Section 10-2B-16.04 Court-ordered inspection. - Alabama Statutes

Section 10-2B-16.04

Court-ordered inspection.

(a) If a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation with its principal office within this state does not allow a shareholder who complies with Section 10-2B-16.02(a) to inspect and copy any records required by that subsection to be available for inspection, the circuit court of the county where the corporation's principal office (or, if none in this state, its registered office) is located may summarily order inspection and copying of the records demanded at the corporation's expense upon application of the shareholder.

(b) If a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation with its principal office within this state does not within a reasonable time allow a shareholder to inspect and copy any other record, the shareholder who complies with Section 10-2B-16.02(b) and (c) may apply to the circuit court in the county where the corporation's principal office (or, if none in this state, its registered office) is located for an order to permit inspection and copying of the records demanded. The court shall dispose of an application under this subsection on an expedited basis.

(c) If the court orders inspection and copying of the records demanded, it shall, in addition to any penalty or damages for which there is liability under Section 10-2B-16.02(d), also order the corporation to pay the shareholder's costs (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred to obtain the order unless the corporation proves that it refused inspection in good faith because it had a reasonable basis for doubt about the right of the shareholder to inspect the records demanded.

(d) If the court orders inspection and copying of the records demanded, it may impose reasonable restrictions on the use or distribution of the records by the demanding shareholder.

(Acts 1994, No. 94-245, p. 343, §1.)