Section 14-2-854. Court ordered indemnification and advances for expenses

   (a) A director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director may apply for indemnification or advance for expenses to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. After receipt of an application and after giving any notice it considers necessary, the court shall:

   (1) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if it determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under this part; or

   (2) Order indemnification or advance for expenses if it determines, in view of all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable to indemnify the director or to advance expenses to the director, even if the director has not met the relevant standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Code Section 14-2-851, failed to comply with Code Section 14-2-853, or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (d) of Code Section 14-2-851, but if the director was adjudged so liable, the indemnification shall be limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.

(b) If the court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section, it shall also order the corporation to pay the director's reasonable expenses to obtain court ordered indemnification or advance for expenses. If the court determines that the director is entitled to indemnification or advance for expenses under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section, it may also order the corporation to pay the director's reasonable expenses to obtain court ordered indemnification or advance for expenses.

(c) The court may summarily determine, without a jury, a corporation's obligation to advance expenses.

Code 1981, § 14-2-854, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 1070, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 946, § 35; Ga. L. 1996, p. 1203, § 5; Ga. L. 2006, p. 825, § 4/SB 469.