ARTICLE 1.
Two or more persons of lawful age, of any nationality even though
not domiciled in the Republic of Panama may, in accordance with
the formalities hereinafter provided, form a corporation for any
lawful purpose or purposes.
ARTICLE 2.
Such persons desiring to form such a corporation shall sign articles
of incorporation which shall set forth:
1. The names
and domiciles of each of the subscribers of the articles;
2. The name
of the corporation which will not be the same as or similar to
that of another, already existing corporation so as to cause confusion.
The name shall
include a word, phrase or abbreviation, indicating that it is
a corporation, as distinguished from a person or an association
of another type.
The name of
the corporation may be expressed in any language.
3. The general
purpose or purposes of the corporation;
4. The amount
of the capital stock and the number and par value of the shares
of which it is to be divided; and, if the corporation is to issue
shares without par value, the statements required by Article 22
of this law;
The capital
stock and par value of shares of any corporation may be expressed
in terms of the legal currency of the Republic or of gold units
of the legal currency of any other country, or in both;
5. If there
are to be shares of different classes, the number of shares to
be included in each class and the designations, preferences, privileges
and voting rights or restrictions or other qualifications of the
shares of each class; or a statement that such designations, preferences,
privileges and voting powers or restrictions or other qualifications
can be determined by resolution of the majority in interest of
the Stockholders or of the majority of the Directors;
6. The number
of shares of stock which each subscriber of the articles of incorporation
agrees to take;
7. The domicile
of the corporation and the name and domicile of its resident agent
in the Republic, who may be a person or corporation;
8. Its duration;
9. The number,
names and addresses of its Directors, of which shall not be less
than three;
10. Any other
lawful provisions which the subscribers of the articles of incorporation
may desire to include.
ARTICLE 3.
The articles of incorporation may be executed in any place, within
or outside this Republic, and in any language.
ARTICLE 4.
The articles of incorporation may be in the form of a public deed,
or in any other form, provided that said articles be acknowledged
by a Notary Public or by any other official authorized to make
acknowledgements at the place of execution.
ARTICLE 5.
If the articles of incorporation are not in the form of a public
deed, they must be protocolized in the office of a Notary of the
Republic.
If said document
should be executed outside of the Republic of Panama, it must
be authenticated by a Panamanian Consul before it is protocolized,
or if there should be no Panamanian Consul, by the Consul of a
country friendly to Panama. If the Articles of Incorporation are
drafted in a language other than Spanish they must be protocolized
with an authorized translation executed by an official or public
interpreter of the Republic of Panama.
ARTICLE 6.
The public deed or the protocolized document containing the articles
of incorporation must be presented for registration in the Mercantile
Registry.
The incorporation
of the corporation shall not have effect as to third parties until
articles of incorporation have been registered.
ARTICLE 7.
Any corporation formed under this law may amend its articles of
incorporation in any respect provided such amendments conform
to the provisions of this law.
Therefore,
the corporation may, by such amendment: change the number of its
shares of stock or of any class of its stock outstanding at the
time of such amendment; change the par value of the outstanding
shares of any class having such a value; change the outstanding
shares of any class having par value into the same or different
number of shares of the same or a different class without par
value; change the outstanding shares of a class without par value
into the same or different number of shares of the same or different
class having par value; increase the amount of the number of shares
of its authorized stock; divide its authorized capital into classes;
increase the number of classes of its authorized capital; or change
the designations, rights, privileges, preferences, voting powers,
restrictions or qualifications of stock. But the capital stock
of a corporation shall not be reduced except in accordance with
the provisions of articles 14 et seq. of this law.
ARTICLE 8.
The amendments shall be made by the persons designated hereinafter
and in the manner provided in this law with respect to the execution
of the articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE 9.
Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation which are made before
stock has been issued, shall be signed by every subscriber of
the articles of incorporation and by every subscriber to the stock
of the corporation.
ARTICLE 10.
In case stock has been issued, such amendments to the articles
of incorporation shall be signed:
(a) By the
holders of all the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled
to vote thereon, in person or by proxy, and shall be accompanied
by a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the corporation stating that the persons who have executed said
amendments, in person or by proxy, constitute the holders of all
the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote thereon;
or
(b) By the
President or a Vice-President and the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the corporation, who shall sign and annex thereto
a certificate stating that they have been authorized to execute
said amendments by resolution adopted by the owners or their proxy
of a majority of such shares and that such resolution was adopted
at a stockholders meeting held on the date specified in the notice
or waiver of notice.
