Citation, commencement, interpretation and revocation

1.–(1) These Rules may be cited as the Companies (Unfair Prejudice Applications) Proceedings Rules 2009 and come into force on 1st October 2009.

(2) In these Rules "the Act" means the Companies Act 2006.

(3) The Companies (Unfair Prejudice Applications) Proceedings Rules 1986(3) ("the 1986 Rules") are hereby revoked.

Preliminary

2.–(1) These Rules apply in relation to petitions presented to the court under Part 30 of the Act (protection of company´s members against unfair prejudice) by a member of a company under section 994(1), by a person treated as a member under section 994(2) or by the Secretary of State under section 995.

(2) Except so far as inconsistent with the Act and these Rules, the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (4) apply to proceedings under Part 30 of the Act with any necessary modifications.

Presentation of petition

3.–(1) The petition shall be in the form set out in the Schedule to these Rules, with such variations, if any, as the circumstances may require.

(2) The petition shall specify the grounds on which it is presented and the nature of the relief which is sought by the petitioner, and shall be delivered to the court for filing with sufficient copies for service under Rule 4.

(3) The court shall fix a hearing for a day ("the return day") on which, unless the court otherwise directs, the petitioner and any respondent (including the company) shall attend before the registrar or District Judge for directions to be given in relation to the procedure on the petition.

(4) On fixing the return day, the court shall return to the petitioner sealed copies of the petition for service, each endorsed with the return day and the time of hearing.

Service of petition

4.–(1) The petitioner shall, at least 14 days before the return day, serve a sealed copy of the petition on the company.

(2) In the case of a petition based upon section 994 of the Act, the petitioner shall also, at least 14 days before the return day, serve a sealed copy of the petition on every respondent named in the petition.

Return of petition

5. On the return day, or at any time after it, the court shall give such directions as it thinks appropriate with respect to the following matters–

(a) service of the petition on any person, whether in connection with the time, date and place of a further hearing, or for any other purpose;

(b) whether points of claim and defence are to be delivered;

(c) whether, and if so by what means, the petition is to be advertised;

(d) the manner in which any evidence is to be adduced at any hearing before the judge and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the above) as to–

(i) the taking of evidence wholly or in part by witness statement or orally;

(ii) the cross-examination of any persons making a witness statement;

(iii) the matters to be dealt with in evidence;

(e) any other matter affecting the procedure on the petition or in connection with the hearing and disposal of the petition; and

(f) such orders, if any, including a stay for any period, as the court thinks fit, with a view to mediation or other alternative dispute resolution.

Advertisement of the order

6. If the court considers that the order should be advertised, it shall give directions as to the manner and time of advertisement.

Transitional provision

7. These Rules shall not apply, and the provisions of the 1986 Rules shall continue to apply, to any petition presented to the court under Part XVII of the Companies Act 1985(5) before 1st October 2009.

Rule 3

SCHEDULE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules make provision for the form, procedure for presentation, service and return of the petition to be used in connection with an application to court in England and Wales under section 994 or 995 of the Companies Act 2006 (c.46) (application for order on grounds of unfair prejudice). They revoke the Companies (Unfair Prejudice Applications) Proceedings Rules 1986 (S.I. 1986/2000), subject to a transitional provision for petitions commenced before 1st October 2009.

The form of petition is set out in the Schedule.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.