{"id":2259,"date":"2022-02-09T04:08:08","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T04:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk.legalvision.com.au\/?p=2259"},"modified":"2026-03-23T01:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T01:22:51","slug":"ordinary-vs-special-resolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/ordinary-vs-special-resolution\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Ordinary Versus Special Resolutions?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shareholders have the power to make the most important decisions concerning the company. Shareholders make these decisions by either voting for or against a resolution put to them at a shareholder meeting (whether an annual general meeting or general meeting) or through a written resolution. There are two kinds of resolutions: ordinary and special resolutions. <\/span>This article will explain the function of shareholders voting at shareholder meetings, the distinction between an ordinary and special resolution, and which measures must be passed by special resolutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview of a Shareholder Meeting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Company directors make most of a company\u2019s day-to-day decisions. However, there are specific measures that the shareholders must approve. Some common examples include matters to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">approve an expensive transaction;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">appoint or remove a director;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">issue more shares;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">change the company\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/articles-of-association\/\">articles of association<\/a> or the company\u2019s name; and&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">authorise a transaction benefitting one or more of the company\u2019s directors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A company\u2019s articles of association will list measures that require shareholder approval and on what basis. Likewise, your company&#8217;s articles state whether shareholders must pass a measure via an ordinary resolution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p>If the shareholders must vote on a measure, the directors must provide the shareholders with a notice of the meeting. This notice should detail the meeting\u2019s date and time and what the meeting is about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The notice period for shareholder meetings is important and varies depending on the type of company and resolution. Private companies generally need 14 clear days. However, shorter notice periods may be acceptable if a sufficient majority of shareholders agree. The notice must include all relevant information about the proposed resolutions, including explanatory statements for complex matters, to ensure shareholders can make informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, many private companies allow specific measures to be voted on via written resolutions and do not require holding an actual meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n    <p id=\"block-b0b0a107-7e08-4fdf-bcef-ba72e5e1bb42\" class=\"block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text\" role=\"document\" aria-label=\"Block: Paragraph\" data-block=\"b0b0a107-7e08-4fdf-bcef-ba72e5e1bb42\" data-type=\"core\/paragraph\" data-title=\"Paragraph\" data-empty=\"false\" data-wp-block-attribute-key=\"content\">Shareholders with at least 5% of the company\u2019s shares can request that the directors convene a meeting or circulate a written resolution on their behalf.\u00a0Finally, you can pass resolutions at the annual general meeting or a specially convened meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ordinary Resolutions&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An ordinary resolution requires more than 50% of shareholders&#8217; votes to pass. This threshold is also called a simple majority.&nbsp;<\/span>For more complex matters, a higher threshold may be required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the vote is one by hand, each shareholder\u2019s vote counts for one vote, and more than half the shareholders must approve the resolution to pass. If the vote is a poll vote, where each shareholder has as many votes as they have&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/classes-company-shares\/\">voting shares<\/a>, then a majority of the votes cast approve the resolution.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For companies formed after 2009, if a resolution is deadlocked \u2014 that is, exactly 50% of shareholders support it, and 50% do not \u2014 then the resolution will not pass. Remember, an ordinary resolution requires <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">more than <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">50% support.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#content-next\"\n   class=\"block p-4 mt-10 text-xl font-bold text-center text-white no-underline bg-gray-800 rounded-t-xl\">\n    Continue reading this article below the form\n    <i class=\"text-xl fa-regular fa-arrow-down\"><\/i>\n<\/a>\n<div class=\"px-6 pt-10 pb-12 mb-10 text-center bg-gray-100 rounded-b-xl sm:px-12 test\">\n    <div class=\"mb-8 text-2xl font-bold text-orange\">\n        Need legal advice?\n        <br>\n        <span class=\"text-lg not-prose\">\n                            Call <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"not-prose\">0808 196 8584<\/a> for urgent assistance.\n                <br>\n                Otherwise, complete this form, and we will contact you within one business day.\n                    <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n<div class=\"not-prose 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IIf conducted by a show of hands, at least 75% of shareholders present and voting must approve (one vote per shareholder). If conducted by a poll, at least 75% of votes cast must approve (one vote per share).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Special resolutions function to protect&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/minority-shareholder-oppression\/\">minority shareholders<\/a>. A minority holding 25% or more of the voting shares can block a special resolution from passing. By requiring a higher threshold, special resolutions ensure changes benefit a large majority of shareholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unlike an ordinary resolution, exactly 75% approval is sufficient to pass.