¹ (1843) 2 Ha. 461.

² Scrutton, L.J., Shuttleworth v. Cox Bros, & Co. [1927] 2 K.B. 9Google Scholar, at p. 23.

³ Burland v. Earle [1902]Google Scholar A.C. 83, 93 (P.C.).

⁴ (1843) 2 Ha. 461.

⁵ (1847) 1 Ph. 790.

⁶ Foss v. Harbottle (supra) p. 494; Bagshaw v. E. Union Ry. Co. (1849) 7 Hare 114, 130 (affd. (1850) 2 Mac. & G. 389).

⁷ Gray v. Lewie (1873) 8 Ch.App. 1035, 1050–1051.

⁸ Mozley v. Alston (supra) 799; Lord v. Copper Miners Co. (1848) 2 Ph. 740, 752; MacDougall v. Gardiner (No. 2) (1875) 1 Ch.D. 13, 25.Google Scholar

⁹ La Cie. de Mayville v. Whitley [1896] 1 Ch. 788, 807, Kay L.J.

¹⁰ Kekewich, J., Normandy v. Ind Coope & Co., Ltd. [1908] 1 Ch. 84, 106.Google Scholar

¹¹ See Gower, Modern Company Law (1954) 267–270, 482–485; Buckley, Companies Acts, 12th ed., 168–169; Palmer's Company Precedents, 17th ed., Part 1, 1096 et seq.; Gore-Brown, Handbook on Joint Stock Companies, 41st ed., 382–386; Halsbury's Laws of England, 3rd ed., Vol. 6, 418–420, 445–449; Palmer's Company Law, 19th ed., 229. The writer wishes to express his great indebtedness to Professor L. C. B. Gower for his assistance in discussing the problems raised in this article. It must be added that the writer is aware that the views cited from Prof. Gower's book will not necessarily represent his opinions in the forthcoming second edition of that work. (That edition has now appeared after this article went to press.)

¹² Joint Stock Companies Act, 1844 (7 & 8 Viet. c. 110). See Gower, op. cit., Chaps. 2 and 3, and sources there cited. Limited liability was not, of course added until 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 133).

¹³ Jordan, C.J. in Australian Coal & Shale Employees Fedn. v. Smith (1937) 38 S.R. (N.S.W.) 48, 53.Google Scholar

¹⁴ This rule applies to any association which is a “legal entity capable of suing in its own name, and which is composed of individuals bound together by rules which give the majority of them the power to bind the minority,” Romer, J., Cotter v. Nat. Union of Seamen [1929] 2 Ch. 58, 71Google Scholar (affd. C.A. ibid. 93); e.g., a registered trade union or friendly society (Kirsopp v. Highton (1911) 28 T.L.R. 129, 493).Google Scholar

¹⁵ Jenkins, L.J., Edwards v. Halliwell [1950] 2 All E.R. 1064, 1066.Google Scholar

¹⁶ Alderson B., Bligh v. Brent (1837) 2 Y. & C.Ex. 268, 295. See, too, Soc. of Practical Knowledge v. Abbott (1840) 2 Beav. 559; Blackburn v. Jepson (1823) 3 Swans. 132, 138; R. v. Patrick (1783) 1 Leach 253; Cooch v. Good man (1842) 2 Q.B. 580; Att.-Gen. v. Wilson (1840) Cr. & Ph. 1. On earlier developments, see Holdsworth, H.E.L. III, pp. 482 et seq.; VIII, pp. 202 et seq. The conclusive step on registered companies was, of course, taken in Salomon v. Salomon [1897] A.C. 22.

¹⁷ (1843) 2 Ha. 461 (a statutory corporation). See, too, Dominion Cotton Mills Co., Ltd. v. Amyot [1912]Google Scholar A.C. 546; Pavlides v. Jensen [1956]Google Scholar Ch. 565; and Burland v. Earle itself (supra).Google Scholar

¹⁸ Mozley v. Alston (1847) 1 Ph. 790, 800, per Cottenham L.C.; Hattersley v. Earl of Shelbourne (1862) 7 L.T. 650, 653.

