memorandum of association

British A document that regulates a company's external activities and must be drawn up on the formation of a registered or incorporated company. As the company's charter it (together with the company's articles of association) forms the company's constitution.

The memorandum of association gives the company's name, names of its members (shareholders) and number of shares held by them, and location of its registered office. It also states the company's (1) objectives, (2) amount of authorized share capital, (3) whether liability of its members is limited by shares or by guaranty, and (4) what type of contracts the company is allowed to enter into.

Almost all of its provisions (except those mandated by corporate legislation) can be altered by the company's members by following the prescribed procedures. The memorandum is a public document and may be inspected by anyone, usually at the public office where it is lodged. Called articles of incorporation in the US.