GOVERNANCE, AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES
NEWEST VERSION EXAM 2025 WITH 300
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
QUESTIONWhat does 'capital locked in' refer to? - answerThe concept that the death of
a shareholder does not affect the corporation's existence or capital structure.
QUESTIONWhat is the significance of the commerce clause in relation to state
interests? - answerIt limits a state's ability to regulate commerce that occurs outside
its borders, impacting corporate law.
QUESTIONWhy is director primacy important in corporate governance? - answerIt
ensures that the company is managed by directors focused on long-term growth
rather than shareholders seeking short-term profits.
QUESTIONWhat is the default term length for directors according to the DGCL? -
answerOne year, unless the charter or bylaws provide for a staggered board.
QUESTIONWhat is required for a corporation to hold annual meetings of stockholders?
- answerThe size of the board must be fixed in the bylaws or charter, and directors
must be natural persons.
QUESTIONHow can shareholders remove directors? - answerShareholders can
remove directors with or without cause, except if the board is staggered, in which case
cause is required.
QUESTIONWhat is the role of independent directors? - answerIndependent directors
have no employment or other links to the company, ensuring unbiased governance.
,QUESTIONWhat is an interlocking directorate? - answerIt refers to a situation where
an officer or director serves on the boards of two competing companies.
QUESTIONWhat are the two types of corporate committees? - answerStanding
committees and special committees (limited time).
QUESTIONWhat are the required elements of a corporation's charter in Delaware? -
answerName, address, nature of the business, purposes, characteristics of stock, and
names and addresses of incorporators or directors.
QUESTIONWhat does the ultra vires doctrine refer to? - answerThe principle that
actions outside the scope of a corporation's business activities can expose board
members to personal liability.
QUESTIONWhat is the role of the board of directors in a corporation? - answerThe
board manages the corporation and makes high-level decisions, while shareholders
cannot dictate management decisions.
QUESTIONWhat was the outcome of Gorman v. Salmone regarding shareholder power?
- answerDelaware law does not allow shareholders to remove corporate officers
through bylaws, as it interferes with the directors' management prerogatives.
What are the key attributes of a corporation? - answerDistinct legal entities with
indefinite life, ability to own property, enter contracts, sue and be sued, shares freely
transferable, and limited liability.
QUESTIONHow is a corporation formed? - answerThrough a charter and following
specific formalities, either by a special act of incorporation or administratively by
private parties.
,QUESTIONWhat is the default rule regarding shareholder consent in Delaware? -
answerShareholders can act by written consent unless stated otherwise in the
certificate of incorporation.
QUESTIONWhat is the internal affairs doctrine? - answerA principle stating that only
the state of incorporation has the authority to regulate a corporation's internal affairs.
QUESTIONWhat is the significance of Delaware in corporate law? - answerDelaware
has respected business law courts, predictable outcomes, and is friendly to corporate
management, making it a popular state for incorporation.
QUESTIONWhat is the Model Business Corporation Act (MBCA)? - answerA model
statute created by the American Bar Association in 1950 to provide a framework for
corporate governance.
QUESTIONWhat is the purpose of bylaws in a corporation? - answerBylaws dictate
internal governance procedures and can contain any lawful provisions not inconsistent
with the certificate of incorporation.
QUESTIONWhat is a stockholders agreement? - answerA contract between
shareholders and sometimes the company itself, external to corporate law.
QUESTIONWhat is the process of incorporating in Delaware? - answerFiling a
certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Department of State and holding a
meeting to adopt bylaws and elect directors.
QUESTIONWhat is double taxation in the context of corporations? - answerThe taxation
of corporate earnings at the entity level and again when shareholders receive
dividends.
, QUESTIONWhat is the significance of the 14th Amendment's due process clause in
corporate law? - answerIt provides a significant right for individuals to know what law
will apply to their actions.
QUESTIONWhat does it mean for shares to be freely transferable? - answerShares can
be sold or transferred without restriction, unless stated otherwise in a contract.
QUESTIONWhat is the role of corporate officers? - answerCorporate officers run the
day-to-day operations of the corporation as directed by the board of directors.
QUESTIONWhat is the significance of the Delaware Court of Chancery? - answerIt is
known for its expertise in business law, fast resolution of cases, and absence of juries.
QUESTIONWhat is the relationship between shareholders and the corporation's capital?
- answerShareholders' death has no legal significance for the corporation, and capital
is effectively locked in.
QUESTIONWhat does the term 'limited liability' mean for shareholders? -
answerShareholders are only liable for the corporation's debts up to the amount they
invested, protecting personal assets.
QUESTIONWhat is the significance of the internal affairs doctrine in corporate
governance? - answerIt provides certainty and predictability by allowing only the state
of incorporation to regulate internal corporate matters.
QUESTIONWhat is a charter in the context of a corporation? - answerThe constitutional
document of the corporation that outlines its structure and purpose.
QUESTIONWhat is a forum selection bylaw? - answerA provision that designates the
jurisdiction for resolving disputes, which is valid under corporate bylaws.