§ 77 — Options over unissued shares

77.—(1) An option granted after 29 December 1967 by a public company which enables any person to take up unissued shares of the company after a period of 5 years has elapsed from the date on which the option was granted is void.(1A) An option granted on or after 18 November 1998 by a public company which enables any employee of that company or its related corporation (including any director holding a salaried office or employment in that company or corporation) to take up unissued shares of the company after a period of 10 years has elapsed from the date on which the option was granted is void and subsection (1) does not apply to such an option.

(2) Subsection (1) or (1A) does not apply in any case where the holders of debentures have an option to take up shares of the company by way of redemption of the debentures.

—(1) An option granted after 29 December 1967 by a public company which enables any person to take up unissued shares of the company after a period of 5 years has elapsed from the date on which the option was granted is void.

(1A) An option granted on or after 18 November 1998 by a public company which enables any employee of that company or its related corporation (including any director holding a salaried office or employment in that company or corporation) to take up unissued shares of the company after a period of 10 years has elapsed from the date on which the option was granted is void and subsection (1) does not apply to such an option.

(2) Subsection (1) or (1A) does not apply in any case where the holders of debentures have an option to take up shares of the company by way of redemption of the debentures.