Watchtower/Law library/Companies Act 2006/606 Power of court to grant relief
As last captured

Companies Act 2006 · Chapter 6 Public companies: independent valuation of...

606 Power of court to grant relief

s. 606 · in force: yes

Captured statutory text (L5)

606 Power of court to grant relief

(1)A person who—
(a)is liable to a company under any provision of this Chapter in relation to payment in respect of any shares in the company, or
(b)is liable to a company by virtue of an undertaking given to it in, or in connection with, payment for any shares in the company,
may apply to the court to be exempted in whole or in part from the liability.
(2)In the case of a liability within subsection (1)(a), the court may exempt the applicant from the liability only if and to the extent that it appears to the court just and equitable to do so having regard to—
(a)whether the applicant has paid, or is liable to pay, any amount in respect of—
(i)any other liability arising in relation to those shares under any provision of this Chapter or Chapter 5, or
(ii)any liability arising by virtue of any undertaking given in or in connection with payment for those shares;
(b)whether any person other than the applicant has paid or is likely to pay, whether in pursuance of any order of the court or otherwise, any such amount;
(c)whether the applicant or any other person—
(i)has performed in whole or in part, or is likely so to perform any such undertaking, or
(ii)has done or is likely to do any other thing in payment or part payment for the shares.
(3)In the case of a liability within subsection (1)(b), the court may exempt the applicant from the liability only if and to the extent that it appears to the court just and equitable to do so having regard to—
(a)whether the applicant has paid or is liable to pay any amount in respect of liability arising in relation to the shares under any provision of this Chapter or Chapter 5;
(b)whether any person other than the applicant has paid or is likely to pay, whether in pursuance of any order of the court or otherwise, any such amount.
(4)In determining whether it should exempt the applicant in whole or in part from any liability, the court must have regard to the following overriding principles—
(a)that a company that has allotted shares should receive money or money's worth at least equal in value to the aggregate of the nominal value of those shares and the whole of any premium or, if the case so requires, so much of that aggregate as is treated as paid up;
(b)subject to this, that where such a company would, if the court did not grant the exemption, have more than one remedy against a particular person, it should be for the company to decide which remedy it should remain entitled to pursue.
(5)If a person brings proceedings against another (“the contributor”) for a contribution in respect of liability to a company arising under any provision of this Chapter or Chapter 5 and it appears to the court that the contributor is liable to make such a contribution, the court may, if and to the extent that it appears to it, just and equitable to do so having regard to the respective culpability (in respect of the liability to the company) of the contributor and the person bringing the proceedings—
(a)exempt the contributor in whole or in part from his liability to make such a contribution, or
(b)order the contributor to make a larger contribution than, but for this subsection, he would be liable to make.
(6)Where a person is liable to a company under section 604(2) (agreement for transfer of non-cash asset: effect of contravention), the court may, on application, exempt him in whole or in part from that liability if and to the extent that it appears to the court to be just and equitable to do so having regard to any benefit accruing to the company by virtue of anything done by him towards the carrying out of the agreement mentioned in that subsection.
Full captured verbatim text
(1) A person who—

(a) is liable to a company under any provision of this Chapter in relation to payment in respect of any shares in the company, or

(b) is liable to a company by virtue of an undertaking given to it in, or in connection with, payment for any shares in the company,

may apply to the court to be exempted in whole or in part from the liability.

(2) In the case of a liability within subsection (1)(a), the court may exempt the applicant from the liability only if and to the extent that it appears to the court just and equitable to do so having regard to—

(a) whether the applicant has paid, or is liable to pay, any amount in respect of—

(i) any other liability arising in relation to those shares under any provision of this Chapter or Chapter 5, or

(ii) any liability arising by virtue of any undertaking given in or in connection with payment for those shares;

(b) whether any person other than the applicant has paid or is likely to pay, whether in pursuance of any order of the court or otherwise, any such amount;

(c) whether the applicant or any other person—

(i) has performed in whole or in part, or is likely so to perform any such undertaking, or

(ii) has done or is likely to do any other thing in payment or part payment for the shares.

(3) In the case of a liability within subsection (1)(b), the court may exempt the applicant from the liability only if and to the extent that it appears to the court just and equitable to do so having regard to—

(a) whether the applicant has paid or is liable to pay any amount in respect of liability arising in relation to the shares under any provision of this Chapter or Chapter 5;

(b) whether any person other than the applicant has paid or is likely to pay, whether in pursuance of any order of the court or otherwise, any such amount.

(4) In determining whether it should exempt the applicant in whole or in part from any liability, the court must have regard to the following overriding principles—

(a) that a company that has allotted shares should receive money or money's worth at least equal in value to the aggregate of the nominal value of those shares and the whole of any premium or, if the case so requires, so much of that aggregate as is treated as paid up;

(b) subject to this, that where such a company would, if the court did not grant the exemption, have more than one remedy against a particular person, it should be for the company to decide which remedy it should remain entitled to pursue.