ARTICLE 11.
In case that the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation alter
the preferences of outstanding shares of any class or authorized
shares having preferences which are in any respect superior to
those of outstanding shares of any class, such certificate mentioned
in Article 10 (b) shall state that the officers signing the same
have also been authorized to execute such amendments to the Articles
of Incorporation by resolution, adopted in person or by proxy
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each
class entitled to vote thereon, adopted at a stockholders' meeting
held on a date specified upon notice or waiver of notice.
ARTICLE 12.
If the articles of incorporation require more than a majority
of the outstanding shares of any class or classes in order to
effect any amendment of any provision of the articles of incorporation,
the certificate referred to in paragraph (b) of article 10 shall
state that such amendment has been authorized in that manner.
ARTICLE 13.
Unless the articles of incorporation or any amendment thereof
otherwise provide, in the event of an increase of stock, each
stockholder shall have a pre-emptive right to subscribe, in proportion
to the number of shares then held by him, the shares of stock
issued pursuant to such increase.
ARTICLE 14.
Any corporation may reduce its authorized capital stock by an
amendment of its articles of incorporation; but no distribution
of assets may be made pursuant to any such reduction, which will
reduce the actual value of its remaining assets to an amount less
than the total amount of its debts and liabilities plus the amount,
as reduced, of its issued capital stock.
There shall
be annexed to the amendment to the articles of incorporation a
certificate, issued under oath by the President or a Vice-President
and of the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, stating that no
distribution of assets made or to be made pursuant thereto will
violate the provisions contained in this article.
In the absence
of fraud, the judgment of the Directors as to the value of the
assets, and their determination of debts and liabilities, shall
be conclusive.
ARTICLE 15.
Any corporation, unless its articles of incorporation otherwise
provide, may acquire shares of its own stock by purchase or otherwise.
If such acquisition or purchase is made out of funds or properties
other than the surplus or the net profits of the corporation,
the shares of stock so purchased or acquired shall be canceled
and the amount of issued stock of the corporation shall be reduced
accordingly; but such shares may be reissued if the authorized
capital stock shall not have been reduced by such retirement.
ARTICLE 16.
Shares of its own stock acquired by any corporation out of its
surplus or net profits may be held by such corporation, or sold
or otherwise disposed of from time to time for its corporate purposes
and may be retired or reissued by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 17.
No corporation shall directly or indirectly vote any shares of
its own stock.
ARTICLE 18.
No corporation shall purchase or otherwise acquire its own stock
out of fund or property other than its surplus or net profits,
if such purchase or acquisition will reduce the actual value of
its assets to an amount less than the total amount of its debts
and liabilities plus the amount of its issued capital stock so
purchased or acquired. In the absence of fraud, the judgment of
the Directors as to the value of the assets, and their determination
of the debts and liabilities, shall be conclusive.
CHAPTER II:
Corporate Powers
ARTICLE 19.
Every corporation organized in accordance with this law shall
have in addition to other powers specified in this law the following
powers:
1. To sue
and be sued in any court;
2. To adopt
and use a corporate seal and alter the same at its convenience;
3. To acquire,
purchase, hold, use and convey real and personal property of all
kinds and make and accept pledges, leases, mortgages, liens and
encumbrances of all kinds;
4. To appoint
officers and agents;
5. To make
contracts of all kinds;
6. To make
by-laws not inconsistent with any existing laws of the Republic
or its articles of incorporation, for the management, regulation
and government of its affairs and property, the transfer of its
stock and the calling and holding of meetings of its stockholders
and directors, and for all other lawful matters;
7. To carry
on business and to exercise its powers in the Republic and foreign
countries;
8. To dissolve
itself or to be dissolved in accordance with the law;
9. To borrow
money and contract debts in connection with its business or for
any lawful purpose; to issue bonds, notes, bills of exchange,
debentures and other obligations and evidences of indebtedness
(which may or may not be convertible into stock of the corporation)
payable at a specified time or times or payable upon the happening
of a specified event or events whether secured by mortgage, pledge
or otherwise or unsecured for money borrowed or in payment for
property purchased or acquired or for any other lawful objects;
10. To guarantee,
acquire, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge
or otherwise dispose of or deal in shares of the capital stock
of, or bonds, securities or other evidences of indebtedness created
by other corporations, or of any municipality, province, state
or government.
