Critical Corporate Governance and the Demise of the Ultra Vires Doctrine

Abstract

Using a contextual approach this article assesses the corporate governance implications of the historical demise of the ultra vires doctrine from its muscular assertion in Ashbury through to the Companies Act 2006. It demonstrates that the strict approach in Ashbury was designed to empower outsider shareholders in companies where ownership was becoming separate from control but that paradoxically this approach was reversed as separation became more complete with increased share dispersal. The subsequent enhancement of insider (but minority) investor and management power, demonstrated in both England and the United States, raises questions as to why ultra vires has not been protected and bolstered by successive governments. It concludes that the demise of ultra vires is indicative of a bias in company law and government policy in favour of an elite group of controlling shareholders.

Keywords: corporate governance, ultra vires, history, power