What is the minimum notice period for a general meeting?

• A. 21 clear days
• B. 14 clear days
• C. 7 clear days
• D. 28 clear days

Answer: (B)

Notice periods for general meetings are set by statute, and for private companies the minimum is 14 clear days. Clear days means you count the days excluding the day the notice is issued and the day of the meeting. So if you send the notice on day 1 and the meeting is on day 15, that’s 14 clear days of notice.

If the company is public, the minimum is longer—21 days. For annual general meetings the usual rule is 21 days for all companies, unless the company’s articles allow a longer or, in some cases, provide a different arrangement.

The other options don’t fit because 21 days applies only to public companies (not private ones), 7 days is shorter than the legal minimum, and 28 days would only be required if the company’s articles require or permit a longer notice. So the minimum for a general meeting, in the common private-company scenario, is 14 clear days.