The board is responsible for calling general meetings, if it wants the company to take a decision which requires the approval of a general meeting: for example, changing the company's articles of association. In addition, any shareholder or group of shareholders with at least 5 per cent of the company's voting shares (or in certain circumstances, 10 per cent) can require the board to call a general meeting.
All directors and shareholders must be given written notice of any general meeting well in advance. The notice period is usually 14 days, although the articles can require a longer notice period, such as 21 days.
A meeting can usually be held on shorter notice - including immediately - if the holders of shares carrying 90% of the company's voting rights agree it can (although the articles of association may specify a higher percentage).
Decisions at general meetings are passed either as ordinary resolutions, that can be passed by a simple majority of votes cast, or special resolutions, that require a 75% majority of votes cast. Copies of all special resolutions, and some ordinary resolutions, passed at a general meeting must be filed with Companies House within 15 days.
