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CHAPTER 309
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I
PRELIMINARY

Short title.
1.
Interpretation.
2.

PART II
CONSTITUTION OF COMPANIES

Incorporation.
3.
Persons who can incorporate International Business Companies.
4.
No criminal objects or purposes.
5.
Contravention of section 5.
6.
Personal liability.
7.
Mode of limiting liability of members.
8.
Company limited both by shares and by guarantee.
9.
Powers.
10.
Validity of acts of company.
11.
Name.
12.
Memorandum.
13.
Articles.
14.
Registration.
15.
Certificate of incorporation.
16.
Certificate to be evidence of compliance.
17.
Amendment of Memorandum or Articles.
18.
Copies of Memorandum and Articles to members.
19.

PART III
CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS

Consideration for shares.
20.
Amount of consideration.
21.
Fractional shares.
22.
Capital and surplus accounts.
23.
Dividend of shares.
24.
Increase or reduction of capital.
25.
Division and combination.
26.
Nature of share.
27.
Share certificates.
28.
Share Register.
29.
Rectification of Share Register.
30.
Transfer of registered shares.
31.
Acquisition of shares.
32.
Treasury shares disabled in respect of voting and dividends.
33.
Increase or reduction of capital.
34.
Dividends.
35.
Appreciation of assets.
36.

PART IV
REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

Registered office.
37.
Registered agent.
38.
Register of registered agents.
39.

PART V
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AGENTS AND LIQUIDATORS

Management by directors.
40.
Unanimous shareholder agreement.
41.
Election, term and removal of directors.
42.
Number of directors.
43.
Register of directors and officers.
44.
Powers of directors.
45.
Emoluments of directors.
46.
Committee of directors.
47.
Meeting of directors.
48.
Notice of meetings of directors.
49.
Quorum of directors.
50.
Consents of directors.
51.
Alternates for directors.
52.
Meeting of single director or single shareholder.
53.
Officers and agents.
54.
Standard of care.
55.
Reliance on records and reports.
56.
Conflict of interests.
57.
Indemnification.
58.
Insurance.
59.

PART VI
PROTECTION OF MEMBERS AND CREDITORS

Meetings of members.
60.
Notice of meetings of members.
61.
Quorum for meeting of members.
62.
Voting by members.
63.
Consents of members.
64.
Service of notice on members.
65.
Service of process, etc. on company.
66.
Books, records and common seal.
67.
Inspection of books and records.
68.
Contracts generally.
69.
Pre-incorporation contracts.
70.
Notes and bills of exchange.
71.
Power of Attorney.
72.
Authentication or attestation.
73.
Company without a member.
74.

PART VII
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, SALE OF ASSETS, FORCED REDEMPTIONS, ARRANGEMENTS AND DISSENTERS

Interpretation for purposes of Part VII.
75.
Merger and consolidation.
76.
Merger with subsidiary.
77.
Effect of merger or consolidation.
78.
Merger or consolidation with foreign company.
79.
Disposition of assets.
80.
Redemption of minority shares.
81.
Arrangements.
82.
Rights of dissenters.
83.

PART VIII
CONTINUATION

Continuation.
84.
Provisional registration.
85.
Certificate of continuation.
86.
Effect of continuation.
87.
Continuation under foreign law.
88.

PART IX
WINDING-UP, DISSOLUTION AND STRIKING-OFF

Definition of contributory.
89.
Nature of liability of contributory.
90.
Contributories in case of death.
91.
Contributories in case of bankruptcy.
92.
Circumstances giving rise to winding up by court.
93.
Company when deemed unable to pay its debts.
94.
Application for winding up to be made by petition.
95.
Power of court.
96.
Commencement of winding up.
97.
Court may grant injunction.
98.
Course to be pursued by court.
99.
Actions and suits to be stayed.
100.
Copy of order to be forwarded to Registrar.
101.
Power of court to stay proceedings.
102.
Effect of order on share capital of company limited by guarantee.
103.
Court may have regard to wishes of creditors or contributories.
104.

Official Liquidators

Appointment of official liquidator.
105.
Remuneration of official liquidator.
106.
Style and duties of official liquidator.
107.
Powers of official liquidator.
108.
Discretion of official liquidator.
109.
Vesting of property in liquidator.
110.
Assistance for liquidator.
111.

Ordinary Powers of Court

Collection and application of assets.
112.
Provisions as to representative contributories.
113.
Power of court to require delivery of property.
114.
Power of court to order payment of debts by contributory.
115.
Power of court to make calls.
116.
Power of court to order payment into bank.
117.
Regulation of account with court.
118.
Representative contributory not paying moneys ordered.
119.
Order conclusive evidence.
120.
Court may exclude creditors not proving in certain time.
121.
Court to adjust rights of contributories.
122.
Court to order costs.
123.
Dissolution of company.
124.
Registrar to make minute of dissolution.
125.

Extraordinary Powers of Court

Power of court to summon persons.
126.
Examination of parties by court.
127.
Power of arrest.
128.
Power of court cumulative.
129.
Power to enforce orders.
130.
Winding up by resolution of directors.
131.
Voluntary winding up and dissolution.
132.
Appointment of liquidator.
133.
Powers of directors in a winding up and dissolution.
134.
Duties of liquidator.
135.
Powers of liquidator.
136.
Power of liquidators or contributories in voluntary winding up to apply to court.
137.
Procedure on winding up and dissolution.
138.
Effect of voluntary winding up.
139.
Rescission of winding up and dissolution.
140.
Winding up and dissolution of company unable to pay its claims, etc.
141.

