Proxies
Section 324: Rights to appoint proxies
570.This section sets out new provisions for the appointment of proxies, expanding on the existing rights given under section 372 of the 1985 Act and Table A. It puts on a statutory footing certain rights that under the 1985 Act are subject to the articles. In future, members of both private and public companies will have the right to appoint more than one proxy. All proxies will be able to attend, to speak and to vote at a meeting. As to the voting rights of a proxy on a show of hands, see sections 284(2)(b) and 285. The effect of those sections is that the default position will be that, where a member appoints more than one proxy, each proxy will have a vote. The articles will be capable of restricting the number of votes of the proxies, provided that they still have at least one vote between them.
Section 325: Notice of meeting to contain statement of rights
571.This section replaces sections 372(3) and 372(4) of the 1985 Act with changes consequential on the extended rights to appoint proxies under section 324. The new provision requires every notice calling a meeting to contain a statement informing the member of his rights to appoint one or more proxies and any more extensive rights conferred by the company’s articles. Failure to include such a statement will not invalidate the meeting, but is an offence attracting a fine for every officer of the company found in default.
Section 326: Company-sponsored invitations to appoint proxies
572.This section reproduces the effect of section 372(6) of the 1985 Act and requires a company to ensure that if it invites members to appoint a particular person or persons as proxy, such an invitation must be issued to all members entitled to vote at the meeting. Subsection (2) lists two exceptions to the requirement. Failure to comply attracts a fine for every officer in default.
Section 327: Notice required of appointment of proxy etc
573.This section replaces section 372(5) of the 1985 Act. There are two changes. The first relates to the timing required for a notice of proxy appointment. The new provision ensures that weekends, Christmas Day, Good Friday and any bank holiday are excluded from the time counting towards the minimum 48 hour notice required to appoint proxies. This means, for example, that for a meeting to be held at 3.00 pm on a Tuesday after a bank holiday Monday, the cut-off point for proxy appointment will be 3.00 pm the previous Thursday, not 3.00 pm on Sunday as under the 1985 Act. The second is that polls which are not taken immediately are covered by the rules as well as meetings and adjourned meetings.
Section 328: Chairing meetings
574.This section provides as a default rule, subject to the articles, that a proxy may be elected as chairman of a general meeting by resolution of the company passed at the meeting.
Section 329: Right of proxy to demand a poll
575.This section sets out the way in which a proxy may participate in a demand for a poll.
Section 330: Notice required of termination of proxy’s authority
576.This section provides a default regulation to replace article 63 of Table A. This ensures that, subject to the articles, an appointed proxy’s actions at a meeting are valid unless notice of termination of the proxy’s authority is given before the meeting starts. The company’s articles may specify a longer advance notice period but this cannot be more than 48 hours in advance of the meeting (excluding weekends, Christmas Day, Good Friday and bank holidays).
Section 331: Saving for more extensive rights conferred by articles
577.This section makes clear that the company’s articles may confer more extensive rights than are provided for under the provisions of the Bill on members and their proxies.
