Memorandums of Association (MOA) in Singapore

9 min read|Last Updated: May 24, 2023|

A Memorandum of Association (MOA), also known as a company memorandum, is a legal document which is created during the formation and registration process of a company which is based in Singapore as well as certain other countries. A company uses a MOA to define its relationship with shareholders. A MOA can be accessed by the public and states important details related to the company. Oftentimes, a MOA is prepared by a company secretary.

What’s the difference between MOA, AOA & Constitution?

The company’s MOA and the Articles of Association (AOA) combine to serve as the constitution of the company. A MOA includes information such as:

  • Identity of its shareholders
  • Distribution of the company’s shares
  • Legal name of the company
  • Physical address of the company’s registered office
  • Business objectives of the company
  • Lliability of the company’s shareholders
  • Company’s authorised share capital
  • Method by which the company was formed
Eric - Chief Executive Officer

Both documents usually include similar information as the MOA.

Why Memorandums of Association in Singapore Are Necessary

Memorandums of association of Singapore companies form a portion of the constitutions of such companies. Therefore, those who plan on incorporating a Singapore company require one. The constitution of a Singaporean Company can be designed and modified to best suit a company’s operations.

MOAs should be created in such a way as to give the owner of the company greater flexibility and certainty with regard to the running of the company. A well-crafted MOA allows a business owner to have greater control over the company as time passes.

When a company drafts a MOA, there are certain key points which must be taken into account.

  • One of these relates to the business objectives of the company. These must be explicitly stated at some point in the MOA.
  • The company’s decision-making structure is also to be mentioned, especially if the owner of the company plans to utilize a specific structure which is not commonly used. Doing so ensures the legal compliance of the company and also prevents any potential conflicts from taking place.
  • Certain companies might also have unusual or specific rules and regulations which may be unique to them. If such is the case, it ought to be mentioned in the MOA and the constitution of the company. Doing so will bring the company in line with the legal and compliance regulations of Singapore.

Having a well thought-out MOA can ensure that a company will not be set up with any irrelevant rules or incorrectly classed shares. This will in turn save the company from the cost of expensive legal fees in case of any legal conflicts. A MOA and constitution may also be used to correct the balance of power between owners, shareholders, directors, and management if a power struggle has been taking place within the company.

For example, a shareholder may be enabled through a MOA to call for the overturning of decisions made by the directors of the company.

Changing of a Memorandum of Association in Singapore

If circumstances take place in such a way that a change of the company’s MOA is required, it can be altered but only by way of a special resolution. The alteration will be a part of the original MOA and therefore the company’s constitution from the date of the passing of the special resolution.

The company will then be required to submit a notice of the resolution or any court order that has direct relevance to the constitution within a period of 14 days of such resolution of the order to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Once this has been done, ACRA will issue a certificate of incorporation which serves as a confirmation of the alteration.

Any business entity which has been established by one or more entrepreneurs must comply with the contents which have been stated in its memorandum of association. A company’s MOA in Singapore should be able to be accessed on its official website.

When the company is being established, the owners must audibly read the MOA at least once. While doing so, they must specify the following information:

  • The name of the company;
  • The domicile of the head office of company;
  • The company’s business activities;
  • The objectives and purposes of the company;
  • The details of the shares of the company;
  • The details of the company’s general meetings of shareholders; and
  • The details of appointments of members of the board of directors and board of commissioners.

There are also many other rules which must be followed by a Singaporean company. These rules are usually mentioned in the company’s constitution.

The memorandum and articles of association play crucial roles as contractual documents within a company. They establish the legal framework that governs the relationship between the company and its members, as well as among the members themselves. By virtue of this, each member possesses a personal right to ensure adherence to the provisions outlined in the memorandum and articles of association.

It is worth emphasising that both the memorandum and the articles of association are considered public documents. However, in the case of companies limited by shares, the members have the option to complement these foundational documents with a shareholder agreement. This additional agreement functions as a separate private contract exclusively among the shareholders.

One of the primary advantages of a shareholder agreement is its ability to safeguard sensitive company information from public disclosure. Certain details that are deemed confidential can be included in the shareholder agreement rather than explicitly stated in the memorandum and articles of association, providing an added layer of confidentiality and privacy.

How Memorandums of Association Benefit Singaporean Companies

Memorandums of Association in Singapore provide many different benefits to companies.

1. Clarity over identity of company

For example, the MOA will include certain information about how the company name was selected. Therefore, this prevents people from becoming confused by or misled about the purpose of the company through its name.

2. Prevent shareholder dispute over shareholding

The rules regarding shareholders and their shares are also defined in the MOA. Therefore, when there is a problem related to the shareholders, the MOA can be used to solve it. In this way, no issue that occurs in the company which concerns its shares will ever remain unsolved.

