Question

Distinguish between the following:
Memorandum of association and articles of association.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Memorandum of association	articles of association :
1	Memorandum of Association is the primary, fundamental, and the main document of the company which lays down its constitution and defines its objects and the scope of its activities.	The Articles of Association is a secondary, subsidiary, and subordinate document of the company which lays down the rules and regulations for the internal management of the company.
2	It is the basic, fundamental, primary, and supreme document of the company. It is a life-giving document.	It is a secondary and subordinate document. It is subordinate to the Memorandum of Association.
3	It defines the sc0pe of the activities of the company, its objects, and their limits or the area beyond Which the activities of the company cannot go. It fixes the area of its operation.	It lays down the rules for carrying out the objects of the company. The rules are meant for the internal management of the company within the area defined by the Memorandum.
4	It defines the relationship of the company with the outsiders, e.g. buyers, sellers, creditors, debtors, etc.	It defines the relationship between the company and members and also between members. It has nothing to do with the outsiders.
5	Every company irrespective of its types, nature and size must prepare and file its own memorandum. No company under the Companies Act can be registered Without the Memorandum of Association.	Every company must prepare and file its own articles. However, a public company may adopt table A of the Companies Act, 1956, as its articles.
6	The procedure for the amendment or alteration Is very difficult. It requires an ordinary or special resolution, sanction by the Central Government or the Company Law Board or the Court.	The procedure for alteration is relatively simple. The Articles can be altered subject to the Companies Act and general law provided the alterations are intra Vires the Memorandum and they are in the interest of the company as a whole.