Power of directors and general meeting to bind the company
33.—(1) In favour of a person dealing in good faith, the following powers, that is to say—
(a)the power of the directors of an investment company with variable capital (whether or not acting as a board) to bind the company, or authorise others to do so; and
(b)the power of such a company in general meeting to bind the company, or authorise others to do so;
shall be deemed to be free of any limitation under the company’s constitution.
(2) For the purposes of this regulation—
(a)a person “deals with” a company if he is party to any transaction or other act to which the company is a party;
(b)subject to paragraph (4) below, a person shall not be regarded as acting in bad faith by reason only of his knowing that, under the company’s constitution, an act is beyond any of the powers referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (1) above; and
(c)subject to paragraph (4) below, a person shall be presumed to have acted in good faith unless the contrary is proved.
(3) The reference in paragraph (1) above to any limitation under the company’s constitution on the powers set out in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of that paragraph shall include any limitation deriving from these Regulations, from SIB regulations or from a resolution of the company in general meeting or of a meeting of any class of shareholders.
(4) Paragraph (2)(b) and (c) above do not apply where—
(a)by virtue of a limitation deriving from these Regulations or from SIB regulations, an act is beyond any of the powers referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) above; and
(b)the person in question—
(i)has actual knowledge of that fact; or
(ii)has deliberately failed to make enquiries in circumstances in which a reasonable and honest person would have done so.
(5) Paragraph (1) above does not affect any liability incurred by the directors or any other person by reason of the directors exceeding their powers.