8. Transfer of shares
This chapter discusses some of the procedures to be followed when transferring some or all of a company member’s shares to another person, and the three important factors on which such procedures depend: whether or not the transfer occurs via sale on the London Stock Exchange; whether the whole or only part of the member’s holding is being transferred; and whether the shares are certificated or uncertificated. After describing share certificates and uncertificated shares, the chapter considers the provisions of Section 544(1) of the Companies Act 2006 regarding share transfer, along with the problem of who should bear the loss when a forged or fraudulent transfer of shares is committed. It also explores transmission of shares on death or bankruptcy and the abolition of bearer share warrants. Finally, it tackles takeovers of public companies and compulsory acquisition of remaining shares.