A UK company's articles of association ("Articles") are its key constitutional document. The Articles are the main body of rules which govern how the company regulates its internal affairs, subject to statute and common law. A company is required to have Articles and may choose to adopt one of the statutory forms, referred to as Model Articles, or may draw up its own bespoke Articles. If on incorporation a company does not register any Articles the relevant form of the Model Articles will apply to it as a matter of default. The Articles will usually set out the classes of share capital and rights attaching to the shares, the division of powers between the directors and shareholders, the composition and operation of the board of directors and provisions relating to the holding and conducting of director and shareholder meetings and other methods of decision making.
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