Winding-up subject to the Supervision of the Court

Power of court on application to direct winding up subject to supervision.
142.
Petition for winding up subject to supervision.
143.
Court may have regard to wishes of creditors.
144.
Powers of court to appoint additional liquidators in winding up subject to supervision.
145.
Effect of order of court for winding up subject to supervision.
146.
Appointment of voluntary liquidators to office of official liquidators.
147.

Supplemental Provisions

Disposition after the commencement of winding up to be rendered void.
148.
Books of the company to be evidence.
149.
Disposal of books, accounts and documents of the company.
150.
Inspection of books.
151.
Power of assignee to sue.
152.
Debts to be proved.
153.
Rules to be observed.
154.
Preferential payments.
155.
Liquidation scheme may be approved.
156.
Acceptance of shares, etc., as consideration for sale of property of company.
157.
Mode of determining price.
158.
Certain attachments and executions to be void.
159.
Fraudulent preference.
160.
Assessment of damages against delinquent directors and officers.
161.
Prosecution of delinquent directors in winding up by court.
162.
Prosecution of delinquent directors in voluntary winding up.
163.
Receivers and managers.
164.
Striking off.
165.
Restoration to Register.
166.
Effect of striking off.
167.
Appointment of official liquidator.
168.
Dissolution of company struck off.
169.

PART X
LIMITED DURATION COMPANY

Interpretation for purposes of Part X.
170.
International Business Company may apply to be registered as a limited duration company.
171.
Registration of limited duration company.
172.
Contents of Articles of limited duration company.
173.
Winding up of a limited duration company.
174.
Cancellation of registration.
175.

PART XI
FEES AND PENALTIES

Fees.
176.
Penalties payable to Registrar.
177.
Criminal liability and proceedings.
178.
Name offence.
179.
Failure to keep Share Register.
180.
False reports and false statements.
181.
Miscellaneous offence.
182.
Recovery of penalties, etc.
183.
Company struck off liable for fees, etc.
184.
Fees, etc., to be paid into Consolidated Fund.
185.
Fees payable to Registrar.
186.

PART XII
EXEMPTIONS

Exemptions.
187.

PART XIII
MISCELLANEOUS

Regulations.
188.
Form of certificate.
189.
Certificate of good standing.
190.
Inspection of documents.
191.
Declaration by court.
192.
Judge in Chambers.
193.
Minister may vary fees.
194.
Repeal.
195.
Transitional.
196.

SCHEDULE - Fees to be Paid to the Registrar.

CHAPTER 309

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES

An Act to provide for the incorporation, registration and operation of International Business Companies.

45 of 2000
19 of 2001
S.I. 128/2001

[Commencement 29th December, 2000]

PART I
PRELIMINARY

1. This Act may be cited as the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

Short title.

2. (1) In this Act-

Interpretation.

"agent" includes registered agent;

"Articles" means the Articles of Association of a company incorporated under this Act;

"authorised capital", in relation to a company, means the sum of the aggregate par value of all shares which the company is authorised by its Memorandum to issue plus the amount, if any, stated in its Memorandum as authorised capital to be represented by shares without par value which the company is authorised by its Memorandum to issue;

"capital", in relation to a company, means the sum of the aggregate par value of all the outstanding shares with par value of a company and shares with par value held by the company as treasury shares plus-

(a)
the aggregate of the amounts designated as capital of all outstanding shares without par value of the company and shares without par value held by the company as treasury shares; and
(b)
the amounts as are from time to time transferred from surplus to capital by a resolution of the directors;

"company" unless the context otherwise requires, means an International Business Company incorporated under this Act;

"Companies Act" means the Companies Act of The Bahamas;

            "continued" means continued in accordance with Part VIII;

 "court" means the Supreme Court or a Judge thereof;

"member" includes a person who holds shares in a company;

"Memorandum" means the Memorandum of Association of a company incorporated under this Act;

"Register" means the Register of International Business Companies maintained by the Registrar in accordance with section 15(1);

"registered agent" means the person who is at any particular time performing the functions of registered agent of a company incorporated under this Act;

"Registrar" means the Registrar of Companies;

"Registrar of Companies" means the Registrar General;

"securities" includes shares and debt obligations of every kind, and options, warrants and rights to acquire shares or debt obligations;

"surplus", in relation to a company, means the excess, if any, at the time of the determination, of total assets of the company over the sum of its total liabilities, as shown in the books of account plus its issued and outstanding share capital;

"treasury shares" means shares of a company that were previously issued but were repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by the company and not cancelled.

(2) A company that is incorporated under the Companies Act or under the laws of a jurisdiction outside The Bahamas shall be a company incorporated under this Act if it is continued as a company incorporated under this Act and references to a "company incorporated under this Act" shall be construed accordingly.

(3) Unless otherwise defined in the Articles "resolution of directors" means-

(a)
a resolution approved at a duly constituted meeting of directors or a Committee of directors of a company by affirmative vote of a simple majority or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles of the directors present at the meeting who voted and did not abstain; or
(b)
a resolution consented to in writing by a simple majority or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles of all the directors or of all the members of the Committee of the directors, as the case may be,

but where a director is given more than one vote in any circumstances he shall in the circumstances be counted for the purposes of establishing majorities by the number of votes he casts.

