The term "charge" in the context of finance and business law has its origins in
English and British legal terminology. In the United Kingdom, the concept of
charges and their regulation is an essential part of the legal framework governing
financial transactions and security interests in assets.
The use of charges in this context can be traced back to common law principles and
the development of legal concepts related to security interests in property. The
term "charge" signifies a security interest or claim held by a lender or creditor over
specific assets as collateral for a debt or financial obligation. Over time, this concept
has been codified and incorporated into statutory law and financial regulations in
the UK and in many other legal systems influenced by British legal traditions.
The legal and regulatory framework surrounding charges provides a structured and
enforceable means for lenders to protect their interests when providing financing to
borrowers, and it helps facilitate various types of financial transactions, including
loans, mortgages, debentures, and other credit arrangements.
MEANING-
A charge is a kind of right created by any person including a company known as
“the borrower” on assets and properties, may it be present or future. The charge is
generated in favour of financial institution or a bank referred to as “the lender”,
which has agreed to extend financial assistance.
The term "charge" in this sense is based on legal and financial principles that have
developed over time. It is influenced by common law traditions, contractual
agreements, and regulatory frameworks governing lending, debt, and collateral.
The concept of a charge as a legal claim or security interest has evolved in legal
systems over many centuries and has been adapted to fit the specific needs of
corporate finance and lending.
DEFINITION-
A “Charge” is defined under section 2(16) of the Companies Act, 2013: Charge is an interest or lien,
It is created on the Property or Assets of a company or any of its undertakings or both, It is created
as a security for repayment of a loan, Charge includes mortgage.
, Essential features of the charge are:
1. There are two parties, one is the creator of the charge (company
on whose property the charge is created), and the other is
the charge holder (one who lends money).
2. There must be a subject matter for which the charge is created.
Subject-matter here relates to security, and it can be any current
or future assets or any other property of the borrower.
3. There will be an agreement between the two parties specifying
the security rendered for repayment of borrowed money, the
interest rate in favour of the lender, etc.
TYPES OF CHARGE-
Fixed Charge
A fixed charge is a type of security interest that is attached to a specific asset or piece
of property, such as real estate or equipment. This means that the lender has control
over the asset, and the borrower cannot sell or dispose of the asset without the lender’s
consent.
Fixed charges are typically used to secure loans, including term loans, or working
capital loans, for large assets, such as property or equipment. This is because fixed
charges offer lenders a high degree of security. If the borrower defaults on the loan,
the lender can seize the asset and sell it to recoup their losses.
A Fixed charge can be:
A mortgage on a property.
A charge on equipment.
A charge on intellectual property.