Panama
Corporation Law
General
Corporation Law - Law 32 of February 26, 1927
(Official Gazette No. 5067 of March 16, 1927)
The National Assembly of Panama
HEREBY
DECREES:
CHAPTER I: Incorporation
ARTICLE 1. Two
or more persons of lawful age, of any nationality even though not
domiciled in the Republic of Panama may, in accordance with the
formalities hereinafter provided, form a corporation for any lawful
purpose or purposes.
ARTICLE 2. Such
persons desiring to form such a corporation shall sign articles
of incorporation which shall set forth:
1. The names
and domiciles of each of the subscribers of the articles;
2. The name of
the corporation which will not be the same as or similar to that
of another, already existing corporation so as to cause confusion.
The name shall
include a word, phrase or abbreviation, indicating that it is a
corporation, as distinguished from a person or an association of
another type.
The name of the
corporation may be expressed in any language.
3. The general
purpose or purposes of the corporation;
4. The amount
of the capital stock and the number and par value of the shares
of which it is to be divided; and, if the corporation is to issue
shares without par value, the statements required by Article 22
of this law;
The capital stock
and par value of shares of any corporation may be expressed in terms
of the legal currency of the Republic or of gold units of the legal
currency of any other country, or in both;
5. If there are
to be shares of different classes, the number of shares to be included
in each class and the designations, preferences, privileges and
voting rights or restrictions or other qualifications of the shares
of each class; or a statement that such designations, preferences,
privileges and voting powers or restrictions or other qualifications
can be determined by resolution of the majority in interest of the
Stockholders or of the majority of the Directors;
6. The number
of shares of stock which each subscriber of the articles of incorporation
agrees to take;
7. The domicile
of the corporation and the name and domicile of its resident agent
in the Republic, who may be a person or corporation;
8. Its duration;
9. The number,
names and addresses of its Directors, of which shall not be less
than three;
10. Any other
lawful provisions which the subscribers of the articles of incorporation
may desire to include.
ARTICLE 3. The
articles of incorporation may be executed in any place, within or
outside this Republic, and in any language.
ARTICLE 4. The
articles of incorporation may be in the form of a public deed, or
in any other form, provided that said articles be acknowledged by
a Notary Public or by any other official authorized to make acknowledgements
at the place of execution.
ARTICLE 5. If
the articles of incorporation are not in the form of a public deed,
they must be protocolized in the office of a Notary of the Republic.
If said document
should be executed outside of the Republic of Panama, it must be
authenticated by a Panamanian Consul before it is protocolized,
or if there should be no Panamanian Consul, by the Consul of a country
friendly to Panama. If the Articles of Incorporation are drafted
in a language other than Spanish they must be protocolized with
an authorized translation executed by an official or public interpreter
of the Republic of Panama.
ARTICLE 6. The
public deed or the protocolized document containing the articles
of incorporation must be presented for registration in the Mercantile
Registry.
The incorporation
of the corporation shall not have effect as to third parties until
articles of incorporation have been registered.
ARTICLE 7. Any
corporation formed under this law may amend its articles of incorporation
in any respect provided such amendments conform to the provisions
of this law.
Therefore, the
corporation may, by such amendment: change the number of its shares
of stock or of any class of its stock outstanding at the time of
such amendment; change the par value of the outstanding shares of
any class having such a value; change the outstanding shares of
any class having par value into the same or different number of
shares of the same or a different class without par value; change
the outstanding shares of a class without par value into the same
or different number of shares of the same or different class having
par value; increase the amount of the number of shares of its authorized
stock; divide its authorized capital into classes; increase the
number of classes of its authorized capital; or change the designations,
rights, privileges, preferences, voting powers, restrictions or
qualifications of stock. But the capital stock of a corporation
shall not be reduced except in accordance with the provisions of
articles 14 et seq. of this law.
ARTICLE 8. The
amendments shall be made by the persons designated hereinafter and
in the manner provided in this law with respect to the execution
of the articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE 9. Amendments
to the Articles of Incorporation which are made before stock has
been issued, shall be signed by every subscriber of the articles
of incorporation and by every subscriber to the stock of the corporation.
