Commentary Part 16: Audit Chapter 4: Removal, Resignation, Etc of Auditors Section 511: Special notice required for resolution removing auditor from office
777.This section restates the requirement that a resolution to dismiss an auditor needs special notice (i.e. 28 days before the general meeting, as provided in section 312). The company must send a copy to the auditor it is proposed to dismiss, and he has the right to make a statement of his case. The company then has to circulate his statement to the shareholders (or if time does not allow, the statement can be read out at the meeting).
778.Subsection (6) provides protection if the auditor it is proposed to dismiss is using the provision to have a statement circulated to secure needless publicity for defamatory material. It enables the company, or anyone else who is aggrieved by the statement, to apply to the court, and the court can then determine whether the auditor is using the provision in that way, in which case the company is not obliged to circulate the statement. The court can order the auditor to pay some or all of the costs of the proceedings.