What is a Company Resolution Form?
A Company Resolution Form is essential for documenting corporate decision-making in England and Wales. It's required whenever a company needs to formally record decisions made by its board or shareholders, such as issuing shares, appointing directors, or changing company policies. The document must comply with the Companies Act 2006 and may need to be filed with Companies House. It includes meeting details, attendees, exact resolution wording, voting results, and is typically signed by the chair or company secretary.
About the Company Resolution Form
A Company Resolution Form is a crucial legal document that enables you to formally record and validate decisions made by your company's board of directors or shareholders. Under England and Wales law, this form serves as official evidence of corporate decision-making and ensures your company maintains proper governance records as required by the Companies Act 2006.
When do you need this document?
You'll need a Company Resolution Form whenever your company makes formal decisions that require documentation. This includes appointing or removing directors, issuing new shares, declaring dividends, changing the company name, amending the articles of association, or approving significant transactions. The form is also essential when passing special resolutions that require a 75% majority vote, such as altering the company's constitution or reducing share capital. Even routine board decisions like approving annual accounts or setting director remuneration should be properly documented using this form to maintain corporate governance standards.
Key legal considerations
The resolution text must be drafted with precision, as it becomes legally binding once passed and signed. You must distinguish between ordinary resolutions (requiring simple majority) and special resolutions (requiring 75% majority), as this affects voting thresholds and notice periods. The form must accurately record all attendees and their voting positions, including any abstentions or objections. If directors have conflicts of interest, these must be declared and properly managed according to your company's articles of association. Consider whether the resolution requires shareholder approval rather than just board approval, particularly for matters affecting share capital or constitutional changes.
Legal requirements in England and Wales
Under the Companies Act 2006, you must provide proper notice before meetings where resolutions will be passed - typically 14 days for ordinary resolutions and 21 days for special resolutions, unless shorter notice is agreed. The form must include specific details: your company's full legal name and registration number, meeting date and location, names of all attendees, exact wording of each resolution, and voting results. Special resolutions must be filed with Companies House within 15 days of being passed, along with the applicable fee. Your company secretary or authorized director must sign the completed form, and it should be stored in your company's statutory books. The Model Articles of Association under The Company (Model Articles) Regulations 2008 provide default procedures, but check if your company has adopted modified articles that impose additional requirements.
Governing law
Applicable law
This Company Resolution Form is drafted to comply with England and Wales law. Key legislation includes:
- Companies Act 2006: Primary legislation governing company operations in England and Wales, covering decision-making processes, types of resolutions (ordinary/special), voting thresholds, notice requirements, and filing obligations
- Model Articles of Association: Default standardized articles that apply to companies unless specifically modified, providing baseline governance rules
- The Company (Model Articles) Regulations 2008: Secondary legislation detailing the standard articles of association that companies can adopt or modify
- The Company (Forms) Regulations: Secondary legislation specifying required formats and contents of various company forms and documentation
- The Company (Filing Requirements) Regulations: Secondary legislation outlining when and how companies must file various documents with Companies House
- Articles of Association: Company's own constitutional document that sets out the rules for running the company, including decision-making procedures
- Shareholders' Agreements: Private agreements between shareholders that may contain additional requirements for company resolutions and decision-making
- Corporate Governance Code: Set of principles and guidelines for good corporate governance, particularly relevant for listed companies
- Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015: Legislation containing specific filing requirements and transparency obligations for companies