ARTICLE 10. In
case stock has been issued, such amendments to the articles of incorporation
shall be signed:
(a) By the holders
of all the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote
thereon, in person or by proxy, and shall be accompanied by a certificate
of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation stating
that the persons who have executed said amendments, in person or
by proxy, constitute the holders of all the outstanding shares of
the corporation entitled to vote thereon; or
(b) By the President
or a Vice-President and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the corporation, who shall sign and annex thereto a certificate
stating that they have been authorized to execute said amendments
by resolution adopted by the owners or their proxy of a majority
of such shares and that such resolution was adopted at a stockholders
meeting held on the date specified in the notice or waiver of notice.
ARTICLE 11. In
case that the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation alter
the preferences of outstanding shares of any class or authorized
shares having preferences which are in any respect superior to those
of outstanding shares of any class, such certificate mentioned in
Article 10 (b) shall state that the officers signing the same have
also been authorized to execute such amendments to the Articles
of Incorporation by resolution, adopted in person or by proxy of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class
entitled to vote thereon, adopted at a stockholders' meeting held
on a date specified upon notice or waiver of notice.
ARTICLE 12. If
the articles of incorporation require more than a majority of the
outstanding shares of any class or classes in order to effect any
amendment of any provision of the articles of incorporation, the
certificate referred to in paragraph (b) of article 10 shall state
that such amendment has been authorized in that manner.
ARTICLE 13. Unless
the articles of incorporation or any amendment thereof otherwise
provide, in the event of an increase of stock, each stockholder
shall have a pre-emptive right to subscribe, in proportion to the
number of shares then held by him, the shares of stock issued pursuant
to such increase.
ARTICLE 14. Any
corporation may reduce its authorized capital stock by an amendment
of its articles of incorporation; but no distribution of assets
may be made pursuant to any such reduction, which will reduce the
actual value of its remaining assets to an amount less than the
total amount of its debts and liabilities plus the amount, as reduced,
of its issued capital stock.
There shall be
annexed to the amendment to the articles of incorporation a certificate,
issued under oath by the President or a Vice-President and of the
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, stating that no distribution
of assets made or to be made pursuant thereto will violate the provisions
contained in this article.
In the
absence of fraud, the judgment of the Directors as to the value
of the assets, and their determination of debts and liabilities,
shall be conclusive.
ARTICLE
15. Any corporation, unless its articles of incorporation otherwise
provide, may acquire shares of its own stock by purchase or otherwise.
If such acquisition or purchase is made out of funds or properties
other than the surplus or the net profits of the corporation, the
shares of stock so purchased or acquired shall be canceled and the
amount of issued stock of the corporation shall be reduced accordingly;
but such shares may be reissued if the authorized capital stock
shall not have been reduced by such retirement.
ARTICLE 16. Shares
of its own stock acquired by any corporation out of its surplus
or net profits may be held by such corporation, or sold or otherwise
disposed of from time to time for its corporate purposes and may
be retired or reissued by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
17. No corporation shall directly or indirectly vote any shares
of its own stock.
ARTICLE
18. No corporation shall purchase or otherwise acquire its own stock
out of fund or property other than its surplus or net profits, if
such purchase or acquisition will reduce the actual value of its
assets to an amount less than the total amount of its debts and
liabilities plus the amount of its issued capital stock so purchased
or acquired. In the absence of fraud, the judgment of the Directors
as to the value of the assets, and their determination of the debts
and liabilities, shall be conclusive.
CHAPTER
II: Corporate Powers
ARTICLE 19. Every
corporation organized in accordance with this law shall have in
addition to other powers specified in this law the following powers:
1. To sue and
be sued in any court;
2. To adopt and
use a corporate seal and alter the same at its convenience;
3. To acquire,
purchase, hold, use and convey real and personal property of all
kinds and make and accept pledges, leases, mortgages, liens and
encumbrances of all kinds;
4. To appoint
officers and agents;
5. To make contracts
of all kinds;
6. To make by-laws
not inconsistent with any existing laws of the Republic or its articles
of incorporation, for the management, regulation and government
of its affairs and property, the transfer of its stock and the calling
and holding of meetings of its stockholders and directors, and for
all other lawful matters;
7. To carry on
business and to exercise its powers in the Republic and foreign
countries;
8. To dissolve
itself or to be dissolved in accordance with the law;
9. To borrow
money and contract debts in connection with its business or for
any lawful purpose; to issue bonds, notes, bills of exchange, debentures
and other obligations and evidences of indebtedness (which may or
may not be convertible into stock of the corporation) payable at
a specified time or times or payable upon the happening of a specified
event or events whether secured by mortgage, pledge or otherwise
or unsecured for money borrowed or in payment for property purchased
or acquired or for any other lawful objects;
10. To guarantee,
acquire, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge
or otherwise dispose of or deal in shares of the capital stock of,
or bonds, securities or other evidences of indebtedness created
by other corporations, or of any municipality, province, state or
government.
