Unanimous Resolutions Outside Shareholder Meetings in Mexico (LGSM Art. 178): Speed with Compliance

Move faster with legally valid written consents—without sacrificing formalities, evidence, or SAT-readiness.

In today’s cross-border business environment, companies operating in Mexico need agility and legal certainty. The Ley General de Sociedades Mercantiles (LGSM) allows unanimous resolutions adopted outside formal meetings—a practical tool for Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) and Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S. de R.L.) entities when used correctly and documented with care.

At Zuckerberg Associates, we help you implement this mechanism properly—from drafting bylaw language and gathering electronic signatures to notarization and Public Registry filings when required.

Executive Takeaways

• Same legal weight: With proper authority in bylaws and unanimous written confirmation, these resolutions are as valid as if adopted in a duly convened meeting.
• Faster execution: Ideal for time-sensitive matters—dividends aligned to approved financials, officer appointments, board approvals.
• Digital-friendly: Commercial Code recognizes electronic signatures and data messages; remote shareholders can validly sign.
• Formalities still apply: Extraordinary acts (capital changes, bylaw amendments, mergers) often require notarial protocolization and registration.

What the Law Says (Plain English)

S.A. (Sociedad Anónima)

• Bylaws may authorize resolutions taken outside a meeting, provided all voting shareholders agree and confirm in writing (LGSM Art. 178).
• Meetings may be held outside the corporate domicile if unanimously approved, and electronic/technological means are permitted (LGSM, 2023 reform).
• Board of Directors: Bylaws can allow unanimous written consents of directors outside session (LGSM Art. 143).

S. de R.L. (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada)

• The company contract can allow decisions without a meeting and via correspondence/electronic means (LGSM Arts. 80–83).
• Voting thresholds apply (e.g., 3/4 of capital for certain amendments; unanimity for object/obligations changes).

Electronic Signatures & Evidence

• The Código de Comercio (Commercial Code) recognizes data messages and electronic signatures—electronic documents are legally effective.
• Use signature workflows that produce a robust audit trail (timestamps, signer identity, IP, hash) and NOM-151-compliant evidence where applicable.

Minutes, Notarization & Registration

• Record each consent in the minutes book.
• When the underlying act requires it (e.g., bylaw amendments, capital moves), proceed to notarial protocolization and Registro Público de Comercio filing.

When Unanimous Consents Make Strategic Sense

• Time-sensitive actions: dividends supported by approved financials, officer/attorney-in-fact appointments, ratifications.
• Board approvals: material contracts, banking resolutions, powers of attorney via board unanimous consent.
• Cross-border operations: shareholders abroad can sign electronically, reducing travel and scheduling friction.

Compliance Checklist (Do This Right)

• Bylaw authority: Confirm clauses authorizing Art. 178 (S.A.) and Art. 143 (board) or Arts. 80–83 (S. de R.L.).
• Unanimity: Obtain every voting signature (consider special share classes/series).
• Written confirmation: Date and place noted; allow counterparts.
• E-signature workflow: Evidence file (audit trail), timestamps, and integrity/hash; NOM-151 support if needed.
• Minutes book entry: Insert consent and exhibits; annotate any conditions precedent.
• Notary & Registry: For extraordinary matters, coordinate protocolization and RPC filings.
• SAT readiness: Keep financial support documents (for dividends, capital) with the consent.
• Ledgers/registers: Update shareholder/partner and capital ledgers as required.

Common Pitfalls We Prevent

• Missing unanimity: One abstention defeats the mechanism—secure full participation or hold a formal meeting.
• Bylaws silent: Amend statutes to authorize unanimous consents and digital meetings (2023 reforms).
• Weak e-evidence: “Scanned signatures” without audit data risk enforceability—use compliant platforms.
• Skipping protocolization: Some acts still require notary and registration—don’t conflate consent with downstream formalities.

One-Page Template: “Unanimous Written Consent of Shareholders” (S.A.)

1. Title & Company Data (legal name, corporate domicile, RFC).
2. Date & Location (state if outside domicile; if electronic, note the technological means).
3. Recitals (bylaw authority—Art. 178/143; purpose and supporting documents).
4. Resolutions (each item numbered; cross-reference exhibits—financials, draft bylaw text, powers).
5. Effectiveness (immediate/conditional on notary/RPC or third-party approvals).
6. Signatures (wet or electronic; attach evidence bundle/audit trail).
7. Secretary Certificate (minutes book insertion; if extraordinary, notary + RPC).

FAQ — Unanimous Resolutions (Mexico)

Why Choose Zuckerberg Associates

• Bilingual corporate counsel: bylaws, shareholder and board mechanics, and cross-border governance.
• Digital execution: e-signature evidence packs and NOM-151 support to withstand audits and disputes.
• End-to-end formalities: minutes books, notarial protocolization, and RPC filings nationwide.