1CORPORATIONS LAW Issue a WhetherWA Lithium Refineries is entitled to sue Michael for the contravention of contract and by AES Ltd for $250000. Rule Any individual who has been instituting a contract under the name and authorisation of the company has the effect of binding the company by the terms of the same. However, as per s 131(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (CA), any contract that an individual has instituted under the name of the company but prior to the incorporation of the company would be applicable upon the company even after the incorporation of the company. this come in lines with the case of Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Australian Solar Information Pty Ltd (1986) 11 ACLR 380. However, for the purpose of enforcing the contract, the company is under an obligation to effect a ratification of the contract that has been made prior to such incorporation within an agreed or reasonable time. Any company who fails to ratify such a contract needs to compensate the other party as per s 131(2) of the CA. This comes in lines with the case of Aztech Science v Atlanta Aerospace (Woy Woy) [2005] NSWCA 319. Application In the instant scenario, Michael Danver has invented a new, more efficient lithium battery for electric cars and he resolved has established a company namedOzzie E-Vehicles Pty Ltd, with ASIC. Prior to the incorporation of the company which has been effected on 1 March, Michael has entered into a contract with WA Lithium Refiners Pty Ltd, with ASIC for the supply of 100kg of Lithium for a price of $50,000. The delivery of the same has been due in 15thApril. This required the contract to be binding upon the company as well as the other
2CORPORATIONS LAW party. However, for the purpose of enforcing the contract the same needs to be ratified by the company after being incorporated. This can be supported by the provisions contained u/s 131(1) of the CA. However, Michael has been removed from the office of the managing director and has been a shareholder with 10% of the total shareholding. Consequent to that the company refused to perform the contract with WA Lithium Refiners Pty Ltd. This will require the company to compensate the WA Lithium Refiners Pty Ltd for the breach of the contract. This can be supported with the case ofAztech Science v Atlanta Aerospace (Woy Woy) [2005] NSWCA 319. Moreover, they also failed to carry out the contract withAES Ltd. subsequent to the incorporation. This would require the contract to be binding upon the company and not on Michael as the same has been instituted by Michael under the name of the company. Conclusion Both WA Lithium Refineries and AES Ltd. are not entitled to sue Michael for the contravention of contract. Issue b Whether the two resolutions that have been passed by the company are valid. Rule The notice of the meeting of a company needs to be provided to each of the members of a company as per the provisions contained u/s 249J of the CA. Such a notice of the meeting needs to be extended to the members personally and such a communication may include post or any other electronic method. As per the provisions contained u/s 1322 of the CA, a meeting cannot be held as invalid because of the accidental failure of the serving of the notice
3CORPORATIONS LAW to any of the members. However, if such an irregular act of not serving the notice seems to be unjust to the court, it may render the meeting to be invalid. Application In the present situation, a notice foran Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholdershas been sent by the board. The notice of that meeting has not been sent to Michael for an accidental oversight. Consequently, Notice of two resolutions were included among the paperwork attached to the notice of the meeting:Resolution 1 to relocate the company’s head office from Sydney to Melbourne and Resolution 2 to change the name of the company to Electro-Vehicles Pty Ltd.Both resolutionswere accompanied by full explanatory documents from the board. Apart from Michael, one other shareholder was not present. Although, the notice needs to be given to the shareholder as per the provisions in s 131 of the CA, but as per the provisions contained in s 1322 of the CA, a meeting cannot be held as invalid because of the accidental failure of the serving of the notice to any of the members. However, if such an irregular act of not serving the notice seems to be unjust to the court, it may render the meeting to be invalid. Hence, it can be stated that the meeting will not be regarded as invalid as the accidental failure to provide a notice of the meeting to a member would not render the proceeding to be invalid. However, if the court can be made satisfied about the fact that such an accidental breach to provide notice is not just, it can render the meeting and the resolutions invalid. Conclusion The two resolutions that have been passed by the company are valid. However, if the court can be made satisfied about the fact that such an accidental breach to provide notice is not just, it can render the meeting and the resolutions invalid.
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4CORPORATIONS LAW Reference Aztech Science v Atlanta Aerospace (Woy Woy) [2005] NSWCA 319 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Australian Solar Information Pty Ltd (1986) 11 ACLR 380 The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)