Inspection of statutory registers
Companies must make available for inspection certain of their statutory registers both to the members of the company and the public. There are strict rules governing the inspection of records and a request must be made to the company to make an inspection. The name and address of the requestor must be given and most importantly, particularly as far as the register of members is concerned, the purpose for which the information is to be used.
A company can make an application to court regarding requests it considers are not being made for a “proper purpose” and the court can order the requestor to pay all court costs for requests it considers are improper. However if the court orders the company to comply with the request, it must, for any failure to comply with a request for access will lead to every officer of the company being in default and they may be fined.