Board of directors
4.1. Number
Although the law prescribes that a public joint stock company must have a minimum of five directors, there is no minimum prescribed for private joint stock companies. However, since the board of a private company, as well as of a public company, is required to elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman, and a board is required by law, the board of a private company must consist of at least two directors.
4.2. Election and Removal
Directors must be elected from among the shareholders at least once every two years. It is mandatory that the election be by cumulative voting and that it takes place at an ordinary general meeting. Any one or more of the directors are subject to removal by the shareholders. Directors are also eligible for re-election. Legal entities may be elected as directors.
4.3. Duration of Office
The term of office for directors must be fixed in the Articles of Association but may not be for more than two years. However, if the term expires before successor directors are elected, the existing directors continue to be responsible for the affairs and management of the company until the new directors are elected.
4.4. Security Shares
Directors are required to possess the number of shares specified by the Articles of Association and this may not be less than the number required for voting at general meetings. Each director must place the required number of shares in the custody of the company for the duration of his term of office to serve as security against losses which may result to the company through violations by the directors of their duties. These shares must be registered shares. The law provides that failure to comply with the requirements will result in the offending director being considered to have resigned from his office.
4.5. Authority
The law specifically provides the board with all necessary authorities for the management of the company within the limits of the company's objectives as stated in the Articles of Association. However, the board may not exercise any power which have been expressly reserved to the shareholders acting in general meetings, and limitations on the board's authority which will be valid as between the directors and shareholders, but not in respect of third parties, may be written into the Articles of Association.
4.6. Liability
Directors are not only subject to the ordinary rules of fair play in respect of the company, its shareholders, and third parties dealing with the company, and thus liable for any violations of these rules, but they are also, individually and jointly, subject to criminal prosecution for specified acts and omissions.
4.7. Meetings
The board is expected to act in meeting at which a quorum of a majority of the directors is present. The manner of calling board meetings including any notice requirement should be specified in the Articles of Association. In any event, the law provides the board chairman and any group of directors constituting one-third (l /3) of the board with authority to call meetings. Resolutions will be adopted when passed by the favorable votes of a majority of the directors present at the meeting, unless a higher vote requirement is specified in the Articles of Association.
Minutes for each meeting must be kept and signed by a majority of the directors who attended the meeting. The minutes must show the names of the directors who attended and who were absent, a summary of the deliberations and actions taken, and the date of the meeting.
4.8. Actions without Meeting
Actions of the board are valid without a meeting if approved in writing by all of the directors.
4.9. Proxies
Although there is no specific authority in the 1969 amendments to the Commercial Code for director's proxies, such have been recognized in practice. The Code, prior to the amendments provided for proxies with the caveat that the director remained responsible for his proxy's acts.
4.10. Alternate Directors
Alternate directors are authorized but are not mandatory.
4.11. Managing Director
The law requires that at least one person be appointed by the board as the managing director to manage the daily operations of the company. This person may or may not be a member of the board but he may not also hold the position of chairman of the board unless the shareholders meet
and approve the arrangement by a three-fourth (3/4) vote. The scope of the managing director's authority should be specified by the board at the time of his appointment and he is then considered to be the company's legal representative with authority to sign on behalf of the company.
4.12. Compensation
Directors as such may not be paid by the company except reasonable fees for attending meetings, and a "bonus" voted by the shareholders out of company profits. For the private company this bonus is limited to 10% of dividends and for the public company, to 5% of dividends. Directors may serve as officers or employees of the company, however, and be compensated in such capacities.
4.13. Doing Business with the Company
A director.(and the managing director) may not enter into an enforceable business transaction with the company unless the transaction is approved by the board without the interested director participating in the vote, and the matter is reported both to the company inspectors and the shareholders. Even where this is done, if losses result to the company from the transaction, the directors who approved may be held liable. The law specifically provides that loans and guarantees by the company to directors are void except where the director is a legal entity.
4.14. Competing with the Company
If any director (or the managing director) concludes transactions in competition with the company, and the company suffers a loss of profits as a result, the director will be liable to indemnify the company for the loss.