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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 2Art. 3§ 5235 Director Compensation Limits

§ 5235 Director Compensation Limits

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5235 Director Compensation Limits

Key Takeaways

  • •Directors can decide their own pay, but it must be fair to the company.
  • •If the pay is too high, they only have to pay back the extra amount, not everything.
  • •If they lied or cheated, the rules change and they might be in bigger trouble.

Example

A director gives themselves a huge bonus even though the company is losing money.

If the bonus is way too big and hurts the company, the director has to pay back the extra amount they took.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5235 Director Compensation Limits

(a) The board may fix the compensation of a director, as director or officer, and no obligation, otherwise valid, to pay such compensation shall be voidable merely because the persons receiving the compensation participated in the decision to pay it, unless it was not just and reasonable as to the corporation at the time it was authorized, ratified or approved. The board shall take other actions that are required by subdivision (g) of Section 12586 of the Government Code, if applicable. (b) In the absence of fraud, any liability under this section shall be limited to the amount by which the compensation exceeded what was just and reasonable, plus interest from the date of payment. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 442, Sec. 6. (AB 1211) Effective January 1, 2012.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

compensationjust and reasonableliabilityfraud

Related Statutes

  • § 12371 Director Duties And Reliance
  • § 12373 Director Conflict Transactions
  • § 13242 Corporate Bylaws Governance Rules
  • § 5233 Director Self-Dealing Rules
  • § 5234 Director Conflict Transactions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 5235.
View Official Source