2023-01-01
The Parliament of Montenegro adopted this law to regulate the establishment, registration, management, and dissolution of business undertakings, entrepreneurs, and foreign company branches. It defines four primary legal forms for business entities—General Partnership, Limited Partnership, Joint Stock Company, and Limited Liability Company—and establishes the Central Registry of Economic Entities as the authority for legal personality acquisition. The legislation further details liability structures, including joint and several liability for general partners and protections against the misuse of limited liability, while setting strict requirements for business names, registered offices, and representation powers.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 1 Pursuant to Article 95 item 3 of the Constitution of Montenegro, I hereby pass Enactment on Promulgating the Law on Business Undertakings I hereby promulgate the Law on Business Undertakings adopted by the 26th Parliament of Montenegro at the Second sitting of the First regular (spring) session in 2020 on 25 June 2020. Number: 01-1286/2 Podgorica, 29 June 2020 The President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović, m.p. Pursuant to Article 82 item 2 and Article 91 paragraph 1 of the Constitution of Montenegro, the 26th Parliament of Montenegro, at the Second sitting of the First regular (spring) session in 2020 on 25 June 2020, adopted the Law on Business Undertakings a.k.a. Law on Companies (Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020 of 3 July 2020, 146/2021 of 31 December 2021) PART ONE BASIC PROVISIONS Title I Subject Matter of the Law and Legal Forms of Pursuing Economic Activities Subject Matter Article 1 This Law governs establishment, registration, management, restructuring, dissolution, and other matters of importance for operation of business undertakings, entrepreneurs and foreign company branches. Legal Forms of Pursuit of Economic Activities Article 2 (1) Business undertakings shall be legal persons pursuing an economic activity in accordance with the law and so as follows:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 2
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 3 (2) A branch shall be a separate organisational unit of the undertaking without a legal personality, which pursues activity outside of the registered office of the business undertaking. (3) A branch shall act in legal transactions solely in the name and on behalf of the business undertaking it operates within, and may pursue operations only from within the economic activity of that undertaking. (4) In a legal transaction a branch shall act under the business name of the business undertaking of which is a part, and in addition to the business name of the business undertaking, the business name of the branch must contain address of the branch and designation that it is a branch. Creating a Branch Article 7 (1) A branch shall be created by way of a decision of a competent organ of the business undertaking. (2) The decision referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article must contain:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 4 Title II Liability for Obligations of the undertaking Liability for Obligations before Registration of the undertaking Article 9 (1) The founders and persons who assume obligations shall be jointly and severally liable for obligations assumed in the process of establishing an undertaking before its registration. (2) If the business undertaking assumes the obligations referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article after the registration, the founders and persons who assumed such obligations shall be exculpated from liability. Acquiring the undertaking Member Capacity Article 10 (1) The capacity of a member of general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability company shall be acquired as of the day of registration of ownership over the participating interest with the CRPS, in accordance with this Law. (2) A natural or legal person shall acquire the capacity of a shareholder as of the day of registration of a share or shares of the undertaking with the Central Clearing and Depository Company (hereinafter referred to as the CKDD), in accordance with the law governing the capital market. (3) The capacity of a member of general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability company shall cease as of the day of registration of termination of member capacity of the undertaking with the CRPS, in accordance with this Law. (4) The shareholder capacity of a natural or legal person shall be terminated as of the day of deletion of all shares of the undertaking from his holder’s account with the CKDD, in accordance with the law governing the capital market. Liability of the undertaking and Members for Obligations of the undertaking Article 11 (1) A business undertaking shall be liable for its obligations to the full extent of its assets. (2) Partners in the general partnership and general partners in the limited partnership shall be jointly and severally liable for obligations of the undertaking to the full extent of their assets.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 5 (3) Members of the limited liability company, shareholders of the joint stock company and limited partners in the limited partnership shall not be liable for obligations of the undertaking, unless otherwise stipulated by this Law. Misuse of Legal Personality Article 12 (1) Where one or more limited partners, members of a limited liability company, or shareholders misuse the circumstance that they are not liable for the obligations of a limited partnership, a limited liability company or a joint stock company, the competent court may determine their joint and several liability for obligations of those undertakings. (2) The misuse referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be deemed to have taken place, if the limited partner, member of the limited liability company, or shareholder:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 6 Title III Registered Office, Economic Activity and Business Name of the Business undertaking Registered Office Article 13 (1) A registered office shall be a place in Montenegro of management of the business undertaking’s operations or place where the undertaking permanently pursues its economic activity, established by the instrument of constitution or the articles of association of the undertaking and registered with the CRPS. (2) A business undertaking may have only one registered office. (3) If the management of the business undertaking or the place where the business undertaking permanently pursues its activity are located at a place different from place registered as the registered office of the business undertaking, the registered office shall be deemed to be the place registered with the CRPS, whereby the third parties may also determine the court jurisdiction by the place where the management of the business undertaking is located or the place where the business undertaking permanently pursues its activity. (4) A business undertaking may change the registered office in the manner determined by the instrument of constitution or articles of association of the undertaking. Delivery of and the Address for Mail Receipt Article 14 (1) Mail delivery for a business undertaking shall be made at the address of the registered office or special address for mail delivery, which is registered in accordance with this Law. (2) A business undertaking must have an address for electronic mail receipt, which is registered with the CRPS. Use of Seal Article 15 (1) Business undertakings shall not be obliged to use a seal in operations. (2) Business undertakings operating electronically shall be obliged to use an electronic seal.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 7 Economic Activity of an undertaking Article 16 (1) A predominant economic activity of a business undertaking shall be registered with the CRPS in the process of its establishment. (2) The business undertaking may also pursue other economic activities, in addition to the predominant economic activity, in accordance with law. Business Name of the Business undertaking, Branch, and Entrepreneur Article 17 (1) Business name of a business undertaking, branch, and entrepreneur shall be the name under which they operate. (2) Business name of a business undertaking, branch, and entrepreneur, as well as all changes thereof shall be recorded with the CRPS. (3) Business name of a business undertaking and business name of a branch may be changed in the manner determined by the instrument of constitution or articles of association of the undertaking, while the business name of an entrepreneur may be changed based on a resolution of the entrepreneur. (4) A business undertaking and an entrepreneur shall be obliged to act in legal transactions under the business name registered with the CRPS, to use it in business letters and other documents sent to third parties and to post it in the business premises. (5) Business name of the business undertaking may also contain a designation of the predominant activity. Content of the Business Name of a Business undertaking and an Entrepreneur Article 18 (1) Business name of a general partnership must contain designation: “general partnership” or abbreviation “GP”. (2) Business name of a limited partnership must contain designation: “limited partnership” or abbreviation “LP”. (3) Business name of a joint stock company must contain designation: “joint stock company” or abbreviation “JSC”. (4) Business name of a limited liability company must contain designation: “limited liability company” or abbreviation “LLC”.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 8 (5) Business name of a branch must contain full business name of an undertaking it operates within, designation that it is a branch, and address of the branch. (6) Business name of a foreign company branch must contain original business name of a foreign company, designation or abbreviation of the legal form of the business undertaking (“joint stock company” or “JSC”, “limited liability company” or “LLC”, “limited partnership” or “LP”, “general partnership” or “GP”), alternative business name of the foreign company branch if the original business name of the foreign company is used by another undertaking in Montenegro, as well as legal form of organising the foreign company branch (“foreign company branch”, “branch office”, “representative office’). (7) Business name of an entrepreneur must contain designation “entrepreneur”. (8) The designation “in liquidation” shall be added along with the business name of a business undertaking under the liquidation proceedings. Abbreviated Business Name of the Business undertaking Article 19 (1) In addition to the full business name, a business undertaking may use an abbreviated business name in accordance with the instrument of constitution or articles of association of the undertaking. (2) The abbreviated name referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article must contain designation on the legal form of the undertaking, as well as certain words already contained in the business name. (3) The abbreviated business name shall be registered with the CRPS. (4) A branch may not use an abbreviated business name. Use of Names and Symbols of States and International Organisations Article 20 (1) A business name of the business undertaking may contain the name “Montenegro”, while logo of the undertaking may contain the coat of arms, flag and other State symbols, in accordance with the law. (2) A business name of the undertaking may contain names, while logo of the undertaking may contain a coat of arms and other symbols of a foreign state or international organisation, only with a prior consent of a competent authority of the state or international organisation that the name or symbols relate to.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 9 Use of a Personal Name Article 21 (1) A business name of a business undertaking may include name or part of the name of a natural person with his consent in writing, and if such person has deceased, with a consent of his heir. (2) If a business undertaking with its conduct or otherwise discredits honour and reputation of the natural person whose name is included in its business name, such person or his heirs may bring a lawsuit before the competent court requesting deletion of his name from the business name of the undertaking. (3) If the name of the person remained in the business name after the termination of his membership in the business undertaking, upon a lawsuit of that person or his heirs, a competent court shall order removal of his name from the business name of that undertaking. (4) The lawsuit referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article may be filed within one year following the day of termination of membership capacity in the business undertaking, or death of member of the undertaking whose name has remained in the business name of that undertaking. Transfer of Business Name of the undertaking Article 22 (1) The business name of the business undertaking, which is registered with the CRPS, cannot be transferred to another undertaking. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, the business name of the undertaking may be transferred to another undertaking in case of merger of undertakings when the business name of the acquired undertaking is transferred to the acquiring undertaking. Protecting the Business Name of an undertaking Article 23 (1) A business undertaking must not register its business name with the CRPS if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 10 (3) The lawsuit referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article may be filed within two years following the day of registration of the business name of the business undertaking. (4) Proceedings upon the lawsuit brought by the business undertaking referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be urgent proceedings. (5) If the business undertaking referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article fails to change the business name within 30 days following the day the judgment imposing the change of the business name become final and non-appealable, the competent registration authority shall initiate the proceedings of a court-based liquidation of the undertaking ex officio. Title IV Representation of the undertaking and Procuracy Legal Representatives Article 24 (1) Legal representatives of the undertaking, in accordance with this Law, shall be:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 11 (2) If the power of representation determined by law or by another legal act is not explicitly defined as joint, each representative shall act alone in the name and on behalf of the undertaking. (3) Representative of the business undertaking shall be obliged to represent the undertaking within the limits of powers of representation set by law, instrument of constitution, articles of association or another legal act of the undertaking and shall be liable for damage incurred by breach of powers, in accordance with law. Definition and Main Features of Procuracy Article 27 (1) Procuracy shall mean the power of attorney by which an undertaking authorises one or several natural persons to enter into legal transactions and take other legal actions in its name and on its behalf. (2) Competent organ of the business undertaking shall grant the procuracy for business undertakings. (3) An entrepreneur shall personally grant the procuracy. (4) A procuracy cannot be granted to a legal person. (5) Unless otherwise provided by an instrument of constitution or articles of association of the undertaking, the procuracy shall be granted by way of a resolution of partners in general partnership, a resolution of general partners in limited partnership, resolution of the general meeting of a limited liability company that does not have a management bodies structure like a joint stock company, or resolution of a board of directors or supervisory board of a joint stock companies and limited liability companies that have a management bodies structure like a joint stock company. (6) The procuracy shall be granted in a form of notarial act and must be registered with the CRPS. (7) The procuracy shall not be transferable to another person. (8) The procurator shall sign in the name and on behalf of the undertaking and shall imprint a designation “procurator” next to his signature. Types of Procuracy Article 28 (1) A procuracy may be individual or joint. (2) If the procuracy is granted for two or more persons without an indication that it is a joint procuracy, each procurator shall act independently.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 12 (3) If the procuracy is granted as a joint procuracy, legal transactions entered into or legal actions taken by procurators shall be valid with explicit consent of all procurators. (4) The consent referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article may be issued as prior or subsequent. Powers and Limitation to Powers of a Procurator Article 29 (1) A procurator may enter into contracts and take all legal actions in the name and on behalf of the undertaking, whereby he cannot perform the following without a special authorisation:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 13 Title V Special Duties to the undertaking Subtitle A Persons having Special Duties to the undertaking and Connected Persons Persons with Special Duties to the undertaking Article 31 (1) The following shall have the duties of diligence, reporting of personal interest, avoidance of conflict of interest, keeping a trade secret, and complying with prohibition of competition, in accordance with this Law:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 14 3) Legal person which together which such legal person is controlled by a third party; 4) Person which in such legal person has significant holding in the core capital; 5) Person who is a controlling member of such legal person; 6) Person who is its executive director, member of the board of directors, member of the management board or member of the supervisory board. (3) Significant holding in the core capital shall exist if a single person, alone or acting in concert with other persons, holds more than 20 percent of voting rights in the undertaking. (4) Majority holding in the core capital shall exist if a single person, alone or acting in concert with other persons, holds more than 50 percent of voting rights in the undertaking. (5) Control, within the meaning of paragraph 2 of this Article, shall mean a right or possibility of a single person, alone or acting in concert with other persons, to exercise a decisive influence on operation of another person through a holding in the core capital, a contract or right to appoint majority of members of the board of directors or majority of members of the supervisory board. (6) A person shall be deemed to be the controlling member of the undertaking whenever such person alone or with connected persons owns majority holding in the core capital of the undertaking. (7) Acting in concert shall exist when two or more persons, based on an agreement, use voting rights in a certain legal person or take other actions in order to exercise influence in concert on management or operation of such person. Subtitle B Duty of Diligence Concept of Duty of Diligence Article 33 (1) In carrying out their obligations, executive director, members of the board of directors, members of the management board, members of the supervisory board, representatives, procurators, auditor and liquidation administrator shall be obliged to act conscientiously and with diligence of prudent businessperson, or in interest of the entire undertaking. (2) Diligence of prudent businessperson shall be deemed to be an increased degree of diligence, knowledge, skills, and experience required for pursuit of tasks within one’s duties in the undertaking. (3) If in addition to knowledge, skills, and experience referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, the person referred to in Article 31, paragraph 1, items 4, 5 and 6 of this Law has additional specific knowledge, skills or experience, they shall be taken into
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 15 account for the purpose of evaluating the level of diligence a person should demonstrate (diligence of prudent expert). Lawsuit for Breach of Duty of Diligence Article 34 An undertaking may bring a lawsuit for damage compensation caused to the undertaking by breach of duty of diligence against persons referred to in Article 31, paragraph 1 items 4, 5, and 6 of this Law. Business Judgment Rule Article 35 The person referred to in Article 31, paragraph 1 items 4, 5, and 6 of this Law who acted conscientiously and with diligence of prudent businessperson or diligence of prudent expert and with reasonable belief that he acts in the interest of the undertaking shall not be liable for the damage incurred as a result of his business decisions. Subtitle C Duty to Report Personal Interest Manner of Reporting Personal Interest Article 36 (1) The person referred to in Article 31 of this Law shall be obliged to notify partners, general partners, members of the limited liability company, board of directors, or the supervisory board on existence of personal interest or interest with his connected persons in legal transaction the undertaking is entering into or legal action the undertaking is taking. (2) The personal interest referred to in Article 31 of this Law shall exist in the event of:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 16 Authorising Legal Transaction in Case of a Personal Interest Article 37 (1) Entering into a legal transaction and taking legal actions referred to in Article 36 paragraph 2 of this Law may be authorised in the case of:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 17 Lawsuit for Breach of Rules on Authorising Actions in Events of Presence of Personal Interest Article 38 (1) If the persons referred to in Article 31 of this Law have not requested an authorisation in accordance with Article 37 of this Law or at the time of submitting the request for granting the authorisation failed to state all facts of importance for rendering a decision, the undertaking may file a lawsuit with the competent court for annulment of entered legal transactions or taken legal actions in the event of presence of personal interest and for damage compensation by such persons. (2) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, in addition to the persons referred to in Article 31 of this Law, the connected persons referred to in Article 36 paragraph 2 items 1 and 2 of this Law shall also be jointly and severally liable for damage incurred by the undertaking, as well as the third person referred to in Article 36 paragraph 2 item 3 of this Law, if he was or or should have been aware of the existence of personal interest at the time of entering into a legal transaction or taking legal action. Exemption from Breach of Rules on Authorising Actions in Events of Presence of Personal Interest Article 39 It shall be deemed that no breach of rules on authorising legal transactions and actions with presence of personal interest occurred if it is established in a proceeding pursuant to the lawsuit referred to in Article 38 of this Law that the legal transactions entered into or legal actions taken were in the interest of the undertaking, or if persons referred to in Article 31 of this Law prove they were not aware nor should have been aware of entering into the legal transaction or taking legal actions with presence of personal interest, the presence of which is subject of a [petitioner’s] claim. Subtitle D Duty to Avoid Conflict of Interest Breach of Conflict of Interest Article 40 (1) The persons referred to in Article 31 of this Law and experts referred to in Article 125 of this Law cannot for the their own interest or interest of their connected persons:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 18 (2) A conflict of interest shall exist also in events when the undertaking was not able to use the assets, information or to enter in transactions referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. (3) Provision of paragraph 1 item 1 of this Article shall not apply to an auditor of the undertaking and experts referred to in Article 125 of this Law. Lawsuit for Breach related to Conflict of Interest Article 41 (1) An undertaking may bring a lawsuit before the competent court against the persons referred to in Article 31 of this Law and the expert referred to in Article 125 of this Law for breach of duty to avoid conflict of interest referred to in Article 40 of this Law, as well as against his connected persons referred to in Article 32 paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Law. (2) The lawsuit referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may request:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 19 (3) Notwithstanding paragraph 2 of this Article, the expert referred to in Article 125 of this Law shall be obliged to keep a trade secret for indefinite period. (4) A trade secret shall be a data or a set of data not entirely or partially generally known or available to persons from the circles normally working with such kind of data, which have economic value because they are not generally known and are subject to appropriate secrecy protection measures based on which the undertaking that owns them lawfully ensures their secrecy. (5) A trade secret shall also be data identified as a trade secret by way of a law and other regulation. Exceptions from the Duty to Keep Trade Secret Article 44 Disclosure of data referred to in Article 43 of this Law shall not be deemed as breach of trade secret if the disclosure of data is:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 20 Subtitle F Duty to Comply with Prohibition of Competition Prohibition of Competition (non-compete) Article 46 (1) The person referred to in Article 31, paragraph 1, items 1 to 4 of this Law, except a member of a limited liability company and member of a joint stock company having significant holding in the core capital, cannot without a prior obtained authorisation in accordance with Article 37 of this Law:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 21 Subtitle G Filing a Lawsuit for Breach of Special Duties Deadlines for Filing Lawsuits Article 48 The lawsuits referred to in Article 34, 38, 41, 45 and 47 of this Law may be filed within six months following the day of awareness of breach being made, but no later than within five years following the day of breach being made. Waiving Rights Article 49 An undertaking may waive rights to bring all or some of the lawsuits referred to in Articles 34, 38, 41, 45, and 47 of this Law against the members of the board of directors, supervisory board, management board and executive director only after lapse of the period of 18 months following the day of a committed breach, and based on unanimous resolution by the general meeting, or members of the undertaking. Direct-action Lawsuit Article 50 (1) A member of the undertaking may bring a lawsuit against the person referred to in Article 31 of this Law for compensation of damage caused to him by such person by breach of special duties to the undertaking (individual direct-action lawsuit) within six months following the day of becoming aware of the breach and no later than within three years following the day the breach was committed. (2) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, it shall be deemed that the plaintiff represents all members of the undertaking whose interests were jeopardised in the same manner and not only his own (direct class-action lawsuit). (3) In the event referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, the court shall allow other members of the undertaking whose interests are jeopardised to join the lawsuit as intervenors on the side of the plaintiff. (4) In the event that the ruling supports/adopts the claim referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the competent court may also annul the resolution of organs of the undertaking which caused the damage determined by the ruling, taking into account protection of interest of conscientious third parties. Derivative Lawsuit Article 51 (1) Every member of a joint stock or limited liability company, regardless whether reasons for brining a lawsuit occurred prior or after acquiring the capacity of
