The ownership of a private limited company is determined by the
shareholding of the Company. To induct new investors or transfer
ownership of the Company, the share of the private limited
company would have to be transferred. In this article, we look at
how to transfer shares of a private limited company.
Restrictions on right of the shareholders to transfer shares are
usually in two forms:
Rights of pre-emption: If a shareholder wishes to sell some or all of
his shares, such shares must first be offered to other existing
members of the private limited company at a price determined by
the Directors or the Auditor of the Company. The value of the
shares can be determined based on the formula / method
prescribed in the Articles of Association. In no existing shareholder
is interested, then shares of the Company can be freely transferred
to an outsider.
i) Powers of Directors to refuse: The Director may have the
powers to refuse registration of transfer of shares under
certain circumstances – prescribed in the Articles of
Association.
Only restriction contained the Articles of Association are
considered legally binding. Any private agreement between the
shareholders is not binding either on the company or on the
shareholders. Further, share transfer can only be restricted by the
Articles of Association. The right to transfer shares of a private
limited company cannot be a total prohibition or ban on share
transferability.
Articles of Association of the Private Limited Company must be reviewed and restrictions, if any must be addressed.
Shareholder must give notice in writing to the Director of the Company about intention to transfer share of the company.
Determine the price as per Articles of Association at which the shares of the Company will first be offered to present shareholders of the Company. (Usually, this price is determined by the Directors of the Company or an Auditor of the Company.)
The company must then give notice to the other shareholders about the availability of share, the last date to purchase the shares and the price at which the share is available.
If any of the present shareholders come forward for the purchase of shares, such shares must be allotted to them. In case no present shareholder is interested or excess shares are available, the same can be transferred to the outsider.