Difference Between Share Transfer and Share Transmission

The act of movement of an asset is termed as a transfer. The movement can be physical movement or the ownership of the title of the asset or both. For securities, this movement can be voluntary or operational by law. The transfer of shares is a voluntary act by the holder of shares and takes place by way of contract. Whereas, the transmission of shares takes place due to the operation of law that is on the death of the holder of shares or in an event where the holder becomes insolvent/lunatic.

Meaning of Transfer of Shares

Transfer of shares refers to the intentional transfer of title of the shares between the transferor (one who transfers) and the transferee (one who receives). The shares of a public company are freely transferable unless the company has a valid reason to disallow the same. The shares of a private limited company are not transferable subject to certain exceptions. A transfer deed is executed for the transfer of shares.

Meaning of Transmission of Shares

Transmission of shares takes place due to the operation of law that is when the holder is no more or has become lunatic or insolvent. It can also take place when the holder of shares is a company, and it has wound up. There is no transfer deed executed, and the transferee will be given the rights to the shares, and the transmission is recorded only when the transferee gives proof of entitlement to the shares. In case of the death of the holder the shares, it will be transferred to the legal representative and in case of insolvency to the official assignee. The following table illustrates the differences between the transfer of shares and transmission of shares:

Provisions Under Companies Act, 2013 and Companies (Share Capital & Debenture) Rules, 2014

As per Section 56 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 11 of Companies (Share Capital & Debenture) Rules, 2014

Transfer of shares

It will be affected only if a proper instrument of transfer, in Form SH -4, as given in sub-rule 1 of Rule 11 of Companies (Share Capital & Debenture) Rules 2014 duly stamped, dated, and is executed by or on behalf of the transferor and the transferee and specifies all the details like name, address, occupation if any of the transferee. It has to be delivered to the company by either parties within 60 days from the date of execution along with a certificate of securities or letter of allotment of securities as available. If the transferor makes an application for the transfer of partly paid shares, then the company gives notice of the application Form SH-5 as given in sub-rule 3 of Rule 11 of Companies (Share Capital & Debentures) Rules 2014, to the transferee and the transferee must give no objection to the transfer within 2 weeks from the receipt of the notice.

Transmission of shares

It will be affected when the application of transmission of shares along with relevant documents is valid. Execution of transfer deed is not required. The following are the relevant documents for the transmission of shares

• Certified Copy of Death Certificate
• Self Attested Copy of PAN
• Succession certificate/ Probate of Will/Will/ Letter of Administration/ Court Decree
• Specimen signature of successor

Time limit for delivery of a certificate in both cases

Every company must deliver the certificates of all securities transferred or transmitted within 1 month from the date of receipt of the instrument of transfer in case of transfer or intimation of transmission as applicable unless prohibited by any provision of law or any order of Court, Tribunal, or other authority.

Penalty in case of non-compliance

Where any default is made in complying with the above, the company shall be punishable with a fine not be less than Rs. 25,000 but which may extend to Rs. 5,00,000, and every officer of the company who is in default shall be punishable with a fine not be less than Rs.10,000 but which may extend to Rs.1,00,000. While the transfer of shares and transmission of shares intend a change in ownership of the title of the shares, the distinction lies in the fact that the transfer of shares is voluntary and initiated by the transferee or transferor while transmission of shares is operational by law and is initiated by the legal representative or receiver.

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