11. To do
all things necessary for the accomplishment of the objects enumerated
in its articles of incorporation or any amendment thereof or necessary
or incidental to the protection and benefit of the corporation,
and in general to carry on any lawful business whether or not
such business is similar in nature to the objects set forth in
its articles of incorporation or any amendment thereof.
CHAPTER III:
Stock
ARTICLE 20.
Every corporation shall have power to create and issue one or
more classes of shares of stock with such designations, preferences,
privileges, voting powers or restrictions or qualifications thereof
and other rights as its articles of incorporation provide and
subject to such rights of redemption as shall have been reserved
to the corporation in such articles of incorporation.
The articles
of incorporation may provide that shares of stock shall be convertible
into the shares of other classes.
ARTICLE 21.
Shares of stock may have a nominal or par value. Such shares may
be issued as fully paid and non-assessable, as partly paid or
without any payment having been made thereon. Unless the articles
of incorporation otherwise provide, fully paid and non-assessable
shares having a par value, or securities or shares convertible
into such shares, shall not be issued for a consideration which,
in the judgment of the Board of Directors, is less in value than
the par value of such shares or of the shares into which such
securities or shares are convertible. Nor shall certificates for
partly paid shares state that there has been paid thereon an amount
greater than the value, in the judgment of the Board of Directors,
of the consideration actually paid thereon. Such consideration
may be money, labor, services or property of any kind.
In the absence
of fraud, the judgment of the Board of Directors as to the value
of any such consideration shall be conclusive.
ARTICLE 22.
Shares of stock may be created and issued without par value provided
the articles of incorporation include the following statements:
1. The total
number of shares that may be issued by the corporation;
2. The number
of shares, if any, with par value and the par value of each;
3. The number
of shares without par value;
4. Either
one of the following statements:
(a) The stated
capital of the corporation shall be at least equal to the sum
of the aggregate par value of all issued shares having par value
plus a certain determined amount in respect to every issued share
without par value plus such amounts as from time to time by resolution
of the Board of Directors may be transferred thereto; or
(b) The stated
capital of the corporation shall be at least equal to the sum
of the aggregate par value of all issued shares having par value
plus the aggregate amount of consideration received by the corporation
for the issuance of shares without par value, plus such amounts
as from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors may
be transferred thereto.
There may
also be included in such articles of incorporation an additional
statement that the stated capital shall not be less than the amount
therein specified.
ARTICLE 23.
Subject to the designations, preferences, privileges and voting
powers or restrictions or qualifications granted or imposed in
respect to any class of shares, each share with or without par
value shall be equal to every other share of the same class.
ARTICLE 24.
A corporation may issue and may sell its authorized shares without
par value for such consideration as may be prescribed in its articles
of incorporation; or for such consideration which, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, shall be the fair value of such shares;
or for such consideration as from time to time may be fixed by
the Board of Directors, pursuant to authority conferred in such
articles of incorporation; as shall be consented to or approved
by the holders of at least a majority of the shares entitled to
vote.
ARTICLE 25.
Any and all shares referred to in Articles 22, 23 and 24 of this
law shall be deemed fully paid and non-assessable. The holders
of such shares shall not be liable to the corporation or its creditors
in respect thereto.
ARTICLE 26.
The shares of a corporation shall be paid at such time and in
such a manner as the Board of Directors may determine. In case
of default in the payment, the Board of Directors may either proceed
against the defaulting stockholder to enforce payment of the amounts
due and unpaid and to collect such damages as the corporation
may have suffered, or rescind the subscription contract in respect
to the stockholder in default, having the right in this last alternative
to retain for the corporation such amounts as the defaulting stockholder
may be entitled to receive from the funds of the corporation.