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 22 member of the undertaking, may bring a lawsuit referred to in Article 34, 38, 41, 45, and 47 of this Law for compensation of damage caused to the undertaking in his name and on behalf of the undertaking (derivative lawsuit), if before bringing the derivative lawsuit he requested in writing from the undertaking to bring the lawsuit on the same grounds (prior request), but the request was rejected or it was not acted upon within 30 days following the day the request is submitted. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, any member of the parent undertaking has the right to bring a lawsuit in his name and on behalf of the subsidiary undertaking (derivative lawsuit for the subsidiary undertaking), if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 23 Core Capital of the undertaking Article 53 (1) Core capital of an undertaking shall be the pecuniary value of all contributions by members in the undertaking subscribed and registered in accordance with this Law. (2) Core capital of the undertaking shall be divided into participating interests or shares of defined nominal value. Types of Contribution Article 54 (1) Contributions in the undertaking may be monetary and non-monetary. (2) Non-monetary contributions may be only in goods and rights, unless otherwise regulated by law. Obligation to Pay or Bring Contributions Article 55 (1) Shareholders or members of a limited liability company and limited partners must bring a contribution into the undertaking before the shares are subscribed to shareholders, or before the participating interests are registered to their owners, in accordance with this Law (2) Contributions of partners and general partners may be paid in or brought into an undertaking within a deadline set by the instrument of constitution or the decision on making subsequent contributions, whereby such deadline cannot exceed two years following the day of adoption of the instrument of constitution or decision on making subsequent contributions. (3) Persons referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article who have undertaken the obligation by way of the instrument of constitution or otherwise to pay or bring into the undertaking a certain contribution shall be liable to the undertaking for damage caused in the event of delay in fulfilling their obligations in accordance with law. Prohibition to Recover Contribution Article 56 (1) Members of the undertaking may not recover paid or brought in contributions, nor may they be paid interest on their contributions made to the undertaking.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 24 (2) Payout in case of acquiring own participating interests or shares, as well as other payments to members of the undertaking being made in accordance with this Law shall not be deemed to be the recovery of contributions to members of the undertaking. Manner of Determining Value of Non-monetary Contributions Article 57 (1) Value of non-monetary contribution shall be determined by:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 25 shares if any, or the nominal value of the participating interest being acquired in the limited liability company, limited or general partnership. Disclosing the Report on Appraisal of Non-monetary Contributions and Registration of Participating Interests Article 60 (1) The report of an authorised appraiser and the decision of the undertaking on accepting the non-monetary contribution shall be submitted to the CRPS for registration within seven days following the day of receipt of the decision of the Capital Markets Commission on recording the issue of shares resulting from the non-monetary contribution for the joint stock company or minutes on bringing in a non-monetary contribution in the limited liability company, limited or general partnership. (2) If a partner or general partner is provided with an additional deadline to bring in the contribution in the undertaking, the acquisition of the participating interest in the undertaking shall be registered with the CRPS based on the memorandum of association or decision to bring in subsequent contributions. (3) The minutes referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be signed by a person who brought in the non-monetary contribution and by an authorised representative of the undertaking. (4) The competent registration authority shall submit the decision on accepting nonmonetary contribution to the Official Gazette of Montenegro for publication within two working days following the day of the registration referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Part Two Entrepreneur Definition of the Entrepreneur Article 61 An entrepreneur shall be a natural person who pursues an economic activity and who is not pursuing that activity on behalf of another person. Registration of the Entrepreneur Article 62 (1) A natural person shall acquire a status of an entrepreneur by way of registration with the CRPS. (2) The entrepreneur shall not have a legal personality.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 26 (3) The registration application referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall contain data on the business name, registered office, and predominant economic activity of the entrepreneur, name of the entrepreneur and of the foreman if one is appointed, date and place of their birth, unique identification number, permanent or temporary residence, and other data of importance for notifying participants in legal transactions. (4) Provisions of Articles 13 to 23 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to the business name, registered office, and predominant economic activity of the entrepreneur. Foreman Article 63 (1) An entrepreneur may give charge of operation to another natural persons with legal capacity (hereinafter referred to as the foreman), who is not convicted of criminal offences: against labour rights, against intellectual property, against payment operations and business operations, against property and against official duty and who has not been subject of a safety injunction measure barring him from pursuing economic activities of an entrepreneur. (2) A foreman shall be registered with the CRPS and shall acquire the status of a representative of the entrepreneur as of the day of registration. (3) A foreman must be employed with the entrepreneur. Liability of the Entrepreneur Article 64 An entrepreneur shall be liable for all obligations incurred in connection with the pursuit of economic activity to the full extent of his assets. Termination of the Entrepreneur Status Article 65 (1) The entrepreneur status shall terminate with termination of pursuit of the economic activity and in the following cases:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 27 (2) An entrepreneur who ceased to pursue an economic activity shall submit an application for termination of the economic activity to the competent registration authority for striking off the CRPS. Part Three General Partnership Title I Establishing and Registering General Partnership General Partnership and Partners Article 66 (1) General partnership shall be a business undertaking established by two or more partners, for the purpose of pursuit of an economic activity under a joint business name. (2) A partner may be a natural or legal person. Instrument of constitution Article 67 (1) Partners entering into an agreement in a written form shall establish a general partnership. (2) Signatures of partners on the memorandum of association of the general partnership must be authenticated in accordance with law. (3) The memorandum of association of the general partnership shall contain:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 28 Registration of the General Partnership Article 68 (1) Registration of the general partnership with the CRPS shall be carried out based on the registration application accompanied with a memorandum of association of the general partnership. (2) The following shall accompany the application referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 29 (2) Provision of paragraph 1 of this Article shall not preclude the right of the general partnership to claim compensation of other damages. Transfer of Participating Interests Article 71 (1) A partner’s participating interest may be transferred to another natural or legal person based on a contract entered into in writing between the partner transferring the participating interest and a person being transferred to, with consent of all partners, unless otherwise stipulated in the memorandum of association. (2) Signatures affixed to the contract referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article must be authenticated in accordance with law. (3) Transfer of participating interests between partners shall be free, unless otherwise stipulated in the memorandum of association. (4) Participating interest transferred to another person shall be acquired as of the day of registration of the transfer with the CRPS. Liability in case of Transfer of Participating Interests and other Forms of Joining the General Partnership Article 72 (1) Person to whom the participating interest of a partner was transferred or who joined the general partnership in a different manner after its establishment shall be liable for obligations of the undertaking regardless of when they incurred. (2) Partner who leaves the general partnership shall be liable for obligations of the undertaking that incurred before leaving the undertaking. (3) Partner who leaves the undertaking may be exculpated from the incurred obligations based on a written agreement entered into with other partners and creditors. (4) Provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article shall also apply in the event referred to in Article 89 of this Law.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 30 Title III Managing Operations of the General Partnership Right of Partners to Manage Operations of the undertaking Article 73 (1) Each of the partners may manage operations of the general partnership. (2) If the memorandum of association or written agreement of all partners stipulates that one or more partners are authorised to manage operations, other partner cannot manage operations. (3) Managing operations referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall encompass all actions taken in regular operations of the undertaking. (4) Consent of all partners shall be required for taking actions outside of scope of regular operations of the undertaking. (5) Consent of all partners who are authorised to manage operations shall be required for the transfer of authorisation to manage operations, if there is no danger of delaying pursuit of operations. (6) Each partner authorised to manage operations may withhold the authorisation referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article. Manner of Managing Operations Article 74 (1) Each partner shall be authorised to manage independently operations of the undertaking. (2) If one of the partners who is authorised to manage operations of the undertaking disagrees with taking certain actions, such action cannot be taken unless failure to take action due to unavailability of other partners authorised to manage operations of the undertaking could cause a damage for the undertaking, Cancelling Authorisation for Managing Operations Article 75 (1) A partner with authorisation to manage operations may cancel authorisation given to him if there are justified reasons to do so. (2) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the partner shall notify in writing all other partners in the undertaking on the intent to cancel the authorisation for managing operations.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 31 (3) If the partner cancels the authorisation for managing operations contrary to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, he shall be obliged to compensate caused damage. Right to Reimbursement of Expenses Article 76 A partner shall be entitled to reimbursement from the undertaking of all expenses connected with managing operations of the undertaking. Distribution of Profit Article 77 Unless otherwise agreed by the memorandum of association of the general partnership or written agreement of partners, each partner shall have equal participation in the distribution of profit or loss coverage of the undertaking. Right to be Informed Article 78 (1) A partner authorised to manage operations of the undertaking shall be obliged to provide information on all matters relating to the operation of the general partnership and his work, at the request of other partners. (2) Each partner shall be entitled to access business records and other documents of the undertaking, as well as to copy those documents at his own expense. (3) If a partner is not permitted to access business records referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article within eight days following the day of submitting a request, a partner may request for the court to order to the undertaking to act in line with his request in an extra judicial proceedings. (4) The proceedings referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be urgent and the court shall be obliged to render a decision within eight days following the day of receiving the request. Decision-making of Partners in the undertaking Article 79 (1) Partners shall render decisions unanimously, unless otherwise stipulated by the memorandum of association. (2) A decision on restructuring of the undertaking, a decision on accepting new partners in the undertaking and decisions on other matters no pertaining to regular operation of the undertaking shall be rendered unanimously.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 32 (3) Provisions of the memorandum of association of the general partnership contrary to paragraph 2 of this Article shall be null and void. Registration of Changes Article 80 A general partnership shall be obliged to submit to the CRPS data on occurred changes in the undertaking, within seven days following the day the change has occurred, and which pertain to:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 33 (2) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the partner shall notify in writing all other partners in the undertaking on the intent to cancel the power of representation. (3) If the partner cancels the power of representation contrary to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, he shall be obliged to compensate caused damage. Revoking the Power of Representation Article 83 (1) The power of representation may be revoked by way of a decision of the competent court, pursuant to a lawsuit of one or more partners, if it is established that justifiable reasons to do so exist. (2) The justifiable reasons referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be deemed to be a serious breach of duty to the undertaking or incapacity of a partner to represent the undertaking. Representation of the undertaking in Dispute with Partner with Power of Representation Article 84 (1) A partner with power of representation cannot issue a power of attorney for representation nor represent the undertaking in a dispute where he is the opposing party. (2) If the undertaking has no other partner with power of representation, all partners jointly shall issue a power of attorney. Title V Dissolution of the General Partnership and Termination of Partner Status Manner of Dissolution Article 85 A general partnership shall be dissolved by deletion from the CRPS in the event of:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 34 g) the fact that only one partner has remained in the undertaking and no new partners join the undertaking within three months from the date on which a sole partner has remained in the undertaking; h) occurrence of any other reason provided for in the memorandum of association. 2) closing of the bankruptcy of undertaking; 3) status changes. Termination of Partner Capacity Article 86 The partner capacity in a general partnership shall be terminated in the event of:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 35 (6) In the event referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, the memorandum of association may specify the amount of limited partners’ participation in profit, which may be different from the amount of participation in profit which the testator was entitled to as a partner. Removal of Partner Article 88 (1) A partner may be removed from a general partnership pursuant to judgment of the competent court, upon a lawsuit brought by one or more partners, if such partner either intentionally or due to negligence failed to fulfil obligation towards the undertaking or towards other partners, which affected operations of the undertaking. (2) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, participating interest of a partner being removed shall be distributed among partners remaining in the undertaking, in proportion to the values of their participating interests in the undertaking, unless otherwise provided for by the memorandum of association. (3) Within six months following the date on which court judgment becomes final and non-appealable, a general partnership shall be obliged to reimburse the removed partner the amount of funds he would have received had the undertaking been dissolved on the day on which a lawsuit to remove the partner was brought. (4) Provision of Article 72 paragraph 2 of this Law shall apply on removal of a partner from a general partnership. Partner’s Exit Article 89 (1) A partner may exit an undertaking by submitting a written notification on exit to the other partners. (2) A written notification referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be submitted minimum two months before lapse of the business year, unless otherwise provided for by the memorandum of association. (3) A partner who submits the notification referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall exit the undertaking upon lapse of the business year in which such the notification was given, if the notification was submitted in that business year for the purpose of registration with the CRPS. (4) A partner’s right referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article may not be restricted nor excluded.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 36 Consequences of Partner’s Exit Article 90 (1) The participating interest of a partner who exits an undertaking shall be distributed among partners remaining in the undertaking, in proportion to the amount of their participating interest in the undertaking, unless otherwise provided for by the memorandum of association. (2) A general partnership shall be obliged, within six months following the exit day, unless otherwise provided for by the memorandum of association, to pay to a partner exiting the funds he would have received in the case of liquidation of the undertaking until the exit date, regardless of current and unfinished operations. (3) If the value of assets of undertaking on the exit date is not sufficient to settle obligations of the undertaking, the partner exiting the undertaking shall be obliged to pay to the undertaking a portion of the unsettled amount which is proportional to his participating interest in the undertaking, within six months following the exit date, unless a different deadline is provided for by the memorandum of association. (4) Provision of Article 72 paragraph 2 of this Law shall apply on a partner who has exited undertaking in respect of his liability for obligations of the undertaking. Protection of Partner’s Creditors Article 91 (1) A creditor that has a claim falling due against a partner on the basis of final and nonappealable and enforceable judgement shall have the right to request from the undertaking in writing to pay to him the funds that such partner would receive in case of liquidation of the undertaking, but only up to the amount of his claim. (2) As of the date of settlement of creditor in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article, the partner shall lose partner status and his participating interest shall be distributed among other partners, in proportion to their participating interests in the undertaking. (3) A partner who loses partner status in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article shall have the right to receive the funds he would have received in the case of liquidation of the undertaking, minus any amounts paid to his creditor. (4) If the undertaking fails to pay funds to the partner’s creditor within six months following the date of submitting the request referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the partner’s creditor may initiate judicial proceedings for (involuntary) liquidation of the undertaking. (5) In the liquidation proceedings referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article, a partner’s creditor shall be entitled to receive any liquidation surplus that would otherwise be assigned to the partner, but only up to the amount of his claim, while partner retains
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 37 the right to receive the payment of any liquidation surplus in the amount which exceeds the amount of the claim of such creditor. PART FOUR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Title I ESTABLISHMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Limited Partnership and Members of undertaking Article 92 (1) Limited partnership shall be a business undertaking of one or more persons called general partners and one or more persons called limited partners. (2) General partners shall bear joint and several liability with their personal assets for all the obligations of the undertaking, while limited partners shall not be liable for the obligations of the undertaking, except in the cases stipulated by this Law. Instrument of constitution Article 93 Limited partnership shall be established by a memorandum of association which shall contain data referred to in Article 67 of this Law and a designation "limited partnership", persons who are general partner and limited partner and data on the type and value of contributions of each limited partner in the undertaking. Registration of Limited Partnership Article 94 (1) Limited partnership shall be registered with the CRPS by submitting registration application accompanied by:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 38 Application of Provisions on General Partnership Article 95 (1) Provisions of this Law governing relations in a general partnership shall apply to limited partnership, unless otherwise stipulated by this Law. (2) General partners shall have the status of a partner in general partnership, in accordance with this Law. Contribution and Participating Interest Article 96 (1) Provisions of this Law governing contributions and participating interests of partners shall apply to contributions and participating interests of general partners in an undertaking, including the right of the general partner to a contribution in labour and services and the manner of transferring participating interests. (2) Provisions of this Law governing transfer of participating interest from the partner to the third parties shall apply to the transfer of participating interest from the general partner to the limited partner. (3) Limited partner may freely transfer his participating interest, provided that transfer agreement must be concluded in writing and authenticated in accordance with the law. Participation in Profit Article 97 Limited partners and general partners shall participate in profit sharing in proportion to their participating interests in the undertaking, unless otherwise provided for by the instrument of constitution.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 39 Title II Management of Operations of undertaking and Rights and Obligations of Limited Partners Management of Operations of undertaking Article 98 (1) General partners shall manage operations and represent an undertaking. (2) Limited partner shall not participate in the management of operations of the undertaking and shall not have the power to represent the undertaking. Registration of Changes Article 99 Limited partnership shall be obliged to register with the CRPS changes to the data contained in the memorandum of association and to the other data referred to in Article 94 of this Law, as well as changes of member capacity from a general partner into a limited partner or from a limited partner into a general partner, within seven days following the date of change occurring. Rights of Limited Partner Article 100 (1) Limited partner shall have a right to access annual financial reports of an undertaking and books of accounts of undertaking, at any time. (2) If the limited partner is not allowed access referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article within eight days following the date he filed the request, the limited partner may request from the court to order the undertaking in an extra judicial proceedings to comply with his request. (3) The proceedings referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be urgent and the court shall pass a decision within eight days following the date of receiving the request. (4) Limited partner shall have the right to participate in profit of undertaking in proportion to the level of his contribution, unless otherwise stipulated by the memorandum of association, whereas the period for payment of profit may not exceed 90 days following the date of adoption of annual financial reports of the undertaking.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 40 Liability of Limited Partner Article 101 (1) Limited partner shall not be liable for the obligations of undertaking, except in the cases referred to in Article 12 paragraph 2 of this Law. (2) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, limited partner shall be liable also for the obligations incurred before he joined the undertaking. Termination of Status of General Partner and Limited Partner Article 102 (1) In the event of death of a limited partner who is a natural person, or in the event of dissolution of a limited partner who is a legal person, heirs or legal successors respectively shall take their place. (2) If participating interest of the limited partner has become subject of court or other legal proceedings related to his separate debt, the other members of undertaking shall not have the right to liquidate undertaking. (3) If all general partners exit a limited partnership and the undertaking does not admit a new general partner within six months following the date of exit of the last general partner, limited partners may adopt a unanimous decision to change the legal form of undertaking into a limited liability company or joint-stock company, in accordance with this Law. (4) If in the event referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, limited partners fail to adopt a decision to change the legal form of undertaking within the prescribed deadline, the competent registration authority shall ex officio initiate proceedings for courtbased liquidation of the undertaking. (5) If all limited partners exit limited partnership and the undertaking does not admit a new limited partner within three months following the date of exit of the last limited partner, general partners may pass a unanimous decision to change legal form of the undertaking into general partnership, in accordance with this Law. (6) If general partners fail to adopt a decision referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article within the prescribed deadline, the competent registration authority shall ex officio initiate proceedings for court-based liquidation of the undertaking. Dissolution of Limited Partnership Article 103 Provisions of this Law governing dissolution of general partnership shall apply to dissolution of limited partnership.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 41 PART FIVE JOINT STOCK COMPANY Title I GENERAL PROVISIONS Definition of Joint Stock Company Article 104 Joint stock company shall be an undertaking having its core capital divided into shares owned by one or more members of the undertaking – shareholders. Characteristics of Joint Stock Company Article 105 (1) Joint stock company shall be a legal person that is separated by its assets and liabilities from the shareholders. (2) Joint stock company may be established for a period of limited or unlimited duration. (3) The minimum founding capital of a joint stock company shall be 25,000 euro in monetary assets. (4) Joint stock company may issue shares for non-monetary contributions, in accordance with this Law. Founders of Joint Stock Company Article 106 Domestic and foreign natural and legal persons may establish joint stock companies by concluding a memorandum of association, or by a decision on founding. Undertaking Obligations for undertaking Article 107 (1) Publication and registration, in accordance with this Law, of the name of executive director and of chairperson of the management board, as well as the publication of names of the persons explicitly authorised by acts of undertaking to represent the undertaking shall be binding on undertaking and in relation to third parties undertaking may not invoke irregularities of their appointment, unless it proves that third parties were aware or should have been aware about the existence of such irregularities.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 42 (2) Actions of the representative shall be binding on the undertaking, unless such actions have led to breach of powers they have, or may have pursuant to this Law. (3) Limitations of powers of the representative established by articles of association or by decisions of the bodies may not be imposed against third parties even if disclosed in a timely manner. Single-member Joint Stock Company Article 108 (1) Single-member joint stock company shall be a joint stock company established by a sole natural or legal person on the basis of the decision on founding, or a joint stock company in which a sole natural or legal person acquires all the shares upon establishment. (2) If upon establishment all the shares are acquired by a sole natural or legal person, the undertaking shall be obliged to register such change, as well as the name and permanent residence, or business name and registered office, of the sole shareholder with the CRPS within eight days following the date of registering that change with the CKDD. (3) Shareholder of a single-member joint stock company shall have powers of the general shareholders’ meeting and shall be obliged to render decisions in writing and keep the record of the decisions passed in the book of decisions of the undertaking. (4) In addition to the decisions referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, all contracts entered into between a sole member and the undertaking he represents shall also be recorded in the books of undertaking. (5) A founder or a shareholder of single-member undertaking may himself perform duties of executive director or of a member of management bodies of the undertaking or he may designate another person. Title II ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT STOCK COMPANY Manner of Establishing Joint Stock Company Article 109 Joint stock company may be established either successively [public] or simultaneously [private].