(4) Unless otherwise defined in the Articles "resolution of members" means-

(a)
a resolution approved at a duly constituted meeting of the members of a company by the affirmative vote of-
(i)
a simple majority, or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles, of the votes of the shareholders present at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon and who voted and did not abstain; or
(ii)
a simple majority, or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles of the votes of the shareholders of each class or series of shares present at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon as a class or series and who voted and did not abstain and of a simple majority or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles, of the votes of the remaining shareholders entitled to vote thereon present at the meeting and who voted and did not abstain; or
(b)
a resolution consented to in writing by-
(i)
a simple majority or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles, of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon; or
(ii)
a simple majority, or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles, of the votes of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon as a class or series and of a simple majority, or such larger majority as may be specified in the Articles, of the votes of the holders of the remaining shares entitled to vote thereon.

PART II
CONSTITUTION OF COMPANIES

3. Subject to the requirements of this Act, two or more persons may, by subscribing to a Memorandum incorporate a company under this Act.

Incorporation.

4. No person other than a bank of trust company licensed under the Banks and Trust Companies Regulation Act shall incorporate an International Business Company unless such person is licensed and approved under the Financial and Corporate Service Providers Act.

Persons who can incorporate International Business Companies.

5. A company shall not be incorporated under this Act-

No criminal objects or purposes.

(a)
for the purposes of facilitating any criminal activity; or
(b)
for any object or purpose which is prohibited by this Act or by any other law in force in The Bahamas.

6. Where a company is incorporated under this Act for any criminal activity including drug trafficking or any relevant offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act or for any prohibited purpose the company shall forthwith be struck off the Register by the Registrar publishing notice to that effect in the Gazette but section 165(4) shall apply to such company for the purposes of liability: Provided that before being struck off, the Registrar shall give the company the opportunity of being heard within seven days before the striking off.

Contravention of section 5.

7. No member, director, officer, agent or liquidator of a company shall be liable for any debt, obligation or default of the company unless it is proved that he did not act in good faith or unless it is specifically provided in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force in The Bahamas and except in so far as he may be liable for his own conduct or acts.

Personal liability.

8. The liability of the members of a company may, according to the Memorandum-

Mode of limiting liability of members.

(a)
be limited either to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them (in this Act termed "a company limited by shares");
(b)
be limited to such amount as the members may respectively undertake by the Memorandum to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up (in this Act termed "a company limited by guarantee"); or
(c)
have no limit placed on the liability of its members (in this Act termed "an unlimited liability company").

9. Without affecting anything contained in this Act, a company may be limited both by shares and by guarantee and any reference in this Act, to a company limited by shares or to a company limited by guarantee shall so far as appropriate include a company limited both by shares and by guarantee.

Company limited both by shares and by guarantee.

10. Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles, this Act or any other law for the time being in force in The Bahamas, a company incorporated under this Act has the power, irrespective of corporate benefit, to perform all acts and engage in all activities necessary or conducive to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the objects or purposes of the company, including the power to do the following-

Powers.

(a)
issue registered shares but not shares issued to bearer;
(b)
issue the following-
(i)
voting shares;
(ii)
non-voting shares;
(iii)
shares that may have more or less than one vote per share;
(iv)
shares that may be voted only on certain matters or only upon the occurrence of certain events;
(v)
shares that may be voted only when held by persons who meet specified requirements;
(vi)
no par value shares;
(vii)
unnumbered shares;
(c)
issue common shares, preferred shares, or redeemable shares;
(d)
issue shares that entitle participation only in certain assets;
(e)
issue options, warrants or rights, or instruments of a similar nature, to acquire any securities of the company;
(f)
issue securities that, at the option of the holder thereof or of the company or upon the happening of a specified event, are convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities in the company or any property then owned or to be owned by the company;
(g)
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire and hold its own shares;
(h)
guarantee a liability or obligation of any person and to secure any of its obligations by mortgage, pledge or other charge, of any of its assets for that purpose; and
(i)
protect the assets of the company for the benefit of the company, its creditors and its members and at the discretion of the directors, for any person having a direct or indirect interest in the company.

11. (1) No act of a company and no transfer of real or personal property by or to a company is invalid by reason only of the fact that the company was without capacity or power to perform the act or to transfer or receive the property, but the lack of capacity or power may be pleaded in the following cases-

Validity of acts of company.

(a)
in proceedings by a member against the company to prohibit the performance of any act or the transfer of real or personal property by or to the company; or
(b)
in proceedings by the company, whether acting directly or through a receiver, trustee or other legal representative or through members in a derivative action, against the incumbent or former directors of the company for loss or damage due to their unauthorised act.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), the court may set aside and prohibit the performance of a contract if-

(a)
the unauthorised act or transfer sought to be set aside or prohibited is being, or is to be, performed or made under any contracts to which the company is a party;
(b)
all the parties to the contract are parties to the proceedings; and
(c)
it appears fair and reasonable in the circumstances to set aside or prohibit the performance of the contract;

and in so doing the court may, in applying this subsection, award to the company or to the other parties such compensation as may be reasonable except that in determining the amount of compensation the court shall not take into account anticipated profits to be derived from the performance of the contract.

12. (1) The word "Limited", "Corporation", "Incorporated", "Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung", "Societe Anonyme" or "Sociedad Anonima" or its respective abbreviation "Ltd.", "Corp.", "Inc.", "GmbH", or "S. A." shall be at the end of the name of every company with limited liability, provided that a company incorporated under the laws of a jurisdiction outside The Bahamas and continued as a company incorporated under this Act may use the name designated in the Articles of continuation.

