The Securities Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) has released updated Master Circulars for Investment Advisers (“IAs”) and Research Analysts (“RAs”) on May 21, 2024 (“Master Circulars”).
Continue Reading SEBI Recognises Stock Exchanges as Supervisory and Administrative Body for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts
On March 20, 2024, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) notified the IRDAI (Registration, Capital Structure, Transfer of Shares and Amalgamation of Insurers) Regulations, 2024 (“Registration and Capital Regulations”), which consolidated and rationalised the regulatory framework applicable on an Indian insurer in aspects, including listing on a stock exchange pursuant to an initial public offer (“IPO”) that may consist of a fresh issue of equity shares or an offer for sale. Our detailed analysis on the other aspects of Registration and Capital Regulations can be found here.
Continue Reading IRDAI Regulatory Reform Series: Listing of Indian Insurance Companies on Stock Exchanges
The Foreign Portfolio Investor (“FPI”) regime is a foreign investments’ entry route in India, whereby FPIs can invest in Indian securities, subject to compliance with India’s foreign exchange control laws and the regulatory framework issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). As part of the Know Your Customer (“KYC”) process for FPI registration, identification and verification of Beneficial Owner(s) (“BO”) is required to be undertaken as per Rule 9 of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of records) Rules, 2005 (“PMLR”),[1] which is a part of the Indian AML/ CFT legal framework.
Continue Reading New SEBI FPI Beneficial Owner Disclosure Norms
It is the Board’s responsibility to successfully run a company, as per Section 179 of the Companies Act, 2013 (“Act”). Hence, it is imperative that the Boards function effectively to ensure that the company’s interests are always kept at the forefront while protecting interests of all stakeholders.
Continue Reading Board Effectiveness – Challenges and Opportunities
The Securities Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) has notified amendments to the SEBI Alternative Investment Funds Regulations, 2012 (“SEBI AIF Regulations”) on April 25, 2024, to:
Continue Reading FAQs on Regulatory Amendments to AIF Regulations (Ambiguous GAAR Style Obligations Prescribed for Managers and KMPs)
In terms of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011 (“Takeover Regulations”), acquiring control and/or shares/voting rights of a listed company beyond the specified quantitative thresholds (i.e. initial acquisition of 25% or more of the voting rights; or subsequent acquisition by a person holding at least 25%, of more than the creeping acquisition limit of 5% voting rights in a financial year) can trigger an obligation to make an open offer to its shareholders (“Open Offer”).
Continue Reading Case-Specific Exemptions under the Takeover Regulations: Key Takeaways from SEBI’s Orders
As the financial year 2023-24 draws to a close in a few days, it is the right time to reflect on the functions and responsibilities of the Audit Committee as well as address some “inconvenient” questions concerning their effectiveness vis-a-vis various listed and unlisted companies.
Continue Reading Role of the Audit Committee – Need for a Deeper Reflection
Companies, as the business grows, operate through their subsidiaries for various reasons such as flexibility in operation of different units, expansion in different geographies, etc. While subsidiary is an entity over which the wholly owned subsidiary has control, the Companies Act, 2013 (“CA 2013”) recognises subsidiary companies as a separate legal entity.
Continue Reading Holding-Subsidiary Relationship – Legal & Regulatory Architecture
The Companies Act in India and jurisdictions all over the world have statutorily recognised subsidiaries as a separate legal entity. Section 2(87)[1] of the Companies Act, 2013 (“CA 2013”), defines “subsidiary company” or “subsidiary” as a company in which the holding company controls the composition of the Board of Directors; or exercises or controls more than one-half of the total voting power either on its own or together with one or more of its subsidiary companies.
Continue Reading When is a Holding Company liable for the acts and omissions of its Subsidiary? A Jurisprudential Analysis
Section 180(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2013 (“2013 Act”) requires a company to obtain prior approval by a special resolution to sell, lease or dispose of the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking of the company or, when the company owns more than one undertaking, of the whole or substantially the whole of any of such undertakings.
Continue Reading Substantial Issues in Defining “Substantially the Whole of the Undertaking”