¹⁹ Lindley, , Law of Partnership (1st ed. 1860), Vol. II, p. 752, 753 (italics supplied).Google Scholar

²⁰ Carlen v. Drury (1812) 1 V. & B. 154, 158; but even here there is evidence of an already changing attitude (p. 157). The matter was in the first half of the century “the subject of much difference of opinion”; Lord Cottenham L.C. in Wallworth v. Holt (1841) 2 Myl. & Cr. 619, 635. For the survival of the old approach, see Smith v. Jeyes (1841) 4 Beav. 503; Marshall v. Colman (1820) 2 J. & W. 266; Richards v. Davies (1831) 2 Russ. & M. 347.

²¹ Wigram, V.-C., who decided Foss v. HarbottleGoogle Scholar, firmly rejected the old partnership doctrine one year later in Fairthorne v. Weston (1844) 3 Ha. 387, 392. See, too Watney v. Trist (1876) 45 L.J.Ch. 412, 413; and for the position today, Lindley, Partnership (11th ed. 1950), pp. 571, 601 et seq., 637 et seq.

²² Lindley, op. cit. (1st ed. 1860), 754 (italics supplied).

²³ Lindley, , op. cit. (11th ed. 1950) 573.Google Scholar

²⁴ Bailey v. Birkenhead, etc., Ry. Co. (1850) 12 Beav. 433; Anglo-Universal Bank v. Baragnon (1881) 45 L.T. 362; but if “fraud” can be shown, see Alexander v. Automatic Telephone Co. [1900] 2 Ch. 56Google Scholar, discussed below.

²⁵ Southern Counties Deposit Bank, Ltd. v. Rider (1895) 73 L.T. 374. See, too, Browne v. La Trinidad (1887) 37 Ch.D. 1, 17; Campbell v. Australian Mutual Soc. (1908) 77 L.J.P.C. 117.Google Scholar

²⁶ Amal. Soc. of Engineers v. Jones (1913) 29 T.L.R. 484Google Scholar; Cox v. N. U. of Foundry Workers (1928) 44 T.L.R. 345Google Scholar; Cotter v. N. U. Seamen [1929] 2 Ch. 58Google Scholar. Cf. Lord v. Copper Miners Co. (1848) 2 Ph. 740.

²⁷ MacDougall v. Gardiner (No. 2) (1875) 1 Ch.D. 13 (compare the previous action in (1875) 10 Ch.App. 606).

²⁸ Ibid, per Mellish L.J., p. 25, adopted in Burland v. Earle [1902]Google Scholar A.C. 94. See, too, Harben v. Phillips (1883) 23 Ch.D. 14, 39; and the second proposition of Jenkins L. J. in Edwards v. Halliwell [1950] 2 All E.R. p. 1066.

²⁹ R. v. Varlo (1775) 1 Cowp. 248, 250; Att.-Gen. v. Davy (1741) 2 Atk. 212.

³⁰ Danckwerts, J., Parlides v. Jensen [1956]Google Scholar Ch. 565, 576; and see Re Transvaal Gold Exploration Co. (1885) 1 T.L.R. 604.

³¹ per Russell, L.J. in Cotter v. N. U. Seamen [1929]2 Ch. p. 111.Google Scholar

³² e.g., James, L.J. in MacDougall v. Gardiner (supra), pp. 22–23Google Scholar. This is also one way of explaining Mozley v. Alston (supra).

³³ See the most clear statement by Lord Cranworth in Davidson v. Tulloch (1860) 3 McQ 783, 796–797 (H.L.Sc). and Orr v. Glasgow, etc., Ry., ibid., 799, 804; Kay J. in Studdert v. Grosvenor (1886) 33 Ch.D. 528, 535.

³⁴ “Ratification,” in this article refers to confirmation by ordinary majority. As to ratification by all the shareholders, see Buckley, op. cit. pp. 823 et seq. and cases cited there; and Re London and N.Y. Corpn. [1895] 2 Ch. 860.

³⁵ Cotter v. N. U. Seamen, supra, p. 107, Lawrence, L.J.AlterationsGoogle Scholar of the terms of the articles require a special resolution; and, in that respect, the dicta of Kekewich, J. in Normandy v. Ind, Coope [1908] 1 Ch. 84, 108, must go too far, although they also support the propositions in the text.Google Scholar

³⁶ Grant v. U.K. Switchback Ry. (1888) 40 Ch.D. 135; Irvine v. Union Bank of Australia (1877) 2 App.Cas. 366, 375–376 (P.C.). And see Romilly M.R. in Kent v. Jackson (1851) 14 Beav. 367, 382 (affd. 2 De G.M. & G. 49); and Re Norwich Yarn Co. (1856) 22 Beav. 143, 164.