Name.

(2) The Minister may by Order add to the list of words and abbreviations contained in subsection (1) words and abbreviations which would indicate that a company is incorporated with limited liability.

(3) No company shall be incorporated under this Act under a name that-

(a)
is identical with that under which a company in existence is already incorporated under this Act or registered under the Companies Act or so nearly resembles the name of another company as to be calculated to deceive, except where the company in existence gives its consent;
(b)
contains, without express prior permission of the Registrar which permission may be withheld without assigning a ransom, the words "Assurance", "Bank", "Building Society", "Chamber of Commerce", "Chartered", "Cooperative", "Imperial", "Insurance", "Municipal", "Royal", "Trust", or a word conveying a similar meaning, or any other word that, in the opinion of the Registrar, suggests or is calculated to suggest the patronage of or any connection with Her Majesty or any member of the Royal Family or the Government of The Bahamas, a department thereof, a statutory corporation or board or a local or municipal authority;
(c)
is indecent, offensive or, in the opinion of the Registrar is otherwise objectionable.

(4) A company may amend its Memorandum to change its name.

(5) Where a company is incorporated under a name that-

(a)
is identical with a name under which a company in existence was incorporated under this Act or registered under the Companies Act; or
(b)
so nearly resembles the name of another company in existence which was incorporated under this Act or registered under the Companies Act as to be calculated to deceive or confuse,

the Registrar may, whether or not the consent of the company in existence has been obtained pursuant to subsection (3)(a), give notice to the last registered company to change its name and if it fails to do so within 60 days from the date of the notice the Registrar shall direct the company to change its name to such name as the Registrar deems appropriate, and the Registrar shall publish a notice of the change in the Gazette.

(6) Where a company is incorporated under a name that may be calculated to deceive the public, the Registrar may give notice to the company to change such name and if it fails to do so within 60 days from the date of the notice the Registrar shall direct the company to be removed from the Register.

(7) Subject to subsections (3) and (5), where a company changes its name, the Registrar shall enter the new name on the Register in place of the former name, and shall issue a new certificate of incorporation indicating the change of name.

(8) A change of name does not affect any rights or obligations of a company, or render defective any legal proceedings by or against a company, and all legal proceedings that have been commenced against a company by its former name may be continued against it in its new name.

(9) Subject to subsection (3), the Registrar may, upon a request made by any person and payment of the prescribed fee, reserve for 90 days a name for future adoption by a company under this Act.

13. (1) The Memorandum shall include the following particulars-

Memorandum.

(a)
the name of the company;
(b)
the location in The Bahamas of the registered office of the company;
(c)
the location in The Bahamas of the registered agent of the company;
(d)
subject to subsection (2), the objects or purposes for which the company is to be incorporated;
(e)
the currency in which shares in the company shall be issued;
(f)
in the case of a company limited by shares, a statement of the authorised capital of the company setting forth the aggregate of the par value, if any, that the company is authorised to issue and the amount, if any, to be represented by shares without par value that the company is authorised to issue;
(g)
in the case of a company limited by guarantee, a statement that each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company, in the event of a winding up during the time that he is a member, or within one year afterwards, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the company contracted before the time at which he ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up the company and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories amongst themselves, such amounts as may be required, not exceeding an amount to be specified therein;
(h)
in the case of a company limited both by shares and by guarantee, the statements referred to in paragraphs (f) and (g);
(i)
in the case of an unlimited liability company, a statement that the liability of the members is unlimited;
(j)
a statement of the number of classes and series of shares, the number of shares of each such class and series and the par value of shares with par value and that the shares may be without par value if this is the case;
(k)
a statement of the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of each class and series of shares that the company is authorised to issue, unless the directors are to be authorised to fix any such designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, and in that case, an express grant of such authority as may be desired to grant to the directors to fix by resolution any such designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions that have not been fixed by the Memorandum.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(d), if the Memorandum contains a statement either alone or with other objects or purposes that the object or purpose of the company is to engage in any act or activity that is not prohibited under any law for the time being in force in The Bahamas, the effect of that statement is to make all acts and activities that are not illegal part of the objects or purposes of the company, subject to any limitations in the Memorandum.

(3) The Memorandum shall be subscribed to by two persons in the presence of another person who shall sign his name as a witness.

(4) The Memorandum, when registered, binds the company and its members from time to time to the same extent as if each member had subscribed his name and affixed his seal thereto and as if there were contained in the Memorandum, on the part of himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, a covenant to observe the provisions of the Memorandum subject to this Act.

14. (1) The Articles shall be subscribed to by two persons in the presence of another who shall sign his name as a witness and such Articles shall be filed with the Registrar on the same date as the filing of the memorandum.

Articles.

(2) The Articles, when registered, bind the company and its members from time to time to the same extent as if each member had subscribed his name and affixed his seal thereto and as if there were contained in the Articles, on the part of himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, a covenant to observe the provisions of the Articles, subject to this Act.

15. (1) The Memorandum and the Articles shall be registered by the Registrar in a register to be maintained byhim and to be known as the Register of International Business Companies.

Registration.

(2) Upon the registration of the Memorandum, the Registrar shall issue a certificate of incorporation under his hand and seal certifying that the company is incorporated.

