Basic Shareholder Rights

Basic shareholder rights include the right to secure registration of ownership, the right to transfer shares, the right to obtain relevant and material information on the corporation on a timely and regular basis, the right to participate and vote in general shareholder meetings, the right to elect and remove members of the board, and the right to share in the profits of the corporation.

These rights are enshrined in company law across jurisdictions and reinforced by the G20/OECD Principles. Effective exercise of these rights requires transparent procedures for shareholder meetings, timely access to meeting materials, the ability to place items on the agenda, and mechanisms for voting in absentia (including electronic voting).

Further Reading

• G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance
• ESRS

Key Resources

• G20/OECD Principles — Chapter III: Institutional Investors
• ICGN Global Stewardship Principles

Related Topics

• Board Responsibilities
• Disclosure & Transparency
• Sustainability & Resilience