(1) A derivative proceeding may be dismissed, in whole or in part, by the court on motion by the corporation if a group specified in subsection (2) or subsection (3) has determined in good faith, after conducting a reasonable inquiry upon which its conclusions are based, that the maintenance of the derivative proceeding is not in the best interests of the corporation. In all such cases, the corporation has the burden of proof regarding the qualifications, good faith, and reasonable inquiry of the group making the determination.
(2) Unless a panel is appointed pursuant to subsection (3), the determination required in subsection (1) shall be made by:

(a) A majority of qualified directors present at a meeting of the board of directors if the qualified directors constitute a quorum; or

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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 607.0744

  • Articles of incorporation: includes original, amended, and restated articles of incorporation, articles of share exchange, and articles of merger, and all amendments thereto. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Derivative proceeding: means a civil suit in the right of a domestic corporation or, to the extent provided in…. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Person: includes an individual and an entity. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Proceeding: includes a civil suit, a criminal action, an administrative action, and an investigatory action. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
  • Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
(b) A majority vote of a committee consisting of two or more qualified directors appointed by majority vote of qualified directors present at a meeting of the board of directors, regardless of whether such qualified directors constitute a quorum.
(3) Upon motion by the corporation, the court may appoint a panel consisting of one or more disinterested and independent individuals to make a determination required in subsection (1).
(4) This section does not prevent the court from:

(a) Enforcing a person‘s rights under the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws or this chapter, including the person’s rights to information under s. 607.1602; or
(b) Exercising its equitable or other powers, including granting extraordinary relief in the form of a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.