³⁷ That is to say, a three-fourths majority obtained in compliance with s. 141 (2), Companies Act, 1948.

³⁸ Vaughan Williams L.J., Kaye v. Croydon Tramways [1898] 1 Ch. 358, 377; and see p. 375. See, too, the valuable survey in Lindley on Companies (6th ed.), pp. 774–775, and 781; and Boschoek Proprietary Co. v. Fuke [1906] 1 Ch. 148, discussed infra, p. 214.Google Scholar

³⁹ See Heading 4 of the Exceptions, infra. (In next issue.)

⁴⁰ Burland v. Earle (supra) p. 94.

⁴¹ North-West Transportation, Ltd. v. Beatty (1887) 12 App.Cas. 589; Ving v. Robertson & Woodcock (1912) 56 S.J. 412.Google Scholar (Quaere whether the same is true at meetings of a class of members: see Gower, op. cit. p. 482, n. (7).) As Prof. Gower has pointed out, there seems to be no jurisdiction to call a meeting of “independent” shareholders only; Mason v. Harris (1879) 11 Ch.D. 97, 109.

⁴² e.g., their control of proxy votes: see Gower, op. cit. 464, 479. Two cases of 1883 are good examples of the C.A. still struggling to avoid the change in function of the Rule: Imperial Hydropathic Hotel v. Hampson (1883) 23 Ch.D. 1 (where the minority were given the consolation of costs out of the company's funds), and Harben v. Phillips (1883) 23 Ch.D. 14 (a battle over proxy votes, resulting in a general meeting being ordered by the court, and a subsequent refusal by the court to issue an injunction to thwart the genuine majority).

⁴³ Pender v. Lushington (1877) 6 Ch.D. 70.

⁴⁴ See, e.g., East Pant Du United Lead Mining Co. v. Merry weather (1864) 2 H. & M. 254.

⁴⁵ Especially a. 184 (1) which allows for the dismissal of a director at any time by ordinary majority (after “special notice,” subs. (2), and subject to the director's right to damages for breach of contract, subs. (6)). See, too, ss. 136, 137, 165, 210. Such statutory remedies are not discussed in detail in this article.

⁴⁶ MacDougall v. Gardiner (1875) 1 Ch.D. 13, at p. 25 (chairman's refusal to call poll provided for in the articles; no action for minority).

⁴⁷ See e.g., Exeter and Crediton Ry. v. Buller (1847) 16 L.J.Ch. 449; Pender v. Lushington (1877) 6 Ch.D. 70; Harben v. Phillips (supra); Imperial Hydropathic Hotel v. Hampson (supra); Duckett v. Gover (1877) 6 Ch.D. 82, and 25 W.R. 554; MacDougall v. Gardiner (supra) p. 22 and (1875) 10 Ch.App. 606, 608–609. These cases show that the court has been prepared to take the necessary steps to discover the views of the majority. (See, too, Marshall's Valve Gear Co. v. Manning [1909] 1 Ch. 267.)Google Scholar

⁴⁸ See Exeter & Crediton Ry. v. Buller (supra); and East Pant Du Mining Co. v. Merryweather (1864) 2 H. & M. 254 (where, however, a minority action was possible: Atwool v. Merryweather (1867) L.R. 5 Eq. 464, 468 n.: see Exception 4, infra).

⁴⁹ Lindley L.J. La Cie de Mayville v. Whitley [1896] 1 Ch. 788, 803. Improper proceedings may be ratified: Danish Mercantile Co., Ltd. v. Beaumont [1951] Ch. 680.Google Scholar

⁵⁰ e.g., Table “A,” article 80.

⁵¹ Automatic Self-Cleansing Filter Syndicate v. Cunninghame [1906] 2 Ch. 34Google Scholar; Quin & Axtens v. Salmon [1909]Google Scholar A.C. 442; Scott v. Scott [1943] 1 All E.R. 582Google Scholar; Grundt v. Great Boulder Mines, Ltd. [1948]Google Scholar Ch. 145. See the development described by Hornsey (1950) 13 M.L.R. 474–477. The rule does not operate if there is no board which can act: Barron v. Potter [1914] 1 Ch. 895Google Scholar; Foster v. Foster [1916] 1 Ch 532.Google Scholar

⁵² s. 184, Companies Act, 1948: this is, in itself, rather less than the control envisaged in the earlier cases cited, ante, n. (47).

