NCLT - Constitution, Transitional Provisions and Powers of NCLT / NCLAT
NCLT - Constitution, Transitional Provisions and Powers of NCLT / NCLAT
NCLT - Constitution, Transitional Provisions and Powers of NCLT / NCLAT
CS Satwinder Singh
Central Council Member, NIRC-ICSI
Partner,
Vaish Associates Advocates
19th October, 2015
Presidency
State High Magistrate or a
CLB BIFR/ AAIFR
Court(s) Magistrate of the
first class
Winding up
Rectification of
petitions,
registers,
Compromise &
transfer/transmis
Arrangements, Revival and
sion of shares, Offences under
reduction of rehabilitation of
oppression the Old Act
capital, Sick Companies
mismanagement,
restoration of
compounding of
name & appeal
offences etc.
from CLB
Removal of difficulty
The Central Government, vide notification dated 12th September, 2013 notified
98 sections of the New Act, amongst which sections 24, 58 and 59 of the New
Act (pari-materia to sections 55A, 111 & 111A of the Old Act) were also
notified.
The Central Government by virtue of section 470 of the New Act, released an
order bearing no. S.O. 2821(E) on 20th September, 2013, through the Ministry
of Corporate Affairs.
The order has been termed as Companies (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2013.
Removal of difficulty
In terms of the said order, it has been clarified that until a date is notified in
terms of section 434(1) of the New Act, the Board of Company Law
Administration shall exercise the powers of NCLT under section 24, 58 and
59 of the New Act.
Pursuant to the aforesaid order, CLB has released the following order:
No court or authority shall have the power to grant injunction in respect of any
action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under the
New Act or any other law for the time being in force, by NCLT or NCLAT.
Reference to Draft Rules released by MCA on 5 th September, 2013 for public comments
(“Draft Rules”):
Rule 1(5): The rules shall be applicable in proceedings before NCLT in cases of a
Limited Liability Partnership under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.
Rule 14: Any notice or process to be issued by NCLT may be served in an electronic
form at the valid e-mail address as provided in a petition/ application/ reply.
Rule 23: If not sufficient grounds are met for proceedings, NCLT to summarily
dispose the petition/ application for reasons to be recorded.
Rule 102: All original civil actions or cases arising out of the New Act,
corresponding provisions of the Old Act or the Reserve Bank of India Act,
1934, filed or pending before the CLB, on the date the provisions pertaining to
NCLT are given effect, or CLB is abolished in pursuance of the New Act, then
all such cases shall stand transferred to NCLT.
Further, in case, order is reserved by CLB or its Bench, then NCLT shall
reopen the matter and rehear the case as if the hearing had not taken place.
Rule 104: Any appeal before AAIFR, or any reference or inquiry made before
BIFR shall stand abated immediately prior to commencement of the New Act.
Supreme Court
• The parties shall apply in such form along with such fee as may be
prescribed. Pursuant to the filing of the form, the Central Government,
NCLT, NCLAT (as the case may be) shall appoint one or more experts to
constitute the Mediation and Conciliation Panel.
Reference to Draft Rules (Rule 28.15): Mediators/ Conciliators only to aid the
process of arriving at a decision, they cannot impose settlement or any decision
on the Parties.
Complaints relating
to refusal to transfer/
Revival and
of transmission of Class Action
Rehabilitation of
shares Suits
Sick Companies
Though order I rule 8 of CPC, 1908 provides for representative action in a limited
manner, insertion of concept of “class action suits” in the New Act is a welcome change.
The provision can be invoked if the management or conduct of the affairs of the company
are being conducted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the company or its
members or depositors or any class of them by filing an application before NCLT on
behalf of the members or depositors.
Eligibility to file:
Members:
(a) In case of company having share capital,
(i) not less than 100 members; or not less than such percentage of the total number of
members, as may be prescribed, whichever is less; or
(ii) any member or members holding atleast such percentage of the issued share capital of
the company, as may be prescribed;
(b) In case of company not having share capital, atleast 1/5th of total number of members.
The order of NCLT shall be binding on all persons associated with the
company.
NCLT has been conferred with wide powers vide this section.
Safeguards have been provided under section 245(4) of the New Act to
prevent frivolous or vexatious class action suits.
Two class action applications for the same cause of action shall not be
allowed and the cost or expenses connected with the application for class
action shall be defrayed by the company or any other person responsible for
any oppressive act.
Sickness has been defined in the New Act, as the inability of the company to pay or
secure or compound the payment on demand by its secured creditors representing
50% of the outstanding debts within 30 days of notice of demand. (section 253(1)).
The term “Sick Company” has not been defined in the New Act, the ambit of these
provisions now include every company (and not only Industrial companies).
Only on application under section 253(2), NCLT may order to stay any proceedings
as specified under section 253(2) in respect of the company. The stay would be
operative for a period of 120 days.
60 days period from receipt of application with NCLT to determine whether
the company is a sick company or not.
Pursuant to filing of an application, in terms of section 253 of the New Act, the
company shall not:
• dispose of any assets; or
• otherwise enter into any obligation;
with regard to its properties or assets, except, if done in the normal course of
business. (section253(6))
Once the company has been determined as a sick company in terms of these
provisions, then the secured creditors may make an application within a period
of 60 days to NCLT for the determination of the measures that may be adopted
with respect to revival and rehabilitation of such company. (section254(3))
The revival and rehabilitation through a scheme shall now require the approval of
the secured creditors representing three-fourth in value of the amount outstanding
against financial assistance disbursement and unsecured creditors representing one-
fourth in value of the amount owed by company to such creditors, in a meeting
convened by the company administrator. (section262(2))
Once approved, the Scheme or any provision thereof, shall have a binding effect
from the date it becomes operative on the sick company, the transferee company or
as the case may be, the other company, the employees, shareholders, creditors and
guarantors of the said companies.
