273.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Article, an investment company (defined in Article 274) may also make a distribution at any time out of its accumulated, realised revenue profits, so far as not previously utilised by distribution or capitalisation, less its accumulated revenue losses (whether realised or unrealised), so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganisation of capital duly made—
(a)if at that time the amount of its assets is at least equal to one and a half times the aggregate of its liabilities [F1to creditors] , and
(b)if, and to the extent that, the distribution does not reduce that amount to less than one and a half times that aggregate.
(2) In paragraph (1)(a) “liabilities [F2to creditors]” includes any provision for liabilities [F2to creditors] or charges (within the meaning of paragraph 88 of Schedule 4[F3 that is made in Companies Order accounts and any provision [F4for liabilities to creditors] that is made in IAS accounts]).
(3) The company shall not include any uncalled share capital as an asset in any accounts relevant for the purposes of this Article.
(4) An investment company may not make a distribution by virtue of paragraph (1) unless—
(a)its shares are listed on a[F5 recognised investment exchange other than an overseas investment exchangeF6. . . ], and
(b)during the relevant period it has not—
(i)distributed any of its capital profits[F7 otherwise than by way of the redemption or purchase of any of the company's own shares in accordance with Article 170 or 172 in Chapter VII of Part VI], or
(ii)applied any unrealised profits or any capital profits (realised or unrealised) in paying up debentures or amounts unpaid on its issued shares.
[F6(4A) In paragraph (4)(a) "recognised investment exchange" and "overseas investment exchange" have the same meaning as in Part 18 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.]
(5) The “relevant period” under paragraph (4) is the period beginning with—
(a)the first day of the accounting reference period immediately preceding that in which the proposed distribution is to be made, or
(b)where the distribution is to be made in the company's first accounting reference period, the first day of that period,
and ending with the date of the distribution.
(6) An investment company may not make a distribution by virtue of paragraph (1) unless the company gave to the registrar the requisite notice (that is, notice under Article 274(1)) of the company's intention to carry on business as an investment company—
(a)before the beginning of the relevant period under paragraph (4), or
(b)in the case of a company incorporated on or after 1st July 1983, as soon as may have been reasonably practicable after the date of its incorporation.
F1Words in art. 273(1)(a) inserted (1.4.2006) by Companies (1986 Order) (Investment Companies and Accounting and Audit Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/137), reg. 2(2)
F2Words in art. 273(2) inserted (1.4.2006) by Companies (1986 Order) (Investment Companies and Accounting and Audit Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/137), reg. 2(3)(a)
F3SR 2004/496
F4Words in art. 273(2) inserted (1.4.2006) by Companies (1986 Order) (Investment Companies and Accounting and Audit Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/137), reg. 2(3)(b)
F6SI 2001/3649
F7SR 2004/22
F8Order repealed (prosp.) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1284(2), 1295, 1300(2), Sch. 16 and the repeal being partly in force, as to which see individual Articles (with savings (with adaptations) by Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 6, Saving and Commencement Nos. 3 and 5 (Amendment)) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/674), arts. 2(3), {4}, Sch. 2) and subject to amendments (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/948), arts. 2(2), 3(1)(b)(2), Sch. 1 paras. 135, 147, 148 {Sch. 2 Note 1} (with arts. 6, 11, 12) and subject to amendments (6.4.2008) by S.R. 2008/133, {regs. 2, 3}