(3) An application for the registration of a company under this Act shall be in such form as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by such documents as the Registrar may determine.

(4) The Registrar may prohibit the registration of a company where the minimum share capital is less than an amount stated by order of the Minister.

(5) The Registrar shall refuse to register a company if he is of the opinion that the Memorandum shows that its minimum share capital will be less than the amount required by the Minister by order under subsection (4).

(6) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Registrar under subsection (5) may appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

(7) The Registrar shall not register the Memorandum or the Articles delivered to him unless he is satisfied that all requirements of this Act in respect of registration have been complied with and-

(a)
a counsel and attorney engaged in the formation of the company; or
(b)
the registered agent named in the Memorandum of the company to be the registered agent,

certifies in writing that the requirements of this Act in respect of registration have been complied with and the written certification delivered to the Registrar is sufficient evidence of compliance.

16. Where the Registrar issues a certificate of incorporation of a company, the company is, from the date shown on the certificate of incorporation, a body corporate under the name contained in the Memorandum with the full capacity of an individual who is sui juris, subject to any limitations imposed by the Memorandum and to the provisions of this Act.

Certificate of incorporation.

17. A certificate of incorporation of a company issued by the Registrar shall be prima facie evidence of compliance with all requirements of this Act in respect of incorporation.

Certificate to be evidence of compliance.

18. (1) Subject to any limitation in its Memorandum or Articles, a company may amend its Memorandum or Articles by a resolution of members or, where permitted by its Memorandum or Articles or by this Act, by a resolution of directors.

Amendment of Memorandum or Articles.

(2) A company that amends its Memorandum or Articles shall submit to the Registrar within fourteen days after any amendment a copy of the resolution of members or directors amending the Memorandum or Articles, as the case may be, authenticated, in accordance with subsection (1) of section 73, as a true copy of the resolution amending the Memorandum or Articles and the Registrar shall retain and register such copy of the resolution.

(3) An amendment to the Memorandum or Articles shall not have effect until it is registered by the Registrar.

19. A copy of the Memorandum and a copy of the Articles shall be given to any member who requests a copy on payment by the member of such amount as the directors may determine to be reasonably necessary to defray the costs of preparing and furnishing them.

Copies of Memorandum and Articles to members.

PART III
CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS

20. Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles, each share in a company shall be issued for money, services rendered, personal property (including other shares, debt obligations or other securities in the company), an estate in real property, a promissory note or other binding obligation to contribute money or property, or any combination thereof.

Consideration for shares.

21. (1) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles, shares in a company may be issued for such amount as may be determined from time to time by the directors, and, in the absence of fraud, the decision of the directors as to the value of the consideration received by the company in respect of the issue is conclusive, unless a question of law is involved.

Amount of consideration.

(2) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles, treasury shares and unissued shares may be disposed of by a company on such terms and conditions as the directors may determine.

22. Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles, a company may issue fractions of a share and unless and to the extent otherwise provided in the Memorandum or Articles, a fractional share has the corresponding fractional liabilities, limitations, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, rights and other attributes of a share of the same class or series of shares.

Fractional shares.

23. (1) Where a company issues a share with par value, the consideration in respect of the share constitutes capital to the extent of the par value and the excess constitutes surplus.

Capital and surplus accounts.

(2) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles, where a company incorporated under this Act issues a share without par value, the consideration in respect of the share constitutes capital to the extent designated by the directors and the excess constitutes surplus, except that the directors shall designate as capital an amount of the consideration that shall be at least equal to the amount that the share is entitled to as a preference, if any, in the assets of the company upon liquidation of the company.

(3) Upon the disposition by a company of a treasury share, the consideration in respect of the share shall be added to surplus.

24. (1) A share issued as a dividend by a company shall be treated for all purposes as having been issued for money equal to the surplus that has been transferred to capital upon the issue of the share.

Dividend of shares.

(2) In the case of a dividend of authorised but unissued shares with par value, an amount equal to the aggregate par value of the shares shall be transferred from surplus to capital at the time of the distribution.

(3) In the case of a dividend of authorised but unissued shares without par value, the amount designated by the directors shall be transferred from surplus to capital at the time of the distribution, except that the directors shall designate as capital an amount that is at least equal to the amount that the shares are entitled to as preference, if any, in the assets of the company upon liquidation of the company.

(4) A division of the issued and outstanding shares of a class or series of shares into a larger number of shares of the same class or series having proportionately small par value does not constitute a dividend of shares.

25. (1) Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles, a company may, by a resolution of directors,amend its Memorandum to increase or reduce its authorised capital and in connection therewith, the company may-

Increase or reduction of capital.

(a)
increase or reduce the number of shares which the company may issue;
(b)
increase or reduce the par value of any of its shares; or
(c)
effect any combination under paragraphs (a) and (b).

(2) Where a company reduces its authorised capital under subsection (1), then, for the purposes of computing capital of the company, any capital that immediately before the reduction was represented by shares but immediately following the reduction is no longer represented by shares shall be deemed to be surplus transferred from capital to surplus.

26. (1) A company may amend its Memorandum-

Division and combination.

(a)
to divide the shares, including issued shares, of a class or series into a larger number of shares of the same class or series; or
(b)
to combine the shares, including issued shares of a class or series into a smaller number of shares of the same class or series.

(2) Where shares are divided or combined under subsection (1), the aggregate par value of the new shares shall be equal to the aggregate par value of the original shares.

