Illustrative Examples

These examples accompany, but are not part of, IFRIC 17.

Scope of the Interpretation (paragraphs 3⁠–⁠8)

CHART 1 (distribution of available-for-sale securities)

IE1

Assume Company A is owned by public shareholders. No single shareholder controls Company A and no group of shareholders is bound by a contractual agreement to act together to control Company A jointly. Company A distributes certain assets (eg available‑for‑sale securities) pro rata to the shareholders. This transaction is within the scope of the Interpretation.

IE2

However, if one of the shareholders (or a group bound by a contractual agreement to act together) controls Company A both before and after the transaction, the entire transaction (including the distributions to the non‑controlling shareholders) is not within the scope of the Interpretation. This is because in a pro rata distribution to all owners of the same class of equity instruments, the controlling shareholder (or group of shareholders) will continue to control the non‑cash assets after the distribution.

CHART 2 (distribution of shares of subsidiaries)

IE3

Assume Company A is owned by public shareholders. No single shareholder controls Company A and no group of shareholders is bound by a contractual agreement to act together to control Company A jointly. Company A owns all of the shares of Subsidiary B. Company A distributes all of the shares of Subsidiary B pro rata to its shareholders, thereby losing control of Subsidiary B. This transaction is within the scope of the Interpretation.

IE4

However, if Company A distributes to its shareholders shares of Subsidiary B representing only a non‑controlling interest in Subsidiary B and retains control of Subsidiary B, the transaction is not within the scope of the Interpretation. Company A accounts for the distribution in accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. Company A controls Company B both before and after the transaction.