In the event
that the corporation should proceed to rescind the subscription
contract in respect to the stockholder in default and to retain
for the corporation the amounts to which the stockholder may be
entitled, the Board of Directors shall give at least sixty days
advance notice to such stockholder.
Shares acquired
by the corporation by virtue of the provisions of this article
may be reissued or re-offered for subscription.
ARTICLE 27.
Every certificate of stock shall contain the following statements:
1. The reference
to the registration of the corporation in the Mercantile Registry;
2. The amount
of its capital stock;
3. The number
of shares owned by the stockholder or bearer;
4. The class
of share, if there is more than one class, and if the stock is
classified, a summary statement of the special conditions, designations,
preferences, privileges, voting powers, restrictions or qualifications
that one of the classes of the shares has over the others.
5. If the
shares which it represents are fully paid and non-assessable,
the certificate of stock shall so state; and if such shares are
not fully paid and non-assessable, the certificate shall state
the amount or amounts which have been paid thereon;
6. If the
shares are represented by certificate issued in the name of the
owner, it should contain the name of said owner.
ARTICLE 28.
Shares may be issued to bearer only if fully paid and non-assessable.
ARTICLE 29.
Shares represented by certificates issued in the name of the owner
shall be transferable on the books of the corporation in such
manner and under such regulations as may be provided in the articles
of incorporation or in the by-laws. But in no case shall the transfer
of stock be binding on the corporation unless it shall have been
registered in the corporation books.
If the stockholder
shall be indebted to the corporation, the corporation may refuse
to permit the transfer of his stock until such indebtedness is
paid. But in all cases the transferor and the transferee shall
be jointly liable for the payment of the amounts owed to the corporation
by virtue of the shares so transferred.
ARTICLE 30.
Shares issued to bearer shall be transferable by delivery of the
certificate or certificates representing title.
ARTICLE 31.
If so provided in the articles of incorporation, any holder of
a certificate for shares issued to bearer may exchange such certificate
for a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares
of the same class issued in his name; and the holder of a certificate
for shares issued in the name of the owner may exchange it for
a certificate for a like number of shares issued to bearer.
ARTICLE 32.
The articles of incorporation may provide that in case a stockholder
desires to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of his shares of
stock, the corporation or some stockholder or stockholders thereof
shall have a preferential right to purchase such shares.
Any other
restrictions upon the transfer or transferability of the shares
may also be imposed; but any restriction absolutely preventing
a stockholder from selling, transferring or disposing of his shares
of stock shall be invalid.
ARTICLE 33.
A corporation may issue a new stock certificate in place of any
certificate previously issued by it alleged to have been destroyed,
lost or stolen. The Board of Directors may, in such cases, require
the owner of the destroyed, lost or stolen certificate to post
security against any claim that may be made against the corporation
or damage suffered by it.
ARTICLE 34.
The articles of incorporation may provide that the holders of
any designated class or classes of stock shall not be given voting
rights; or they may otherwise limit or define the respective voting
powers of the several classes of stock.
Such provisions
of the articles of incorporation shall be controlling in all elections
and in all proceedings in which the law requires the vote or the
written consent of the holders of all of the shares or of a specified
proportion of the shares of the corporation.
The articles
of incorporation may also provide that for specified purposes
the vote of more than a majority of the holders of any class of
stock shall be required.
ARTICLE 35.
One or more stockholders by agreement in writing may transfer
stock to a voting trustee or trustees for the purpose of conferring
upon it or them the right to vote thereon in the name and in place
of the owner for the period and upon the terms and conditions
therein stated. Other stockholders may transfer their stock to
the same trustee or trustees and thereupon shall be a party to
such agreement. The certificates of stock so transferred shall
be surrendered and canceled and new certificates therefor issued
to such trustee or trustees, in which it shall appear that they
are issued pursuant to such agreement, and in the entry of such
ownership in the proper books of the corporation that fact shall
also be noted. In order for the provisions contained in this article
be carried into effect, it will be necessary that a certified
copy of such agreement be filed with the corporation.
ARTICLE 36.
Every corporation organized under this law shall keep at its office
in the Republic, or at such other place or places as the articles
of incorporation or the by-laws may provide, a book to be known
as the Stock Register, containing (except in the case of shares
issued to bearer) the names alphabetically arranged of all persons
who are stockholders of the corporation, showing their places
of domicile, the number of shares held by each one respectively,
the date of acquisition thereof and the amount paid thereon or
that they are fully paid and non-assessable.
