a lawful business with a view to profit shall
subscribe their names to an incorporation document;
(b) the incorporation
document shall be filed in such manner and with such fees, as may be prescribed
with the Registrar of the State in which the registered office of the limited
liability partnership is to be situated; and
document shall be filed in such manner and with such fees, as may be prescribed
with the Registrar of the State in which the registered office of the limited
liability partnership is to be situated; and
(c) there shall be
filed along with the incorporation document, a statement in the prescribed
form, made by either an advocate, or a Company Secretary or a Chartered
Accountant or a Cost Accountant, who is engaged in the formation of the limited
liability partnership and by any one who subscribed his name to the
incorporation document, that all the requirements of this Act and the rules
made thereunder have been complied with, in respect of incorporation and
matters precedent and incidental thereto.
filed along with the incorporation document, a statement in the prescribed
form, made by either an advocate, or a Company Secretary or a Chartered
Accountant or a Cost Accountant, who is engaged in the formation of the limited
liability partnership and by any one who subscribed his name to the
incorporation document, that all the requirements of this Act and the rules
made thereunder have been complied with, in respect of incorporation and
matters precedent and incidental thereto.
(2) The incorporation
document shall—
document shall—
(a) be in a form as may
be prescribed;
be prescribed;
(b) state the name of
the limited liability partnership;
the limited liability partnership;
(c) state the proposed business of the limited
liability partnership;
liability partnership;
(d) state the address
of the registered office of the limited liability partnership;
of the registered office of the limited liability partnership;
(e) state the name and
address of each of the persons who are to be partners of the limited liability
partnership on incorporation;
address of each of the persons who are to be partners of the limited liability
partnership on incorporation;
(f) state the name and
address of the persons who are to be designated partners of the limited
liability partnership on incorporation;
address of the persons who are to be designated partners of the limited
liability partnership on incorporation;
(g) contain such other
information concerning the proposed limited liability partnership as may be
prescribed.
information concerning the proposed limited liability partnership as may be
prescribed.
(3) If a person makes a
statement under clause (c) of sub-section (1) which he—
statement under clause (c) of sub-section (1) which he—
(a) knows to be false;
or
or
(b) does not believe to
be true,
be true,
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not be less than ten
thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees.”
which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not be less than ten
thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees.”
In light of the above, we argue that
the doctrine of ultra vires applies to the “business description/object clause”
included in the LLP Agreement and hence, this business description should be
drafted in such a manner that it does not attract the rule. It would be
interesting to hear a counter view on this.
the doctrine of ultra vires applies to the “business description/object clause”
included in the LLP Agreement and hence, this business description should be
drafted in such a manner that it does not attract the rule. It would be
interesting to hear a counter view on this.
– Saumya Kakkar & Govinda
Toshniwal
Toshniwal