Question

Answer the following question:

Explain the circumstances when Member is not a shareholder and vice-versa.

Answer 1

(A) Member without being a shareholder: Although the terms ‘member’ and ‘shareholder’ are used interchangeably and mean the same person, in the following circumstances member is not a shareholder:

(1) Signatories to the Memorandum of Association: Sometimes, a person who subscribes to the Memorandum of Association may not have been allotted any shares. In that case, until he is allotted any share, he is not called a shareholder of the company.

(2) Company Limited by Guarantee Amount: In the case of a company limited by guarantee having no share capital or an unlimited company having no share capital, there will be only members but no shareholders.

(3) Membership by Acquiescence/Estoppel: If a person’s name is improperly entered in the Register of Members and the exercises rights of membership such as attending company meetings, accepting dividends, etc. and does not take any step to remove his name from the Register of Members. In this case, he is a member but not a shareholder. So, he is estoppel from denying this fact so as to disown his liability as a member.

(4) Transfer of shares: The shareholder who has transferred his shares to another person ceases to be a shareholder but continues to be a member till the transfer is registered and the name of the transferee is recorded in the Register of Members.

(5) Transmission of shares: In the event of death or lunacy of a member, his legal heir or representative automatically becomes the shareholder. He is entitled to have his name entered in the Register of Members. He can do so by making an application to the company supported by legal evidence of his title. The deceased person ceases to be a shareholder but continues to be a member of the company until the transmission of shares is completed (effected).

(6) On Insolvency of a Member: Though shares of the insolvent member are taken possession by (held) by the Official Receiver or Assignee appointed by the court. An insolvent member continues to be a member but not a shareholder of the company.

(B) Shareholder without being a Member: As explained above the transferee. i.e. buyer of the shares, legal heir representative in the case of death of a member. The official receiver or assignee in the case of insolvency of members are the shareholders but not the member of the company.