27. Shares of a company are personal property and are not of the nature of real property.

Nature of share.

28. (1) A company shall state in its Articles whether or not certificates in respect of its shares shall be issued.

Share certificates.

(2) Where a company issues certificates in respect of its shares, the certificates-

(a)
shall be signed by two directors or two officers of the company, or by one director and one officer; or
(b)
shall be under the common seal of the company evidenced by the signature of a director or officer of the company,

and the Articles may provide for the signatures or common seal to be stamped thereon.

(3) A certificate issued in accordance with subsection (2) specifying a share held by a member of the company shall be prima facie evidence of the title of the member to the share specified therein.

29. (1) A company shall cause to be kept at its registered office one or more registers to be known as Share Registers containing-

Share Register.

(a)
the names and addresses of the persons who hold registered shares in the company;
(b)
the number of each class and series of registered shares held by each person;
(c)
the date on which the name of each person was entered in the Share Register; and
(d)
the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

(2) The Share Register may be in such form as the directors may approve but if it is magnetic, electronic or other data storage form, the company shall be able to produce legible evidence of its contents.

(3) The Share Register shall be prima facie evidence of any matters directed or authorised by this Act to be contained therein.

(4) In the case of a company limited by guarantee the term "Share Register" shall mean "Register of Members" in which shall be entered the names and addresses of the members of such a company, the date of such entry and the date when any person ceases to be a member.

30. (1) If-

Rectification of Share Register.

(a)
information that is required to be entered in the Share Register under section 29 is omitted therefrom or inaccurately entered therein; or
(b)
there is unreasonable delay in entering the information in the Share Register,

a member of the company, or any person who is aggrieved by the omission, inaccuracy or delay may apply to the court for an order that the Share Register be rectified, and the court may either grant or refuse the application, with or without costs to be paid by the applicant, or order the rectification of the Share Register and may direct the company to pay all costs of the application and any damages the applicant may have sustained.

(2) The court may, in any proceedings under subsection (1), determine any question relating to the right of a person who is a party to the proceedings to have his name entered in or omitted from the Share Register, whether the question arises between-

(a)
two or more members or alleged members; or
(b)
between members or alleged members and the company,

and generally the court may in the proceedings determine any question that may be necessary or expedient to be determined for the rectification of the Share Register.

31. (1) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles, registered shares of a company incorporated under this Act may be transferred by a written instrument of transfer signed by the transferor and containing the name and address of the transferee.

Transfer of registered shares.

(2) In the absence of a written instrument of transfer mentioned in subsection (1), the directors may accept such evidence of a transfer of shares as they consider appropriate.

(3) A company shall not be required to treat a transferee of a registered share in the company as a member until the transferee's name has been entered in the Share Register.

(4) Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles, a company shall, on the application of the transferor or transferee of a registered share in the company, enter in its Share Register the name of the transferee of the share.

(5) A transfer of registered shares of a deceased, or bankrupt member of a company made by his personal representative, guardian or trustee, as the case may be, or a transfer of registered shares owned by a person as a result of a transfer from a member by operation of law, is of the same validity as if the personal representative, guardian, trustee or transferee had been the registered holder of the shares at the time of the execution of the instrument of transfer.

32. (1) Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles, a company may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire and hold its own shares.(2) No purchase, redemption or other acquisition permitted under subsection (1) shall be made unless the directors determine that immediately after the purchase, redemption or other acquisition-

Acquisition of shares.

(a)
the company will be able to satisfy its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business; and
(b)
the realizable value of the assets of the company will not be less than the sum of its total liabilities, other than deferred taxes, as shown in the books of account;

and, in the absence of fraud, the decision of the directors as to the realizable value of the assets of the company is conclusive unless a question of law is involved.

(3) A determination by the directors under subsection (2) is not required where shares are purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired-

(a)
pursuant to a right of a member to have his shares redeemed or to have his shares exchanged for money or other property of the company;
(b)
in exchange for newly issued shares in the company;
(c)
by virtue of the provisions of section 81; and
(d)
pursuant to an order of the court.

(4) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles, shares that a company purchases, redeems or otherwise acquires may be cancelled or held as treasury shares unless the shares are purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired out of capital pursuant to section 34, in which case they shall be cancelled; and upon the cancellation of a share, the amount included as capital of the company with respect to that share shall be deducted from the capital of the company.

33. Where shares in a company-

Treasury shares disabled in respect of voting and dividends.

(a)
are held by the company as treasury shares; or
(b)
are held by another company of which the first company holds, directly or indirectly, shares having more than 50 per cent of the votes in the election of directors of another company,

the shareholders of the first company are not entitled to vote or to have dividends paid thereon and shall not be treated as outstanding for any purpose under this Act except for the purpose of determining the capital of the first company.

34. (1) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles and subject to subsections (3) and (4), the capital of a company incorporated under this Act may by resolution of directors, be-

Increase or reduction of capital.

(a)
increased by transferring an amount out of the surplus of the company to capital; or
(b)
reduced by-
(i)
returning to members any amount received by the company upon the issue of any of its shares, the amount being surplus to the company;
(ii)
cancelling any capital that is lost or not represented by assets having a realizable value; or
(iii)
transferring capital to surplus for the purpose of purchasing, redeeming or otherwise acquiring shares that the directors have resolved to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire.