11. To do all
things necessary for the accomplishment of the objects enumerated
in its articles of incorporation or any amendment thereof or necessary
or incidental to the protection and benefit of the corporation,
and in general to carry on any lawful business whether or not such
business is similar in nature to the objects set forth in its articles
of incorporation or any amendment thereof.
CHAPTER
III: Stock
ARTICLE 20. Every
corporation shall have power to create and issue one or more classes
of shares of stock with such designations, preferences, privileges,
voting powers or restrictions or qualifications thereof and other
rights as its articles of incorporation provide and subject to such
rights of redemption as shall have been reserved to the corporation
in such articles of incorporation.
The articles
of incorporation may provide that shares of stock shall be convertible
into the shares of other classes.
ARTICLE 21. Shares
of stock may have a nominal or par value. Such shares may be issued
as fully paid and non-assessable, as partly paid or without any
payment having been made thereon. Unless the articles of incorporation
otherwise provide, fully paid and non-assessable shares having a
par value, or securities or shares convertible into such shares,
shall not be issued for a consideration which, in the judgment of
the Board of Directors, is less in value than the par value of such
shares or of the shares into which such securities or shares are
convertible. Nor shall certificates for partly paid shares state
that there has been paid thereon an amount greater than the value,
in the judgment of the Board of Directors, of the consideration
actually paid thereon. Such consideration may be money, labor, services
or property of any kind.
In the absence
of fraud, the judgment of the Board of Directors as to the value
of any such consideration shall be conclusive.
ARTICLE 22. Shares
of stock may be created and issued without par value provided the
articles of incorporation include the following statements:
1. The total
number of shares that may be issued by the corporation;
2. The number
of shares, if any, with par value and the par value of each;
3. The number
of shares without par value;
4. Either one
of the following statements:
(a) The stated
capital of the corporation shall be at least equal to the sum of
the aggregate par value of all issued shares having par value plus
a certain determined amount in respect to every issued share without
par value plus such amounts as from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Directors may be transferred thereto; or
(b) The stated
capital of the corporation shall be at least equal to the sum of
the aggregate par value of all issued shares having par value plus
the aggregate amount of consideration received by the corporation
for the issuance of shares without par value, plus such amounts
as from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors may
be transferred thereto.
There may also
be included in such articles of incorporation an additional statement
that the stated capital shall not be less than the amount therein
specified.
ARTICLE 23. Subject
to the designations, preferences, privileges and voting powers or
restrictions or qualifications granted or imposed in respect to
any class of shares, each share with or without par value shall
be equal to every other share of the same class.
ARTICLE 24. A
corporation may issue and may sell its authorized shares without
par value for such consideration as may be prescribed in its articles
of incorporation; or for such consideration which, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, shall be the fair value of such shares;
or for such consideration as from time to time may be fixed by the
Board of Directors, pursuant to authority conferred in such articles
of incorporation; as shall be consented to or approved by the holders
of at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote.
ARTICLE 25. Any
and all shares referred to in Articles 22, 23 and 24 of this law
shall be deemed fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of such
shares shall not be liable to the corporation or its creditors in
respect thereto.
ARTICLE 26. The
shares of a corporation shall be paid at such time and in such a
manner as the Board of Directors may determine. In case of default
in the payment, the Board of Directors may either proceed against
the defaulting stockholder to enforce payment of the amounts due
and unpaid and to collect such damages as the corporation may have
suffered, or rescind the subscription contract in respect to the
stockholder in default, having the right in this last alternative
to retain for the corporation such amounts as the defaulting stockholder
may be entitled to receive from the funds of the corporation.
