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Introduction to the Law of Corporations: Cases and Materials

Bylaws

The corporate bylaws, in addition to the certificate of incorporation, make up the core of any corporation's governance documents. Whereas the subject matter of the certificate of incorporation deals with the basic relationships between stockholders and the corporation, the substance of corporate bylaws is typically limited to issue of governance process within the corporation. Bylaws typically do not contain substantive mandates, but direct how the corporation, the board, and its stockholders may take certain actions.

The corporate bylaws are subordinate to the certificate of incorporation. To the extent bylaws and the certificate or the DGCL are in conflict, the certificate and/or the DGCL will take precedence over the bylaws. Because they are subordinate, corporate bylaws are also easier to amend. Typically, corporate bylaws may be amended by a corporation's board of directors or its stockholders.  When stockholders amend the bylaws, they need only achieve a majority of a quorum rather than the more exacting majority of the outstanding shares as is the case in an amendment to the corporation's certificate of incorporation.

Whereas the certificate of incorporation must be filed with the state, a corporation is not required to file its bylaws with any state authority.