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 43 Successive Establishment of Joint Stock Company Article 110 (1) Joint stock company shall be established successively by:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 44 (8) If the quorum cannot be reached, provisions of Article 142 of this Law shall apply. (9) The constituent general meeting shall adopt decisions on matters falling within its powers by a simple majority of the votes of shareholders present in person or through their proxies or they voted on ballots, unless otherwise provided for by this Law or by the memorandum of association. (10) Notwithstanding paragraph 9 of this Article, the constituent general meeting shall decide by two-thirds majority of attending shareholders on:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 45 which concerns founders and their shares, provided that the sum of the paid monetary amounts in a timely manner is 25,000 euro or higher. (5) The founders shall be obliged to record the issue of shares with the Capital Market Commission. (6) The constituent general meeting of undertaking does not need to be convened if all founders of the undertaking sign the decision on accepting articles on association of the undertaking, appraisal of non-monetary contributions, election of management bodies and auditor of the undertaking, and other decisions adopted at the constituent general meeting. (7) All signatures on the decisions referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article shall be authenticated in accordance with the law. (8) If the decision is not reached in accordance with paragraph 6 of this Article, the constituent general meeting must be held within 30 days following the date of lapse of the deadline set for payment of shares in the instrument of constitution. Costs of Establishing the Joint Stock Company Article 112 (1) Instrument of constitution of an undertaking may define the obligation of the undertaking to reimburse costs resulting from establishment of undertaking to the founders, provided that:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 46 Instrument of constitution Article 113 (1) Instrument of constitution of a joint stock company shall be a decision on founding when undertaking is established by a sole person, or a memorandum of association when undertaking is established by several persons. (2) The instrument of constitution of undertaking shall contain the following data:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 47 4) amount of core capital established as initial capital and amount of the authorised capital, if determined; 5) the method of increasing and reducing the core capital; 6) procedure for replacing one class of securities by another; 7) restriction on issuing bonds or other kind of borrowing; 8) special rights of founders and conditions for the transfer of shares, if any; 9) manner of and procedure for convening and conducting general shareholders’ meeting and voting method; 10)manner of appointing and dismissing members of the board of directors and executive director of joint stock company, and members of management board and supervisory board of the joint stock company, their rights, obligations and powers; 11)period for which undertaking is established, if it is not established for indefinite period; 12)procedure for amending and supplementing articles of association. 13)other provisions of importance for operation of the undertaking. (2) In addition to the data referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the articles of association may also contain:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 48 7) name and address of the auditor, name and address of the executive director, and of the company secretary, if any in the undertaking, and the decisions on appointment of such persons; 8) name and address of members of the auditing committee, if one is established in the undertaking in accordance with auditing regulations, as well as the decisions on their appointment; 9) signed statements of accepting appointments by members of the board of directors and the executive director of a joint stock company and by members of the supervisory board and management board of a joint stock company, auditor and company secretary, if any in the undertaking; 10)decision by the Capital Market Commission confirming success of the public offering of shares in the case of successive establishment of a joint stock companies, or decision by the Capital Market Commission on recording the initial issue of shares in the case of simultaneous establishment of the undertaking; 11)address for receipt of electronic mail; 12)address for receipt of mail, if any; 13)data on persons with powers to represent undertaking indicating scope of powers of representation (individual or collective); 14)the proof of the payment of the registration fee. (2) Registration application referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be submitted in accordance with Article 320 of this Law. (3) Registration of undertaking with the CRPS shall be conducted on the basis of registration certificate. (4) Data on business name and registered office of undertaking, names of members of management bodies and members of other bodies of undertaking registered with the CRPS, auditor and company secretary, if any in the undertaking, date of adoption of the instrument of constitution, adoption of articles of association and registration of a joint stock company shall be published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. Nullity of Establishment of Joint Stock Company Article 116 (1) At the request of a person with a legal interest, the competent court shall annul establishment of the undertaking for the following reasons:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 49 5) if founders do not have legal personhood and legal capacity. (2) Lawsuit for annulment of establishment of a joint stock company may be brought within three years following the day of adopting the registration certificate for the undertaking referred to in Article 115 paragraph 3 of this Law. (3) The competent court shall be obliged to submit final and non-appealable decision on annulment of the establishment of the joint stock company within 15 days following the date the decision has become final and non-appealable, for the purpose of its registration with the CPRS and initiation of the court-based liquidation proceedings. (4) By annulling establishment of undertaking, founders and shareholders of the undertaking shall become jointly and severally liable for the obligations of undertaking, while contracts concluded and other obligations assumed prior to the annulment shall remain in force, unless this contravenes court-based liquidation proceedings. (5) Provision of Article 120 paragraph 7 of this Law shall apply to the decision referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article in respect of third parties. Title III KEEPING BUSINESS RECORDS AND PUBLIC NATURE OF OPERATIONS Keeping Business Records Article 117 (1) Joint stock company shall keep the following documents at its registered office:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 50 (3) Joint stock company shall be obliged to allow a shareholder or a former shareholder, upon his request, to have access in the documentation and records referred to in paragraph 1 items 1 to 4 and paragraph 2 items 1, 2 and 3 of this Article, for the period during which he was a shareholder in the undertaking, at the latest within seven days following the day on which a written request has been submitted. (4) Shareholders holding at least 5% of shares shall have the right to access documentation and records referred to in paragraph 1 items 5 and 6 and paragraph 2 item 4 of this Article, in accordance with Article 124 paragraph 1 of this Article. Business Correspondence of undertaking Article 118 (1) Joint-stock company shall be obliged to indicate the following in its business letters and other business documents of the undertaking:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 51 (2) In the event of opened liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings, within the deadline referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article the joint stock company shall be obliged to submit to the CRPS:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 52 (8) In addition to mandatory publishing of documents and data referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and Article 115 of this Law in Montenegrin language, the competent registration authority shall also allow publication of the certified translation into any of the languages that are in official use in the European Union. (9) If there is any discrepancy between documents and data published in Montenegrin language and their translation referred to in paragraph 8 of this Article, the undertaking may not invoke published translation in its relations with third parties, while third parties may invoke published translation, unless undertaking proves that those parties were aware of the content of the version published in Montenegrin language. Title IV RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF SHAREHOLDERS Rights of Shareholders Article 121 (1) Every shareholder shall have such rights attached to shares in his ownership, whereby owners of the same class of shares have equal rights. (2) All shareholders shall be treated equally under the same circumstances. (3) A decision of the general shareholders’ meeting which binds all or only some of the shareholders to make additional contribution to the undertaking may not be adopted without consent of all the shareholders. Property Rights of Shareholders Article 122 (1) The shareholder shall have the right to:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 53 Non-property Rights of Shareholders Right to Participate at General Shareholders’ Meeting and Voting Rights Article 123 (1) The shareholder shall have the right to attend all general shareholders’ meetings and to cast a vote, unless otherwise stipulated by this Law or articles of association. (2) Each share shall carry one vote at the general shareholders’ meeting, except in the case referred to in Article 158 paragraph 2 of this Law. (3) The shareholder who is directly interested in matters related to the appraisal of non-monetary contribution or purchase of assets from the founder or from the majority shareholder of the undertaking shall not have a voting right at the general shareholders’ meeting on such matters within two years from the date of registration of the undertaking. Right to Be Informed Article 124 (1) Copies of financial reports including auditor's report must be available to all shareholder’s access at the registered office of undertaking during business hours at least 20 days prior to holding of the general meeting, as well as at the general shareholders’ meeting. (2) Every shareholder shall have the right to request from the competent body of undertaking, free of charge and during business hours, to make available for his access the following documents at the premises of the registered office of undertaking and to be allowed to make copies at the shareholder’s expense:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 54 (4) The procedure referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be urgent and court shall be obliged to pass the decision within eight days following the date of receiving the lawsuit. Right to Hire Expert Article 125 (1) Shareholders holding at least 5% of the core capital may hire an expert who shall inspect operations or accounting of the undertaking at the expense of shareholders who hired the expert, and if during the inspection illegality or significant irregularity in operations of undertaking are identified, the costs of hiring the expert shall be borne by the undertaking. (2) If the expert is not allowed to perform inspection referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the shareholders who hired the expert shall have the right to request from the competent court to enable performance of inspection of operations referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. (3) The court shall be obliged to pass the decision referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article within 30 days following the date of receiving the request. (4) The joint stock company shall be obliged to allow the expert referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article access to documents and other acts of undertaking. (5) Notwithstanding paragraph 4 of this Article, the expert may be denied access to some acts and documents by a decision of the board of directors or supervisory board, if there is a justified reason to believe that access to documentation and acts of the undertaking could be used contrary to the interest of the undertaking or if this could cause significant damage to the undertaking or to its associate undertaking, of which the board of directors or the supervisory board shall furnish the expert with the written reasoning within 15 days following the date he was denied access. (6) If the shareholders referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article are not satisfied with the decision referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article, they may request from the competent court to pass a decision allowing the expert to access the acts and documents whose access was denied. (7) The court shall pass a decision referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article within eight days following the day on which request was submitted and by that decision it shall approve the requested access if it deems that it will not compromise interests of undertaking or that it will not compromise them to the extent which would justify denial of access. (8) The expert referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be obliged to produce a report on the performed inspection of operations of the undertaking, which he shall deliver to the shareholders of undertaking within three months following the date of commencing the inspection.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 55 (9) The shareholders referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article must not publish nor disclose to the third parties the acts or documents and data contained in the document referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article if such disclosure would cause damage to the undertaking, unless otherwise provided for by the law. (10) Where shareholders act contrary to paragraph 9 of this Article, they shall be liable for damage incurred to the undertaking. Right to Ask Questions Article 126 (1) The shareholder shall have the right to request in advance, by means of a letter or at the general meeting when it considers specific items of the agenda, an explanation and information from the board of directors or the supervisory board regarding materials and proposed decisions to be considered at the general meeting, while representative of the board of directors or the supervisory board shall be obliged to answer the question fully and truly, at the general meeting, during discussion on the relevant item of the agenda. (2) Representative of the board of directors or the supervisory board may publish answers to the questions asked before holding of the general meeting on the website of undertaking. (3) Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the answer may be denied if such answering:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 56 prior to the date on which decision was adopted at the general shareholders’ meeting, or in the amount of proportionate share of net value of the assets of the undertaking on the date on which general shareholders’ meeting adopted the decision, if at the general meeting the shareholder voted against in the following cases:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 57 (5) The court shall establish:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 58 3) management board. Joint Stock Company Management Bodies Article 131 For the purpose of this Law, joint stock company management bodies shall be the company’s bodies referred to in Article 129 paragraph 1 items 2 and 3 of this Law, or the bodies of the company referred to in Article 130 paragraph 1 items 2 and 3 of this Law. SUBTITLE B JOINT STOCK COMPANY GENERAL MEETING Composition of the General Shareholders Meeting Article 132 (1) The general shareholders meeting of a joint stock company (hereinafter: general meeting) shall include all shareholders, regardless of the number and class of shares they hold. (2) Members of the board of directors and the executive director in case of a single-tier joint stock company, or members of the supervisory board and the management board in case of a two-tier joint stock company shall, by rule, attend the general meeting of the joint stock company. (3) The joint stock company’s executive director or the chairperson of the management board and the company secretary, if appointed, must attend general meetings, unless prevented to attend the general meeting due to justified reasons. Powers of General Shareholders Meeting Article 133 (1) General shareholders meeting shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 59 carrying value of the company’s assets (high value assets), unless a lower share is determined in the articles of association; 9) adopt the decision on distribution of profits; 10) increase or reduce the company’s core capital established in the articles of association, exchange shares of one class for shares of another class; 11)adopt a decision on voluntary liquidation of the company, its restructuring or submission of the petition for initiation of bankruptcy proceedings; 12)approve the valuation of non-monetary contributions; 13)consider issues under the competence of the board of directors, or the supervisory board pertaining to the company’s operations; 14) approve entering into contracts on assets acquisition from a founder or a majority shareholder of the company, where the payment exceeds one tenth of the company’s core capital established in the articles of association, and where such contract should be entered into within 2 years following the registration of the company; 15) adopt decisions on issuing bonds or convertible bonds or other convertible securities; 16)restrict or withdraw the right of pre-emption of shareholders to subscribe for shares or acquire convertible bonds, upon the approval by a two-third majority vote of shareholders affected by the transaction; 17)adopt a decision on independent or joint incorporation of another company or a decision authorising the company’s management bodies to adopt a decision on independent or joint incorporation of one, several or indefinite number of companies; 18) adopt the Rules of Procedure; and 19) adopt other decisions in accordance with the articles of association of the company. (2) An integral part of the report on operations of the company referred to in paragraph 1, item 7 of this Article shall be the report on relations with the parent company and companies where its parent company has the status of a parent company or a subsidiary. (3) The report referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall include all legal transactions and other transactions that the company concluded with its parent company and the companies where its parent company has the status of a parent company or a subsidiary, including a statement by the board of directors or the supervisory board if the company has suffered the damage from such transactions, and if the company has been compensated for the potential damage incurred by such legal and other transactions. (4) If the company is not compensated for the damage, the members of the board of directors, or the members of the supervisory board shall be liable for the damage incurred to shareholders, as laid down in this Law. (5) If the remuneration policy referred to in paragraph 1 item 6 of this Article should not be adopted by the general meeting, a revised proposal shall be submitted to the next general meeting, whereas the company may continue to pay remuneration to the directors:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 60
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 61 (1) General meeting sessions shall be ordinary and extraordinary. (2) A joint stock company shall hold ordinary general meetings once a year. (3) The first annual general meeting of a company must be held within 18 months following the holding of the company’s constituent general meeting; thereafter general meeting must be convened once a year. Convening a General Meeting Article 135 (1) The right to convene a general meeting shall be vested in the board of directors or the supervisory board and the shareholders holding shares that represent at least 5% of the core capital, unless the articles of association provide that the shareholders holding a smaller portion of the core capital are entitled to convene a general meeting. (2) Following the order by the board of directors, or the supervisory board, the company secretary shall organise the general shareholders meeting. (3) Shareholders whose shares make at least 5% of core capital shall be entitled to convene a general meeting within 30 days following the day of publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro of the final and binding decision on cancelling the decision of the general meeting on merger or division of the company, where the existing bodies of the company perform their duties, within their authorizations, other than disposing of the assets. (4) The shareholders referred to in paragraphs 1 and 3 of this Article shall submit to the board of directors or the supervisory board the request to convene the general shareholders meeting, the agenda for the general meeting and proposal decisions to be adopted the general meeting. (5) The board of directors or the supervisory board shall convene the general shareholders meeting within 30 days following the day of receiving the request for convening the general shareholders meeting at expense of the company. (6) Ordinary annual general meetings of shareholders shall be held within six months of the end of each financial year, save the first year following the incorporation of the company. Notice Convening the General Meeting Article 136 (1) The notice convening the general shareholders meeting shall be submitted no later than 30 days prior to holding the general meeting.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 62 (2) The notice shall be delivered by mail, save for companies with 100 or more shareholders, where their board of directors or the supervisory board shall publish the notice convening the general shareholders meeting twice in at least one daily printed media outlet published in Montenegro and on their website. (3) The notice convening the general meeting shall contain the following:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 63 shares that are managed through that account make more than 0.5% of the company’s core capital or carry more than 0.5% of voting rights. Materials for the Session of the General Meeting Article 138 (1) The materials including proposal decisions to be considered at the general meeting must be available for inspection to shareholders of the company at the company’s registered office or at the company’s premises outside the registered office, if the activity is performed in several locations, at least 20 days before the holding of the general meeting session. (2) If requested by a shareholder, the company shall deliver the notice convening the general meeting and materials to be considered at the general meeting including proposal decisions, by electronic mail to the address specified by a shareholder. (3) The company shall bear the costs of publication and delivery of the notice convening the general meeting referred to in Article 136 of this Law. Agenda of the General Meeting Article 139 (1) The general meeting may not adopt decisions on issues not included in the agenda unless all the shareholders having voting rights attend the general meeting, and unanimously accept the amended agenda. (2) In the event that the agenda is revised or expanded, the shareholders shall be informed of the changes in the agenda in the way in which they are informed on holding the general meeting, no later than ten days prior to the date of holding the general meeting. (3) Shareholders holding minimum 5% of the core capital shall be entitled to request from the board of directors or the supervisory board to expand the agenda of the general meeting no later than 15 days prior to the date of holding the general meeting. (4) The shareholders referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be entitled to request from the board of directors, or the supervisory board to include their proposal decision under an item previously included in the agenda. (5) The shareholders shall attach proposal decisions suggested as agenda items to the written request for expanding the agenda of the general meeting. (6) In the event referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article the board of directors or the supervisory board shall expand the agenda of the general meeting.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 64 (7) The company shall, without delay, publish the proposal of the expanded agenda including proposed decisions on its website. (8) If the general meeting fails to be held, the repeated general meeting may be held only with the same agenda planned for the general meeting not held. General Meeting Procedures Article 140 (1) The attendance of shareholders or their proxies at the general meeting shall be acknowledged by their signing of the attendance list, which shall also specify the number of votes held by each shareholder. (2) The attendance list shall be signed by the chairperson of the general meeting and the company secretary. (3) The executive director or the chairperson of the management board shall chair the general meeting unless otherwise decided by majority of the shareholders present or their proxies, and the company secretary shall be the secretary of the session of the general meeting. (4) In the absence of the company secretary, the chairing person of the general meeting shall appoint another person as the secretary of the session of the general meeting. Minutes Article 141 (1) The minutes of the general meeting shall be signed by the chairing person of the general meeting, the secretary of the session of the general meeting and at least one shareholder authorized by the general meeting. (2) The copies of powers of attorney and ballot papers of participants of the general meeting who voted in advance and at the general meeting shall be attached to the minutes. (3) The minutes from the general meeting shall be drawn up within 8 days following the date of the general meeting and shall include: the date, the venue and the time of holding the general meeting, the names of: the chairperson, the secretary of the general meeting, the members of working bodies of the general meeting if appropriate, quorum, agenda, data on the voting procedure and results, and the decisions adopted at the general meeting. Quorum Article 142