In the event
that the corporation should proceed to rescind the subscription
contract in respect to the stockholder in default and to retain
for the corporation the amounts to which the stockholder may be
entitled, the Board of Directors shall give at least sixty days
advance notice to such stockholder.
Shares acquired
by the corporation by virtue of the provisions of this article may
be reissued or re-offered for subscription.
ARTICLE 27. Every
certificate of stock shall contain the following statements:
1. The reference
to the registration of the corporation in the Mercantile Registry;
2. The amount
of its capital stock;
3. The number
of shares owned by the stockholder or bearer;
4. The class
of share, if there is more than one class, and if the stock is classified,
a summary statement of the special conditions, designations, preferences,
privileges, voting powers, restrictions or qualifications that one
of the classes of the shares has over the others.
5. If the shares
which it represents are fully paid and non-assessable, the certificate
of stock shall so state; and if such shares are not fully paid and
non-assessable, the certificate shall state the amount or amounts
which have been paid thereon;
6. If the shares
are represented by certificate issued in the name of the owner,
it should contain the name of said owner.
ARTICLE 28. Shares
may be issued to bearer only if fully paid and non-assessable.
ARTICLE 29. Shares
represented by certificates issued in the name of the owner shall
be transferable on the books of the corporation in such manner and
under such regulations as may be provided in the articles of incorporation
or in the by-laws. But in no case shall the transfer of stock be
binding on the corporation unless it shall have been registered
in the corporation books.
If the stockholder
shall be indebted to the corporation, the corporation may refuse
to permit the transfer of his stock until such indebtedness is paid.
But in all cases the transferor and the transferee shall be jointly
liable for the payment of the amounts owed to the corporation by
virtue of the shares so transferred.
ARTICLE 30. Shares
issued to bearer shall be transferable by delivery of the certificate
or certificates representing title.
ARTICLE 31. If
so provided in the articles of incorporation, any holder of a certificate
for shares issued to bearer may exchange such certificate for a
certificate or certificates for a like number of shares of the same
class issued in his name; and the holder of a certificate for shares
issued in the name of the owner may exchange it for a certificate
for a like number of shares issued to bearer.
ARTICLE 32. The
articles of incorporation may provide that in case a stockholder
desires to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of his shares of
stock, the corporation or some stockholder or stockholders thereof
shall have a preferential right to purchase such shares.
Any other restrictions
upon the transfer or transferability of the shares may also be imposed;
but any restriction absolutely preventing a stockholder from selling,
transferring or disposing of his shares of stock shall be invalid.
ARTICLE 33. A
corporation may issue a new stock certificate in place of any certificate
previously issued by it alleged to have been destroyed, lost or
stolen. The Board of Directors may, in such cases, require the owner
of the destroyed, lost or stolen certificate to post security against
any claim that may be made against the corporation or damage suffered
by it.
ARTICLE 34. The
articles of incorporation may provide that the holders of any designated
class or classes of stock shall not be given voting rights; or they
may otherwise limit or define the respective voting powers of the
several classes of stock.
Such provisions
of the articles of incorporation shall be controlling in all elections
and in all proceedings in which the law requires the vote or the
written consent of the holders of all of the shares or of a specified
proportion of the shares of the corporation.
The articles
of incorporation may also provide that for specified purposes the
vote of more than a majority of the holders of any class of stock
shall be required.
ARTICLE 35. One
or more stockholders by agreement in writing may transfer stock
to a voting trustee or trustees for the purpose of conferring upon
it or them the right to vote thereon in the name and in place of
the owner for the period and upon the terms and conditions therein
stated. Other stockholders may transfer their stock to the same
trustee or trustees and thereupon shall be a party to such agreement.
The certificates of stock so transferred shall be surrendered and
canceled and new certificates therefor issued to such trustee or
trustees, in which it shall appear that they are issued pursuant
to such agreement, and in the entry of such ownership in the proper
books of the corporation that fact shall also be noted. In order
for the provisions contained in this article be carried into effect,
it will be necessary that a certified copy of such agreement be
filed with the corporation.
