We would like to ensure that you are still receiving content that you find useful – please confirm that you would like to continue to receive ILO newsletters.
17 August 2020
Introduction
SEBI's Procedural Guidelines for Proxy Advisers
Grievance resolution between listed entities and proxy advisers
Proxy advisers have gained prominence over recent years in relation to corporate governance matters and have become an integral part of shareholder activism in India. Proxy advisers provide advice to institutional investors and shareholders of companies in relation to the exercise of their rights in the company, including recommendations on public offers or voting on agenda items.
Proxy advisers enable minority shareholders to participate effectively in corporate governance decisions and assist them in voting on resolutions. They act as a critical intermediary by providing shareholders with well-researched insights which help in companies' decision-making processes. Recommendations made by proxy advisory firms also assist institutional investors in making investment decisions.
While the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) requires proxy advisers to register with it pursuant to the SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations 2014 (RA regulations) and abide by the code of conduct set out under Regulations 24(2) and 23(1) of the RA regulations, there was traditionally no standardised process for proxy advisory firms to follow when performing their activities (ie, making voting recommendations). As a result, proxy advisory firms adopted their own set of processes and standards.
SEBI's Procedural Guidelines for Proxy Advisers
In order to standardise the process across proxy advisory firms, on 3 August 2020(1) SEBI issued its Procedural Guidelines for Proxy Advisers, which will apply with effect from 1 September 2020. The guidelines focus primarily on conflict of interest, transparency and disclosures. As per the guidelines, proxy advisers must:
Grievance resolution between listed entities and proxy advisers
Due to the inherent nature of proxy advisers' work, proxy advisers and listed entities may have different views on any agenda item of the listed entity. Consequently, listed entities may have grievances against proxy advisory firms.
In response to this issue, on 4 August 2020 SEBI issued a circular to provide a procedure for the resolution of grievances between listed entities and proxy advisers.(2) As per the circular, listed companies may now approach SEBI in order to seek resolution of their grievances against SEBI-registered proxy advisory firms. SEBI will examine whether the proxy advisers have not complied with the code of conduct set out under the RA regulations and the guidelines.
For further information on this topic please contact Dinesh Gupta or Harshita Arora at Clasis Law by telephone (+91 11 4213 0000) or email (dinesh.gupta@clasislaw.com or harshita.arora@clasislaw.com). The Clasis Law website can be accessed at www.clasislaw.com.
Endnotes
(1) Further information is available here.
(2) Further information is available here.
The materials contained on this website are for general information purposes only and are subject to the disclaimer.
ILO is a premium online legal update service for major companies and law firms worldwide. In-house corporate counsel and other users of legal services, as well as law firm partners, qualify for a free subscription.