I am just a student facing problem in this situation:
X. Ltd., a cotton textile company, enters into a contract with Y. Ltd. an adjacent cotton textile mill, to supply electricity from their power generation plant. After supplies have been made for 3 moths, it is discovered that this activity is beyond the scope of the objects clause of the Memorandum of Association of X. Ltd.
Shareholders of X. Ltd. ratify the contract in their general body meeting. Can Y. Ltd., which refuses to make payment on the ground that the contract is wholly null and void, be legally compelled to make the payment?
Now, from one point of view, it is clear that as the activity was ultra-vires the m.o.a. of the company, it was wholly void. So, Y Ltd. need not pay.
But, as the shareholders ratified the contract in their general body meeting, they could have very easily altered the clause in m.o.a.
So, what is the real answer?