(2) Where a company reduces its capital under subsection (1), the company may-

(a)
return to members any amount received by the company upon the issue of its shares;
(b)
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its shares out of capital; or
(c)
cancel any capital that is lost or not represented by assets having a realizable value.

(3) No reduction of capital shall be effected that reduces the capital of the company to an amount that is less than the sum of-

(a)
the aggregate of-
(i)
all outstanding shares with par value; and
(ii)
all shares with par value held by the company as treasury shares; and
(b)
the aggregate of the amounts designated as capital of-
(i)
all outstanding shares without par value; and
(ii)
all shares without par value held by the company as treasury shares that are entitled to a preference, if any, in the assets of the company upon liquidation of the company.

(4) No reduction of capital shall be effected under subsection (1) unless the directors determine that immediately after the reduction-

(a)
the company will be able to satisfy its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business; and
(b)
the realizable value of the assets of the company will not be less than its total liabilities, other than deferred taxes, as shown in the books of account, and its remaining issued and outstanding share capital,

and, in the absence of fraud, the decision of the directors as to the realizable value of the assets of the company is conclusive unless a question of law is involved.

35. (1) Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles a company incorporated under this Act may, by a resolution of directors, declare and pay dividends in money, shares or other property.

Dividends.

(2) Dividends shall only be declared and paid if the directors determine that immediately after the payment of the dividend-

(a)
the company will be able to satisfy its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business; and
(b)
the realizable value of the assets of the company will not be less than the sum of its total liabilities, other than deferred taxes, as shown in the books of account, and its issued and outstanding share capital,

and, in the absence of fraud, the decision of the directors as to the realizable value of the assets of the company is conclusive unless a question of law is involved.

36. Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles a company incorporated under this Act may, by a resolution of directors, include in the computation of surplus for any purpose under this Act the net unrealised appreciation of assets of the company, and in the absence of fraud, the decision as to the value of the assets is conclusive, unless a question of law is involved.

Appreciation of assets.

PART IV
REGISTERED OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT

37. (1) A company shall at all times have a registered office in The Bahamas.

Registered office.

(2) The address of the registered office shall be submitted to the Registrar with the Memorandum for registration upon the date of the application for incorporation.

(3) The directors of the company may change the address of the registered office of the company, which change shall be notified to the Registrar within seven days after such change has been made.

38. (1) A company shall at all times have a registered agent in The Bahamas.

Registered agent.

(2) No person shall act as registered agent unless he is licensed to carry on the business of financial and corporate services pursuant to section 3 of the Financial and Corporate Service Providers Act, 2000:

Provided that this subsection shall not apply to a company licensed under the Banks and Trust Companies Regulation Act.

(3) The Minister may by order vary or add to the requirements of subsection (2).

(4) Any person who was acting as a registered agent before the coming into force of this section may continue to so act but only if such person within 90 days from the commencement of this section obtains a licence pursuant to the Financial and Corporate Service Providers Act, 2000.

(5) The name and address of the registered agent shall be submitted to the Registrar for registration at the date of incorporation of the company.

(6) The company shall notify the Registrar of any change in the name or address of the registered agent.

39. (1) The Registrar shall maintain a register of licensed registered agents and the register referred to in section 9 of the Financial and Corporate Service Providers Act, 2000 shall be the register for the purposes of this section.

Register of registered agents.

(2) The Registrar shall, during the month of February in each year, publish in the Gazette a list of registered agents on 31st January in that year.

(3) Any change in the details kept by the Registrar in the register of registered agents pursuant to subsection (1) shall be notified immediately by the registered agent to the Registrar, and upon payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Minister, the Registrar shall record the change in the register of registered agents.

PART V
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AGENTS AND LIQUIDATORS

40. Subject to any limitations in its Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, the business and affairs of a company shall be managed by a board of directors that consists of two or more persons who may be individuals or companies.

Management by directors.

41. (1) All the shareholders of a company among themselves or all the shareholders of a company and a person who is not a shareholder of a company, may by a written agreement restrict in whole or in part, the powers of the directors of the company to manage the business and affairs of the company, and any such agreement if not otherwise invalid, shall be valid.

Unanimous shareholder agreement.

(2) A shareholder who is a party to any unanimous shareholder agreement has all the rights, powers and duties and incurs all the liabilities of a director of the company to which the agreement relates, to the extent that the agreement restricts the discretion or powers of the directors to manage the business and affairs of the company; and the directors are hereby relieved of their duties and liabilities to the same extent.

(3) If a person who is the beneficial owner of all the issued shares of a company makes a written declaration that restricts in whole or in part the powers of the directors to manage the business and affairs of the company, the declaration shall constitute a unanimous shareholder agreement.

(4) Where any unanimous shareholder agreement is executed or terminated, written notice of that fact, together with the date of the execution or termination thereof, shall be filed with the Registrar within 15 days after the execution or termination and no such agreement shall be legally effective until notice of its execution shall have been filed as aforesaid.

(5) In this section "shareholder" includes "member".

42. (1) The first directors of a company shall be elected by the subscribers to the Memorandum; and thereafter, the directors shall be elected by the members for such term as the members may determine and where permitted by the Memorandum or Articles of a company the directors may also elect directors for such term as the directors may determine.

Election, term and removal of directors.

(2) Each director holds office until his successor takes office or until his earlier death, resignation or removal or in the case of a company upon the making of an order for the winding up or dissolution of the company or upon the removal of a defunct company by the Registrar otherwise than pursuant to a winding-up order.