In the case
of shares issued to bearer such Stock Register shall state the
number of shares so issued, and the date of issue and that such
shares are fully paid and non-assessable.
ARTICLE 37.
Dividends may be paid to the stockholders from the net earnings
of the corporation or from the surplus of its assets over its
liabilities and capital stock, but not otherwise. The corporation
may declare and may pay dividends upon the basis of the amount
actually paid upon partly paid shares of stock.
ARTICLE 38.
When the directors shall so determine, dividends may be paid in
stock of the corporation; provided the stock issued for such purpose
shall be duly authorized and provided, if such stock has not heretofore
been issued, there shall be transferred from surplus to the capital
of the corporation an amount at least equal to that for which
such stock could be lawfully issued.
ARTICLE 39.
Every stockholder shall be personally liable to the creditors
of the corporation only to an amount equal to the amount not paid
on his stock; but no action shall be brought against a stockholder
for any debt of the corporation until judgment therefor has been
rendered against the corporation and execution thereon has been
returned unsatisfied in whole or in part.
CHAPTER IV:
Stockholders' Meetings
ARTICLE 40.
Whenever under the provisions of this law the approval or authorization
of the stockholders is required, the notice of such stockholders'
meeting shall be in writing and in the name of the President,
Vice-President, Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of such
other person or persons so authorized by the articles of incorporation
or the by-laws.
Such notice
shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called
and the time and place at which it is to be held.
ARTICLE 41.
All meetings of stockholders shall be held within the Republic,
unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or
by-laws.
ARTICLE 42.
Such notice shall be given at such time prior to any such meeting
and in such manner as the articles of incorporation or by-laws
of the corporation provide; but unless they otherwise provide,
such notice shall be given personally or by mail upon each stockholder
of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten no
more than sixty days before such meeting.
If the corporation
has issued shares to the bearer, notice of stockholders' meetings
shall be published in such manner, as the articles of incorporation
or by-laws provide.
ARTICLE 43.
Any stockholder may waive notice of any meeting by document signed
by him or his representative either before or after the meeting.
ARTICLE 44.
The resolutions approved in any meeting at which all stockholders
are present, in person or by proxy, shall be valid for all purposes
and the resolutions approved in any meeting at which a quorum
is present, notice of which shall have been waived by all absent
stockholders, shall be valid for all purposes stated in such waiver,
even though in either of the above-mentioned cases the notice
required by this law, the articles of incorporation or the by-laws
has not been given.
ARTICLE 45.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, every
stockholder of a corporation shall be entitled at each meeting
of stockholders thereof to one vote for each share of stock registered
in his name on the books of the corporation regardless of the
class of said stock and whether it has a nominal or par value.
It is hereby understood, however, that unless contrary provision
should be made in the articles of incorporation, the directors
may prescribe a period not exceeding forty (40) days prior to
any meeting of the stockholders during which time no transfer
of stock on the books of the corporation may be made, or may fix
a day not more than forty (40) days prior to the holding of any
such meeting as the day as of which all stockholders (other than
the holders of shares issued to bearer) entitled to notice of
and with the right to vote at such meeting shall be determined,
in which case, only stockholders of record on such day shall be
entitled to notice of or to vote at such meeting.
ARTICLE 46.
In the case of shares issued to bearer, the bearer of a certificate
or certificates representing such shares shall be entitled to
one vote at any meeting of the stockholders for each share of
stock entitled to vote at such meeting, represented by such certificate,
upon presentation at such meeting of such certificate or certificates,
or upon presentation of such other evidence of ownership as may
be prescribed by the articles of incorporation or by-laws.
ARTICLE 47.
At any meeting of the stockholders any stockholder may be represented
and vote by proxy or proxies (who need not be stockholder(s))
appointed by an instrument in writing, public or private, with
or without power of substitution.
ARTICLE 48.
The articles of incorporation of any corporation may provide that
at all elections of directors of such corporation each holder
of stock possessing the right to vote for directors shall be entitled
to as many votes as shall equal the number of his shares of stock
multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and that
he may cast all of such votes for a single director or may distribute
them among the number to be voted for any two or more of them
as he may see fit.
