A Consent to Short Notice of Annual General Meeting is a legal document that is used by a company to obtain the consent of its shareholders to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) on short notice.

According to section 249H of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act), at least 21 days’ notice must be given of an annual general meeting. However, a company may call a meeting on shorter notice if all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting agree beforehand. This consent is for use where there is no holding company and there are two or more shareholders. You should attach the notice of meeting to the consent. According to section 249H(4) of the Corporations Act, meetings may not be called on short notice where a resolution may be passed to remove an auditor, even where consent is given.

This document serves as evidence that shareholders have been informed of the short notice and have given their consent for the annual general meeting to be held. This document is essential when a company needs to hold an AGM in a hurry for any reason, such as an urgent matter that requires shareholder attention, unexpected developments that cannot wait, or when the usual notice period cannot be met due to timing issues. This consent, in turn, can provide greater flexibility for the company to hold the AGM and respond quickly to any issues that may arise.

It is important to note that a Consent to Short Notice of Annual General Meeting is not a waiver of any other rights or entitlements of the shareholder. It also does not affect the validity of any other business transacted at the AGM. Instead, it simply confirms that the shareholder agrees to the short notice period for the AGM.

What are the benefits of this document?

• It allows companies to hold AGMs on short notice, which provides greater flexibility and enables them to respond quickly to any unexpected developments or urgent matters that require shareholder attention.

• It can help companies save time by allowing them to hold AGMs on shorter notice.

• It can help companies make decisions more efficiently by providing the necessary flexibility to hold an AGM quickly and respond to urgent matters.

• It can promote transparency and shareholder engagement by ensuring that shareholders are informed of the reasons for the short notice and have given their consent for the AGM to be held on that basis.

Use this document if:

• Your company needs to hold an annual general meeting on short notice and wants to obtain the consent of its shareholders.

Further information

• What Happens at an Annual General Meeting (AGM)?