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 65 (1) The quorum of the general meeting shall be constituted of the shareholders holding more than a half of the total voting shares, present in person or represented by proxies or voting by ballot papers. (2) If the required quorum is not attained at the general meeting, it may be reconvened with the same agenda, provided that the notice convening the repeated general meeting must be published at least twice in at least one daily printed media outlet published in Montenegro and on its website, at least ten days prior to holding the repeated general meeting, where the quorum shall be made of shareholders holding at least 33% of the total number of voting shares, who are present either in person or represented by proxies or voting by ballot papers. (3) The repeated general meeting may be held at the latest 30 days following the day of holding the general meeting where the quorum failed to be attained. (4) If the repeated general meeting does not attain the required quorum, the third general meeting may be convened according to the procedure and within the deadlines as for the repeated meeting, however, no quorum is required, and the general meeting shall adopt decisions on all the agenda items irrespective of the number of shares represented. (5) If an approval by shareholders holding shares of a certain class is required for adopting a decision, the decision may be adopted by such shareholders, only if the session is attended by shareholders holding more than a half of the shares of that class. Adoption of Decisions Article 143 (1) After having voted on each individual decision, the chair of the session shall inform the general meeting about the for and against voting of the present shareholders having a voting right at the general meeting, and on the voting of the shareholders who voted in writing. (2) If requested by shareholders, the chairperson of the session shall establish in the very course of the session the exact number of votes in favour of or against the adoption of a specific decision. (3) The company shall publish on its website accurate voting results as regards specific decisions within 15 days following the date of holding the general meeting. (4) The company shall establish the form and substance of a ballot paper for absentee voting, which must be accessible to shareholders in paper and electronically. (5) The company may not annul written voting of a shareholder who failed to use the form of the prescribed ballot paper, if the identity of the shareholder and how such shareholder voted on individual issues can be established based on voting.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 66 (6) Voting by ballot papers shall be mandatory when members of the board of directors or members of the supervisory board are to be elected and when required so by shareholders or their proxies holding at least 5% of voting rights at the general meeting. (7) The general meeting shall adopt a decision by a majority vote of the shareholders present in person or represented by proxies or voting by ballot papers, save in the cases where another majority is required for adoption of a decision. (8) A ballot paper must contain the data on the company’s registered name, date and venue of holding the general meeting, issues to be voted on, name or registered name of a shareholder, number of votes of a shareholder, the possibility to vote for, or against every issue to be voted on, and if the members of the board of directors or members of the supervisory board are voted on, the name of every candidate to be voted on. (9) A ballot paper must also contain the instructions on the voting procedures and the conditions for proclaiming voting valid or invalid. (10) The shareholders present in person or represented by proxies, who have no voting right as regards deciding on specific agenda items at the general meeting shall be counted in when the quorum is determined, but they shall not be taken into account when decisions are adopted. Shareholders’ Agreement on Voting Article 144 (1) Shareholders’ agreement on voting shall be an agreement between a certain number of shareholders of the company aimed at determining in advance how they will vote in respect of their shares, in what specific manner and on what specific issues at the general meeting, irrespective if it is concluded with the support of the company’s bodies, association of shareholders or by self-organising of shareholders. (2) The agreement referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be binding only for shareholders that have signed it. (3) The agreement on voting may be concluded for a single general meeting or for a repeated session of the general meeting or for a specific period of time that may not exceed five years. (4) Where the agreement on voting is made, the shareholders shall attend the session of the general meeting in order to vote as agreed or shall appoint a joint proxy with the certified power of attorney in accordance with the law. (5) If the agreement is concluded for a longer period of time, the agreement shall envisage the procedure for reaching the agreement or consent of shareholders in advance, regarding the voting for the forthcoming general meetings, and the
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 67 resolution of possible disputes by selected arbitration or by designating a third party. (6) A counterpart of the agreement of voting shall be provided to the company to be entered in the records, and if the shares of the company concerned are sold in a regulated market, the agreement shall be provided to the Capital Market Commission, too. Electronic Participation in General Meetings Article 145 (1) Participation in the work of the general meeting may be carried out electronically, as follows:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 68 Power of Attorney for Voting Article 146 (1) A shareholder shall be entitled to authorize another person to vote as his proxy at the general meeting or perform other legal acts. (2) The proxy must be authenticated and the signatures on the power of attorney shall be authenticated in accordance with the law. (3) The proxy shall provide one counterpart of the power of attorney to the person responsible for recording powers of attorney immediately before the holding of the general meeting in order for the power of attorney to be recorded in the registration list of shareholders present or represented at the general meeting. (4) One natural person or a legal entity may be a proxy for several shareholders at the general meeting. (5) If it is not explicitly stated in the power of attorney that it is granted for one session and repeated sessions of the general meeting, the power of attorney shall be considered to be granted for all general meeting sessions held until the moment of the revocation of the power of attorney. (6) The proxy shall act in accordance with the instructions given in the power of attorney, and if the power of attorney does not include any instructions, the proxy shall vote conscientiously, at his own discretion and in the best interest of the shareholder who granted the power of attorney. (7) Voting of the proxy shall be binding for the shareholders as if the shareholders voted themselves. (8) The power of attorney may be revoked at any time and the power of attorney shall be considered to be revoked even in the case where a shareholder subsequently grants another power of attorney or votes in person at a session of the general meeting. (9) The proxy shall have the right to ask questions in accordance with Article 124 of this Law. Electronic Granting of the Power of Attorney Article 147 (1) A joint stock company shall accept a power of attorney provided in electronic form. (2) The power of attorney referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may be provided electronically and must be signed by electronic signature, as laid down in the law regulating electronic signature.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 69 Proxy Appointment Restrictions Article 148 The proxy referred to in Article 146 of this Law may be any person with legal capacity, save the company’s controlling shareholder or its auditor. Extraordinary General Meeting Article 149 An extraordinary general meeting shall be convened if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 70 (4) If the public joint stock company fails to act in accordance with paragraph 3, the requesting party may, within 30 days, demand the competent court to order the company in non-litigious proceedings to provide the information concerned. Extraordinary General Meeting Convening and Holding Article 151 (1) Extraordinary general meetings shall be convened and held as laid down in Articles 135 to 143 of this Law, provided that the notice convening the extraordinary general meeting includes proposal decisions to be considered at such general meetings. (2) The company secretary, on behalf of the board of directors or the supervisory board, shall provide the notice convening the extraordinary general meeting following the procedure established by this Law and the articles of association, but no later than 30 days prior to the date of holding the general meeting. (3) In case where the net assets of the company decrease by half or to less than a half of the amount of the company’s core capital, the board of directors or the supervisory board shall convene the company’s extraordinary general meeting within 14 days following the day of becoming aware of that fact by a member of the board of directors or a member of the supervisory board. (4) In the event referred to in paragraph 3, extraordinary general meeting shall be held within 30 days following the date of adopting the decision on convening the general meeting, and decisions proposed may not be adopted unless they have been included as a specific item in the notice convening the general meeting. (5) If a repeated general meeting is convened, shareholders must be informed thereof no later than ten days before the date of holding the general meeting. (6) Extraordinary general meeting may be convened without adhering to the stated deadlines, provided that all the shareholders with the right to vote or their proxies agree with it. Convening General Meeting of a Joint Stock Company by Court Article 152 (1) Competent court shall adopt the decision on convening a general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting, if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 71 3) the company’s creditors have requested it from the competent court due to the failure to convene an extraordinary general meeting in the cases referred to in Article 149 of this Law. (2) The decision referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be implemented by the board of directors, or the supervisory board at the expense of the joint stock company, and an appeal against the court decision shall not stay its execution. (3) If the board of directors, or the supervisory board should not act as ordered by the court, the shareholder who proposes holding the general meeting shall be entitled to convene the general meeting at the expense of the joint stock company, in accordance with Articles 135 to 143 of this Law. Nullity of General Meeting Decisions Article 153 (1) Nullity of general meeting decisions may be imposed by a lawsuit or in any other way by any person having legal interest therein. (2) Competent court may declare the general meeting decision null and void where:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 72 (7) If the competent court establishes the possibility of damage to occur for the company or conscientious third parties, it shall, based on the lawsuit referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 73 SUBTITLE C BOARD OF DIRECTORS Members and Composition of the Board of Directors Article 155 (1) The board of directors shall have minimum three members. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, the board of directors of a public joint stock company shall have minimum five members. (3) The number of members of the board of directors shall be determined by the articles of association of the company and must be odd. (4) The board of directors must have minimum one third of independent members, and the board of directors of a public joint stock company must have at least two fifths of independent members. (5) Members of the board of directors shall be registered with the CRPS as prescribed in this Law. (6) A joint stock company that subsequently acquires the status of a public joint stock company shall adapt the number and composition of the members of the board of directors, or the supervisory board to the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 4 of this Article, within three months following the date of including their securities or other financial instruments in the trading on a regulated market. Independent Members of the Board of Directors Article 156 (1) Independent member of the board of directors (hereinafter: independent director) shall be a person who is not a blood relative in a straight line, a blood relative in a lateral line up to the second degree of kinship, the spouse or the de facto partner of other members of the company’s managing bodies, or shareholders who have significant or majority interest in the core capital and a person who in the period of at least two years prior to the elections for a member of the board of directors:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 74 (2) The calculation referred to in paragraph 1 item 2 of this Article shall not include the fees received in respect of the membership in the board of directors of the companies referred to in paragraph 1, item 2 of this Article. (3) The term of office of an independent director shall be terminated when the conditions referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article cease to be met. Electing Requirements for the Members of the Board of Directors Article 157 (1) Only a natural person with legal capacity may be elected a member of the board of directors. (2) A member of the board of directors may not be:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 75 2) independent directors are represented in the same or higher percentage than the percentage provided in Article 155 of this Law; 3) all and each of the elected members of the board of directors won more votes than any other not elected candidate. (6) If the conditions referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article are not met, voting for election of the members of the board of directors shall be repeated two times at most at the same session of the general meeting, provided that the proponents referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article may change their proposals before the repeated voting, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the general meeting. Term of Office of the Members of the Board of Directors Article 159 (1) The members of the board of directors shall be elected for a term set by the articles of association, which shall not be longer than four years. (2) If the articles of association or a decision of the general meeting on appointment of the members of the board of directors do not specify the duration of the term of office, the term of office shall expire at the company’s first ordinary annual session of the general meeting. (3) A member of the board of directors may be reappointed upon the expiry of his term of office. Participation of the Members of the Board of Directors in Profits Article 160 (1) The members of the board of directors may be entitled to remuneration as a portion of the company’s profit. (2) The portion of the profit of the current year for the members of the board of directors entitled to it shall be calculated against the profit minus uncovered losses from previous years and amounts that are paid in the company’s reserves. (3) As for the public joint stock companies, the amounts referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be presented separately within the company’s annual financial accounts. Powers of the Board of Directors Article 161 (1) The board of directors shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 76 2) adopt the decision on the company’s internal organization and systematization act; 3) appoint the executive director and the Secretary of the company, if appropriate; 4) establish the business strategy in accordance with the guidelines of the general meeting; 5) supervise the company’s operations; 6) establish the company’s accounting and risk management policies; 7) appoint persons responsible for conducting internal audit in the company, upon the proposal by the auditing board, if established within the company; 8) convene the sessions of the general meeting and establish draft agenda including proposal decisions; 9) establish the amounts of dividends entitled to by specific classes of shareholders as prescribed by this Law, the articles of association and the decision of the general meeting, as well as the manner and the procedure of their payment; 10) implement the decisions of the general meeting; 11) propose the remuneration policy for the members of the managing bodies; 12) issue and revoke a procura; 13) adopt the executive director’s quarterly reports on the company’s business operations; 14) carry out other duties in accordance with this Law and the articles of association of the company. (2) The board of directors may not delegate duties under its competence to other persons, save additional authorisations provided to it by the articles of association of the company. Duty of Reporting to the General Meeting Article 162 The board of directors shall submit reports at the sessions of ordinary general meetings regarding the following:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 77 (1) The chairperson of the board of directors shall be elected from among the members of the board of directors. (2) The chairperson of the board of directors shall enter into the employment agreement with the executive director and the company secretary. (3) The chairperson of the board of directors shall convene and chair the meetings of the board of directors, propose the agenda and be responsible for minute-taking at the Board meetings. (4) The board of directors may dismiss its chairperson and appoint a new chairperson of the board of directors at any time, without stating the reasons. (5) The chairperson of the board of directors shall be registered with the CRPS. Functioning of the Board of Directors Article 164 (1) The board of directors shall adopt its Rules of Procedures. (2) The meeting of the board of directors may be convened by the chairperson of the board of directors personally or if requested by a member of the board of directors. (3) If the chairperson of the board of directors does not convene the meeting of the Board of Director requested as laid down in paragraph 2 of this Article, any member may convene the meeting of the board of directors within 30 days from the date of filing the request. (4) The member of the board of directors who convenes the meeting in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article shall specify in the request the reasons for convening the meeting and propose an agenda. (5) In case of absence of the chairperson of the Board, any of the members of the board of directors may convene a meeting of the Board and one of them shall be elected to chair the meeting at the beginning of such meeting, by a majority vote of the attending members. (6) The meeting of the board of directors may be held if attended by more than a half of the members, and decisions shall be adopted if at least a half of the present members of the board of directors vote for them. (7) The members of the board of directors shall have equal rights to vote, and in the event of a tie in voting, the vote of the chairperson of the board of directors or the vote of the person conducting chairing shall be deciding. (8) The member of the board of directors shall have no right to vote when the Board is deciding on his liability or work with the company.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 78 (9) The meetings of the board of directors may be held electronically, by telephone, telegraph and fax, or by using other means of audio-visual communication, unless otherwise prescribed by the articles of association or the Rules of Procedure of the board of directors. Liability of the Members of the Board of Directors Article 165 (1) The members of the board of directors shall be liable for any damage they cause to the company. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, the members of the board of directors shall not be liable for the damage of the company incurred due to the implementation of the decisions of the company’s general meeting. (3) If it is established in the course of the procedure for damage compensation that several members of the board of directors are responsible for the damage, the members who are responsible shall be liable jointly and severally for the damage incurred. (4) If the damage occurs as a result of a decision of the board of directors, the members of the board of directors who voted in favour of such decision shall be liable for the damage. (5) In the case referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article, the member of the board of directors who did not attend the meeting of the board of directors where the decision was adopted and did not vote in favour of such decision in another way shall be liable for the damage incurred, unless he files an objection to the decision in writing within eight days following his becoming aware of its adoption. Committees of the Board of Directors Article 166 (1) The board of directors may establish committees for nomination, for remuneration policy and other committees to perform specific expert duties under the competence of the board of directors. (2) Members of the committees may be the members of managing bodies and other natural persons with appropriate knowledge and work experience relevant for the work of the committee. (3) Committees may not take decisions regarding issues under the competence of the board of directors. (4) Committees shall regularly report on their work to the board of directors, in accordance with the decision on their establishing.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 79 Composition of Committees Article 167 (1) Committees shall have odd number of members and at least three members. (2) One member of each committee must be an independent director. Decision Making by Committees Article 168 (1) Committees may adopt a decision when majority of the total number of members take part in voting. (2) In the event of a tie vote, the vote of the chair of the committee shall be deciding. Nominating Committee Article 169 The Nominating Committee shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 80 Remuneration Committee Article 170 The Remuneration Committee shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 81 SUBTITLE D EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Appointing of Executive Director Article 172 (1) Executive Director shall be appointed by the board of directors of the company. (2) The person meeting the conditions established by the company’s articles of association and Article 157 of this Law may be appointed as the executive director. (3) The executive director may not be a member of the board of directors, except in the case of a single-member company. Powers of the Executive Director Article 173 (1) The executive director shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 82 Termination of Office of the Executive Director Article 174 (1) The executive director’s term of office shall terminate upon the expiry of the period of his appointment, in accordance with the agreement concluded with the chairperson of the board of directors. (2) The executive director’s term of office shall also terminate in the event the conditions determined by this Law cease to be met. (3) The board of directors may dismiss the executive director before the expiry of his term of office without specifying the reasons thereof, and in such case the executive director may request severance pay in accordance with the agreement concluded with the chairperson of the board of directors. (4) Executive Director may resign before the expiry of his term of office by giving a written notice to the board of directors at least 15 days prior to the submission of the resignation. (5) The resignation shall take effect in relation to the company as of the date of its service, unless a later date is stated in the notice of resignation. (6) The termination of the term of office of the executive director shall be registered with the CRPS, within 15 days following the date of meeting the registration requirements. (7) In the events referred to in paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Article, the board of directors shall appoint an acting executive director until a new executive director has been appointed, in accordance with this Law. (8) If the board of directors has not appointed an acting executive director, the executive director whose term of office terminated shall continue working until a new executive director or a temporary representative has been appointed. (9) The board of directors shall appoint a new executive director within 60 days following the registration date of the termination of the executive director’s term of office with CRPS. (10) The authority responsible for registration shall record the resignation of the executive director. Appointing a Temporary Representative Article 175 (1) If a new executive director is not appointed in the events referred to in Article 174 of this Law within 60 days following the registration date of the termination of the term of office of the executive director with the CRPS, a shareholder or another