ARTICLE 36. Every
corporation organized under this law shall keep at its office in
the Republic, or at such other place or places as the articles of
incorporation or the by-laws may provide, a book to be known as
the Stock Register, containing (except in the case of shares issued
to bearer) the names alphabetically arranged of all persons who
are stockholders of the corporation, showing their places of domicile,
the number of shares held by each one respectively, the date of
acquisition thereof and the amount paid thereon or that they are
fully paid and non-assessable.
In the
case of shares issued to bearer such Stock Register shall state
the number of shares so issued, and the date of issue and that such
shares are fully paid and non-assessable.
ARTICLE
37. Dividends may be paid to the stockholders from the net earnings
of the corporation or from the surplus of its assets over its liabilities
and capital stock, but not otherwise. The corporation may declare
and may pay dividends upon the basis of the amount actually paid
upon partly paid shares of stock.
ARTICLE 38. When
the directors shall so determine, dividends may be paid in stock
of the corporation; provided the stock issued for such purpose shall
be duly authorized and provided, if such stock has not heretofore
been issued, there shall be transferred from surplus to the capital
of the corporation an amount at least equal to that for which such
stock could be lawfully issued.
ARTICLE
39. Every stockholder shall be personally liable to the creditors
of the corporation only to an amount equal to the amount not paid
on his stock; but no action shall be brought against a stockholder
for any debt of the corporation until judgment therefor has been
rendered against the corporation and execution thereon has been
returned unsatisfied in whole or in part.
CHAPTER IV: Stockholders' Meetings
ARTICLE 40. Whenever
under the provisions of this law the approval or authorization of
the stockholders is required, the notice of such stockholders' meeting
shall be in writing and in the name of the President, Vice-President,
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of such other person or persons
so authorized by the articles of incorporation or the by-laws.
Such notice shall
state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and
the time and place at which it is to be held.
ARTICLE 41. All
meetings of stockholders shall be held within the Republic, unless
otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or by-laws.
ARTICLE 42. Such
notice shall be given at such time prior to any such meeting and
in such manner as the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the
corporation provide; but unless they otherwise provide, such notice
shall be given personally or by mail upon each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten no more than
sixty days before such meeting.
If the corporation
has issued shares to the bearer, notice of stockholders' meetings
shall be published in such manner, as the articles of incorporation
or by-laws provide.
ARTICLE 43. Any
stockholder may waive notice of any meeting by document signed by
him or his representative either before or after the meeting.
ARTICLE 44. The
resolutions approved in any meeting at which all stockholders are
present, in person or by proxy, shall be valid for all purposes
and the resolutions approved in any meeting at which a quorum is
present, notice of which shall have been waived by all absent stockholders,
shall be valid for all purposes stated in such waiver, even though
in either of the above-mentioned cases the notice required by this
law, the articles of incorporation or the by-laws has not been given.
ARTICLE 45. Unless
otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, every stockholder
of a corporation shall be entitled at each meeting of stockholders
thereof to one vote for each share of stock registered in his name
on the books of the corporation regardless of the class of said
stock and whether it has a nominal or par value. It is hereby understood,
however, that unless contrary provision should be made in the articles
of incorporation, the directors may prescribe a period not exceeding
forty (40) days prior to any meeting of the stockholders during
which time no transfer of stock on the books of the corporation
may be made, or may fix a day not more than forty (40) days prior
to the holding of any such meeting as the day as of which all stockholders
(other than the holders of shares issued to bearer) entitled to
notice of and with the right to vote at such meeting shall be determined,
in which case, only stockholders of record on such day shall be
entitled to notice of or to vote at such meeting.
ARTICLE 46. In
the case of shares issued to bearer, the bearer of a certificate
or certificates representing such shares shall be entitled to one
vote at any meeting of the stockholders for each share of stock
entitled to vote at such meeting, represented by such certificate,
upon presentation at such meeting of such certificate or certificates,
or upon presentation of such other evidence of ownership as may
be prescribed by the articles of incorporation or by-laws.
ARTICLE 47. At
any meeting of the stockholders any stockholder may be represented
and vote by proxy or proxies (who need not be stockholder(s)) appointed
by an instrument in writing, public or private, with or without
power of substitution.
