Want to transfer shares of company in UAE? Take this legal course
By Ashish Mehta
Published: Sat 8 Jun 2019, 2:31 PM
Last updated: Sun 9 Jun 2019, 9:41 AM
Q. My uncle, along with his business partner, had registered a company in the UAE. Due to issues with his business partner, he does not wish to continue as a shareholder in the company and wants to remove his name from the trade licence. However, his partner is neither willing to close the company nor is he willing to pay for the shares owned by my uncle. How do we handle the situation?
Answer
You have not specified the type of company which is co-owned by your uncle. We assume it is a limited liability company located in the mainland of UAE. The mainland companies in the UAE are governed by the provisions of Federal Law 2 of 2015 and its amendments (the 'Commercial Companies Law').
In the event this company is a limited liability company, there must be a Memorandum of Association and the contents of the same shall be in accordance with Article 42, 43 and Article 73 of the Commercial Companies Law. The Memorandum of Association of a limited liability company stipulates the provisions relating to transfer of shares and liquidation of a company. Further, Article 79 the Commercial Companies Law allows a partner to transfer his shares to other existing partner or any other third party.
It states, "(1) A partner may assign or pledge his share in the company to another party or to a third party. Such assignment or pledge shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum of Association of the company under an official document, in accordance with the provisions of this law. Such assignment or pledge shall not be valid against third parties until the date of its entry in the commercial register with the competent authority.
2. The company shall not reject the entry of such assignment or pledge in the register unless the transfer or pledge violates the provisions of the Memorandum of Association or this Law."
Article 80 of the Commercial Companies Law states procedures related to assignment of shares in a limited liability company. It states, "1. If a partner wishes to assign his share to a person who is not a partner, with or without consideration, he shall notify the other partners through the manager of the company of the assignee or the purchaser and the terms of the assignment of sale.
The manager shall notify the partners as soon as he receives the notice.
2. Every partner may demand to pre-empt the share as set forth in Clause 1 of this Article within 30 days from the date of notifying the manager of the agreed price. In the event of dispute on the price, such share shall be assessed by one or more experts with technical and financial experience in the subject matter of the share, as nominated by the competent authority on demand by the applicant for pre-emption and at his expenses.
3. If the right of pre-emption is used by more than one partner, the share(s) offered for sale shall be divided among such partners pro rata to their respective shareholdings, subject to the provisions of Article 76 of this law.
4. If the period as set forth in Clause 2 of this Article has lapsed without use of the pre-emption right by a partner, the relevant partner shall be free to dispose of his share."
Based on the aforementioned provisions of law, if your uncle's partner is not willing to buy the shares owned by him, he may sell the shares in the company to any third party.
Further, the company may be liquidated as per the provisions mentioned in the Memorandum of Association of the company. This is in accordance with Article 306 of the Commercial Companies Law, which states, "Unless the Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association of the company provides for the method of liquidation or the partners agree otherwise upon the dissolution of the company, the provisions of this law shall apply to the liquidation of the company."
On the other hand, the firm may also be liquidated based on a court order. This is in accordance with Article 308 (2) of the Commercial Companies Law, which states, "If liquidation is made under a judgment, the competent court shall point out the method of liquidation and appoint the liquidator. In all events, the task of the liquidator shall not be terminated by the death, declaration of bankruptcy, insolvency or interdiction ordered against the partners, even if he is appointed by the partners."
We further advise you to approach Economic Department in the emirate concerned and the Amicable Settlement Center of the competent court which has jurisdiction to hear this matter for more clarifications.
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If the right of pre-emption is used by more than one partner, the share(s) offered for sale shall be divided among such partners pro rata to their respective shareholdings.
Ashish Mehta is the founder and managing partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates, Dubai. Readers may e-mail their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or send them to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.