Alternative Arrangements for Meetings
With the spread of COVID-19 infections, and the Government’s safe distancing measures to address this, personal attendance at meetings may not be feasible. However, applicable laws or legal instruments may not permit meetings to be held electronically. Difficulties in holding meetings may give rise to problems in transacting usual commercial and governance matters.
The Minister was empowered by Section 27 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act (the “Act”) to make orders to enable meetings to be convened, held and conducted by electronic means if necessary or expedient to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Orders give entities the option to hold electronic meetings. This will help keep physical interactions and COVID-19 transmission risks to a minimum, amid the continuing COVID-19 situation.
Electronic meetings carried out in accordance with the alternative meeting arrangements prescribed in the relevant Order shall be deemed to have complied with the relevant requirements, even if an electronic meeting is otherwise not allowed under other written law or legal instrument.
The Orders were amended on 6 April 2021 to extend the alternative meeting arrangements beyond 30 June 2021 (their previous expiry date), until revoked or amended by MinLaw.
It is envisaged that the Orders will continue to be in force for at least as long as safe distancing measures are in force. MinLaw will give at least 6 months’ advance notice before the alternative arrangements cease to be available. Please refer to this press release for more information.
| Sector |
Orders |
Important Guidance |
Contact for Enquiries |
1. Companies
2. Variable Capital Companies
3. Business Trusts
4. Unit Trusts
5. Debenture Holders
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Covid-19 Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Companies, Variable Capital Companies, Business Trusts, Unit Trusts and Debenture Holders) Order 2020 |
Joint Statement by Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGXRegco) Guidance on the Conduct of General Meetings Amid Evolving COVID-19 Situation (1 Oct 2020)
SGX FAQs on the Holding of General Meetings (updated on 5 Oct 2020)
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For enquires pertaining to non-listed business trusts and non-listed unit trusts, please email MAS at webmaster@mas.gov.sg
For enquires pertaining to listed issuers, please email SGX at Listingcompliance@sgx.com
For enquiries pertaining to non-listed companies, please contact ACRA via www.acra.gov.sg/feedback or contact ACRA Helpdesk at 6224 6088.
For enquiries pertaining to variable capital companies, please send the enquiry to both MAS at webmaster@mas.gov.sg and ACRA at www.acra.gov.sg/feedback.
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| Corporate Insolvency |
COVID 19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings) (Corporate Insolvency) Order 2020 |
Official Assignee / Official Receiver Practice Circular No. 1 of 2020 on Safe Distancing Measures for Meetings
FAQs on alternative meeting arrangements for corporate insolvency |
For enquiries pertaining to corporate insolvency, please contact the Ministry of Law, Insolvency & Public Trustee Office via the online enquiry form at https://eservices.mlaw.gov.sg/enquiry/ |
| Individual insolvency |
COVID 19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings) (Bankruptcy) Order 2020 |
Official Assignee / Official Receiver Practice Circular No. 1 of 2020 on Safe Distancing Measures for Meetings
FAQs on alternative meeting arrangements for individual insolvency |
For enquiries pertaining to individual insolvency, please contact the Ministry of Law, Insolvency & Public Trustee Office via the online enquiry form at https://eservices.mlaw.gov.sg/enquiry/
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1. Charities
2. Co-operative Societies
3. Mutual Benefit Organisations
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COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Charities, Co-operative Societies and Mutual Benefit Organisations) Order 2020 |
Press release by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth on Alternative Arrangements for Charities, Co-operative Societies and Mutual Benefit Organisations to Conduct General Meetings amid COVID-19 (28 April 2020)
Press release by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth on Guide to Charities on the Conduct of General Meetings (2 May 2020)
Guide on Conduct of Meetings by Charities amid COVID-19
Registry of Co-operative Societies’ Guidelines
Guidance and templates for Mutual Benefit Organisations
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For enquiries pertaining to charities, please contact the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth, Charities Unit at MCCY_Charities@mccy.gov.sg.
For enquiries pertaining to co-operative societies please contact the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth, Registry of Co-operative Societies at MCCY_Regcoop@mccy.gov.sg.
For enquiries pertaining to mutual benefit organisations, please contact the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth, Registry of Mutual Benefit Organisations at MCCY_Regmbo@mccy.gov.sg
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| Registered Societies |
COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Registered Societies) Order 2020 |
Guidance for Registered Societies on the conduct of general meetings and governing bodies meetings during periods of safe distancing measures
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For enquiries pertaining to registered societies, please contact the Ministry of Home Affairs, Registry of Societies at mha_ros_feedback@mha.gov.sg
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| Management Corporations |
COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Management Corporations, Subsidiary Management Corporations and Collective Sale Committees) Order 2020
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Building & Construction Authority’s Circular on Convening of General Meeting via Alternative Electronic Means amid COVID-19 Situation (30 Sept 2020)
Ministry of Law’s Guidance on Convening of General Meetings for En Bloc Sales and Meetings of Collective Sale Committees via Alternative Electronic Means amid COVID-19 Situation
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For enquiries pertaining to general meetings for en bloc sales and meetings of collective sale committees, please contact the Ministry of Law via the online enquiry form at https://eservices.mlaw.gov.sg/enquiry/
For all other enquiries relating to management corporations, please contact the Building and Construction Authority via the online enquiry form at https://www.bca.gov.sg/feedbackform/
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| Trade Unions |
COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Trade Unions) Order 2020 |
Registry of Trade Unions Circular on Guidance on the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Trade Unions) Order 2020 (29 Sep 2020)
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For enquiries pertaining to registered trade unions, please contact the Ministry of Manpower, Registry of Trade Unions at mom_lrwd@mom.gov.sg
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| School management committees and governing boards |
COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Schools) Order 2020
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For enquiries pertaining to school management committees and governing boards, please contact the Ministry of Education via the online feedback form at https://www.moe.gov.sg/feedback
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| Town councils |
COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Town Councils) Order 2020
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For enquiries pertaining to town councils, please contact the Ministry of National Development at mnd_hq@mnd.gov.sg
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