The most common form of share. For the purposes of chapter 3 of Part 17 of the Companies Act 2006 (Allotment of equity securities: existing shareholders': right of pre-emption), ordinary shares are shares other than shares that as respects dividends (www.practicallaw.com/A34897) and capital carry a right to participate only up to a specified amount in a distribution (section 560(1), Companies Act 2006).