Extraordinary general meeting (EGM) meaning

In legal practice, an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) is a shareholders’ meeting held other than the annual general meeting to deal with specific or urgent business needing members’ approval. England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: the Companies Act 2006 does not define EGMs and recognises only an agm and any other general meeting. “EGM” is a descriptive label with no separate legal effect, relevant only if adopted or required by the articles of association or a shareholders’ agreement. An EGM is subject to the same statutory rules as any general meeting, including convening authority, notice, quorum, voting and the form of resolutions. Ireland: under the Companies Act 2014, “extraordinary general meeting” remains the statutory term for any general meeting other than the AGM and is widely used in practice. Convening, notice and voting are governed by the Act and the company’s constitution. Typical business includes approving significant transactions, share capital changes, amendments to the constitution, or appointing/removing directors. In all jurisdictions, the label itself does not alter statutory requirements; shorter notice or other variations apply only where permitted by the relevant Act and the company’s governing documents.