What is the Meetings Order?
The “Meetings Order” [the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Companies, Variable Capital Companies, Business Trusts and Debenture Holders) Order 2020] was enacted on 29 September 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which essentially allows the holding of virtual AGMs and real-time electronic voting, allowing for more convenience and engagement for virtual meetings.
It is a legislation that authorises entities to hold meetings remotely and virtually in order to minimise physical interactions amid the continuing COVID-19 situation.
Further Extension of the Meetings Order
Initially effective only until 30 June 2021, and in light of the ongoing pandemic, the Ministry of Law declared on 6 April 2021 that alternative arrangements for meetings, also known as the “Meetings Order” will be extended past the prior end date of 30 June 2021.
It will be extended until further notice and will remain in effect for the duration of the “Control Order”.
To ensure legal certainty and to give sufficient preparation time for organisations conducting alternative meeting arrangements, the Ministry of Law will give at least 6 months’ advance notice before the alternative arrangements cease to be applicable. Meanwhile, the organisations may continue to use the Checklist provided by ACRA, MAS, and SGX RegCo to guide organisations on the conduct of their general meetings.
How does the Meetings Order affect me?
The Meetings Order benefits relevant companies by:
- It helps to minimise physical contacts between people and COVID-19 transmission by holding virtual meetings in place of physical ones
- It authorises different types of organisations to convene, hold, or execute meetings electronically, even if this is not permitted by the written law or legislative instrument governing the meeting
You may also view the official announcement from ACRA.
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