CHAPTER V:
Board of Directors
ARTICLE 49.
The business of every corporation shall be managed by a Board
of Directors composed of not less than three directors, all of
whom shall be male or female persons of legal age.
ARTICLE 50.
Subject to the provisions of this law and of the articles of incorporation,
the Board of Directors of every corporation shall have absolute
control over and full direction of the affairs of the corporation.
ARTICLE 51.
The Board of Directors may exercise all of the powers of the corporation
except such powers that are by law, the articles of incorporation
or by the by-laws, conferred upon or reserved to the stockholders.
ARTICLE 52.
Subject to the provisions of this law and the articles of incorporation,
the number of Directors shall be fixed by the by-laws of the corporation.
ARTICLE 53.
A majority of the Board of Directors of a corporation at a meeting
duly assembled shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. However, the articles of incorporation
may provide that a certain number of the directors, whether more
or less than a majority, shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE 54.
The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 55.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, no
director need be a stockholder.
ARTICLE 56.
The directors may make, alter, amend and repeal the by-laws of
the corporation, unless otherwise provided by the articles of
incorporation, or in the by-laws adopted by the stockholders.
ARTICLE 57.
The directors of every corporation shall be chosen at the time
and place and in the manner provided for by the articles of incorporation
or by-laws.
ARTICLE 58.
Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled in the manner
prescribed by the articles of incorporation or by-laws.
ARTICLE 59.
Subject to the provisions contained in the two foregoing articles,
vacancies, whether resulting from an increase in the authorized
number of directors or otherwise, may be filled by the vote of
a majority of the directors then in office.
ARTICLE 60.
If the directors are not elected by the specific day designated
for that purpose, the directors then in office shall continue
to hold their offices and discharge their duties until their respective
successors shall have been elected.
ARTICLE 61.
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or
in the by-laws, the Board of Directors may appoint two or more
of their number to constitute a committee or committees, who shall
have and exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business affairs of the corporation to the extent
and subject to the restrictions expressed in the articles of incorporation,
the by-laws, or the resolutions appointing such committees.
ARTICLE 62.
If the articles of incorporation so provide, at any meeting of
the directors, any director may be represented and vote by proxy
or proxies (who need not be directors), appointed by an instrument
in writing, public or private, with or without power of substitution.
ARTICLE 63.
Directors may be removed at any time by the vote of holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for directors.
Officers, agents and employees may be removed at any time by resolution
adopted by a majority of the directors, or in such a manner as
the articles of incorporation or by-laws provide.
ARTICLE 64.
If any dividend or distribution of assets be declared or paid
which reduces the value of the assets of the corporation remaining
after the payment of such dividend or such distribution, as the
case may be, to less than the aggregate amount of its debts and
liabilities, including capital stock, or if a reduction of capital
stock be made, except in accordance with the provisions of this
law, or if any report or statements be made which shall be false
in any material representation, the directors of the corporation
who assent thereto with knowledge of the impairment of the capital
stock or of such falsity, as the case may be, shall be jointly
and severally liable to the creditors of the corporation for any
loss or damage arising therefrom.
CHAPTER VI:
Officers
ARTICLE 65.
Every corporation shall have a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer,
who shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and may also have
such other officers, agents and representatives as the Board of
Directors or the by-laws or the articles of incorporation may
determine and who shall be chosen in the manner provided thereby.
ARTICLE 66.
Any person may hold two or more offices, if so provided by the
articles of incorporation or by the by-laws.
ARTICLE 67.
No officer need be a director of the corporation unless the articles
of incorporation or by-laws so require.
CHAPTER VII:
Sale of Assets and Franchises
ARTICLE 68.
Every corporation may, by action taken at any meeting of its Board
of Directors, sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of all
or substantially all of its property and assets, including its
goodwill and its corporate franchise, upon such terms and conditions
as its Board of Directors deems expedient, provided it is authorized
by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding a majority of
the shares entitled to voting power and given at a stockholders'
meeting called for that purpose in the manner provided in Articles
40 through 44 of this law or authorized by the written consent
of such stockholders.