⁵³ [1935] 2 K.B. 113, 134 (Greer L.J.), 143 (Slesser L.J.). Those who take this view can also point to the discussion by Wigram V.-C. in Foss v. Harbottle itself, as to the exact powers of the directors: (1843) 2 Ha. pp. 492–493. The particular terms of the articles in question will always be critical; but powers of “general management” have often been very widely construed: e.g., Campbell v. Rofe [1933] A.C. 91, 99.Google Scholar

⁵⁴ Jenkins, L.J. in Danish Mercantile Co., Ltd. v. Beaumont (supra) pp. 686–687Google Scholar, where it is plain that he means a meeting of members; and Danckwerts, J. in Pavlides v. Jensen (supra) pp. 576–577Google Scholar (where it is true that the directors themselves were defendants). Gower, op. cit., p. 131, regards the practice as one “based on a fallacy” in view of the dicta in Shaw's case. But it may indicate that those dicta should not be accepted.

⁵³ See e.g., Palmer, Company Precedents, 17th ed., Vol. 1, p. 1100.Google Scholar

⁵⁶ Which is the point in the Shaw case (supra). The suggestion allows both sides initiative, and denies both a veto; this could conceivably be fitted into the case-law; but no great confidence is advanced for the likelihood of the suggestion becoming law.

⁵⁷ e.g., Morris v. Morris [1877] W.N. 6; Ferguson v. Wallbridge [1935] 3 D.L.R. 66, 83–84Google Scholar, Lord Blanesburgh (P.C.); Orr v. Glasgow etc., Ry. (1860) 3 Macq. 799.

⁵⁸ This may be the meaning of Buckley's explanation of Marshall's Valve Gear Co. v. Manning (supra): Companies Acts, 12th ed., p. 860 n. (f). But see the contrary argument put later based upon ss. 132 and 184 of the Companies Act, 1948, infra, under Heading 4. And compare Smith v. Bank of Victoria (1872) 41 L.J.P.C. 34, 39.

⁵⁹ [1950] 2 All E.R. at p. 1067; the order of the list as given here is different from the order in which the exceptions are stated by Jenkins L.J.

⁶⁰ Sir George Jessel M.R. in Russell v. Wakefield Waterworks Co. (1875) 20 Eq. 474, 482; and see Foss v. Harbottle (1843) 2 Ha. at p. 492.

⁶¹ Pavlides v. Jensen [1956] Ch. 565, 574–576.Google Scholar

⁶² e.g., Burland v. Earle [1902]Google Scholar A.C. 83, 93; Dominion Cotton Mills v. Amyot [1912]Google Scholar A.C. 546; Gray v. Lewis (1873) 8 Ch.App. 1035, 1051.

⁶³ SeeFinlay, J. in Humphries v. Auckland Tailoresses' etc. Union of Workers [1950]Google Scholar N.Z.L.R. 380, 386, discussing Kaye v. Croydon Tramways Co. [1898] 1 Ch. 358, and Baillie v. Oriental Telephone Co. [1915] 1 Ch. 503Google Scholar (a difficult line of cases: see infra, p. 211, n. (15). [See, too, Featherstone v. Cook (1873) L.R. 16 Eq. 298. But compare: West End Hotels, Ltd. v. Bayer (1912) 29 T.L.R. 92Google Scholar; Grundt v. Great Boulder Mines, Ltd. [1948]Google Scholar Ch. 145; Channel Collieries, Ltd. v. Dover etc. Ry. [1914] 2 Ch. 506, 510.]Google Scholar

⁶⁴ e.g., infringements of the rules regarding maintenance of capital: Hope v. International Financial Soc. (1876) 4 Ch.D. 327 (purchase of company's own shares); Ooregum Gold Mining Co. v. Roper [1892] A.C. 125 (shares at a discount); Bellerby v. Rowland & Marwood's [1902] 2 Ch. 14.Google Scholar

⁶⁵ Powell v. Kempton Park Racecourse Co. [1897] 2 Q.B. 242. 260, 268. “Illegality” and “ultra vires” are frequently confused (e.g., in Cockburn v. Newbridge Sanitary Steam Laundry [1915] 1 Ir.R. 237).Google Scholar But there are some breaches of statutes which, although “illegal,” do not fall under this heading: see Buckley, J. in Anderson v. Midland Ry. [1902] 1 Ch. 369, 376Google Scholar; sed quaere.