ARTICLE
48. The articles of incorporation of any corporation may provide
that at all elections of directors of such corporation each holder
of stock possessing the right to vote for directors shall be entitled
to as many votes as shall equal the number of his shares of stock
multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and that he
may cast all of such votes for a single director or may distribute
them among the number to be voted for any two or more of them as
he may see fit.
CHAPTER V: Board of Directors
ARTICLE 49. The
business of every corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors
composed of not less than three directors, all of whom shall be
male or female persons of legal age.
ARTICLE 50. Subject
to the provisions of this law and of the articles of incorporation,
the Board of Directors of every corporation shall have absolute
control over and full direction of the affairs of the corporation.
ARTICLE 51. The
Board of Directors may exercise all of the powers of the corporation
except such powers that are by law, the articles of incorporation
or by the by-laws, conferred upon or reserved to the stockholders.
ARTICLE 52. Subject
to the provisions of this law and the articles of incorporation,
the number of Directors shall be fixed by the by-laws of the corporation.
ARTICLE 53. A
majority of the Board of Directors of a corporation at a meeting
duly assembled shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. However, the articles of incorporation
may provide that a certain number of the directors, whether more
or less than a majority, shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE 54. The
act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which
a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 55. Unless
otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, no director
need be a stockholder.
ARTICLE 56. The
directors may make, alter, amend and repeal the by-laws of the corporation,
unless otherwise provided by the articles of incorporation, or in
the by-laws adopted by the stockholders.
ARTICLE 57. The
directors of every corporation shall be chosen at the time and place
and in the manner provided for by the articles of incorporation
or by-laws.
ARTICLE 58. Vacancies
in the Board of Directors shall be filled in the manner prescribed
by the articles of incorporation or by-laws.
ARTICLE 59. Subject
to the provisions contained in the two foregoing articles, vacancies,
whether resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors
or otherwise, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the directors
then in office.
ARTICLE 60. If
the directors are not elected by the specific day designated for
that purpose, the directors then in office shall continue to hold
their offices and discharge their duties until their respective
successors shall have been elected.
ARTICLE
61. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or
in the by-laws, the Board of Directors may appoint two or more of
their number to constitute a committee or committees, who shall
have and exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the management
of the business affairs of the corporation to the extent and subject
to the restrictions expressed in the articles of incorporation,
the by-laws, or the resolutions appointing such committees.
ARTICLE
62. If the articles of incorporation so provide, at any meeting
of the directors, any director may be represented and vote by proxy
or proxies (who need not be directors), appointed by an instrument
in writing, public or private, with or without power of substitution.
ARTICLE 63. Directors
may be removed at any time by the vote of holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for directors. Officers,
agents and employees may be removed at any time by resolution adopted
by a majority of the directors, or in such a manner as the articles
of incorporation or by-laws provide.
ARTICLE
64. If any dividend or distribution of assets be declared or paid
which reduces the value of the assets of the corporation remaining
after the payment of such dividend or such distribution, as the
case may be, to less than the aggregate amount of its debts and
liabilities, including capital stock, or if a reduction of capital
stock be made, except in accordance with the provisions of this
law, or if any report or statements be made which shall be false
in any material representation, the directors of the corporation
who assent thereto with knowledge of the impairment of the capital
stock or of such falsity, as the case may be, shall be jointly and
severally liable to the creditors of the corporation for any loss
or damage arising therefrom.
CHAPTER VI: Officers
ARTICLE 65. Every
corporation shall have a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer,
who shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and may also have
such other officers, agents and representatives as the Board of
Directors or the by-laws or the articles of incorporation may determine
and who shall be chosen in the manner provided thereby.
ARTICLE 66. Any
person may hold two or more offices, if so provided by the articles
of incorporation or by the by-laws.
ARTICLE 67. No
officer need be a director of the corporation unless the articles
of incorporation or by-laws so require.
CHAPTER
VII: Sale of Assets and Franchises
ARTICLE 68. Every
corporation may, by action taken at any meeting of its Board of
Directors, sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its property and assets, including its goodwill
and its corporate franchise, upon such terms and conditions as its
Board of Directors deems expedient, provided it is authorized by
the affirmative vote of stockholders holding a majority of the shares
entitled to voting power and given at a stockholders' meeting called
for that purpose in the manner provided in Articles 40 through 44
of this law or authorized by the written consent of such stockholders.