ARTICLE 69.
Notwithstanding the provisions contained in the preceding article,
the articles of incorporation may require that the consent of
the stockholders be expressed in a special manner in order to
grant the authority referred to in said article.
ARTICLE 70.
Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the vote
or assent of stockholders shall not be necessary for a transfer
of assets in trust, or to encumber them by pledge or mortgage
to secure indebtedness of the corporation.
CHAPTER VIII:
Mergers
ARTICLE 71.
Subject to the provisions of their articles of incorporation,
any two or more corporations organized under this law may merge
into a single corporation. The Directors, or a majority of them
of each of such corporations desiring to merge, may enter into
an agreement signed by them, describing the terms and conditions
of the merger, the mode of carrying the same into effect and stating
such other facts as are necessary to be stated in articles of
incorporation and in accordance with this law, as well as the
manner of converting the shares of each of the constituent corporations
into shares of the new corporation, with such other details and
provisions as are deemed necessary or desirable.
ARTICLE 72.
The agreement may provide for the distribution of cash, notes
or bonds in whole or in part, in lieu of stock, provided, however,
that upon such distribution the liabilities of the new corporation,
including those derived by it from the constituent corporations
and including the amount of capital to be issued by the new corporation
pursuant to the terms of merger agreement, shall not exceed the
value of its assets.
ARTICLE 73.
Said agreement shall be submitted to the stockholders of each
of the constituent corporations at a meeting thereof called separately
for the purpose of considering the same, of which meeting notice
shall be given in the manner required by articles 40 to 43 of
this law. At said meeting said agreement shall be considered and
a vote taken for the adoption or rejection of the same.
ARTICLE 74.
Unless the articles of incorporation otherwise provide, if the
votes of stockholders of each corporation representing a majority
of the shares entitled to vote thereon shall be for the adoption
of said agreement, then that fact shall be certified on said agreement
by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each corporation; and
the agreements so adopted and certified shall be signed by the
President or Vice-President and Secretary or Assistant Secretary
of each of said corporations in the manner and in accordance with
the requirements specified in Article 2 of this law with reference
to the execution of articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE 75.
The agreement of merger so executed shall be filed for registration
in the Mercantile Registry as required in the case of articles
of incorporation and when so filed shall be the agreement and
act of consolidation of said corporations.
ARTICLE 76.
When such agreement of consolidation is executed and filed as
required by the two preceding articles, the separate existence
of each constituent corporation shall cease and the merged corporations
shall become a single corporation in accordance with said agreement
possessing all the properties, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises and subject to the restrictions, obligations and duties
of each of the constituent corporations; provided that all rights
of creditors and all liens upon the property of either of the
constituent corporations shall be preserved unimpaired, but such
liens shall be limited to the property affected thereby at the
time of the merger. All debts, liabilities and duties of the constituent
corporations shall appertain to the consolidated corporation and
may be enforced against it to the same extent as if they had been
incurred by it.
ARTICLE 77.
The articles of incorporation of any corporation may provide and
determine conditions, in addition to the requirements of this
law, upon which such corporation may merge with any other corporation.
ARTICLE 78.
Any action or proceeding pending by or against the extinguished
corporations or any one of them, the consolidated corporation
shall continue as a party to the action.
ARTICLE 79.
The liability of corporations or the stockholders, directors or
officers thereof, or the rights and remedies of the creditors
thereof or of persons doing or transacting business with such
corporations shall not in any way be lessened or impaired by the
merger of two or more corporations under the provisions hereof.
CHAPTER IX:
Dissolution
ARTICLE 80.
If the Board of Directors deems it advisable that any corporation
organized under this law should be dissolved, the Board may, by
a majority of the whole Board, approve an agreement of dissolution
and, within the ten ensuing days, shall call or cause to be called,
in the manner provided in articles 40 through 43 hereof, a meeting
of the stockholders having voting power to take such action to
approve or reject the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 81.
If, at such meeting of the holders of a majority of the shares
entitled to vote such stockholders by resolution consent to the
dissolution, copy of such resolution together with a list of the
names and residences of the Directors and Officers, certified
by the President or a Vice-President and the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, shall
be made and executed and filed for recordation in the Mercantile
Registry as required in Article 2.