⁶⁶ Simpson v. Westminster Palace Hotel Co. (1860) 8 H.L.C. 712, 717; Hoole v. G. W. Ry. (1868) 3 Ch.App. 262, 272, 277; Howden v. Yorkshire Miners [1903] 1 K.B. 308, 309Google Scholar; [1905] A.C. 256, 263. [It is said that a debenture holder cannot sue unless he has a security which is presently enforceable: Halsbury's Laws of England (3rd ed.) Vol. 6, p. 402, and cases cited; sed quaere if he has voting rights which equate his position to that of a member: Hutton v. W. Cork Ry. Co. (1883) 23 Ch.D. 654.]

⁶⁷ See cases in last note and notes (68)–(70), infra. Rolt, L.J. in Hoole's case, pp. 277–278Google Scholar, suggests that here a representative action can be most usefully used on behalf of a class, where there are competing interests; such an action would seem to be a “true” representative action: see (b) below.

⁶⁸ Mutter v. E. & Mid. Ry. Co. (1888) 38 Ch.D. 92, 104 (personal statutory right); Hallows v. Fernie (1868) 3 Ch.App. 467 (rescission for misrepresentation) and Pulbrook v. Richmond Consolidated Mining (1878) 9 Ch.D. at p. 613.

⁶⁹ Under R.S.C., Ord. 16, r. 9, on which see Prof. Lloyd (1949) 12 M.L.R. 409.

⁷⁰ Mosely v. Koffyfontein Mines, Ltd. [1911] 1 Ch. 73, 80–81; Pender v. Lushington (1877) 6 Ch.D. 70Google Scholar; and see Foster v. Foster [1916] 1 Ch. 532Google Scholar (pleaded as both a personal and a representative action).

⁷¹ The normal rule under R.S.C., Ord. 16, r. 9, is that the plaintiff has complete control of his representative action, and it is curious that no provision seems, so far, to have been made to ensure that he uses this power for the benefit of the company on whose right he is suing. Such problems have been much litigated in the U.S.A. in respect of “derivative” actions, as they are there called: see Ballantine on Corporations, pp. 333 et seq.

⁷² Burland v. Earle [1902]Google ScholarA.C. 83.

⁷³ Towers v. African Tug Co. [1904] 1 Ch. 558Google Scholar (retention of “illegal” dividends); Whitwam v. Watkin (1898) 78 L.T. 188; and see Gray v. Lewis (1873) 8 Ch.App. p. 1055. A plaintiff at fault may still be allowed to restrain prospective illegalities: see Moseley v. Koffyfontein Mines [1911] 1 Ch. 73Google Scholar; affd. [1911] A.C. 409. See, too, Gray v. Yellowknife Gold Mines, Ltd. [1948] 1 D.L.R. 473.Google Scholar

⁷⁴ Seaton v. Grant (1867) 2 Ch. Ap. 459 (fraud on a minority); Bloxam v. Metro Ry. (1868) 3 Ch.App. 337 (ultra vires).

⁷⁵ Ferguson v. Wallbridge [1935] 3 D.L.R. 66Google Scholar (P.C.) (company in liquidation; no action, even though “fraud on a minority”); Clarkson v. Davies [1923]Google Scholar A.C. 100. The company will not be bound unless joined as a party: Bagshau v. E. Union Ry. (1849) 7 Hare 114, 131. But s. 333, Companies Act, 1948, should not be forgotten: (remedy by misfeasance summons during liquidation).

⁷⁶ Salomons v. Laing (1850) 12 Beav. 376; Clinch v. Financial Corpn. (1868) 4 Ch.App. 117, 122; Russell v. Wakefieid Waterworks Co. (1875) 20 Eq. 474, 481.

⁷⁷ Stroud v. Lawson [1898] 2 Q.B. 44: and he must not sue for two corporations at once on distinct wrongs done to each: Smyth v. Muir (1891) 19 R. 81.

⁷⁸ Spokes v. Grosvenor Hotel Co. [1897] 2 Q.B. 124.

⁷⁹ See cases cited above: and Dumvile v. Birkenhead, etc., Ry. (1850) 12 Beav. 444; Holmes v. Newcastle-upon-Tyne Abattoir Co. (1875) 1 Ch.D. 682; Tomkinson v. S. E. Ry. (1887) 35 Ch.D. 675; cf. Winch v. Birkenhead, etc., Ry. (1852) 5 De G. & Sm. 562.

