Rule of Caveat Emptor Caveat emptor is a Latin term meaning “let the buyer beware”. It is a general rule of law that a purchaser assumes the risk of his/her purchase. The intent of the rule is to place a duty of care on the buyer in selecting an item and putting forth appropriate inquiry before completing the sale. In this way, a seller is also protected from liability for buyer’s remorse. A seller is under no duty to reveal unflattered truths about the goods sold and therefore, whenever the buyer buys goods, he must exercise necessary care in his own interest. A buyer, in contract of sale of specific goods, purchases the goods at his own risk as regard as the quality, price of the goods except on the case of fraud or when any condition to that effect is laid down in the contract. A buyer cannot hold Continue reading
Business Law
Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956
SECURITIES CONTRACTS (REGULATION) ACT, 1956 The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 [SC(R)A] was enacted to prevent undesirable transactions in securities by regulating the business of dealing therein and by providing for certain other matters connected therewith. This is the principal Act, which governs the trading of securities in India. The definitions of some of the important terms are given below: ‘Recognised Stock Exchange’ means a stock exchange, which is for the time being recognised by the Central Government under Section 4 of the SC(R)A. ‘Stock Exchange’ means — (a) any body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, constituted before corporatisation and demutualization under sections 4A and 4B, or (b) a body corporate incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) whether under a scheme of corporatisation and demutualization or otherwise, for the purpose of assisting, regulating or controlling the business of buying, selling or dealing in securities. As per Continue reading
Legal Definition of a Contract
Definition of Contract According to section 2(h) of the Indian Contract Act: “An agreement enforceable by law is a contract.” A contract therefore, is an agreement the object of which is to create a legal obligation i.e., a duty enforceable by law. From the above definition, we find that a contract essentially consists of two elements: (1) An agreement and (2) Legal obligation i.e., a duty enforceable by law. We shall now examine these elements detail. 1. Agreement. As per section 2 (e): “Every promise and every set of promises, forming the consideration for each other, is an agreement.” Thus it is clear from this definition that a ‘promise’ is an agreement. What is a ‘promise’? The answer to this question is contained in section 2 (b) which defines the term.” When the person to whom the proposal is made signifies his assent thereto the proposal is said to be Continue reading
Motions and Resolutions
A ‘motion’ is a definite proposal put before a meeting for its consideration and adoption. A ‘resolution’ on the other hand is the formal expression of the decision of a meeting. When a motion has been duly voted upon and passed by a majority, with or without amendment, it is called a ‘resolution’. A resolution once adopted and recorded in the minutes becomes the official decision of the meeting and cannot be rescinded or revoked except by the consent of two-thirds majority in a meeting specially called for the purpose. Kinds of Resolutions 1. Ordinary Resolution A resolution which is passed by a simple majority of votes cast by members present in person or by proxy is called ‘ordinary resolution’. Simple majority means that the votes cast in favor of the resolution must be at least one more than 50 per cent of the votes cast. An ordinary resolution must Continue reading
What is a Bill of Exchange? Definition and Features
According to section 5 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, defines Bill Of Exchange as “A bill of exchange is an instrument in writing containing an unconditional order, signed by the maker, directing a certain person to pay a certain sum of money only to, or to the order of, a certain person or to the bearer of the instrument.” A promise or order to pay is not “conditional”, within the meaning of this section and section 4, by reason of the time for payment of the amount or any installment thereof being expressed to be on the lapse of certain period after the occurrence of a specified event which, according to the ordinary expectation of mankind, is certain to happen, although the time of its happening may be uncertain. The sum payable may be “certain”, within the meaning of this section and section and section 4, although it includes Continue reading
Corporate Governance and Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement
SEBI revise Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement pertaining to corporate governance vide circular date October 29th, 2004, which superseded all other earlier circulars issued by SEBI on this subject. All existing listed companies were required to comply with the provisions of the new clause by 31st December 2005. The major provisions included in the new Clause 49 are: The board will lay down a code of conduct for all board members and senior management of the company to compulsorily follow. The CEO an CFO will certify the financial statements and cash flow statements of the company. If while preparing financial statements, the company follows a treatment that is different from that prescribed in the accounting standards, it must disclose this in the financial statements, and the management should also provide an explanation for doing so in the corporate governance report of the annual report. The company will have Continue reading