VPRS 10047 Company Investigation Files

Full description

This is an artificial series created to contain records accumulated during investigations into the affairs of certain companies. The investigations were conducted in accordance with the 'Special Investigations' provisions of the Companies Act 1958 or the Companies Act 1961. They were conducted under the auspices of the Law Department (VA 2825) and/or the Companies Office (VA 2725) (this is subject to further research). Those covered by this series occurred in the 1960's.

A 'special investigation' could be initiated by the Governor in Council by proclamation published in the Government Gazette, on the basis that a prima facie case had been established that such an investigation was desirable for the protection of the public, holders of interests, shareholders, or creditors of a company. Inspectors were appointed by the Governor in Council and were required to report their results to the relevant minister (the Attorney-General), who could subsequently apply to the Supreme Court to have the company wound-up. The investigations in this series were conducted by Queens Counsel. Whilst under investigation, a company was required to produce all books and documents as requested. Company officers could be required to give evidence on oath.

Foreign companies, that is, companies incorporated outside Victoria but having an established place of business within Victoria, could also be subject to special investigation upon request from the appropriate authority of another country, State or Territory.

The records in this series include:

* Records produced as exhibits, used as evidence, or otherwise accumulated during the course of investigation (eg. company minutes, company correspondence)
;* Interim and final reports of inspectors
;* Transcripts of hearings.

R1 and R2 consignments. The records in these consignments may be drafts or duplicates of documents in the P consignments. (Further research is required.)