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n    <p>It&#8217;s worth noting that special resolutions have additional procedural requirements beyond the higher voting threshold. These resolutions must be filed with Companies House within 15 days of being passed, ensuring public transparency.<\/p>\n<p>The filing requirement applies to most special resolutions, particularly those affecting the company&#8217;s constitutional documents or share structure. This administrative step is essential for maintaining accurate public records and protecting the interests of creditors and other stakeholders who rely on publicly available company information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Further Considerations&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With two exceptions, any resolution capable of being passed as an ordinary resolution can be passed by a special resolution. The exception to this rule is where a resolution concerns the removal of either:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">one or more of the company\u2019s directors; or&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">the company\u2019s auditors.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A company cannot restrict the right of its shareholders to remove auditors or directors by more than an ordinary resolution.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Separately, not all special resolutions can be passed by ordinary resolutions. Corporate law reserves certain matters for approval only by the higher threshold required by a special resolution. Otherwise, subject to your company\u2019s articles, an ordinary resolution is all that is required to pass a measure. Consequently, unless your articles specifically state otherwise, the law assumes an ordinary resolution is sufficient.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Matters Reserved for Special Resolutions&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The law considers certain matters to be so important to the heart of the company\u2019s management that 75% or more of the shareholders must approve any changes. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the most common reserved matters you are likely to come across:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">amending your company\u2019s articles;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">changing your company\u2019s name;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">changing your company from a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/public-vs-private-company\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">private to a public company<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (or vice versa);<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">disapplying the shareholders\u2019 rights of first refusal following a new allotment of shares;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">reducing your company\u2019s share capital or instituting a share buyback;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">changing any rights attached to the company\u2019s shares; and&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">approving the sale of the company to another buyer.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Practical Matters<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When drafting your company\u2019s articles (or evaluating any amendments), you should determine which matters you want to reserve for special resolutions. This is ultimately a commercial decision determined by your relationship with other shareholders.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n    <p>For instance, suppose you are the sole shareholder in your company, but you are considering an <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/convertible-notes-convert\/\">equity capital raise<\/a>. Any share allotment that reduces your share below 75% means that any matters requiring a special resolution can be halted by other shareholders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Alternatively, if you are one shareholder among several, each of which holds equal numbers of shares, you will want to consider what power you have to block special resolutions. If you own 25% or more of the voting shares, you can unilaterally defeat any special resolution. If you own less, you would have to coalition with other shareholders to defeat a proposed special resolution. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"my-7 lg:my-10 border-y-2 border-gray-100 py-7 lg:py-10 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start gap-10\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-52 mx-auto my-0! rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/19030711\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-19-at-12.06.02-pm.png\" alt=\"Front page of publication\"\n                 loading=\"lazy\" width=\"208\" height=\"298\">\n                <section>\n            <div class=\"text-2xl font-bold\">Board Resolution<\/div>\n            <div class=\"body-text\">\n                <p>This template helps you document important and major decisions or actions reached in board meetings. <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/documents\/board-minutes-first-meeting-directors\/\" class=\" block px-5 py-3.5 max-w-fit bg-orange button__hover transition rounded text-white font-bold text-lg no-underline uppercase leading-tight text-center\" target=\"\" rel=\"\">Download Now<\/a>        <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shareholders do not run the company on a daily basis, but there are certain measures they may have the right to approve. By law, your company must pass these measures via an ordinary or special resolution. An ordinary resolution requires more than 50% of the shareholder vote, whereas a special resolution requires at least 75% of the votes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LegalVision provides ongoing legal support for businesses through our fixed-fee legal membership. Our experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporate-lawyers-lp\/\">corporate lawyers<\/a> help businesses manage contracts, employment law, disputes, intellectual property, and more, with unlimited access to specialist lawyers for a fixed monthly fee. To learn more about LegalVision\u2019s legal membership, call <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"AVANSERnumber dynamic-number\">0808 196 8584<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/membership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit our membership page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1644379397812\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is an ordinary resolution?