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 83 stakeholder may seek from a competent court to appoint a temporary representative with all the rights and obligations of the executive director. (2) The requesting party referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may propose a person to be appointed as a temporary representative, but such proposal shall not be binding for the court. (3) Temporary representative of the company must meet the requirements referred to in Article 172 of this Law. (4) The court shall take a decision on appointing the temporary representative no later than eight days following the receipt date of the request. SUBTITLE E SUPERVISORY BOARD Members of the Supervisory Board Article 176 (1) The supervisory board shall have minimum three members. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, the supervisory board of the public joint stock company shall have minimum five members. (3) The number of members of the supervisory board shall be set by the articles of association and it must be odd. (4) The members of the supervisory board shall be registered with the CRPS in accordance with this Law. Requirements for the Members of the Supervisory Board Article 177 (1) The persons meeting the requirements referred to in Article 157 of this Law may be appointed as the members of the supervisory board. (2) Members of the supervisory board may not be the persons employed with the company, the members of the company’s management board or the company’s procurators. Independent Members of the Supervisory Board Article 178 (1) A joint stock company must have at least one third of independent members of the supervisory board, and as for the supervisory board of the public joint stock company, independent members must make at least two fifths of the members.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 84 (2) The provisions of Article 156 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to independent members of the supervisory board. Election and Term of Office of the Members of the Supervisory Board Article 179 (1) The members of the supervisory board shall be elected by the general meeting. (2) Candidates for the members of the supervisory board may be nominated by shareholders who jointly hold minimum 5% of the core capital. (3) Election of the members of the supervisory board shall be carried out in accordance with Article 158 of this Law. (4) The provisions of Articles 159 and 160 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to the term of office of the members and termination of membership in the supervisory board. Remuneration of the Members of the Supervisory Board Article 180 The members of the supervisory board shall be entitled to remuneration in accordance with Article 133, paragraph 1, item 6 of this Law. Powers of the Supervisory Board Article 181 (1) The supervisory board shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 85 12)carry out other duties in accordance with this Law and the articles of association of the company. (2) The supervisory board may not transfer the duties under its competence, save the additional authorisations delegated to it by the articles of association. Chairperson of the Supervisory Board Article 182 (1) The provision of Article 163 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to the election of the chairperson of the supervisory board. (2) The chairperson of the supervisory board shall enter into the employment agreement with the chairperson of the management board and the company secretary. Functioning of the Supervisory Board and Responsibilities of its Members Article 183 (1) The supervisory board shall adopt the Rules of Procedure. (2) The provisions of Articles 164 and 168 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to the functioning and liability of the supervisory board. Committees of the Supervisory Board Article 184 The supervisory board may establish committees to perform specific expert duties under its competences (nominating committee, remuneration policy committee and other committees) as prescribed in Articles 166 to 170 of this Law. SUBTITLE F MANAGEMENT BOARD Composition of the Management Board Article 185 (1) The management board shall have minimum three members. (2) The number of the members of the management board shall be set by the articles of association and it must be odd. (3) The members of the management board shall be registered with the CRPS in accordance with this Law.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 86 Requirements for the Members of the Management Board Article 186 (1) The persons meeting the requirements referred to in Article 157 of this Law may be appointed as the members of the management board. (2) The members of the management board may not be the persons who are the members of the company’s supervisory board. Appointment and Term of Office of the Members of the Management Board Article 187 (1) The members of the management board shall be appointed by the supervisory board, in accordance with the articles of association of the company. (2) The members of the management board shall be appointed for a period determined by the articles of association, which may not be longer than four years. (3) If the articles of association or the decision of the supervisory board on the appointment of the members of the management board specify no duration of the term of office, the term of office shall run for one year. (4) A member of the management board may be reappointed upon the expiry of his term of office. Remuneration of the Members of the Management Board Article 188 (1) The members of the management board shall be entitled to remuneration for their work. (2) Remuneration for the work of the members of the management board shall be determined in accordance with Article 133, paragraph 1, item 6 and Article 160 of this Law. Powers of the Management Board Article 189 (1) The management board shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 87 4) propose the agenda for the sessions of the general meeting to the supervisory board; 5) calculate the level or the amount of dividends, determine the date, the manner and procedure of their payment, in accordance with the decisions of the general meeting; 6) implement the decisions of the general meeting and the decisions of the supervisory board; 7) submit quarterly reports on the company’s current business operations to the supervisory board; 8) carry out other duties and adopt decisions in accordance with this Law, the articles of association, the decisions of the general meeting and the decisions of the supervisory board. (2) The powers of the management board may not be delegated to the supervisory board of the company. Termination of Membership in the Management Board Article 190 The provisions of Article 171 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to the termination of the membership in the management board. Chairperson of the Management Board Article 191 (1) The hairperson of the management board shall represent the company and manage the operations of the company in line with the instrument of constitution, the articles of association and the decisions of the general meeting, or the supervisory board of the company. (2) The chairperson of management board shall be nominated by the supervisory board. (3) The chairperson of the management board shall coordinate the work of other members of the management board, organize and conduct the company’s business operations, convene and chair management board meetings, propose the agenda, be responsible for minute-taking of the board sessions and perform the duties of the company secretary, if the company secretary is not appointed. (4) The chairperson of the management board shall ensure legality of the company’s operations, comply with the guidelines and implement the decisions and orders of the supervisory board and the management board with regard to managing the company’s assets and internal organization of the company, or the business operations of the company.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 88 (5) The chairperson of the management board shall neither grant the power of attorney for representation nor represent the company in a dispute in which he is the counterparty. (6) The employment of the executive director shall be established by a contract, concluded with the chairperson of the supervisory board for a period until the expiry of the term of office. (7) The supervisory board may dismiss the chairperson of the management board, but his membership in the management board shall not be terminated. (8) The termination of the term of office shall be registered with the CRPS within 15 days following the termination date, and the chairperson of the management board whose term of office is terminated shall continue to work until a new chairperson of the management board or a temporary representative has been appointed. (9) The supervisory board shall appoint a new chairperson of the management board within 60 days following the registration date of the termination of the term of office of the chairperson of the management board with the CRPS. Appointing of Temporary Representative Article 192 (1) If a new chairperson of the management board is not appointed within 60 days following the registration date of the termination of the term of office referred to in Article 191 paragraph 8 of this Law, a shareholder or another stakeholder may seek from a competent court to appoint a temporary representative of the company with all the rights and obligations of the chairperson of the management board. (2) The requesting party referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may propose a person to be appointed as a temporary representative, but such proposal shall not be binding for the court. (3) Temporary representative of the company must meet the requirements referred to in Article 186 of this Law. (4) The court shall adopt a decision on appointing the temporary representative no later than eight days following the receipt date of the request. Functioning of the Management Board Article 193 The provisions of Articles 164 and 165 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to the functioning of the management board and the responsibilities of the members of the management board.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 89 SUBTITLE G COMPANY SECRETARY Appointment and Term of Office of the Company Secretary Article 194 (1) A joint stock company may have a company secretary, appointed by the board of directors, or the supervisory board. (2) The bodies of the company referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall determine the salary or remuneration of the company secretary in accordance with this Law. (3) The company secretary need not be employed with the company. Powers of the Company Secretary Article 195 Unless otherwise provided by the articles of association or the decision on appointment of the company secretary, the company secretary shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 90 Appointment of Auditor Article 197 (1) The auditor shall be appointed by the general shareholders meeting for a term specified in the articles of association, but not exceeding one year. (2) Shareholders holding minimum 5% of the core capital shall be entitled to nominate candidates for the company’s auditor. Auditor Rights, Obligations and Liability Article 198 (1) In the course of conducting the audit, the auditor shall be entitled to inspect at the agreed time all business books of the company and shall be entitled to request from the members of the board of directors, or members of the supervisory board and the management board, the executive director and other company’s employees explanations and data necessary to prepare the audit report. (2) The auditor shall have the right to attend the general meeting and give explanations and answers to the questions asked in relation to the qualifications and opinion given in the audit report. (3) At the annual general meeting, the summary of the audit report shall be read, and it shall be available for inspection to all the shareholders at such general meeting. Termination of Contract with Auditor by the Company Article 199 (1) By a decision of the general meeting adopted by majority votes, the auditor may be dismissed before the expiry of the term of his appointment. (2) The decision on dismissal shall be submitted to the CRPS for registration within seven days of the date of adopting the decision on termination of the contract with the auditor. Termination of the Contract with the Company by the Auditor Article 200 (1) Auditor may terminate the contract prior to the expiry of the agreed term by giving a written notice to the company of the contract termination, which shall include the statement that the contract is being terminated for the reasons that the company’s shareholders or creditors need not be informed of. (2) The auditor shall provide a copy of the notice to the CRPS for registration within 7 days from delivering the notice on contract termination to the company.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 91 (3) If the notice of termination of the contract contains a statement that the contract is terminated due to the circumstances that require informing the shareholders or creditors, the company shall provide a copy of the notice to every person entitled to receive copies of financial reports within 7 days from receiving the notice. (4) If the notice contains a statement on the circumstances which require informing of the shareholders or creditors, the auditor may request that the general meeting is convened to explain such circumstances, for the purpose of informing the creditors and shareholders. (5) In the event referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article, the board of directors or the supervisory board shall convene the general meeting within 28 days following the date of receiving the notice on contract termination. (6) The auditor may prepare a written report for the general meeting, which shall be considered at the general meeting referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article, or the first following general meeting. Prohibition to Influence the Work of the Auditor Article 201 The company shall not influence the work of the auditor in the course of conducting audit. Title VI JOINT STOCK COMPANY CAPITAL SUBTITLE A SHARES Definition of Shares Article 202 (1) A share shall mean a security representing a participating interest in the ownership of its issuer. (2) Shares shall be issued, acquired and transferred in dematerialized form and registered with the registry of securities CKDD, in accordance with the law regulating the capital market. (3) A share shall not be divisible. (4) If a share is held by several persons, all its holders shall be considered as a single shareholder and the rights carried by such share shall be exercised by one of the holders with the consent of other holders.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 92 (5) In the event referred in paragraph 4 of this Article, the holders of a share shall be severally and jointly liable for the obligations they have as shareholders. (6) The nominal value as well as market value of the share shall be denominated in Euro. (7) Shares of joint stock companies shall be issued in the name of the holder and must be recorded with the Capital Market Commission and registered with the CKDD. (8) The shares of a company under bankruptcy proceedings may be acquired. (9) Shares shall be classified by the rights they carry pursuant to the law, the articles of association or the company’s decision adopted in their issuing procedure. Nominal Value of the Share Article 203 (1) A company may issue shares with or without nominal value. (2) Nominal value of a share shall be the value designated by the decision on issuance of shares. (3) If a company should issue shares without nominal value, all the company shares must be without the nominal value. (4) A company may not issue shares below the nominal value, and if shares do not have the nominal value, the shares may not be issued below the accounting value. Pre-emptive Right to Purchase Shares Article 204 (1) Where the capital is increased by monetary contributions, the shares must be offered on a pre-emptive basis to the current shareholders, in proportion to the number of shares they own. (2) Only the shareholders that had such status on the day of the adoption of the decision on the increase in capital shall be deemed to be the shareholders referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. (3) If the shareholders referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article sell their shares, they shall lose the pre-emptive right and such right shall not be transferred to the buyer of the shares. (4) If the company has several classes of shares or other equity securities, the rights of such other classes must be represented by offering them shares so as to maintain the proportional share in the capital of the company.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 93 (5) The decision on the right of pre-emption may be adopted only at the general meeting, attended by shareholders holding at least two thirds of shares, by majority of present or represented shareholders with voting right. (6) The terms of offer of shares made on a pre-emptive basis, including the period within which this right must be exercised, shall be published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro and at least twice in a daily printed media outlet in Montenegro, within the period of minimum five and maximum ten days between the publications. (7) The right of pre-emption must be exercised within a period of at least 30 days following the date of publication of the offer or the date of providing the notice to the shareholders, whichever is later. (8) The right of pre-emption may not be exercised upon the expiry of the deadline referred to in paragraph 7 of this Article. (9) The right of pre-emption may be modified or withdrawn only by a decision of the general meetings, adopted in accordance with Article 131, paragraph 1, item 16 of this Law. (10) In the event referred to in paragraph 9 of this Article, the board of directors, or the supervisory board shall submit to the general meeting a written report indicating the reasons for restricting or withdrawing the right of pre-emption and explaining the proposed initial price of the shares. (11) The decision referred to in paragraph 9 of this Article shall be delivered to the CRPS for registration within seven days following the day of its adoption. Types of Shares Article 205 A joint stock company may issue ordinary and preference shares, depending on the rights given to the holders of the shares. Ordinary Shares Article 206 (1) Ordinary shares shall mean the shares giving their holders the rights referred to in Articles 122 and 123 of this Law, and other rights prescribed by this Law and the articles of association of the company. (2) Ordinary shares may not be converted into preference shares or other securities.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 94 Preference Shares Article 207 (1) Preference shares shall be the shares giving their holders the following:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 95 5) restriction or exclusion of the existing right of pre-emption to purchase and the existing voting right of the shares of that class, if such right is established by the articles of association in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article. (3) The articles of association of a joint stock company may stipulate that holders of preference shares have the voting right together with the holders of ordinary shares if the dividend they are entitled to under the decision of the general meeting has not been paid, until the payment of such dividend, in proportion to the share of preference shares in the core capital of the company. SUBTITLE B BONDS Definition of Bonds Article 209 (1) A bond of a joint stock company is a fixed income security entitling its holder to receive interest and other entitlements specified by the issue of the bond or in the agreement on bond redemption. (2) A bondholder shall be repaid the amount of the principle equal to the agreed value as of maturity date. (3) The decision to issue bonds, except for convertible bonds, shall be adopted by the general meeting by a majority vote of shareholders present or represented or by the board of directors, or the supervisory board, if it is stipulated by the articles of association. (4) A joint stock company shall redeem bonds on the agreed date, whereas the decision on the issue of bonds may also establish the right of the company to redemption of bonds prior to maturity. Convertible Bonds Article 210 (1) A convertible bond shall be a bond that may be exchanged for a share of the company. (2) The decision on issue of convertible bonds shall be adopted by the general meeting attended by two thirds of shareholders in person or represented by proxies or voting by ballot papers. (3) The decision referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article must establish the number of shares allocated in respect of each convertible bond. (4) Shareholders shall have a pre-emptive right to purchase convertible bonds commensurate with the number of shares they hold in the joint stock company.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 96 (5) The pre-emptive right to purchase convertible bonds referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article may be exercised in the period of no less than 30 days following the day of the publication of the proposal to issue convertible bonds or the day of providing the notice to shareholders, whichever is later. (6) The pre-emptive right to purchase convertible bonds held by the existing shareholders may be restricted or withdrawn by a decision of the general shareholders meeting in accordance with Article 133, paragraph 1, item 16 of this Law. (7) Prior to the adoption of the decision referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article, the company’s board of directors or supervisory board shall submit to the general meeting a written statement specifying the reasons for restricting or withdrawing the pre-emptive right to purchase convertible bonds. (8) The decision referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. (9) The provisions of paragraphs 1 to 8 of this Article shall apply to the issue of other securities that can be converted into shares or granting the right to acquire shares. SUBTITLE C INCREASE OF CORE CAPITAL OF A JOINT STOCK COMPANY Manner of Increasing Capital Article 211 Core capital of a joint stock company may be increased:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 97 Conversion of Convertible Securities into Shares Article 213 (1) If a company issued convertible bonds, its core capital may be increased by issuing new shares, for which convertible bondholders can exchange their bonds. (2) The provision of paragraph 1 of this Article shall also apply to other securities convertible into shares or granting the right to acquire shares. Capital Increase from the Reserves and Undistributed Profits Article 214 (1) Core capital may be increased from the reserves and undistributed profits of the company, provided that it is not contrary to the purpose of the reserves and if the company does not have uncovered losses according to the last annual account. (2) The shares issued in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article shall be allocated to the shareholders that were shareholders on the day when the general meeting adopted the decision on the increase in the core capital of the company from the reserves of the company or undistributed profits of the company, proportionally to their holding in the total number of company’s shares. (3) The company may increase its core capital from undistributed profits and reserves remaining after the losses have been covered. Capital Increase Requirements Article 215 (1) The company's capital may be increased pursuant to the decision on the new issue of shares, provided that the general meeting is attended by shareholders or their representatives holding at least two thirds of the shares. (2) The decision on increase of core capital shall be adopted individually for each class of shares, in view of protecting the rights of shareholders. Capital Increase Registration and Publication Article 216 (1) If a decision on capital increase referred to in Article 215 of this Law is adopted, the articles of association must be amended and such amendments shall be registered with CRPS, after the shares have been subscribed and paid for, within 15 days following the date of adopting the decision of the Capital Market Commission confirming the successfulness of the issue.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 98 (2) The core capital shall be considered increased as of the date of registering the amendments to the articles of association with the CRPS. Amount of Approved Core Capital Increase Article 217 (1) The articles of association of the company or a decision of the general meeting adopted by a two-third majority of the shareholders present in person or represented by proxies or voting by ballot papers may authorize the board of directors, or the supervisory board to adopt a decision on the issue of shares. (2) The articles of association of the company or a decision of the general meeting shall establish the amount of approved core capital increase and the deadline until which the authorization of the board of directors or the supervisory board is valid, which may not exceed five years from the date of adoption or amendments of the articles of association based on which the decision on the approved core capital increase is adopted, or from the date of adoption of the decision by the general meeting. (3) By the decision of the general meeting, the approval of capital increase may be extended several times by a period up to five years per every approval. (4) The amount of the approved capital increase must be less than the amount of the portion of core capital comprised of issued ordinary shares. Dividend Distribution in the Form of Shares Article 218 (1) If the company is paying out dividends in the form of shares, shareholders shall be entitled to receive such shares without a consideration, and their number must be proportionate to the total number of shares they hold. (2) The shares issued in the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall carry the same rights as other shares of that class. SUBTITLE D REDUCTION OF CORE CAPITAL Manner of Reducing Capital Article 219 A joint stock company core capital may be reduced by:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 99 Adoption of the Decision on Core Capital Reduction Article 220 (1) The core capital of the company may be reduced by a decision of the general meeting adopted by minimum two-third majority of the shareholders present in person or represented by proxies or voting by ballot papers. (2) If the company issued shares of different classes, the decision of the general meeting shall be adopted individually for each class of shares, in view of protecting the rights of shareholders. (3) The notice convening the general meeting shall include the reasons for the reduction of core capital, and the manner how it is to be carried out. (4) The decision of the general shareholders meeting to reduce the core capital shall be provided to the CRPS for registration, within 15 days following the date of adopting the decision. (5) The core capital shall be considered reduced when the articles of association amendments have been registered with CRPS. (6) The decision on core capital reduction shall be published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. Protection of Creditors Article 221 (1) After the adoption of the decision on core capital reduction, the company shall deliver a written notification thereof to each creditor known to the company, whose individual claim amounts to no less than 10,000 euro as of the date of publication of the decision. (2) Creditors whose claims antedate the publication of the decision on the company’s core capital reduction, regardless of the due date, may in writing demand from the company to obtain security for claims within 60 days from the delivery date of such notification or from the publication date of the notification in the Official Gazette of Montenegro, whichever is later. (3) Creditors may request the payment of their claims within the period referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article. (4) If the creditors referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article were not given the requested security, and their claims were not paid, the creditors may seek from the competent court to adopt a decision on securing the claim or payment of the claim, if they demonstrate that the payment of the claim is jeopardized by the core capital reduction.