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
1. 2(23) Definition of Company liquidator.
2. 2(41) Application for different Financial Year
3. 7(7) Incorporation of Company with false or incorrect etc information.
4. 8(9) Transfer of funds after winding up of company formed with charitable
objects, etc.
5. 14(1) Alteration of articles for conversion of public into private company.
6. 24(1) Regulate powers other than provided under section 24(1)
7. 48 (2) Application by dissenting shareholders against variation of shareholders’
rights.
8. 55(3) Non redemption or Non paymen t of dividend on preference shares.
9. 59(1) & (3) Rectification of register of members.
10. 61(1) Power of limited company to alter its share capital (in voting %) .
11. 66(1), (3) & (4) Reduction of share capital.
12. 71(9) & (10) Non repayment of principal amount of Debentures.
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
13. 73(4) Non repayment of Deposits.
14. 74(2) Repayment of deposits, etc., accepted before commencement of this Act.
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
35. 241(1) Application to Tribunal for relief in cases of oppression, etc.
36. 242(1) & (4) Powers of Tribunal for orders under oppression/mismanagement.
37. 243(1) Consequence of termination or modifications of certain agreements.
38. 244(1) Right to apply under section 241.
39. 252(1) & (3) Appeal to Tribunal.
40. 253(1), (3), (8) & Determination of sickness.
(9)
41. 254 Application for revival and rehabilitation.
42. 256 Appointment of interim administrator.
43. 259(1) & (3) Appointment of administrator.
44. 260 Powers and duties of company administrator.
45. 262 Sanction of scheme.
46. 264 Implementation of scheme.
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
47. 265 (2) Winding up of company on report of company administrator.
48. 266 Power of Tribunal to assess damages against delinquent directors, etc.
49. 270 Modes of winding up.
50. 274 Directions for filing statement of affairs.
51. 275 Company liquidators and their appointments.
52. 276 Removal and replacement of liquidator.
53. 277 Intimation to company liquidator, provisional liquidator and Registrar.
54. 279(1) Stay of suits, etc., on winding up order.
55. 281(1) Submission of report by company liquidator.
56. 282 Directions of Tribunal on report of company liquidator.
57. 283 Custody of company’s properties.
58. 285 Settlement of list of contributories and application of assets.
59. 287(1) Advisory committee in Winding up matters
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
60. 288 (1) Submission of periodical reports to Tribunal in winding up matters.
61. 289 Power of Tribunal on application for stay of winding up.
62. 291 (1) Provision for professional assistance to company liquidator.
63. 292 (4) Exercise and control of company liquidator’s powers.
64. 294 Audit of company liquidator’s accounts.
65. 295 Payment of debts by contributory and extent of set-off.
66. 296 Power of Tribunal to make calls.
67. 297 Adjustment of rights of contributories.
68. 298 Power to order costs.
69. 299 Power to summon persons suspected of having property of company,
etc.
70. 300 Power to order examination of promoters, directors, etc.
71. 301 Arrest of person trying to quit India or abscond.
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
72. 302 Dissolution of company by Tribunal.
73. 317 (1) Report of company liquidator to Tribunal for examination of persons.
74. 318 (5) Final meeting and dissolution of company
75. 321 (2) Arrangement when binding on company and creditors.
76. 322 Power to apply to Tribunal to have questions determined, etc.
77. 328 Fraudulent preference.
78. 331 (3) Liabilities and rights of certain persons fraudulently preferred.
79. 333 Disclaimer of onerous property.
80. 334 Transfers, etc., after commencement of winding up to be void.
81. 335 Certain attachments, executions, etc., in winding up by Tribunal to be
void.
82. 339 Liability for fraudulent conduct of business.
83. 340 Power of Tribunal to assess damages against delinquent directors, etc.
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
84. 341 Liability under sections 339 and 340 to extend to partners or directors in
firms or companies.
85. 342 Prosecution of delinquent officers and members of company.
86. 353 Liquidator to make returns, etc.
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Section wise powers of NCLT referenced under the New Act
S.No Section No. Head Note
95. 441 Compounding of certain offences.
96. 459 Powers of Central Government or Tribunal to accord approval, etc.,
subject to conditions and to prescribe fees on applications.
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THANK YOU
For any further clarifications, please contact: Mr. Satwinder Singh (Partner),
Vaish Associates, [email protected]; +91-9871686000
New Delhi Mumbai Gurgaon
Flat No. 5,6 &7 106 Peninsula Centre 803, Tower A,
10 Hailey Road (Behid Piramal Chambers , Signature Tower
New Delhi-110001 Income tax Office South City-I, NH-8
Tel: 91 11 42492525 Dr. S.S. Rao Road, Parel Gurgaon-122001
Fax: 91 11 23320484 Mumbai-400012 Tel: 91 124 4541000
E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 91 22 42134101 Fax: 91 124 4541010
Fax: 91 22 42134102 E-mail: [email protected]
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13, Tolstoy Marg
New Delhi-110001 Bangalore
Tel: 91 11 49292525 305, 3rd Floor, Prestige Meridian-
Fax: 91 11 23320484 II,
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Bengaluru - 560001
Tel: 91 80 40903588/89
Fax: 91 80 40903584
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Disclaimer: Please note that this presentation is based on the limited information / documentation available with us and is subject to review of further documentation to be
received in this regard. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of this presentation, Vaish Associates Advocates shall not assume any liability / responsibility for any
errors that might creep in. The material herein does not constitute / substitute professional advice that may be required before acting on any matter.
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