Articles of Association

Articles of Association are the rules of an association, society, co-operative or company that must be supplied to the relevant regulatory authority when a new association, society, co-operative or company is forms or incorporated. In each country, different statues are available for incorporation.

'United Kingdom' The UK is reknowned for the flexibility in its Company Law which permit incorporation with or without shares, and using bespoke rules that can be written specifically to meet the social norms associated with each type of organisation. For example, the FairShares Association is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee making it both an association and a company.

Other regulatory frameworks in the UK include Co-operative and Community Benefit Society Law 2014, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) (suitable for charitable associations), Community Interest Companies (CICs) / Companies Act 2006 (with amendments and subsequent regulatory changes in 2012 and 2013). Professional advise is recommended when deciding which to use.

The FairShares Model Articles of Association have templates for associations (unincorporated or incorporated as a company or CIO), co-operatives (under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Society Law) and companies limited by shares (under Company Law).

Possible Legal Identities for FairShares:

Please add details for other countries below.