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 100 (5) The company may not pay funds to shareholders until the creditors have been satisfied or until the court has established that their claims are not grounded. Safeguards for Creditors Article 222 (1) The company shall not provide safeguards for its liabilities to creditors, if their claims are already fully and reliably secured. (2) The company need not provide safeguards for its liabilities to creditors if aggregate claims of creditors, after the reduction of the core capital of the company, exceed the net asset value of the company valuated by an independent appraiser. (3) The company need not provide safeguards to creditors when the purpose of the reduction of capital is to offset losses and in the event of core capital reduction without change in the company’s net assets. Core Capital Reduction without Change in the Company Net Assets Article 223 (1) The company’s net assets shall not change in the event of core capital reduction aimed at:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 101 SUBTITLE E OWN SHARES Manner of Acquiring Own Shares Article 225 (1) Own shares shall be the shares acquired by a joint stock company from its shareholders. (2) Own shares may not be subscribed for by the company itself. (3) Company’s shares may not be subscribed for by its controlled company or by a third person acting in his own name but on behalf of the controlled company. (4) If the company’s shares are subscribed by a third person acting in his name and on behalf of the company, it shall be deemed that such third person subscribed the shares on his own behalf. (5) If a controlled company acquired shares of a parent company before the control establishing, for the purpose of this Law these shares shall not be deemed own shares after the control has been established. (6) In the event referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article, shares shall cease to carry voting right, and shall be taken into account for determining the requirements referred to in Article 226, paragraph 1, item 2. (7) The founding shareholders, and in the case of core capital increase the members of the board of directors, or the supervisory board shall be liable for the payment or making of contributions for shares not subscribed as laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. Conditions for Acquisition of Own Shares Article 226 (1) A company may acquire own shares directly or through a third person acquiring the shares in his own name but on the company’s behalf, if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 102 (2) Upon each acquisition of own shares, the board of directors or the supervisory board shall check if the requirements referred to in paragraph 1, item 2 of this Article have been met, and produce a written report thereon. Content of the Decision on Acquisition of Own Shares Article 227 Decision on acquisition of own shares must include:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 103 Disposing of Own Shares Article 230 (1) Own shares acquired by the company in accordance with Article 226 of this Law must be disposed of within three years from the date of acquisition. (2) Own shares acquired by the company in accordance with Article 229, items 2 to 7 of this Law, whose nominal value exceeds 10% of core capital must be disposed of within three years from the date of acquisition, so the total value of the acquired own shares does not exceed 10% of core capital. (3) Own shares not acquired by the company in accordance with the provisions of Article 226 or Article 229 items 2 to 7 of this Law must be disposed of within a year following the acquisition date. (4) The company shall cancel own shares not disposed of in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article within three days from the date of expiry of the deadline referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, without the decision of the company’s general meeting and inform the Capital Market Commission and CKDD on cancellation of own shares within three days. (5) In the event that the cancellation of shares referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article would result in the net assets of the company to be lower than its core capital, plus reserves that can be used to pay shareholders, in accordance with this Law, the company shall carry out the cancellation of shares by reducing core capital of the company in accordance with this Law. (6) The board of directors, or the supervisory board shall adopt the decision referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article. Status of Own Shares Article 231 In the course of holding of own shares by the company:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 104 Reporting on Own Shares Article 232 A company that acquired or disposed of own shares during a year shall disclose the following in its annual financial accounts for that business year:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 105 2) the appraiser's report shall be submitted to the general meeting and the general meeting shall decide on accepting the transaction by a two-third majority of shareholders present either in person or represented by proxies or voting by ballot papers; 3) in case of a dispute, a shareholder whose assets are acquired by the company shall be entitled to court protection, as laid down in this Law; 4) the appraiser's report shall be submitted to the CRPS for registration. (2) The provision of paragraph 1 of this Article shall not apply if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 106 Dividends Article 238 (1) A dividend shall be a payment of a part of the company's profit to its shareholders. (2) The dividend shall be paid in cash, as a rule, but it may also be paid in the form of company’s shares or other securities. (3) Dividends may be paid to persons who were shareholders of the company on the date when the general meeting adopted the decision on dividend payment. (4) A shareholder who is not paid a dividend shall be entitled to dividend, even if he disposed of the shares after the date of holding the general meeting where the decision on dividend payment was made. Title VII RESTRUCTURING JOINT STOCK COMPANY SUBTITLE A TYPES AND RULES OF RESTRUCTURING Restructuring Procedures Article 239 (1) Joint stock company may be restructured through status change or change of legal form of the undertaking. (2) Status change of a joint stock company shall be a procedure where one or more undertakings is restructured by transferring assets and liabilities to one or more other undertakings, while shareholders acquire shares in the undertaking, or undertakings, which assets and liabilities have been transferred to. (3) Status change may be effected by:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 107 Restructuring Rules Article 240 (1) The restructuring of a joint stock company may be carried out only if assets of an undertaking exceed its liabilities. (2) The undertaking in which bankruptcy proceedings or the court-based or voluntary liquidation proceedings have been initiated in accordance with this Law cannot participate in the restructuring procedure, unless otherwise provided for by the law governing bankruptcy. (3) undertakings taking over assets and liabilities may in addition to the shares also pay a monetary amount as a fair compensation, to the shareholders of the undertaking whose assets they take over, provided that this amount does not exceed 10% of the nominal value of shares issued for the acquired assets. (4) The decision on accepting merger agreement, decision on division into two or more undertakings, decision on spin off with establishment of one or more undertakings, decision to change legal form and decision on the issue of shares on the basis of the restructuring of the undertaking shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of shareholders present in person and represented through their proxies or through voting on ballot papers. (5) Notwithstanding paragraph 4 of this Article, consent of all shareholders of the undertaking shall be required for the adoption of a decision on restructuring of a joint stock company on the basis of which shareholders acquire capacity of a member of a limited partnership or general partnership. (6) Minutes from general meetings of the undertaking in which decisions referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article are adopted shall be produced in the form of a notarial deed (7) If there are several classes of shares in the undertaking, the decision referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article must be adopted by a two thirds majority of shareholders present in person and represented through proxies or through voting on ballot papers, for each of these classes. (8) The issue or annulment of shares in the restructuring process shall be recorded with the Capital Market Commission. (9) Shares in an undertaking being dissolved shall not be exchanged for shares of an undertaking that takes over assets and liabilities, if owners of the shares to be exchanged are:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 108 (10) Provisions of Articles 239 to 252 on restructuring of joint stock companies, as well as the provision of Article 127 paragraph 1 items 2 and 3 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to the restructuring of other undertakings, unless otherwise provided for by this Law. SUBTITLE B MERGER Types of Merger of Joint Stock Companies Article 241 (1) A joint stock company may be restructured by merger when one or more undertakings are acquired by the existing undertaking by transferring the entire assets and liabilities to that undertaking, which in exchange issues shares to the shareholders of the undertakings being acquired (merger by acquisition), or two or more undertakings are merged into a newly formed undertaking which issues shares of the newly formed undertaking to the shareholders of the undertakings being merged (merger by formation of a new undertaking). (2) The undertaking which acquired another one, or the undertaking formed by merging through formation of a new undertaking, shall be known as acquiring undertaking, whereas the undertaking that transferred assets and liabilities shall be known as acquired undertaking. Procedure for Merging Joint Stock Companies Article 242 (1) Board of directors or management board, with prior consent obtained from the supervisory board of undertakings taking part in merger, shall agree on draft contract on merger which shall contain the following:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 109 in merger or to the independent expert who produces report on draft contract on the merger, as well as the reasons for such payments; 9) Precise description of assets and liabilities to be transferred to the acquiring undertaking, legal form of organising and business name of the new undertaking, in case of a merger by formation of a new undertaking; 10)Amendments to the instrument of constitution and articles of association of the existing acquiring undertaking, or proposal of the instrument of constitution and articles of association of the acquiring undertaking, in case of merger by formation of a new undertaking. (2) Agreed draft contract on the merger shall be signed on behalf of each undertaking taking part in merger by a member of the board of directors, or the management board, designated by each undertaking taking part in merger. (3) The board of directors or management board of the undertaking taking part in merger shall produce a written report for general shareholders’ meeting in which draft contract on the merger shall be considered, which shall contain:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 110
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 111 market for public joint stock companies and makes it available for access to shareholders in the manner referred to in paragraph 11 of this Article. (13) The special financial statement referred to in paragraph 12 of this Article shall present data in the same manner as stated in the annual financial statement, provided that changes in valuation from the last annual financial statement are made only on the basis of changes in bookkeeping relative to the condition stated in the last annual financial statement, without taking inventory of assets, but subject to the obligation to take into account medium-term depreciation/amortisation, provisioning for costs and losses, as well as substantive changes in real value which not stated in the books. (14) If the documentation referred to in paragraph 11 of this Article is published on website of the undertaking taking part in the merger at least one month prior to holding the general shareholders’ meeting in which draft contract on the merger will be considered and if their unlimited download in electronic form is enabled and free of charge is enabled, the undertaking shall not be obliged to make copies of the documentation free of charge and to make it available for access to shareholders. (15) undertakings taking part in the merger shall be obliged to submit draft contract on the merger to the competent registration authority for the purpose of publishing it in the Official Gazette of Montenegro, at least one month prior to holding the general shareholders’ meeting in which draft contract on the merger will be considered, along with the following data:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 112 shareholders’ meeting of the acquiring undertaking adopts the decision on merger; 4) minutes from the session of the management body which adopted the decision instead of general shareholders’ meeting are produced in the form of a notarial deed. 5) minutes referred to in item 4 of this paragraph shall contain an integral text of the draft contract on the merger. (18) The undertaking shall be obliged to submit to the CRPS for the purpose of registration, within 15 days following the day of publishing the decision of the Capital Market Commission on recording the issue of shares resulting from merger, the following:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 113 satisfaction of his claim may request additional protection of his claims from the undertaking which is his debtor at the moment of submitting the request, no later than 60 days following the date of the publishing in the Official Gazette of Montenegro in accordance with Article 242 paragraph 15 [of this Law]. (4) undertaking shall ensure additional protection of creditors referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article in one or more of the following ways:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 114 Legal Consequences of the Merger Article 244 (1) Merger of joint stock companies shall be deemed completed as of the date of its registration, when:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 115 Liability of Members of Management Bodies and of Independent Expert Article 246 (1) Members of the management bodies of the undertaking being merged, as well as independent experts hired in accordance with Article 242 paragraph 6 of this Law, shall be liable for the damage they cause to the undertaking or to the shareholders of undertakings in the merger procedure. (2) Provisions of this Law governing the brining of lawsuit and proceedings upon a lawsuit for the breach of the duty of care referred to in Article 33 to 35 of this Law shall apply to the lawsuit for damage compensation referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Simplified Mergers Article 247 (1) Provisions of this Law governing merger of joint stock companies shall also apply to the simplified mergers, unless otherwise stipulated by this Article. (2) The acquiring undertaking shall be deemed to be the owner of shares of the acquired undertaking when those shares are registered in its name, as well as in the case when other persons own them in their name, but on his behalf. (3) In the event of merger of an undertaking with the acquiring undertaking which holds at least 90% of shares, but not all the shares and other securities bearing voting rights of the acquired undertaking, the decision on the merger of undertaking or on the issue of shares resulting from restructuring may be adopted by the board of directors or supervisory board of the acquiring undertaking instead of the general shareholders’ meeting of the acquiring undertaking, provided that conditions:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 116 acquiring undertaking had right to have free of charge access to the documents referred in Article 242 paragraph 11 items 1, 3 and 5 of this Law at least one month before the merger procedure is finalised, at the registered office of the undertaking. (6) In the event referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article, the board of directors or the supervisory board of those undertakings may adopt decisions on merger or on issue of shares resulting from restructuring, instead of general shareholders’ meeting of undertakings participating in the merger procedure if conditions:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 117 division, which shall contain data referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, proposals of the instrument of constitution and articles of association of the new undertakings, as well as a proposal of the decision on issue of shares on the grounds of division, whereby provisions related to draft contract also apply to the proposal of the decision on division. (5) The undertakings that submit report of the management board shall also submit to the general shareholders’ meeting the decision of the supervisory board on adopting the report of the management board. (6) Where the distribution of shares of undertakings formed by division is conducted in proportion to the ownership structure of the undertaking being divided, provisions of Article 242 paragraphs 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 of this Law shall not apply. (7) Where the distribution of shares of undertakings formed by division is not conducted in proportion to the ownership structure of the undertaking being divided, the report referred to in Article 242 paragraph 3 shall state reasons and applied criterion of distribution. (8) Where a part of the assets is not or cannot be divided in accordance with the proposed terms of division, the undertakings acquiring assets and liabilities shall be transferred the part of assets which is proportionate to the share of undertaking that assumed assets and liabilities in the division of the undertaking being divided. (9) If liabilities are not or cannot be divided in accordance with the proposed terms of division, each undertaking acquiring assets and liabilities shall be jointly and severally liable for these liabilities. (10) Other acquiring undertakings shall be jointly and severally liable for the liabilities not settled by the acquiring undertaking that assumed these liabilities in accordance with the agreement referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, unless otherwise agreed upon with a specific creditor, while joint and several liability of the acquiring undertakings shall be limited up to the amount of net assets assumed by these undertakings in the restructuring procedure.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 118 Spin-off with Establishment of One or More Undertakings Article 249 (1) By restructuring of a joint stock company through spin-off with establishment of one or more undertakings, the existing undertaking shall transfer a part of its assets and liabilities to one or more undertakings being established (new undertaking) and these shall, in exchange, issue shares that are distributed to the shareholders of the existing undertaking whose core capital is reduced by the value of the transferred assets, whereby provisions of this Law governing the reduction of core capital shall not apply to the reduction of core capital of the existing undertaking, except for of Articles 219 and 224 of this Law. (2) The provisions of this Law on division of undertaking shall apply to spin-off from a joint stock company. (3) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the board of directors, or the management board of the existing undertaking shall prepare for the general shareholders’ meeting the proposal on terms and manner of spin-off, which includes:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 119 more than one undertaking is established by spin-off, unless otherwise agreed upon with a certain creditor. (9) The new [and the existing undertaking shall be jointly and severally liable for the liabilities not settled by the existing undertaking, unless otherwise agreed upon with a certain creditor, whereby joint and several liability of the new undertaking shall be limited to the value of net assets that have been transferred to that undertaking. Subtitle D Chang of Organisation Form of the Joint Stock Company Conditions for Conducting Procedure and Application of Provisions of this Law Article 250 (1) A joint stock company may be restructured by changing legal form into a limited liability company, limited or general partnership, under the following conditions:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 120 to the day of holding the general shareholders meeting that will decide on the change of the legal form of the company; 5) a report on the need to carry out the procedure for change of the legal form of the company, which shall include reasons and expected effects and data on consequences of change of the legal form of the company and rights of dissenting shareholders referred to in Articles 127 of this Law, in the event of change of the legal form into a limited liability company. (2) Along with the documentation referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the decision of the supervisory board on adoption of the documentation referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall also be submitted to the general shareholders meeting that will decide on the change of the legal form of the company. (3) The Capital Market Commission shall adopt a decision on suspension of trading in shares of the company upon request referred to in paragraph 1item4 of this Article. (4) If the decision on changing the legal form of the company is not submitted to the Capital Market Commission within seven days following the day of holding the general shareholders meeting referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, or a decision on dismissing proposal to change the legal form of the company is submitted, the continuation of trading in shares of the company shall be allowed. (5) The company referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall submit the decision of the Capital Market Commission referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article and the adopted decisions referred to in paragraph 1 items 1 to 3 of this Article to the CRPS for registration, within 15 days following the day of holding the general shareholders meeting that adopted the decision on change of the legal form of the company, for registration of the conducted restructuring procedure and for publishing the decision on change of the legal form of the company in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. (6) A creditor of the company whose claim incurred prior to the publishing of decision referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article, and who considers that the restructuring procedure jeopardizes satisfaction of his claims, may request from the competent court securing of his claims in accordance with the Article 243 paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of this Law no later than within three months following the day of registration of the change of the legal form of the company. (7) In the procedure of change of the legal form of the company, the company shall be obliged to provide to the holders of convertible bonds and other securities bearing special rights to retain the same rights they had prior to change of the legal form of the company or the appropriate monetary consideration. (8) If the agreement on the monetary consideration referred to in paragraph 7 of this Article is not reached, the holders of convertible bonds and other securities bearing special rights may bring a lawsuit before a competent court for determination of the consideration amount, no later than 30 days following the day of publishing the decision on the change of the legal form of the company in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 121 Legal Consequences of Carrying Out the Procedure for Change of the Legal Form Article 252 (1) Following the change in the legal form of a joint stock company, the undertaking shall continue its operation as a limited liability company, limited or general partnership from the day of registration with the CRPS, in accordance with this Law. (2) In the event of change in the legal form of a joint stock company into limited or general partnership, general partners or partners in such undertakings shall be liable to the full extent of their assets also for obligations of the undertaking incurred before finalisation of the procedure of change of the legal form. (3) Shares of the joint stock company shall be cancelled and deleted from the CKDD registry, in accordance with the law. Title VIII Dissolution of the Joint Stock Company Subtitle A Grounds for Dissolution of the Joint Stock Company Article 253 (1) A joint stock company shall be dissolved by striking off from the CRPS, due to:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 122 Subtitle B Voluntary Liquidation Proceedings of the Joint Stock Company Initiating the Voluntary Liquidation Proceedings Article 254 (1) Voluntary liquidation proceedings of the joint stock company shall be carried out:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 123 (3) As of the day the decision on voluntary liquidation is adopted:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 124 (7) The contested claim shall be deemed secured when the creditor notifies the liquidation administrator in writing or when it is confirmed, upon liquidators request, by the court conducting proceedings referred in the paragraph 5 of this Article. Rights and Obligations of the Liquidator Article 257 (1) The liquidator appointed to carry out voluntary liquidation shall have all the rights and obligations of an executive director or the chairperson of the management board. (2) The liquidator shall represent the undertaking in liquidation proceedings before the court, before the state administration authorities, and with third parties. (3) The liquidator shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 125 (3) The interim report must be available for access by all shareholders and interested persons at the registered office of the undertaking, until the finalisation of the voluntary liquidation proceeding. Finalisation of Voluntary Liquidation Proceedings Article 259 (1) If the operations of the undertaking have been fully or substantially concluded, the liquidator shall prepare a final report on voluntary liquidation with data on the manner of carrying out the voluntary liquidation and disposal with assets of the undertaking. (2) The final report on voluntary liquidation shall include the data referred to in Article 258, paragraph 2 of this Law. (3) Following the preparation of the final report on voluntary liquidation, the liquidator shall convene an extraordinary general shareholders meeting at which shall be obliged to inform present shareholders on the content of the final report on voluntary liquidation. (4) Within seven days following the day of holding the extraordinary general shareholders meeting, the final report on voluntary liquidation shall be submitted to the CRPS for registration, along with a request for striking off the undertaking from the CRPS. (5) Upon receipt of the final report and the request for striking off, the competent registration authority shall adopt the decision on striking off from the CRPS, and submit it to the Official Gazette of Montenegro for publication. Abridged Voluntary Liquidation Proceedings Article 260 (1) Voluntary liquidation may be carried out in an abridged procedure, if upon the adoption of the decision on voluntary liquidation all shareholders present authenticated statements that all liabilities of the undertaking toward creditors have been settled, including liabilities toward the employees and that they consent to the abridged voluntary liquidation proceedings. (2) The competent registration authority shall accept the request for striking off the undertaking from the CRPS based on the decision referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, unless it is established within the deadline set by the law for adoption of the registration decision that the undertaking failed to settle the tax debt or is on the list of blocked economic entities published by the Central Bank of Montenegro. (3) Shareholders referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be jointly and severally liable for obligations of the joint stock company for the period of three years after striking off the undertaking from the CRPS.