ARTICLE 82.
Upon such filing at the Registry Office, a copy thereof shall
be published in one issue of a newspaper published in the place
where the office of the dissolved corporation was situated in
this Republic, or if there be no such newspaper then in the Official
Gazette of the Republic.
ARTICLE 83.
Whenever all the stockholders with voting power consent in writing
to a dissolution, no meeting of the Board of Directors or of the
Stockholders shall be necessary for that purpose.
ARTICLE 84.
The document setting forth such consent of the stockholders shall
be protocolized and filed for record in the Mercantile Registry
and published in the manner provided in Article 82 hereof. Once
these formalities have been complied with, such corporation shall
be deemed to be dissolved.
ARTICLE 85.
All corporations, whether they expire by their own limitation
or are otherwise dissolved, shall nevertheless continue to exist
for the term of three years from such expiration or dissolution
for the purpose of prosecuting or defending suits by or against
them or enabling them to settle their business and dispose of
and convey their property and to divide their capital stock, but
under no circumstance may it continue the business for which said
corporation was established.
ARTICLE 86.
When any corporation expires by its own limitation or is otherwise
dissolved, the Directors shall act as trustees of such corporation
with full power to settle the affairs, collect the outstanding
debts, sell and convey the property of all kinds and divide the
moneys and property among the stockholders, after paying the debts
of the corporation, and they shall have authority, in the name
of the corporation, to sue for the recovery of its debts and property
and to defend it when sued for debts owing by such corporation.
ARTICLE 87.
In the case of the foregoing article, the Directors shall be jointly
and severally responsible for the debts of the corporation, but
only up to the amount of the moneys and properties which have
come into their control.
ARTICLE 88.
The Directors shall have the power to apply moneys and property
of the corporation to the payment of a reasonable compensation
for their services and to fill any vacancies which may occur in
their number.
ARTICLE 89.
The Directors, acting as trustees pursuant to the provisions of
Articles 86, 87 and 88, shall act by majority vote.
CHAPTER X:
Foreign Corporations
ARTICLE 90.
A foreign corporation may maintain offices or agencies and carry
on business in the Republic, provided it files in the Mercantile
Registry the following documents for recording:
1. Deed of
protocolization of its Articles of Incorporation;
2. Copy of
its last balance sheet accompanied by a
declaration of the amount of its capital engaged or to be engaged
in business in the Republic;
3. A certificate
setting forth that it is incorporated and organized under the
laws of the country of its domicile authenticated by a Consular
Representative of the Republic in said country, or if there be
none, then by that of a friendly nation.
ARTICLE 91.
A foreign corporation maintaining an office or carrying on business
in the Republic of Panama which has not complied with the requirements
of this law may not sue in any court of the Republic, but may
be sued therein. Any such corporation shall furthermore be liable
to a fine of up to FIVE THOUSAND BALBOAS (B/.5,000.00) to be imposed
by the Secretary of Finance and the Treasury.
ARTICLE 92.
A foreign corporation carrying on business in the Republic which
has recorded its articles of incorporation in the Mercantile Registry
according to this law, shall be required to record in such Registry
all amendments of such articles of incorporation and the instruments
of consolidation or dissolution affecting it.
CHAPTER XI: Sundry Provisions
ARTICLE 93.
National or foreign corporations established or having agencies
or branches in the Republic at the time that this law comes into
effect shall be governed insofar as refers to the contracting
parties by their articles of incorporation, their by-laws and
the laws in force at the time of their organization or of their
establishment in the Republic, as the case may be.
ARTICLE 94.
National corporations organized before this law comes into effect
may at any time be governed by the provisions of this law; this
fact must be set forth in a resolution adopted by the stockholders,
which must be recorded in the Registry Office.
The stockholders
of national corporations actually dissolved but not yet liquidated
may, for the purpose of the liquidation, be governed by the provisions
of this article, provided that it is so resolved by a number of
stockholders not less than that required by the by-laws to provide
for the dissolution of the corporation before the expiration of
the term fixed for such corporation.
ARTICLE 95.
All the provisions heretofore in force relative to corporations
are hereby repealed.
ARTICLE 96.
This law shall come into effect on the first day of April, 1927.