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">An ordinary resolution is any matter put to a shareholder vote that requires more than 50% shareholder approval.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1644379427074\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is a special resolution<\/strong>?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A special resolution is any matter put to a shareholder vote that requires 75% or more shareholder approval.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1774221090717\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What happens if a company fails to file a special resolution with Companies House?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">If a company fails to file a special resolution with Companies House within the required 15-day timeframe, the company and its officers may face penalties. The company could be fined, and in serious cases of non-compliance, officers may face personal liability. <br><br>Additionally, the resolution may not be legally effective until properly filed, which could create complications for transactions or changes that depend on the resolution&#8217;s validity.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1774221101701\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can shareholders demand a poll vote instead of a show of hands?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, shareholders have the right to demand a poll vote in most circumstances. Under the Companies Act 2006, a poll can be demanded by the chairman of the meeting, directors, shareholders holding at least 10% of voting rights, or at least five shareholders with voting rights. <br><br>A poll vote is often more accurate as it reflects the actual shareholding percentages rather than just the number of shareholders present, making it particularly important for special resolutions where precise vote calculations matter.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n<div class=\"not-prose m-feedback-prompt\">\n    <!-- Thumbs up\/down bar -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__main\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__title\">Was this article helpful?<\/div>\n        <div>\n            <!--span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button--text\">Thanks!<\/span-->\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--yes\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:yes\" aria-label=\"Agree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-up fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--no\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:no\" aria-label=\"Disagree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-down fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Feedback form -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--thanks \">\n            <div>Thanks!<\/div>\n            <p>\n                We appreciate your feedback \u2013 your submission has been successfully received.            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form id=\"contact-form\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--form\" action=\"\" method=\"post\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"authenticity_token\" name=\"authenticity_token\" value=\"9eb4f72322\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2259\" \/>            <input value=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/ordinary-vs-special-resolution\/\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenturl\"\n                   id=\"currenturl\">\n            <input value=\"What are Ordinary Versus Special Resolutions?\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenttitle\"\n                   id=\"currenttitle\">\n            <label>\n                <!-- display on thumbs-up -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--yes\">\n                    Can you tell us <span class=\"font-semibold\">why<\/span> you found it helpful?\n                <\/span>\n\n                <!-- display on thumbs-down -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--no text-lg\">\n                    How can we better improve this article?\n                <\/span>\n                <textarea name=\"feedbackmessage\" id=\"feedbackmessage\" required><\/textarea>\n            <\/label>\n\n            <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--error\" id=\"form-submit-error\"><\/div>\n            <button id=\"submit-contact-form-button\" type=\"submit\" name=\"commit\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--submit\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:submit\">\n                Submit            <\/button>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shareholders have the power to make the most important decisions concerning the company. Shareholders make these decisions by either voting for or against a resolution put to them at a shareholder meeting (whether an annual general meeting or general meeting) or through a written resolution. There are two kinds of resolutions: ordinary and special resolutions.<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/ordinary-vs-special-resolution\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;What are Ordinary Versus Special Resolutions?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13461,"featured_media":553,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"4182,2012,4253,173150,1405,3634","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[89,100,223,547,548],"class_list":["post-2259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-corporations","tag-corporation","tag-articles-of-association","tag-large-business","tag-ordinary-resolution","tag-special-resolution"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What are Ordinary Versus Special Resolutions? | LegalVision UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By law, your company must pass certain measures via an ordinary or special resolution. 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