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 126 (4) Within 30 days following the day of the publishing the decision on the voluntary liquidation of the undertaking, creditors and other persons having legal interest may initiate the procedure for cancellation of the decision in an abridged procedure before the court. (5) The court shall annul the decision on voluntary liquidation of the undertaking under the abridged procedure if it determines that shareholders or creditors have been caused damaged by such a decision, and it shall appoint the liquidator to carry out the voluntary liquidation proceedings. (6) The joint stock company that was voluntary liquidated under the abridged procedure shall be stroke off from the CRPS. (7) After striking off, the following shall be entered in the CRPS: personal name, unique personal identification number and the address of natural persons who are shareholders, or business name, registered office and unique registration number of legal persons that are shareholders, with the note of their unlimited joint and several liability for the liabilities of the undertaking stricken off from the CRPS. (8) Decision of striking off the undertaking from the CRPS shall be published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. Subtitle C Court-based Liquidation of the Joint Stock Company Grounds for Opening the Court-based Liquidation Proceeding Article 261 The court-based liquidation of joint stock company shall be carried out upon request by an interested party or ex officio:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 127 employees and members of the company’s bodies who are not liable for the established irregularities; and 5) in other cases provided for by the law. Manner of Conducting Court-based Liquidation Proceeding Article 262 The court-based liquidation proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the law governing bankruptcy, whereby the reorganisations of the undertaking and other proceedings that prevent a winding-up of the undertaking may not be carried out in the court-based liquidation proceedings. Application of Provisions on Liquidation of Joint Stock Company Article 263 Provisions of this Law pertaining to the voluntary and court-based liquidation proceedings of a joint stock company shall also apply to the liquidation of other forms of business undertakings, unless otherwise stipulated by this Law. Part Six Limited Liability Company Title I Concept, Type and Application Mutatis Mutandis of other Provisions of this Law Definition of the Limited Liability Company Article 264 (1) A limited liability company shall be a business undertaking established by one or more legal or natural persons by contributing monetary and non-monetary assets for pursue of economic activities under a joint business name, whose core capital is divided into participating interests without features of securities. (2) A company may have maximum 30 members.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 128 Freedom of Contract Principle Article 265 Members of the limited liability company shall govern mutual relations, as well as relations with the company freely, unless otherwise provided by this Law. Application of other Provisions of this Law to the Limited Liability Company Article 266 (1) Provisions of this Law pertaining to a joint stock company shall also apply mutatis mutandis to the limited liability company. (2) Provisions of this Law pertaining to shares shall apply mutatis mutandis to participating interests. (3) When there is nonconformity of provisions pertaining to the limited liability company and provisions pertaining to a joint stock company, provisions pertaining to the limited liability company shall apply. Single-member Limited Liability Company Article 267 (1) Single-member limited liability company shall be an undertaking established by a sole natural or legal person, or an undertaking where one person shall acquire all participating interests after the establishment, in accordance with this Law. (2) Provisions of Article 108 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to the singlemember limited liability company. Title II Establishing Company and Notifying Public Manner of Establishing Limited Liability Company Article 268 (1) The company shall be established based on an agreement entered into by founders. (2) If a sole founder establishes the company, the instrument of constitution shall be a decision of the sole founder on establishing the company. (3) Proxies of the founder in the process of establishment must have a power of attorney authenticated in accordance with the law.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 129 Costs of Establishing the Limited Liability Company Article 269 (1) Instrument of constitution of the limited liability company may stipulate that the company or founders shall bear costs of establishing the company. (2) Article 112 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to costs of establishment of the limited liability company. Instrument of constitution Article 270 A founding decision or founding agreement of the limited liability company shall contain:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 130 6) Manner of appointing members of the board of directors, or management and supervisory boards, if elected in the company, their rights and obligations, the manner of dismissal and their powers; 7) Manner of changing the amount of core capital, unless stipulated in the founding agreement; 8) Persons with powers of representation of the company, joint or individual; 9) Period for which the company is established, unless established for indefinite period; 10)Procedure for amending and supplementing the articles of association; 11)Other provisions of importance for operation of the company. Registration of the Limited Liability Company Article 272 (1) A limited liability company shall be registered with the CRPS, based on registration application accompanied by the following documentation and data:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 131 registration of the limited liability company shall be published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. Registering Changes and Notifying Public Article 273 (1) A limited liability company shall be obliged to submit documentation and data on occurred changes in the company for registration with the CRPS which pertain to:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 132 (2) The core capital shall be increased based a resolution of the general meeting of the undertaking. Pre-emptive Right to Subscribe Participating Interests Article 276 Members of the company shall have a pre-emptive right to subscribe participating interests at the event of increase of the core capital with new contributions in proportion to their participating interests, unless otherwise stipulated in the instrument of constitution. Reducing Core Capital Article 277 Core capital of a limited liability company may be reduced based on a resolution of the general meeting of members, but not below the minimum core capital stipulated by law. Reducing Core Capital in the Event of Loss Article 278 If net assets of the undertaking amount to half or less of the value of the core capital of the undertaking, the undertaking may convene a general meeting of members of the undertaking in accordance with Article 151 of this Law. Title IV Participating Interests Acquiring Participating Interests Article 279 (1) A member of the undertaking shall acquire participating interest in the undertaking with payment of the contribution, in proportion to the value of the contribution entered, unless otherwise provided by the instrument of constitution at the establishment of the company or by unanimous resolution of the general meeting, in the event of subsequent contributions. (2) A member of the undertaking may have only one participating interest in the undertaking, which represents his percentage in the core capital of the undertaking. (3) If one person simultaneously acquires ownership of several participating interests in the undertaking, such participating interests shall be merged and jointly make single participating interest.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 133 Manner of Exercising Rights resulting from Participating Interest Article 280 (1) Participating interests shall not have features of securities. (2) Voting right of members of the limited liability company and their property rights against the undertaking, shall be in proportion to the participating interests of members in the core capital of the undertaking. Financial Aid of the Company Article 281 (1) An undertaking may not, directly or indirectly, provide financial aid of any kind for acquiring of its own participating interests, unless by a unanimous decision of all members of the undertaking. (2) Legal transactions entered into contrary to paragraph 1 of this Article shall be null and void. Acquiring of Own Participating Interests Article 282 (1) A limited liability company may acquire a participating interest from one or more members of the undertaking, if such decision is made by members of the undertaking whose participating interests make at least two thirds of the core capital. (2) A copy of a proposed contract on acquiring own participating interest shall be submitted to all members at least 21 day before rendering a decision. (3) The undertaking may payout a consideration for own participating interest only from
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 134 Transfer or Participating Interests amongst Members of the Company Article 283 A participating interest may be transferred amongst members of the undertaking without limitations, unless otherwise stipulated by this Law or articles of association of the undertaking. Pre-emptive Right to Purchase Participating Interests Article 284 (1) If a member of the company intends to transfer his participating interest, other members and the company shall have the pre-emptive right to purchase such participating interest, unless otherwise stipulated by instrument of constitution or articles of association of the company. (2) If there is no agreement on purchase of participating interests amongst member of the company transferring the participating interest and other members of the company, the participating interest shall be divided amongst members of the company in proportion to their participating interests, unless otherwise stipulated by instrument of constitution or articles of association of the company. (3) The member of the company transferring the participating interest shall be obliged to offer in written form his participating to another member in the company and to the company before transferring the participating interest to a third party. (4) The offer referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article shall contain: elements of the agreement on transferring the participating interest, the address to which an offer is to be submitted, deadline for entering into the agreement on transferring the participating interest, manner and deadline for payment of the participating interest. (5) An offer that fails to contain elements referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article shall be deemed as not submitted. (6) A member of the company who has pre-emptive right to purchase shall be obliged to notify in written form a member of the company transferring the participating interest on accepting the offer fully within 30 days following the day of receiving the offer, unless a different deadline is stipulated by articles of association, which cannot be less than eight days and no longer than 180 days following the day the offer is submitted.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 135 Breach of Pre-emptive Right to Purchase Article 285 (1) A member of the company having the pre-emptive right to purchase may bring a lawsuit for annulling the agreement on transfer of participating interest if the member of the company transferring the participating interest failed to submit him the offer in accordance with this Law. (2) The lawsuit referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be filed within 30 days following the day of becoming aware that agreement on transfer of participating interest was entered into, but no later than with lapse of six months following the day of registration of transfer of participating interest with the CRPS. Transfer of Participating Interests to a Third Party Article 286 If members of the company and the company refuse the offer for purchase of participating interest in the company referred to in Article 284 paragraph 3 of this Law within 30 days following the day the offer was submitted, the participating interest may be transferred to a third party under conditions that cannot be more favourable than the conditions offered to members of the company or to the company. Sale of Participating Interest in Enforcement Proceeding Article 287 (1) The court shall be obliged to notify members of the company and the company on sale of participating interest in the company in an enforcement proceeding. (2) If members of the company fail to express interest in buying participating interest within 15 days following the day receipt of notification referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the participating interest in the company shall be sold in accordance with the law governing the securing of enforcement. Transfer of Participating Interest by Inheritance Article 288 (1) In the event of death of natural persona or dissolution of the legal person, a participating interest shall be transferred to his heirs or legal successors, unless otherwise stipulated by articles of association of the company. (2) If the articles of association prohibit transfer of participating interests, members of the company or the company shall be obliged to buyback that participating interest in the manner and within the deadline stipulated by the articles of association.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 136 (3) If members of the company or the company fail to buyback participating interest in the company in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article, the participating interest shall be withdrawn in accordance with Article 219 to 224 of this Law. Transfer of Participating Interest by Contract Article 289 Participating interest in the company may be transfer pursuant to a contract entered in written form, which is authenticated in accordance with the law. Consequences of Transfer of Participating Interest Article 290 In the event of transfer of participating interest, a member of the company transferring the participating interest and the person to whom the participating interest is being transferred shall be jointly and severally liable to the company for obligations that became due prior to the transfer of participating interest in accordance with this Law. Pledging Participating Interest Article 291 (1) A member of the company cannot pledge a participating interest or part of the participating interest, unless otherwise stipulated by instrument of constitution. (2) The pledgee of the participating interest shall not have voting right or management right in the company until he becomes a member of the company. Title V Termination of Member of the Company Capacity Manner of Termination of Member of the Company Capacity Article 292 (1) Capacity of member of the limited liability company shall terminate by
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 137 Member Exiting the Company Article 293 (1) A member of the company may exit the company at any time, if he does not request compensation for participating interest in the company, unless him exiting in that case would cause damage to the company. (2) A member of the company may not waive in advance the right to exit the company referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, nor such right may be restricted by way of acts of the company. (3) A member exiting the company in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall not exclude pre-emptive right to purchase for other members of the company referred to in Article 284 of this Law. Member Exiting the Company in Case of Caused Damage Article 294 (1) A member of a limited liability company may exit the company if other members or the company cause a damage to him, if is prevented in exercising his rights in the company or certain members of the company or the company impose on him disproportionate obligations. (2) A member of the company who wishes to exit the company shall be obliged to submit in written form to the company a request for exiting the company, where it shall state reasons for exiting and amount of compensation requested for his participating interest, within six months following the day of becoming aware of reasons for exiting or two years after occurrence of reasons for exiting, (3) A general meeting shall render a decision on accepting or rejecting the request for exiting within 60 days following the day of receiving the request and shall notify thereof the applicant within 15 days following the day of holding the general meeting where the decision was rendered. (4) The decision referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article on accepting the request for exiting shall also contain a deadline for payment of consideration for the participating interest, which cannot exceed 120 days following the day of holding the general meeting which rendered such decision. (5) If the general meeting fails to render a decision within the deadline referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article it shall be deemed as the request was accepted entirely. (6) In the event of rendering a decision rejecting the request, a member of the limited liability company shall have the right, within 30 days following the day the decision rejecting the request is submitted, to initiate a proceeding before a competent court for determining justifiability of reasons for exiting the company and to assign compensation in the amount of market value of the participating interest.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 138 (7) Article 282 paragraph 4 of this Law shall apply to payment of participating interest of member of the company who exited the company in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, while the reserve funds of the company may be used solely for payment of participating interest of the member exiting the company, until full payment. (8) Decision of the court referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article may not determine deadline for payment of compensation for the participating interest longer than 18 months following the day of final and non-appealable judgment, taking into account the need to provide for liquidity and viability of operations of the company. (9) The decision on accepting the request for exiting the company and proof of payment for requested compensation or the final and non-appealable court decision on exiting shall be recorded with the CRPS for registration of termination of the member capacity. Right of the Company in the Event of Company Member Exiting Article 295 (1) In the event of company members exiting contrary to provisions of Articles 293 and 294 of this Law, the company shall be entailed to damage compensation caused by member exiting the company. (2) The company may not waive in advance the right referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article nor may such right be excluded or limited by acts of the company. Removing a Member of the Company Article 296 (1) A member of the company may bring a lawsuit for removing another member of the company, if;
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 139 (4) When determining the deadline for payment referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, the court shall take into account financial standing of the plaintiff, and at the request of the respondent it may oblige the plaintiff to deposit an appropriate security instrument relating to the enforcement of the judgment on removal of member of the company in the segment concerning the payment of compensation for revoked participating interest. (5) In the event of removal of the member of the company, the company reserves the right to compensation of damage caused to it by removed member of the company by his actions for which he was removed from the company. (6) A final and non-appealable and enforceable court ruling on removing a member of the company shall be submitted to the CRPS for registration of the capacity of member of the company. Title VI Bodies of the Limited Liability Company Management Bodies Article 297 (1) Bodies of a limited liability company shall be a general meeting and executive director, while the articles of association of the limited liability company may stipulate also other management bodies in accordance with this Law. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, in case of single-member limited liability company the general meeting is not a mandatory body of the company. (3) Public limited liability companies must have management bodies of a public joint stock company, in accordance with this Law. (4) A limited liability company, deemed to be a large legal person in accordance with the law governing accounting, must have management bodies as a joint stock company, in accordance with this Law. (5) The companies referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be obliged to align structure of management bodies or structures of members of such bodies within three months following the day their securities or other financial instruments are admitted to training on a regulated market. (6) The companies referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article shall be obliged to align structure of management bodies or structures of members of such bodies within six months following the day of the end of financial year in which were met conditions for change of status.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 140 General Meeting of the Limited Liability Company Article 298 (1) General meeting of the limited liability company shall consist of members of the company. (2) Unless otherwise stipulated by instrument of constitution or articles of association, the general meeting of the limited liability company shall:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 141 Holding Sessions and Rendering Decisions Article 299 (1) Sessions of the general meeting may be held via a conference call or other audio and visual communication equipment, in such a manner that all persons participating in the work of the session can communicate with each other simultaneously. (2) Persons participating in the work of the session in the manner referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be deemed as personally present. (3) Member of the company may vote by postal voting, unless otherwise stipulated by founding agreement, articles of association or rules of procedures of the general meeting. (4) In the event of postal voting, it shall be deemed as that all members of the company are present at the session for the purpose of determining a quorum. (5) Decisions of the general meeting may also be adopted without a session, if are signed by all members of the company with voting right. Executive Director Article 300 (1) The executive director shall be a mandatory body of a limited liability company. (2) The executive director shall represent the company and manage operations of the company in accordance with the instrument of constitution, the articles of association and decisions of the general meeting of the company or of collective management bodies of the company. (3) The executive director may not issue power of attorney for representation nor represent the company in a dispute in which he or his connection person is the opposing party. (4) In the event referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, the general meeting or another body of the company shall issue the power of attorney, in accordance with articles of association of the company. Requirements for Appointing the Executive Director Article 301 (1) The general meeting of the company shall appoint the executive director in the manner determined by instrument of constitution or articles of association of the company.