What are my rights as a shareholder in a company?

The company's memorandum and articles (see question 11) and any shareholders' agreement (see question 12) may give you additional rights. The company's articles usually include what rights are attached to shares. Typically, holders of ordinary voting shares have the right to:

Attend shareholder ('general') meetings.
Vote at general meetings.
Receive a dividend (if one is declared).
Receive a proportion of anything left over if the company is wound up.

You are also entitled:

To be sent important information, such as the annual report and accounts.
To inspect the various registers the company keeps, such as the register of directors
To see a copy of the company's memorandum and articles of association.

Note that your basic rights may include little or no control over how the company is managed on a day-to-day basis, unless you (or a group of shareholders acting together) own a significant proportion of the voting shares (see question 4).

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