Firmateckningsrätt

Firmateckningsrätt, often translated as the right to sign for a company, is a legal concept within Swedish corporate law that designates which individuals or entities are authorized to legally bind a company through their signature. This authority is crucial for the company's operations, as it allows it to enter into contracts, take out loans, and conduct other business transactions.

The scope of firmateckningsrätt can vary significantly. It can be granted to one or more individuals. In some cases, a single person may have the authority to sign on behalf of the company (enskild firmateckningsrätt), while in others, two or more individuals may need to sign jointly (olidlig firmateckningsrätt). The specific individuals or bodies that hold firmateckningsrätt are typically determined by the company's articles of association and are registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket).

Commonly, the CEO (verkställande direktör) and members of the board of directors (styrelseledamöter) are granted firmateckningsrätt, though this is not automatic and must be explicitly stated. The company's articles of association or a specific resolution by the board can also grant this right to other individuals, such as other managers or employees, under defined circumstances. The registration of firmateckningsrätt with Bolagsverket serves as public notice, and third parties can rely on this registration when dealing with the company. Changes to who holds firmateckningsrätt must be promptly reported to Bolagsverket.