ARTICLE 69. Notwithstanding
the provisions contained in the preceding article, the articles
of incorporation may require that the consent of the stockholders
be expressed in a special manner in order to grant the authority
referred to in said article.
ARTICLE
70. Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the
vote or assent of stockholders shall not be necessary for a transfer
of assets in trust, or to encumber them by pledge or mortgage to
secure indebtedness of the corporation.
CHAPTER VIII: Mergers
ARTICLE
71. Subject to the provisions of their articles of incorporation,
any two or more corporations organized under this law may merge
into a single corporation. The Directors, or a majority of them
of each of such corporations desiring to merge, may enter into an
agreement signed by them, describing the terms and conditions of
the merger, the mode of carrying the same into effect and stating
such other facts as are necessary to be stated in articles of incorporation
and in accordance with this law, as well as the manner of converting
the shares of each of the constituent corporations into shares of
the new corporation, with such other details and provisions as are
deemed necessary or desirable.
ARTICLE
72. The agreement may provide for the distribution of cash, notes
or bonds in whole or in part, in lieu of stock, provided, however,
that upon such distribution the liabilities of the new corporation,
including those derived by it from the constituent corporations
and including the amount of capital to be issued by the new corporation
pursuant to the terms of merger agreement, shall not exceed the
value of its assets.
ARTICLE
73. Said agreement shall be submitted to the stockholders of each
of the constituent corporations at a meeting thereof called separately
for the purpose of considering the same, of which meeting notice
shall be given in the manner required by articles 40 to 43 of this
law. At said meeting said agreement shall be considered and a vote
taken for the adoption or rejection of the same.
ARTICLE
74. Unless the articles of incorporation otherwise provide, if the
votes of stockholders of each corporation representing a majority
of the shares entitled to vote thereon shall be for the adoption
of said agreement, then that fact shall be certified on said agreement
by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each corporation; and
the agreements so adopted and certified shall be signed by the President
or Vice-President and Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of
said corporations in the manner and in accordance with the requirements
specified in Article 2 of this law with reference to the execution
of articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE 75. The
agreement of merger so executed shall be filed for registration
in the Mercantile Registry as required in the case of articles of
incorporation and when so filed shall be the agreement and act of
consolidation of said corporations.
ARTICLE
76. When such agreement of consolidation is executed and filed as
required by the two preceding articles, the separate existence of
each constituent corporation shall cease and the merged corporations
shall become a single corporation in accordance with said agreement
possessing all the properties, rights, privileges, powers and franchises
and subject to the restrictions, obligations and duties of each
of the constituent corporations; provided that all rights of creditors
and all liens upon the property of either of the constituent corporations
shall be preserved unimpaired, but such liens shall be limited to
the property affected thereby at the time of the merger. All debts,
liabilities and duties of the constituent corporations shall appertain
to the consolidated corporation and may be enforced against it to
the same extent as if they had been incurred by it.
ARTICLE
77. The articles of incorporation of any corporation may provide
and determine conditions, in addition to the requirements of this
law, upon which such corporation may merge with any other corporation.
ARTICLE 78. Any
action or proceeding pending by or against the extinguished corporations
or any one of them, the consolidated corporation shall continue
as a party to the action.
ARTICLE
79. The liability of corporations or the stockholders, directors
or officers thereof, or the rights and remedies of the creditors
thereof or of persons doing or transacting business with such corporations
shall not in any way be lessened or impaired by the merger of two
or more corporations under the provisions hereof.
CHAPTER IX: Dissolution
ARTICLE 80. If
the Board of Directors deems it advisable that any corporation organized
under this law should be dissolved, the Board may, by a majority
of the whole Board, approve an agreement of dissolution and, within
the ten ensuing days, shall call or cause to be called, in the manner
provided in articles 40 through 43 hereof, a meeting of the stockholders
having voting power to take such action to approve or reject the
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 81. If,
at such meeting of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled
to vote such stockholders by resolution consent to the dissolution,
copy of such resolution together with a list of the names and residences
of the Directors and Officers, certified by the President or a Vice-President
and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and the Treasurer or
an Assistant Treasurer, shall be made and executed and filed for
recordation in the Mercantile Registry as required in Article 2.