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 142 (2) Only a person with legal capacity and person who entered into labour relations with the company may be appointed as the executive director. (3) The requirements to be met by the executive director shall be determined by the articles of association of the company. Termination of the Term of Office of Executive Director Article 302 (1) The general meeting of the company may dismiss the executive director at any time, without stating reasons for dismissal, unless otherwise stipulated by instrument of constitution or decision of the general meeting. (2) Article 174 of this Law shall apply mutatis mutandis to termination of term of office of the executive director of the limited liability company. Title VII Keeping Business Records and Public Nature of Operations Obligation to Safekeep Acts and Documents Article 303 (1) The company shall be obliged to safekeep the following documentation:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 143 (2) Members of the limited liability company who exited the company shall have the right to access documents referred to in Article 124, paragraph 2 of this Law, that were created during their membership in the company. Title VIII Restructuring of the Limited Liability Company Status Changes in the Limited Liability Company Article 305 Articles 239 to 249 of this Law pertaining to a joint stock company shall apply mutatis mutandis to the status changes procedures of a limited liability company. Change of Legal Form of the Limited Liability Company Article 306 (1) A limited liability company may change the legal form into a joint stock company if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 144 4) Conducting bankruptcy proceedings in accordance with the law governing the bankruptcy. Part Seven Cross Border Mergers of Companies Definition of Cross-Border Merger of Companies Article 308 (1) Cross-border merger of companies shall be the merger of one or more companies (companies being acquired) that are registered in Montenegro by merging with the company (acquiring company) registered in another state, by transferring the entire assets and liabilities to that company, which in exchange, unless in case when the acquiring company is owner of all shares and other securities with voting right of the company being acquired, issues shares or issues participating interests to members of merged companies (cross-border merger by acquisition), or two or more companies of which at least one is registered in Montenegro and at least one in another state (companies being acquired) are merged by formation of a new company (acquiring company) that issues shares or issues participating interests of a newly formed company to the members of the merging companies (crossborder merger by formation of a new company). (2) The following entities may participate in a cross-border merger:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 145 allows payment in cash to members of companies being acquired exceeding 10% of the nominal value or, if the nominal value does not exist, the book value of the shares, or the participating interests representing the capital of the acquiring company. Draft Contract on Cross-border Merger Article 309 The management bodies of companies participating in the cross-border merger shall agree the draft contract on the cross-border merger, which must contain the following data:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 146 (1) The companies referred to in Article 308 paragraph 2 item 1 of this Law shall be obliged to submit for the registration with the CRPS the draft contract on the crossborder merger and for disclosure of data and information on the cross border merge in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. (2) The data and information referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article must be disclosed at least one month before the date of holding the general meeting of the company at which a decision on the cross-border merger is to be adopted, and so as follows:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 147 (6) Instead of independent experts who are preparing a report for needs of each of the merging companies, one or more independent experts who are appointed for that purpose, at the joint request of those companies, by competent judicial or administrative bodies in the member state in which one of the companies being merge is located or the company resulting from the cross-border merger, may jointly examine the draft contract on the cross-border merger and prepare a single written report intended to all members of merging companies. Decisions of General Meetings of Companies Participating in Cross-Border Merger Article 312 (1) Based on the report referred to in Article 311, paragraphs 1 and 4 of this Law, the general meetings of merging companies shall decide on the draft contract on the cross-border merger, with the right to condition a decision on their acceptance of subsequently made agreements on employment of workers of companies being taken over in the acquiring company. (2) The decision on the cross-border merger and other decisions that are to be adopted for the purpose of implementing the cross-border merger procedure at the general meeting of the acquiring company may be adopted by the board of directors or the supervisory board instead of the general meeting, if the conditions referred to in Article 242 paragraph 17 of this Law are fulfilled. Simplified Cross-Border Mergers Article 313 (1) Provisions of Article 309, paragraph 1, items 2, 3 and 5, Article 242, paragraphs 6 to 10 and Article 317, paragraph 3, item 3 of this Law shall not apply in the case of the cross-border mergers by acquisition of companies carried out by the acquiring company, which holds all shares and other securities bearing voting right of a company being acquired. (2) In the event referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the provision of Article 312, paragraph 1 of this Law shall not apply to the acquired companies. (3) If the cross-border merger by acquisition is carried out by the acquiring company holding at least 90%, but not all shares and other securities bearing voting rights of the acquired company, the provisions of Article 247 of this Law shall apply.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 148 Special Rights of Members of the Company Article 314 (1) Notwithstanding Article 308, paragraph 5 of this Law, the protection of the rights of dissatisfied members referred to in Article 127, paragraph 1, item 3 and the protection of the rights of creditors referred to in Article 243 of this Law shall apply to companies with a registered office in Montenegro participating in the crossborder merger procedure only when the remaining companies in the cross-border merger procedure, which are located in countries where there is no possibility of initiating such procedures, explicitly accept such possibility when deciding on the draft contract on the cross-border merger, which the competent authority for the supervision of cross-border mergers in Montenegro shall take into account ex officio. (2) In the events referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the competent authority for supervision of the cross-border merger procedures may issue a certificate that all necessary actions in the cross-border merger procedure have been taken fully and in accordance with the law even prior to the completion of the procedures referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Entry of the Cross-Border Merger in the Registry of Company being Acquired with Registered Office in Montenegro and Issuing a Certificate on fulfilling Conditions for the Cross-Border Merger Article 315 (1) The competent registration authority shall carry out the supervision of all actions taken by a company registered in Montenegro in the cross-border merger procedure. (2) Following the adoption of the agreed draft contract on the cross-border merger by the general meeting of the company, board of directors or the management board of the company being acquired or the executive director of the limited liability company without other management bodies shall submit an application for entry of the cross-border merger in the CRPS specifying information referred to in Article 314 of this Law. (3) When registering the cross-border merger referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, the competent registration authority shall enter a registration note in the CRPS that the cross-border merger will become valid only after conditions determined by regulation of the country of the acquiring company are fulfilled. (4) The competent registration authority shall be obliged to publish the data on the cross-border merger in the Official Gazette of Montenegro indicating the data on the duration of the procedures referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article and the existence of a registration note referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 149 (5) Certificate on registration of the cross-border merge with the CRPS shall contain data referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article and shall be deemed to be a certificate that all actions that the company registered in Montenegro was obliged to take in the cross-border merge procedure were fully taken and are in accordance with the law. (6) The company being acquired shall be obliged to submit the certificate referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article and the agreed draft contract on the cross-border merger adopted by the general meeting of the company being acquired to the competent authority in the country where the registered office of acquiring company is located, no later than within six months following the day of certificate being adopted. (7) Upon receipt of the merger notification by a competent authority in the country where the registered office of acquiring company is located, confirming the legal completion of all prescribed actions in the cross-border merger procedure in that country, the competent registration authority shall delete from the CRPS the registration note referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, enter a registration note on successful completion of the cross-border merger procedure and submit transcript of the documentation of the company being acquired at its possession to the competent authority referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article. Application for Registration of the Cross-Border Merger of Acquiring Company with Registered Office in Montenegro Article 316 (1) The competent registration authority shall carry out supervision of implementation and verification of legality of the cross-border merger procedure for the acquiring company with registered office in Montenegro. (2) The competent registration authority shall be obliged to determine whether the companies participating in the cross-border merger procedure agreed about and adopted the draft contract on the cross-border merger in accordance with the law, whereby it shall be particularly obliged to determine whether identical text of the draft contract on the cross-border merger was adopted by each company participating in the merger, as well as that the agreements on continued engagement of employees were made in accordance with the law. (3) In the event of the cross-border merger by acquisition, the application for entry of the cross-border merger in the CRPS for the acquiring company shall be submitted by its board of directors, or management board, or executive director in case of limited liability company without other management bodies, and in the event of the cross-border merger by formation of a new company, the application for entry for the acquiring company shall jointly be submitted by authorised bodies of companies being acquired. (4) The adopted contract on the cross-border merger made in the form of a notarial deed shall be submitted along with the application for entry, and for each of the companies being acquired, the certificates referred to in Article 315, paragraph 5 of
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 150 this Law, or equivalent documents of the states applicable to those companies, which must not be older than six months. (5) After the registration of the cross-border merger of companies, the competent registration authority shall publish the contract on the cross-border merger in the Official Gazette of Montenegro and shall notify of the registration made all registers in which the companies being acquired were recorded through the system of interconnection of registers of economic entities referred to in Article 321 of this Law. Legal Consequence of a Cross-Border Merger Article 317 (1) Legal consequences of the cross-border merger for the acquiring company registered in Montenegro shall occur as of the day of registration with the CRPS, in accordance with Article 316 of this Law. (2) Legal consequences of the cross-border merger for the company being acquired registered in Montenegro shall occur in accordance with the regulations of the country in which the registered office of the acquiring company is located. (3) Legal consequences of the cross-border merger completed in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, shall be the following:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 151 (3) Foreign companies creating branches of their companies in Montenegro shall be obliged to submit for registration with the CRPS, within 30 days following the day of creating the company branch, the following data:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 152 (1) Registration with the CRPS shall be made based on the registration application or ex officio. (2) The registration application referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be submitted on the form prescribed by the state administration authority responsible for finance (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry). Submission of Registration Application and Accompanying Documentation Article 320 (1) Registration application for entry in the CRPS shall be submitted in paper or electronic form, in accordance with regulations governing the electronic administration, electronic identification and electronic signature, electronic document and administrative procedure. (2) Registration application for registration or change of data, accompanied with the prescribed documentation, shall be submitted by the authorised person of the business undertaking or the entrepreneur. (3) The authorised person referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be deemed to be a founder of the undertaking or a person authorised by the founder in the event of registration of the undertaking, or the authorised representatives of the undertaking referred to in Articles 24 and 25 of this Law and persons authorised by such authorised representatives in the event of registration of a change. (4) The authorised person referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be deemed to be the entrepreneur and a person authorised by the entrepreneur in the event of registration of the entrepreneur, or the entrepreneur, foreman and person authorised by such persons in the event of registration of a change. (5) A legal representative of a foreign company and a person authorised by a legal representative of a foreign company shall be deemed to be an authorised person referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, in the event of registration of a foreign company branch, or persons referred to in Article 318, paragraph 3, item 6 of this Law and persons authorised by such persons, in the event of registration of a change. (6) In the event of bankruptcy, the authorised person shall be the bankruptcy administrator and other persons determined by the law governing the bankruptcy proceedings or persons authorised by them. (7) In the event of liquidation of a joint stock company, limited liability company, limited and general partnership, the liquidators shall be the authorised persons. (8) Upon receipt of the registration application and documentation, an acknowledgment receipt of the registration application and documentation, which shall include the date the registration application is submitted or of issue of the receipt, shall be issued to the authorised person.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 153 Registration Procedure with the CRPS Article 321 (1) A registration number shall be assigned at the event of registration with the CRPS, to a business undertaking, a foreign company branch and an entrepreneur. (2) The registration number referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, in addition to the unique designation of the registered entity, must also contain a designation that will be common to all entities registered with the CRPS, in order it could undoubtedly be determined that the undertaking is registered in Montenegro through the system of inter-connection of registries of economic entities. (3) The system of inter-connection of registries of economic entities referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be system of inter-connection of registers of economic entities it the European Union Member States, which is based on a common electronic and technological platform and a portal serving as a central European access pint. (4) The competent registration authority shall reject the application for registration if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 154 (11) The appeal referred to in paragraph 10 of this Article shall not postpone enforcement of the decision. CRPS Registration Fee Article 322 (1) A fee shall be payable for registration with the CRPS. (2) The Ministry shall stipulate the criteria for determining the fee and amount of the fee referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. (3) Proceeds from the fee referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be revenues of the Budget of Montenegro. Liability for Authenticity of Registered Data Article 323 (1) The competent registration authority shall ensure that the data registered with the CRPS are identical to the data from the registration application. (2) Persons that conclude legal transactions with registered business undertaking and entrepreneurs shall bear the risk of determining the accuracy of the data contained in the register for their needs, unless otherwise stipulated by this Law Manner of Keeping of and Accessing the CRPS Article 324 (1) The CRPS shall be kept in the electronic form as a single database. (2) Data entered in the CRPS shall be public. (3) Corpus of documents containing original documentation accompanying the registration application shall be an integral part of the CRPS. (4) Electronic document in accordance with the law governing the electronic document shall also be deemed to be the original documentation referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article. (5) Access to the corpus of documents referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article may be carried out for six hours on each working day. (6) Access to the data registered with the CRPS may be carried out at any time via electronic means of communication, in accordance with the law governing the electronic administration and electronic operations.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 155 (7) The law governing the personal data protection shall apply to the personal data processed in the procedure of registration with the CRPS. (8) The Ministry shall stipulate the registration procedures, detailed content and the manner of keeping the CRPS. Title Ten Penalty Provisions Pecuniary Penalties up to 10,000 euro Article 325 (1) A pecuniary penalty in the amount ranging from 1,000 euro to 10,000 euro shall be imposed on a business undertaking or a foreign company branch, if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 156 (2) A pecuniary penalty in the amount ranging from 200 euro to 2,000 euro shall also be imposed on a responsible person in the business undertaking for the misdemeanour referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. (3) A pecuniary penalty in the amount ranging from 200 euro to 2,000 euro shall also be imposed on an entrepreneur for the misdemeanour referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Pecuniary Penalties up to 7,500 euro Article 326 (1) A pecuniary penalty in the amount ranging from 750 euro to 7,500 euro shall be imposed on a business undertaking or a foreign company branch, if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 157 11)In the event of termination of membership of a member of the board of directors, member of the management board or the supervisory board, fails to elect a new board of directors within 60 days following the day of registration of termination of membership in accordance with this Law (Article 171 paragraph 7, Article 179 paragraph 4 and Article 190); 12)In the event of termination of the executive director capacity, fails to elect a new executive director within 60 days following the day of registration of termination of term of office of the executive director with the CRPS (Article 174 paragraph 9); 13)In event of termination of the chairperson of the management board capacity, fails to elect a chairperson of the management board within 60 days following the day of registration of termination of term of office of the chairperson of the management board with the CRPS (Article 191 paragraph 9); 14)Fails to adopt the decision on issue of bonds in the procedure prescribed by this Law (Article 209 paragraph 3 and Article 210 paragraph 2); 15)Reduces capital contrary to the provisions on protection of creditors (Articles 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224 and 278); 16)Acquires or alienates own shares contrary to this Law (Articles 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230). (2) A pecuniary penalty in the amount ranging from 150 euro to 1,500 euro shall also be imposed on a responsible person in the business undertaking for the misdemeanour referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. (3) A pecuniary penalty in the amount ranging from 150 euro to 1,500 euro shall also be imposed on an entrepreneur for the misdemeanour referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Article 327 A pecuniary penalty in the amount ranging from 200 euro to 2,000 euro shall be imposed on an entrepreneur for a misdemeanour, if:
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 158 (2) Until the adoption of the regulations referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the regulations adopted pursuant to the Law on Business Organizations (Official Gazette of the Republic of Montenegro, No 6/02 and Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 17/07, 80/08 and 36/11) shall apply. Aligning Organisation and Registration Article 329 (1) Joint stock companies and limited liability companies referred to in Article 297 paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Law, registered with the CRPS until the entry into force of this Law, shall be obliged to align the organisation (article of association, the company bodies and other acts) with this Law and make registration of changes within nine months following the date of entry into force of this Law. (2) Other business undertakings registered in the CRPS until the entry into force of this Law, in order to comply with the provisions of this Law, shall be obliged to align the organisation with this Law and make registration of changes with the CRPS within 18 months following the date this Law enters into force. (3) General partnerships and entrepreneurs who were not registered with the CRPS until the entry into force of this Law, shale be obliged to register with the CRPS in accordance with this Law, within nine months following the date of entry into force of this Law. (4) Entrepreneurs, who are registered with the CRPS until the entry into force of this Law, shall be obliged to align their operations and submit a registration application for registration with the CRPS in accordance with this Law, within six months following the date of entry into force of this Law. (5) Joint stock companies in which ordinary shares of different nominal value existed on the date of entry into force of this Law shall be obliged to combine share classes through equalisation of nominal value, within one year following the date of entry into force of this Law, in such manner as to maintain the proportional participation in the total number of shares. On-going Procedures Article 330 (1) The procedures for registration and restructuring of business undertakings initiated by convening the competent body of the undertaking before the entry into force of this Law shall be finalised pursuant to the law in force at the time of the initiation of the procedure. (2) The procedures for reduction or increase of capital and issue of shares initiated by convening the general shareholders meeting of a joint stock company and procedures for issue of shares pursuant to act on initial offering of shares shall be recorded and approved in accordance with provisions of the law governing the
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 159 operation of business undertakings at the time of convening the general meeting which includes proposal of stated decisions. Suspension of Procedures Article 330a Within five days as of the day this Law enters into force, the competent registration authority shall withdraw petitions for initiating the liquation proceedings for undertakings which were filed pursuant to Article 329 paragraph 5 of the Law on Business Undertakings (Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/20), and if the proceedings were initiated upon such petitions those shall be suspended. Application of Provisions Article 331 Provisions of Article 120 paragraphs 8 and 9 and Articles 308 to 317 of this Law shall apply as of the Montenegro’s European Union accession date. Repeal Article 332 The Law on Business undertakings (Official Gazette of the Republic of Montenegro, No 6/02 and Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 17/07, 80/08 and 36/11) shall be repealed as of the day of entry into force of this Law.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 160 Entry into Force Article 333 This Law shall enter into force on the eighth day following the day of its publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. Number: 06-1/19-1/27 EPA 864 XXVI Podgorica, 25 June 2020 26th Parliament of Montenegro The Speaker of the Parliament Ivan Brajović, m.p.
Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 65/2020, 146/2021 [unofficial translation] Law on Business Undertakings 161 The consolidate text of the Law does not include the following provisions of the Law Amending and Supplementing the Law on Business Undertakings (Official Gazette of Montenegro, No 146/2021 of 31 December 2021): "Article 4 This Law shall enter into force as of the day of its publication in the Official Gazette of Montenegro.”