⁸⁰ As for difficulties arising in the application of ultra vires to trade unions, see (1957) 20 M.L.R. 110 (n. 31); and for problems which would arise in respect of the Rule in Foss v. Harbottle if that doctrine were abolished as the Cohen Report of 1945 recommended, see (1946) 202 L.T. 225.

⁸¹ [1950] 2 All E.R. 1064, 1067.

⁸² Normally, no distinction is made in the trade union cases between delegates and members: Cotter v. N.U. Seamen [1929] 2 Ch. 58.Google Scholar

⁸³ [1909] 1 Ch. 311; affd. [1909] A.C. 442, in a two-page judgment by Lord Loreburn L.C., Lord MacNaghten, Lord James and Lord Shaw.

⁸⁴ [1909] 1 Ch. 316.

⁸⁵ Subject to a proviso which cannot be discussed here: see Gower, op. cit. p. 125.

⁸⁶ Ante, p. 201.

⁸⁷ Farwell L.J. [1909] 1 Ch. 319.

⁸⁸ As was indeed the case in the partnership articles from which the modern system sprang.

⁸⁹ Farwell L.J. [1909] 1 Ch. 318. Presumably because the obligations are owed to, and rights hseld against, the company, i.e., a by-product of Foss v. Harbottle. See on this problem Welton v. Saffery [1897] A.C. 299, 315: and other cases cited Buckley, op. cit., p. 53.

⁹⁰ Astbury, J. in Hickman v. Kent or Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Assoen. [1915] 1 Ch. 881Google Scholar, 900, the locus classicus, where he reviews earlier cases. See, too, Beattie v. Beattie [1938]Google Scholar Ch. 708 (C.A.) (article providing for arbitration between members and company, not binding in a dispute between company and member in his capacity as director).

⁹¹ The term hereafter includes a member in any “capacity other than that of member.” Examples are to be found in the cases cited in Hickman; and see Re City Equitable, Ltd. [1925] Ch. 407, 520–521Google Scholar; Re T. N. Farrer, Ltd. [1937]Google Scholar Ch. 352 and Read v. Astoria Garage, Ltd. [1952]Google Scholar Ch. 637.

⁹² “A contract made upon the terms of an alterable article”: Atkin, L.J. in Shuttleworth v. Cox Bros. [1927] 2 K.B. 9, 26.Google Scholar

⁹³ A company “may by special resolution alter or add to its articles.”

⁹⁴ Charlesworth, Company Law, 6th ed. p. 28: citing Wood v. Odessa Waterworks Co. (1889) 42 Ch.D. 636, which was approved in Salmon's case.

⁹⁵ In some cases there may be an overlap which makes it difficult to apply this distinction; see a recent example: Wigram Settled Estates v. I.R.C. [1957] 1 All E.R. 311, 318, 320.Google Scholar

⁹⁶ e.g., Mutter v. E. & Mid. Ry. (1888) 38 Ch.D. 92; Nelson v. Anglo-American Co. [1897] 1 Ch. 130 (shareholder's right to inspect register).

⁹⁷ Supra, p. 208; for a good example see Re T. N. Farrer, Ltd. [1937]Google Scholar Ch. 352. It seems the better view that the company cannot be restrained from altering the articles even if this may lead it into liability for breach of contract: Southern Foundries v. Shirlaw [1940]Google Scholar A.C. 701, 740. Contra: British Murac Syndicate v. Alperton Rubber Co. [1915] 2 Ch. 186.Google Scholar

⁹⁸ Pulbrook v. Richmond Consol. Mining Co. (1878) 9 Ch.D. 610; Le Cie de Mayville v. Whitley [1896] 1 Ch. 788, 807; Foster v. Greenwich Ferry (1888) 5 T.L.R. 16. But the court has refused to force a director on an unwilling majority: Harben v. Phillips (1883) 23 Ch.D. 14.

⁹⁹ See Hayes v. Bristol Plant Hire, Ltd. [1957] 1 All E.R. 685Google Scholar, where in view of dicta (p. 688), the terms of the articles were presumably incorporated into the director's contract.

¹ Clark v. Workman [1920] 1 Ir.R. 107, 110.Google Scholar

² [1950] 2 All E.R. 1064: it is interesting to observe that in the judgments there one can find every “exception” except ultra vires.

³ Jessel M.R. (1877) 6 Ch.D. 70, 81.

