In the article, the authors discuss directors’ liability in operating companies, based on a new and legally binding judgment from the Court of Appeal. An operating company is characterized by the fact that it assumes liabilities without having to generate a profit, at the same time as it has low equity. Yet, the company has an economic purpose, so that the Norwegian Companies Act and limitation of liability apply, cf. Section 1-1 and 1-2 of the Companies Act. If the operating company is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, its distinctive characteristics can potentially form the basis for directors’ liability. This came up in the case discussed in the article, and where the authors of the article were legal counsel for the sued directors. In addition, the authors explain aspects one should pay attention to when establishing operating companies, in order to avoid unnecessary disputes.
1. Innledning
Et driftsselskap stiftet som aksjeselskap kjennetegnes gjerne av at det ikke skal generere overskudd og at det har lav egenkapital. Samtidig har det økonomisk formål, slik at aksjeloven og ansvarsbegrensningen kommer til anvendelse, jf. aksjeloven § 1-1 og 1-2. Dersom driftsselskapet ikke evner å oppfylle sine kontraktsrettslige forpliktelser, kan dets særegenheter potensielt danne grunnlag for styreansvar. Dette kom opp i en sak som nylig er rettskraftig avgjort.
Den 27. f ...