(3) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement-

(a)
a director shall cease to hold the office of director if a majority requests his resignation in writing;
(b)
a director may resign his office by giving written notice of his resignation to the company and the resignation has effect from the date the notice is received by the company or from such later date as may be specified in the notice.

(4) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, a vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by a resolution of members or of a majority of the remaining directors.

43. The number of directors shall be fixed by the Articles and, subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles, the Articles may be amended to change the number of directors.

Number of directors.

44. (1) A company shall keep a register to be known as a register of directors and officers containing-

Register of directors and officers.

(a)
the names and addresses of the persons who are directors and officers of the company;
(b)
the date on which each person whose name is entered in the register was appointed as a director or officer of the company; and
(c)
the date on which each person as a director or officer ceased to be a director or officer of the company.

(2) The register of directors and officers may be in such form as the directors approve, but if it is in magnetic, electronic or other data storage form, the company must be able to produce legible evidence of its contents.

(3) The register of directors and officers, commencing from the date of the registration of the company, shall be kept at the registered office of the company referred to in section 37.

(4) A copy of the register of directors and officers shall be filed with the Registrar and shall be open to inspection by members of the public during official hours.

(5) The register of directors and officers is prima facie evidence of any matters directed or authorised by this Act to be contained therein.

45. The directors shall have all the powers of the company that are not reserved to the members under this Act or in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement.

Powers of directors.

46. Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, the directors may, by a resolution of directors fix the emoluments of directors in respect of services to be rendered in any capacity to the company.

Emoluments of directors.

47. (1) The directors may, by a resolution of directors designate one or more Committees, each consisting of one or more directors.

Committee of directors.

(2) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, each Committee has such powers and authority of the directors, including the power and authority to affix the common seal of the company, as are set forth in the resolution of directors establishing the Committee, except that no Committee has any power or authority with respect to the matters requiring a resolution of directors under section 42 or 54.

48. (1) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in an unanimous shareholder agreement, the directors of a company incorporated under this Act may meet at such times and in such manner and places within or outside The Bahamas as the directors may determine to be necessary or desirable.

Meeting of directors.

(2) A director shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of directors if-

(a)
he participates by telephone or other electronic means; and
(b)
all directors participating in the meeting are able to hear each other and recognise each other's voice and for this purpose participation constitutes prima facie proof of recognition.

49. (1) Subject to a requirement in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement to give longer notice, a director shall be given not less than 2 days notice of meetings of directors.

Notice of meetings of directors.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) but subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, a meeting of directors held in contravention of that subsection, is valid if all the directors, or such majority thereof as may be specified in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, entitled to vote at the meeting, have waived the notice of the meeting; and for this purpose, the presence of a director at the meeting shall be deemed to constitute waiver on his part.

(3) The inadvertent failure to give notice of a meeting to a director, or the fact that a director has not received the notice, does not invalidate the meeting.

50. The quorum for a meeting of directors is that fixed by the Memorandum or Articles.

Quorum of directors.

51. Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, an action that may be taken by the directors or a Committee of directors at a meeting may also be taken by a resolution of directors or a Committee of directors consented to in writing or by telex, telefax, telegram, cable or other written electronic communication, without the need for any notice.

Consents of directors.

52. (1) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, a director may by a written instrument appoint an alternate who need not be a director and the name of such alternate shall be disclosed and notified to the Registrar.

Alternates for directors.

(2) An alternate for a director appointed under subsection (1) shall be entitled to attend meetings in the absence of the director who appointed him and to vote or consent in the place of the director.

53. Where there is a single director or a single shareholder of a company, any requirement in this Act or in the Articles for a meeting of directors or shareholders for any purpose shall be satisfied where such single director or single shareholder passes a resolution in lieu of such meeting.

Meeting of single director or single shareholder.

54. (1) The directors may, by a resolution of directors appoint any person, including a person who is a director, to be an officer or agent of the company.

Officers and agents.

(2) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, each officer or agent has such powers and authority of the directors, including the power and authority to affix the common seal of the company, as are set forth in the Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, or in the resolution of directors appointing the officer or agent, except that no officer or agent has any power or authority with respect to the matters requiring a resolution of directors under section 46 and this section.

(3) The directors may remove an officer or agent appointed under subsection (1) and may revoke or vary a power conferred on him under subsection (2).

55. Every director, officer, agent and liquidator of a company, in performing his functions, shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the company and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.

Standard of care.

56. Every director, officer, agent and liquidator of a company, in performing his functions, is entitled to rely upon the Share Register kept under section 29, the books of accounts and records and the minutes and copies of consents to resolutions kept under section 67 and any report made to the company by any other director, officer, agent or liquidator or by any person selected by the company to make the report.

Reliance on records and reports.

57. (1) Subject to any limitations in the Memorandum or Articles or in any unanimous shareholder agreement, ifthe requirements of subsection (2) are satisfied, no agreement or transaction between-

Conflict of interests.

(a)
a company; and
(b)
one or more of its directors or liquidators, or any person in which any director or liquidator has a financial interest or to whom any director or liquidator is related, including as a director or liquidator of that other person,

is void or voidable for this reason only or by reason only that the director or liquidator is present at the meeting of directors or liquidators, or at the meeting of the Committee of directors or liquidators, that approves the agreement or transaction or that the vote or consent of the director or liquidator is counted for that purpose.

(2) An agreement or transaction referred to in subsection (1) is valid if-