⁴ e.g., Borland's Trustee v. Steel Bros, Ltd. [1901] 1 Ch. 279Google Scholar; Bisgood v. Henderson's Transvaal Estates, Ltd. [1908] 1 Ch. 743.Google Scholar

⁵ Hickman's case (supra), p. 902; and see Beattie v. Beattie [1938]Google Scholar Ch. 708, 721—722

⁶ Pender v. Lushington (supra); Moffatt v. Farquhar (1877) 7 Ch.D. 591; Marks v. Financial News (1919) 35 T.L.R. 681Google Scholar; Cannon v. Trask (1875) 20 Eq. 669.

⁷ e.g., Staples v. Eastman Photographic Co. [1896] 2 Ch. 303; Greenhalgh v. Arderne Cinemas [1945] 2 All E.R. 719, [1946] 1 All E.R. 512Google Scholar; James v. Buena Ventura, Ltd. [1896] 1 Ch. 456.

⁸ Moodie v. Shepherd (Bookbinders) Ltd. [1949]Google Scholar 2 All E.R. 1044 H.L.; Burdett v. Standard Exploration Co. (1899) 16 T.L.R. 112.

⁹ See Godfrey Phillips, Ltd. v. Investment Trust, Ltd. [1953]Google Scholar Ch. 449, 457; Wall v. London & Prov. Trust, Ltd. [1920] 2 Ch. 582Google Scholar; Foster v. Coles and Foster, Ltd. (1906) 22 T.L.R. 555Google Scholar; Evling v. Israel and Oppenheimer, Ltd. [1918] 1 Ch. 101.Google Scholar

¹⁰ See last note, and Wood v. Odessa Waterworks (1889) 42 Ch.D. 636; Fawcett v. Laurie (1860) 1 Dr. & Sm. 192; Oakbank Oil Co. v. Crum (1882) 8 App.Cas. 65. Some of the “dividend cases” involve both (i) enforcement of the contract in the articles, and (ii) the rule prohibiting dividends out of capital: e.g., Mosely v. Koffyfontein Mines, Ltd. [1911] 1 Ch. 73; [1911] A.C. 409.Google Scholar

¹¹ Johnson v. Lyttle's Iron Agency (1877) 5 Ch.D. 687; Sweny v. Smith (1869) 7 Eq. 324; Goulton v. London Architectural Co. (1877) W.N. 141 (a “procedural” irregularity).

¹² Catesby v. Burnett [1916] 2 Ch. 325.Google Scholar

¹³ See the injunction that was granted in Spencer v. Kennedy [1926]Google Scholar Ch. 125, 135. Henderson v. Bank of Australasia (1890) 45 Ch.D. 330; Breay v. Browne (1897) 41 S.J. 159, 160.

¹⁴ Greenhalgh v. Arderne Cinemas [1951]Google Scholar Ch. 286 (reviewing previous cases). The right to sue is personal, although, oddly enough, the only two successful actions were both representative: Dafen Tinplate v. Llanelly Steel [1920] 2 Ch. 124Google Scholar; Brown v. British Abrasive Wheel [1919] 1 Ch. 290.Google Scholar This phenomenon is explained infra. Distinguish “frauds” under Heading 4, infra.

¹⁵ Baillie v. Oriental Telephone Co. [1915] 1 Ch. 503Google Scholar; Tiessen v. Henderson [1899] 1 Ch. 861; Kaye v. Croydon Tramways [1898] 1 Ch. 358, are curious cases if this is not the explanation. See, too, G. W. Ry. v. Rushout (1852) 5 De G. & Sm. 290; Smith v. Duke of Manchester (1883) 24 Ch.D. 611; and Re Direct East & West Junction Ry. (1855) 3 Eq.Rep. 479.

¹⁶ Gower, op. cit. 268, 359. Quaere whether Moffatt v. Farquhar (1877) 7 Ch.D. 591 (versus company and directors) and Murphy v. Synnott [1925] N.I. 14 (versus other members), do not support the remedy of damages.Google Scholar Possibly the rule is that damages are never recoverable unless the plaintiff shows special damage to himself in his capacity as a member; if he cannot he must sue for an injunction, preferably in a representative action: see Wright J. in Breay v. Browne (1897) 41 S.J. 159, 160 (an action for damages in which the jury had awarded one farthing; on appeal, this was reversed. The plaintiff's right “was not a personal one but belonged to her as a member of the corporation. The plaintiff had suffered no personal damage. Her proper course was to bring an action in the name of herself and the other shareholders … for an injunction”). Those who wish to argue that damages can never be recovered by a plaintiff from a company of which he is still member will, of course, cite Hauldxworth v. City of Glasgow Bank (1880) 5 App.Cas. 317, and Re Addlestone Linoleum Co. (1887) 37 Ch.D. 191.

