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01 What is a Management Company?

A so called "management company" is a company registered in the CRO usually as a Company limited by Guarantee (CLG) or a Designated Activity Company (DAC),  with an object clause to manage a multi-unit development. The "management company" owns the common areas of the development such as: car parks, green space, stairwells, lifts and communal hallways and maintains them for the benefit of all property owners and typically provides for insurance cover.

On acquiring a unit within the development, in addition to the apartment or house such person also shares ownership of the common areas. Stemming from this, it is usually a condition of the purchaser's contract that they sign a co-ownership agreement which obliged them to become a member of the management company.    These co-ownership agreements are essentially rooted in the laws of contract and private property,  rather than in any particular Act of the Oireachtas.  Following on from this, it should be clear that the requirement to become a member of a management company is not a requirement under company law. 

There is no special body of company law which applies only to so called "management companies" or is applied differently so far as management companies are concerned.  The "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) section of this website answers most general company law type questions in relation to all companies.  Most of the issues arising in the so called "management companies" are not company law issues and the ODCE cannot assist.   The attached document lists the breaches of company law where ODCE can assist with.

02 Are management companies a product of company law?

No. It is important to stress that management companies have no special meaning and are in no way a requirement of company law. There is nothing in the Companies Act which states that a management company must be brought into existence in connection with any multi-unit development, and some multi-unit developments exist which do not have a management company associated with them. Furthermore, it is important to point out and emphasise that there is no special body of company law that applies solely to management companies.

03 Where can I find the legal source from which management companies operate?

Martin Allen was disqualified for a period of 12 years from 19th February 2007 pursuant to Section 160(2)(h) of the Companies Act 1990.

19 February 2007


The Director of Corporate Enforcement AND Martin Allen. In the matter of Champion Telecom Limited, Diamond Telecom Limited, Foxburg International Limited, M Allen Magazine Publishers Limited, Ovid Print Media Limited, The Minute Business Limited, Thorin International Limited, European ICT Resource Facilities Limited and in the matter of Section 160 of the Companies Act 1990. 

Details of Respondents: 

Champion Telecom Limited
Company Number: 342808
Registered Office: 140 Terenure Road West, Dublin 6W. 

Diamond Telecom Limited
Company Number: 340907
Registered Office: Hill House, Hill of Allen, Naas, Co. Kildare 

Foxburg International Limited
Company Number: 301311
Registered Office: Market Square, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare. 

M Allen Magazine Publishers Limited
Company Number: 372521
Registered Office: 38 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. 

Ovid Print Media Limited
Company Number: 335259
Registered Office: Thorin House, 25 Phibsboro Place, Phibsboro, Dublin 7. 

The Minute Business Limited
Company Number: 338931
Registered Office: 38 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. 

Thorin International Limited
Company Number: 324700
Registered Office: Thorin House, 25 Phibsboro Place, Phibsboro, Dublin 7

European ICT Resource Facilities Limited
Company Number: 383554
Registered Office: North Colonnade Unit 1-4, The Plaza, Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. 

Martin Allen
Address: Glebe Cottage, Enfield, Co, Meath. 

Venue: 
High Court, Dublin. 

Judge: 
Justice Finlay Geoghegan J. 

The Application: 
Under section 160(2)(h) of the Companies Act 1990 (as amended by section 42(b) of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001), the Director may seek the disqualification of the directors of a company, which has been involuntarily struck off the Register of Companies pursuant to Section 12 of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1982. 

Under section 160(3A), directors may successfully defend such an application for disqualification by demonstrating to the High Court that the company had no liabilities at the time of involuntary strike-off or that any such liabilities were discharged before the date of the making of the disqualification application. Where it deems that a sanction is appropriate, the Court has discretion to either disqualify the director for such period as it deems fit or restrict him or her for a five year period. 

Outcome: 
On 19th February 2007 Martin Allen, who was a director of a number of insolvent companies known as Champion Telecom Limited, Diamond Telecom Limited, Foxburg International Limited, M Allen Magazine Publishers Limited, Ovid Print Media Limited, The Minute Business Limited, Thorin International Limited, European ICT Resource Facilities Limited at the time they were struck off the Companies Register, was made the subject of a disqualification order for a period of 12 years. The Court made an Order for costs in favour of the Director, such costs were to be taxed in default of agreement. 

The effect of this Order is that Martin Allen is disqualified from being appointed or acting as auditor, director or other officer, receiver Liquidator or examiner or being in any way whether directly or indirectly concerned or taking part in the promotion, formation or management of any company or society registered under the Industrial Provident Societies Acts 1893 to 1978 for a period of 12 years commencing 19th February 2007.

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Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
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Telephone: +353 1 858 5800
Email: info@odce.ie