ARTICLE 82. Upon
such filing at the Registry Office, a copy thereof shall be published
in one issue of a newspaper published in the place where the office
of the dissolved corporation was situated in this Republic, or if
there be no such newspaper then in the Official Gazette of the Republic.
ARTICLE 83. Whenever
all the stockholders with voting power consent in writing to a dissolution,
no meeting of the Board of Directors or of the Stockholders shall
be necessary for that purpose.
ARTICLE 84. The
document setting forth such consent of the stockholders shall be
protocolized and filed for record in the Mercantile Registry and
published in the manner provided in Article 82 hereof. Once these
formalities have been complied with, such corporation shall be deemed
to be dissolved.
ARTICLE 85. All
corporations, whether they expire by their own limitation or are
otherwise dissolved, shall nevertheless continue to exist for the
term of three years from such expiration or dissolution for the
purpose of prosecuting or defending suits by or against them or
enabling them to settle their business and dispose of and convey
their property and to divide their capital stock, but under no circumstance
may it continue the business for which said corporation was established.
ARTICLE 86. When
any corporation expires by its own limitation or is otherwise dissolved,
the Directors shall act as trustees of such corporation with full
power to settle the affairs, collect the outstanding debts, sell
and convey the property of all kinds and divide the moneys and property
among the stockholders, after paying the debts of the corporation,
and they shall have authority, in the name of the corporation, to
sue for the recovery of its debts and property and to defend it
when sued for debts owing by such corporation.
ARTICLE 87. In
the case of the foregoing article, the Directors shall be jointly
and severally responsible for the debts of the corporation, but
only up to the amount of the moneys and properties which have come
into their control.
ARTICLE
88. The Directors shall have the power to apply moneys and property
of the corporation to the payment of a reasonable compensation for
their services and to fill any vacancies which may occur in their
number.
ARTICLE
89. The Directors, acting as trustees pursuant to the provisions
of Articles 86, 87 and 88, shall act by majority vote.
CHAPTER
X: Foreign Corporations
ARTICLE 90. A
foreign corporation may maintain offices or agencies and carry on
business in the Republic, provided it files in the Mercantile Registry
the following documents for recording:
1. Deed of protocolization
of its Articles of Incorporation;
2. Copy of its
last balance sheet accompanied by a
declaration of the amount of its capital engaged or to be engaged
in business in the Republic;
3. A certificate
setting forth that it is incorporated and organized under the laws
of the country of its domicile authenticated by a Consular Representative
of the Republic in said country, or if there be none, then by that
of a friendly nation.
ARTICLE 91. A
foreign corporation maintaining an office or carrying on business
in the Republic of Panama which has not complied with the requirements
of this law may not sue in any court of the Republic, but may be
sued therein. Any such corporation shall furthermore be liable to
a fine of up to FIVE THOUSAND BALBOAS (B/.5,000.00) to be imposed
by the Secretary of Finance and the Treasury.
ARTICLE 92. A
foreign corporation carrying on business in the Republic which has
recorded its articles of incorporation in the Mercantile Registry
according to this law, shall be required to record in such Registry
all amendments of such articles of incorporation and the instruments
of consolidation or dissolution affecting it.
CHAPTER XI: Sundry Provisions
ARTICLE 93. National
or foreign corporations established or having agencies or branches
in the Republic at the time that this law comes into effect shall
be governed insofar as refers to the contracting parties by their
articles of incorporation, their by-laws and the laws in force at
the time of their organization or of their establishment in the
Republic, as the case may be.
ARTICLE 94. National
corporations organized before this law comes into effect may at
any time be governed by the provisions of this law; this fact must
be set forth in a resolution adopted by the stockholders, which
must be recorded in the Registry Office.
The stockholders
of national corporations actually dissolved but not yet liquidated
may, for the purpose of the liquidation, be governed by the provisions
of this article, provided that it is so resolved by a number of
stockholders not less than that required by the by-laws to provide
for the dissolution of the corporation before the expiration of
the term fixed for such corporation.
ARTICLE 95. All
the provisions heretofore in force relative to corporations are
hereby repealed.
ARTICLE 96. This
law shall come into effect on the first day of April, 1927.
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