(5) If a person brings proceedings against another (“the contributor”) for a contribution in respect of liability to a company arising under any provision of this Chapter or Chapter 5 and it appears to the court that the contributor is liable to make such a contribution, the court may, if and to the extent that it appears to it, just and equitable to do so having regard to the respective culpability (in respect of the liability to the company) of the contributor and the person bringing the proceedings—

(a) exempt the contributor in whole or in part from his liability to make such a contribution, or

(b) order the contributor to make a larger contribution than, but for this subsection, he would be liable to make.

(6) Where a person is liable to a company under section 604(2) (agreement for transfer of non-cash asset: effect of contravention), the court may, on application, exempt him in whole or in part from that liability if and to the extent that it appears to the court to be just and equitable to do so having regard to any benefit accruing to the company by virtue of anything done by him towards the carrying out of the agreement mentioned in that subsection.

What this provision means

Model summary, checked against the text on the left.

Relevance to Signicat: 1/3 · detailed summary (L4) Status: not needed for a short provision · Stored artifact; current recipe verification unavailable

Liable persons may apply to the court for whole or partial exemption from liability in respect of shares.

Only the one-line summary above is stored for this provision; the text itself is the evidence.

Refers to

cross-reference internal_cite · s. 604

Referred to by

cross-reference internal_cite · s. 608

Part summaries

0 of 0 parts have a verified summary.

L1 unavailable for current verification: the overall summary needs every part verified. Provisions and the verified summaries remain readable.

Verification findings (1)

Tier preview unavailable: bounded detail limit (2000 units / 4 MiB)

Change history as published

S. 112A omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 49(2)(a), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2026/57, reg. 2

Pt. 8 Ch. 2A omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 26.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 49(2)(b), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2026/57, reg. 2 · repeated 11×

S. 159 omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 41(4), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z5)

Ss. 161A-167F omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 18.11.2025 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 2(a); S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(i)(4) · repeated 13×

S. 274A-279F and cross-heading omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 18.11.2025 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 5; S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(i)(4) · repeated 6×

S. 398 omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Non-Financial Reporting) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1245), regs. 1(1), 3(2)(a)

S. 410 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 2(2)-(5) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/980), regs. 2(1), 5(13) (with reg. 3)

S. 417 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1970), reg. 1(2)(3)5

S. 427 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1970), regs. 1(2)(3), 11

S. 428 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1970), regs. 1(2)(3), 11

S. 429 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1970), regs. 1(2)(3), 13

S. 449 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 2(2)-(5) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/980), regs. 2(1), 8(8) (with reg. 3)

S. 450 omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 2(2)-(5) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/980), regs. 2(1), 8(9) (with reg. 3)

S. 487A omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(6)(8) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/516), regs. 1(2), 12(7)

S. 491A omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(6)(8) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/516), regs. 1(2), 12(13)

S. 512 omitted (1.10.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 5 para. 2; S.I. 2015/1732, art. 2(d) (with arts. 4 6)

S. 517 omitted (1.10.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 5 para. 4; S.I. 2015/1732, art. 2(d) (with arts. 4 6)

S. 780 omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), s. 164(3)(g)(ii), Sch. 4 para. 26(1) (with Sch. 4 para. 26(2))

S. 1039 omitted (26.5.2015 for specified purposes, 1.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), s. 164(1), Sch. 7 para. 25; S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 3(c); S.I. 2015/1689, reg. 2(g)

S. 1069 omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 5.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 75(3), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 3

S. 1075 omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 80(2), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z22)

S. 1079A omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 1 para. 19; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

S. 1087ZA omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 82(3), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z24)

S. 1095 omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 85(5), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z27)

S. 1095A omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 85(6), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z27)

S. 1175 omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(3)(r), Sch. 23 para. 1

S. 1189 omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 42(a), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z6)

S. 1273 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 39 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Sch. 9 omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(3)(r), Sch. 23 para. 1 · repeated 16×

Sch. 10 Pt. 3 repealed (17.6.2016) by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/649), reg. 1(1)(a), Sch. 3 para. 72 (with reg. 1(3)(8)(9)) · repeated 10×

Sch. 11A para. 53 repealed (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 19 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

Sch. 11A para. 64 omitted (1.10.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 6 para. 22(15)(b); S.I. 2015/1732, art. 2(e)(vi) (with art. 7)

Sch. 15 para. 2 repealed (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 19 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

Sch. 15 para. 9 repealed (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 19 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

Parser observation, not a legal amendment: the publisher XML contains 1 empty paragraph element.

