Medium2 marksMultiple Choice

ACCA · Question 53 · Syllabus D: The formation and constitution of business organisations

Scenario: EcoHabitat, a group of environmentalists, wants to form a corporate entity to buy land for conservation. They want limited liability but do not intend to distribute profits. They are considering a company limited by guarantee. During the pre-incorporation phase, one of the founders, Leo, signed a contract for office space in the name of 'EcoHabitat Ltd'.

Under section 51 of the Companies Act 2006, what is the legal consequence of Leo signing the contract before incorporation?

Answer options:

A.

The contract is void and neither Leo nor the company is liable.

B.

The company is automatically bound by the contract once incorporated.

C.

Leo is personally liable on the contract, subject to any agreement to the contrary.

D.

The landlord can only sue the company, not Leo.

How to approach this question

Apply the statutory rule regarding pre-incorporation contracts.

Full Answer

C.Leo is personally liable on the contract, subject to any agreement to the contrary.✓ Correct
Under s.51 of the Companies Act 2006 (and the common law rule in Kelner v Baxter), a company cannot enter into a binding contract before it is incorporated, nor can it ratify such a contract after incorporation. The person who signs the contract (the promoter, Leo) is personally liable on it, unless there is an express agreement to the contrary with the third party.

Common mistakes

Believing a company can simply 'adopt' or 'ratify' a pre-incorporation contract once it is formed.

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