3. Details appointment, liabilities and responsibilities of directors

Another benefit relates to the appointment of the directors and commissioners. The MOA defines how many directors and commissioners must be in a company, their minimum age, and their liabilities. Whenever one or more directors show negligence towards their responsibilities, then the director can be dismissed upon the request of the members of the board of directors in accordance with the company’s MOA.

Therefore, many problems can be solved if the company’s MOA is properly followed. This shows just how truly important an MOA is to any company based in Singapore.

As such, it is extremely important for companies to have a local company secretary advising them of proper regulations.

Any business entity which has been established by one or more entrepreneurs must comply with the contents which have been stated in its memorandum of association. A company’s MOA in Singapore should be able to be accessed on its official website.

When the company is being established, the owners must audibly read the MOA at least once. While doing so, they must specify the following information:

  • The name of the company;
  • The domicile of the head office of company;
  • The company’s business activities;
  • The objectives and purposes of the company;
  • The details of the shares of the company;
  • The details of the company’s general meetings of shareholders; and
  • The details of appointments of members of the board of directors and board of commissioners.

There are also many other rules which must be followed by a Singaporean company. These rules are usually mentioned in the company’s constitution.

The Effect of the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)

The memorandum and articles of association play crucial roles as contractual documents within a company. They establish the legal framework that governs the relationship between the company and its members, as well as among the members themselves. By virtue of this, each member possesses a personal right to ensure adherence to the provisions outlined in the memorandum and articles of association.

It is worth emphasising that both the memorandum and the articles of association are considered public documents. However, in the case of companies limited by shares, the members have the option to complement these foundational documents with a shareholder agreement. This additional agreement functions as a separate private contract exclusively among the shareholders.

One of the primary advantages of a shareholder agreement is its ability to safeguard sensitive company information from public disclosure. Certain details that are deemed confidential can be included in the shareholder agreement rather than explicitly stated in the memorandum and articles of association, providing an added layer of confidentiality and privacy.

How Memorandums of Association Benefit Singaporean Companies

Memorandums of Association in Singapore provide many different benefits to companies.

1. Clarity over identity of company

For example, the MOA will include certain information about how the company name was selected. Therefore, this prevents people from becoming confused by or misled about the purpose of the company through its name.

2. Prevent shareholder dispute over shareholding

The rules regarding shareholders and their shares are also defined in the MOA. Therefore, when there is a problem related to the shareholders, the MOA can be used to solve it. In this way, no issue that occurs in the company which concerns its shares will ever remain unsolved.

3. Details appointment, liabilities and responsibilities of directors

Another benefit relates to the appointment of the directors and commissioners. The MOA defines how many directors and commissioners must be in a company, their minimum age, and their liabilities. Whenever one or more directors show negligence towards their responsibilities, then the director can be dismissed upon the request of the members of the board of directors in accordance with the company’s MOA.

Therefore, many problems can be solved if the company’s MOA is properly followed. This shows just how truly important an MOA is to any company based in Singapore.

As such, it is extremely important for companies to have a local company secretary advising them of proper regulations.

STAY COMPLIANT WITH THE RIGHT COMPANY SECRETARY IN SINGAPORE

Come to our office or get in touch virtually for a consultation on your company registration, and other corporate services today.

FAQs

In what instances are actions related to Memorandums of Association invalid?2020-07-03T11:56:26+08:00

Singapore’s Companies Act mentions the instances in which a company’s actions related to its Memorandum of Association may be rendered invalid. It states that the actions of a company as specified in its Memorandum of Association can be deviated from only to the extent permitted by the Companies Act. Therefore, if a company performs an action or enters into a contract which its Memorandum of Association forbids, the action or contract in question is deemed to be void and therefore not legally binding on the company. However, if the company chooses to alter the Articles of Association or Memorandum of Association, an invalid action or contract could be made valid; however, such instances are extremely rare. 

Must foreign-owned companies based in Singapore have Memorandums of Association?2020-07-03T11:56:10+08:00

All foreign-owned companies based in Singapore are to have Memorandums of AssociationThis fact is stated in the Companies Act. The Companies Act also requires every foreign company in Singapore to notify the Registrar of Companies if there are any changes made to its  charter, statutes, Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, or any other information which may have been submitted to the Registrar. If any other important information such as personal details of directors, the company’s name, or the company’s address is changed as well, the Registrar must also be notified. 

Do all Singaporean companies require Memorandums of Association?2020-07-03T11:55:44+08:00

All companies based in Singapore require Memorandums of Association. This is because companies in Singapore’s range of powers and business activities are informed by their Memorandums of Association. In Singapore, a company is legally permitted to undertake any business activity as well as enter into any transaction. However, a company may choose to restrict its powers by stating its objectiveunderpinning the incorporation of the company as well as a list of the powers that may be exercised by the company towards achieving those objectives in its Memorandum of AssociationIf it does so, the company’s legal powers will be defined by what has been stated in its Memorandum of Association. 

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Related Business Articles

Undecided or got questions

Got other questions?

Drop us a message on WhatsApp or connect with us through our contact form.

Join the discussions

Go to Top