¹⁷ Sweny v. Smith (1869) 7 Eq. at p. 333. The practice plainly avoids multiplicity of actions.

¹⁸ [1950] 2 All E.R. 1064.

¹⁹ [1916] 2 Ch. 325.

²⁰ (1889) 42 Ch.D. 636.

²¹ (1877) 6 Ch.D. 70.

²² Gower, op. cit. p. 484.

²³ See the Article set out, [1909] 1 Ch. at p. 313. The relevant parts read: “No resolution of … the directors having for its object … (various matters including purchase and sale of premises) … or any matter affecting the rights of either of them, the said William Raymond Axtens and Joseph Salmon, as holders of ordinary shares of the company, shall be valid or binding unless … notice … shall have been given to each of the managing directors, the said William Raymond Axtens and Joseph Salmon, and neither of them ehall have dissented …” (italics supplied).

²⁴ The second proposition of Astbury J. [1915] 1 Ch. 900; supra, p. 208.

²⁵ [1938] Ch. 708, especially at p. 722. It is true that he saw “great difficulty” because of the Rule in Foss v. Harbottle, but he did not go further into the matter. See, too, Woodlands, Ltd. v. Logan [1948]Google Scholar N.Z.L.R. 230, 236.

²⁶ Ibid. 722: an article for arbitration of disputes between company and member; member was disputant in capacity of director.

²⁷ The only case known to the writer to contain any lengthy discussion of the consequences of it is Australian Coal and Shale Employee's Fedn. v. Smith (1937) 38 S.R.N.S.W. 48Google Scholar, Jordan C.J. It is true that earlier cases such as Eley v. Positive Life Assurance Co. (1876) 1 Ex.D. 20, 88, are against the proposition advanced. But they do not seem to involve plaintiffs putting their case in the way suggested; and in any case, even if they did, they could not stand with Salmon's case as interpreted above.

²⁸ (1875) 1 Ch.D. pp. 22–23; and see Foster v. Foster [1916] 1 Ch. 532.Google Scholar

²⁹ (1888) 40 Ch.D. 135.

³⁰ Catesby v. Burnett [1916] 2 Ch. 325 (no mention of Foss v. Harbottle by Eve J. or Gore Brown K.C. or Maugham K.C.).Google Scholar

³¹ See (1847) 1 Ph. 789, 796, 799. The “personal right” argument was expressly advanced. It might be argued that the internal statutory arrangements may not in that case have constituted a contract in the manner of the articles under s. 20; but this would be a last-ditch distinction!

³² e.g., Swinfen, Eady L.J. in Baillie's Case [1915] 1 Ch. p. 518Google Scholar, where he reduces its importance as much as he can; and compare the doubts which beset Romer, J. in Cotter's Case [1929] 2 Ch. p. 70Google Scholar, which have the same sort of cause.

³³ [1906] 1 Ch. 148, 163; a distinction adopted by Gower, op. cit. p. 484. Buckley, op. cit. pp. 168–169, deals with this problem oddly, by stating the Rule in Foss v. Harbottle in strict terms, and throwing in an acknowledgment to Salmon's case with “the minority may sue … semble, if a bare majority are purporting to do or authorize something inconsistent with the articles.”

³⁴ Counsel in Automatic Self-Cleansing Filter Syndicate v. Cunninghame [1906] 2 Ch. p. 41Google Scholar; and see Baillie's Case (above); and the “special majority” cases such as Edwards v. Halliwell (supra).

³⁵ Clark v. Workman [1920] 1 Ir.R. p. 117.Google Scholar Compare Re State of Wyoming Syndicate [1901] 2 Ch. 431, 436.Google Scholar

³⁶ Pender v. Lushington (supra) and MacDougall v. Gardiner (supra).

³⁷ Wynn-Parry, J., Godfrey Phillips, Ltd. v. Investment Trust, Ltd. [1953] Ch. p. 457.Google Scholar

³⁸ Page Wood V.-C., Taunton v. Royal Insurance Co. (1864) 2 H. & M. 135. 140 (italies supplied).