Pending effects amendments not yet applied to this text

Pt. 3 Ch. 3 excluded by Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 s. 112(7) · Effective date unknown

Sch. 1 para. 6(4) words inserted by Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 Sch. 8 para. 13(6) · Effective date unknown · Sch. 1 para. 6

s. 155 omitted by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 s. 87(2) · Effective date unknown · s. 155

s. 156(1) words substituted by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 s. 87(3)(a) · Effective date unknown · s. 156

s. 156(4) words substituted by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 s. 87(3)(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 156

Show all 44

s. 495(2)-(4) applied (with modifications) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 s. 44(2)(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 495

s. 496-501 applied (with modifications) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 s. 44(2)(b) · Effective date unknown

s. 498-501 applied (with modifications) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 s. 44(3)(b) · Effective date unknown

s. 834(5) words inserted by Finance Act 2009 Sch. 22 para. 11(4) · Effective date unknown · s. 834

s. 394C(2)(b) substituted by The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Sch. 2 para. 6(a) · Effective date unknown · s. 394C

s. 448C(2)(b) substituted by The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 Sch. 2 para. 14(a) · Effective date unknown · s. 448C

s. 479A amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2008/1911, reg. 34A by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 50(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 479A

s. 479A(1)(b) words inserted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 4(a) · Effective date unknown · s. 479A

s. 479A(2)(c)(i) words inserted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 4(b)(ii) · Effective date unknown · s. 479A

s. 479A(2)(c)(zi) inserted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 4(b)(i) · Effective date unknown · s. 479A

Sch. 10 para. 6(1)(c) substituted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 28(a) · Effective date unknown · Sch. 10 para. 6

Sch. 10 para. 6(2D) inserted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 28(e) · Effective date unknown · Sch. 10 para. 6

Sch. 10 para. 7(2)(a)(ii) words omitted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 29(a) · Effective date unknown · Sch. 10 para. 7

Sch. 10 para. 7(2)(b)(ii) words omitted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 29(a) · Effective date unknown · Sch. 10 para. 7

Sch. 10 para. 7(2A) inserted by The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 reg. 29(b) · Effective date unknown · Sch. 10 para. 7

Act amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2008/373 reg. 3(4) by The Companies (Revision of Defective Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 reg. 4 · Effective date unknown

Act amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2008/373 reg. 11(1) by The Companies (Revision of Defective Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 reg. 9(a) · Effective date unknown

s. 414A(5) applied by S.I. 2008/373, reg. 4A(2) (as inserted) by The Companies (Revision of Defective Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 reg. 5 · Effective date unknown · s. 414A

s. 414D(1)(2) applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2008/373, reg. 4A(1) (as inserted) by The Companies (Revision of Defective Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 reg. 5 · Effective date unknown · s. 414D

s. 422A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2008/373, reg. 6A (as inserted) by The Companies (Revision of Defective Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 reg. 6 · Effective date unknown · s. 422A

s. 474(1) word substituted by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) (No.2) Regulations 2017 (revoked) reg. 7(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 474

s. 854-859 amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 2 para 13(1) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 reg. 34 · Effective date unknown

s. 159A amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 17ZC by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 reg. 4 · Effective date unknown · s. 159A

s. 1002A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 50A (as inserted) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 reg. 5 · Effective date unknown · s. 1002A

s. 1024-1028 amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 56 by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 reg. 6 · Effective date unknown

s. 1029-1032 amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 57 by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 reg. 7 · Effective date unknown

s. 1095 amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2004/2326, Sch. 1A para. 5 by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 Sch. 2 para. 2(2)(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 1095

s. 1127-1133 amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 73 by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 reg. 8 · Effective date unknown

s. 1181 heading words omitted by Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 9 para. 13(a) · Effective date unknown · s. 1181

s. 1181(1)(a) omitted by Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 9 para. 13(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 1181

s. 1181(4) words omitted by Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 9 para. 13(c) · Effective date unknown · s. 1181

s. 1253D(2)(f) omitted by The Companies Act 2006 (Transfer of Audit Working Papers to Third Countries) Regulations 2010 reg. 4(1) · Effective date unknown · s. 1253D

s. 1253D(2)(g) omitted by The Companies Act 2006 (Transfer of Audit Working Papers to Third Countries) Regulations 2010 reg. 4(1) · Effective date unknown · s. 1253D

s. 1253DE(1)(a) words substituted by The Companies Act 2006 (Transfer of Audit Working Papers to Third Countries) Regulations 2010 reg. 4(2)(a) · Effective date unknown · s. 1253DE

s. 1253DE(1)(c) words substituted by The Companies Act 2006 (Transfer of Audit Working Papers to Third Countries) Regulations 2010 reg. 4(2)(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 1253DE

s. 1253E(8) words substituted by The Companies Act 2006 (Transfer of Audit Working Papers to Third Countries) Regulations 2010 reg. 4(3)(a) · Effective date unknown · s. 1253E

s. 1253E(8)(a) words substituted by The Companies Act 2006 (Transfer of Audit Working Papers to Third Countries) Regulations 2010 reg. 4(3)(b) · Effective date unknown · s. 1253E

Sch. 7 para. 5-11 applied by 2014 c. 2, Sch. 1D para. 2(8) (as inserted) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 35 · Effective date unknown

Sch. 11A para. 17E-17G substituted for Sch. 11A para. 17A-17D by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 36 para. 35 · Effective date unknown

Provenance

Every claim the system makes about this text is traceable to these identifiers.

Instrument
uk:ukpga/2006/46
Part
Chapter 6 Public companies: independent valuation of non-cash consideration
Version
17c130320052da87380f5984…
Content hash
sha256 fa4b5d5ee93d042bab95456e…
Source
legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46