This book is a fully up-to-date, comprehensive guide to the law, economics and practice of UK merger control law. This guide presents an integrated legal and economic assessment of the substantive appraisal of mergers and examines in detail the following topics: the history of the Enterprise Act and its development from the Fair Trading Act; the various regulatory bodies that form the institutional structure of the UK merger control regime; enterprises subject to merger control regulation and the jurisdictional thresholds of the Enterprise Act; the relationship of the Enterprise Act with the European Merger Regulation; public interest mergers and the role of the Secretary of State; and merger remedies. All recent legislative developments including the merger of the OFT and the Competition Commission and the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, as well as all relevant case since the first edition of the magisterial text are explored.

Transnational corporations (TNCs) have moved to the forefront of regulatory governance both within states and in the international arena. The Research Handbook on Transnational Corporations provides expert background commentary and up-to-date insights into regulatory frameworks impacting on TNCs at global, industry and national levels. Written by global experts in their field, this unique collection of essays provides in-depth understanding of how the forces of globalisation affect the world's largest corporations, and how those corporations, in turn, shape globalisation. Comprehensive yet highly accessible, this is the first major work on the reciprocal impact of TNCs on regulatory processes. The Research Handbook provides guidance on how best to understand the rapidly evolving relationship between TNCs and the processes of treaty making, the formation of global industry standards and the processes of national law making and policy formation (with a focus on resource taxation). Global, industry and national-level case studies are used to explain the basic principles used to support state, private, and international regulatory programs. Delivering both theoretical and practical insights into the regulation of TNCs, this timely and authoritative Research Handbook will be of particular interest to policy makers, industry practitioners and lawyers. Students and academics will also find it to be an invaluable resource. Contributors include: R. Anderson, M. Bowman, L. Cata Backer, A. Chou, A. De Jonge, G. Gilligan, D. Gleeson, M.A. Gonzalez-Perez, V. Harper Ho, J.A. Kirshner, D. Kraal, L. Leonard, R. Lopert, M.E. Monasterio, P. Neuwelt, J. O'Brien, A. Ruhmkorf, R. Tomasic, M. Woersdoerfer

The ideal companion for anyone studying company law, Smith & Keenan's Company Law provides you with: Straightforward, accessible coverage of the key legal principles you'll need to understand for your module written by experienced lecturers in the field; A range of features to support your learning and help you study independently, including detailed case summaries and discussion of academic opinion in the area; Extensive further reading suggestions to a wide range of academic articles to encourage deeper understanding and analysis. This eighteenth edition also includes: A new chapter on partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) An extended chapter on the corporate veil, including Petrodel Resources Ltd v Prest [2013] and academic discussion of lifting and piercing the veil of incorporation Discussion of key developments brought about by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act (SBEEA) 2015, including maintenance of a register of people with significant control (PSC); greater restrictions on corporate directors; and the submission of statements of confirmation An updated chapter on the statutory derivative action exploring the evolving case law such as Wilton UK Ltd v Shuttleworth [2018].

Whilst many of us would agree that human rights are more important than corporate profits, the reality is often different; such realities as child labour and environmental destruction caused by corporate activities make this patently clear. Recognising that balancing human rights and business interests can be problematic, Corporate Accountability considers the limits of existing complaint mechanisms and examines non-judicial alternatives for conflict resolution. The innovative approach herein compiles both long-standing international expertise and findings based on 25 key interviews from experts and victims. In contrast to the current literature, which tends to provide details on the functioning of the mechanisms, this book delves further to examine the strengths and weaknesses of each mechanism and provides criteria of excellence for non-judicial grievance mechanisms. In doing so, it provides a reality-check for corporate accountability worldwide. Novel and thought provoking, Corporate Accountability will be a captivating read for academics as well as companies interested in human rights and corporate social responsibility. It will also prove of interest to related state institutions such as development agencies and other relevant ministries such as chambers of commerce, trade unions, NGOs and civil society organisations.

With the European Union striving to become the world's most competitive economy, the developments in the two closely interconnected areas of European corporate law and European company tax law are of utmost importance. This book focuses on the crucial issues raised by these developments, on their far-reaching implications and on the key challenges to the future legislative choices. The book illustrates the key developments in EU corporate law and EU company tax law, the EU planned initiatives in these areas, and - at a time when member states increasingly tend to use company law and company tax provisions to attract businesses and investments - it suggests how future developments can contribute to the undistorted functioning of the internal market and to the strategic 'Lisbon-objective'. The explanation of these legislative and case-law developments is of use to students and indicates new opportunities for business expansion strategies throughout the European Community. The book concludes that new optional, but attractive, EU company law vehicles and company tax regimes would be, in these two areas, the only legal and effective means towards an undistorted functioning of the internal market and towards the Lisbon-objective. This ultimately gives rise to a far-reaching challenge for all debates on the future patterns of European integration. Luca Cerioni introduces new themes for academic research and discussion subjects for decision-makers and at the same time, uniquely, makes these accessible to a much wider international public of students, businesses and practitioners.

This book examines the treatment of joint ventures (JVs) in EU competition law, and, at the same time, provides a comparison with US law. It starts with an analysis of the rather elusive concept of JVs, encompassing both concentrative JVs (subject to merger control) and non-concentrative JVs. Although focused on possible definitions of JVs in terms of competition law, it also includes a broader perspective (going beyond competition law) on the different legal models of structuring cooperation links between undertakings. At the core of the book is an attempt to build an analytical model for the assessment of JVs in terms of antitrust law, especially as regards Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The analytical model used proposes a set of sequential analytical levels, taking into account structural factors and specific factors related to the main constituent elements of the functional programs of JVs. The model is applied to a substantive assessment of four main types of JVs, identified on the basis of their prevailing economic function: R&D JVs, production JVs, commercialization JVs, and purchasing JVs. Also covered are particular situations of joint ownership of undertakings falling short of joint control. In the concluding part of the book, recent developments in JV antitrust law are put into context, within the wider reform of EU competition law. The book is comprehensive and up-to-date in terms of the reform of the EU framework on horizontal cooperation between undertakings, which was introduced at the end of 2010. (Series: Hart Studies in Competition Law - Vol. 6)

What are the legal limits of the European Community's competence in the matter of company law? As many company law instruments have already emerged as a result of the European Commission's Action Plan to Modernize Company Law of May 2003 and various new modernization instruments are still expected to follow, this question has become particularly important. In case an EC company law instrument is in breach of the above limits, its legality may be challenged before the European Court of Justice; significantly, since adoption of the Action Plan the Court of Justice has indeed issued several rulings on the lawfulness of such instruments. This new book offers a substantial framework for examining the competence or powers of the EC in the field of company law, and the requirements for the lawful exercise of these powers (the principle of subsidiarity and the observance of Article 43 EC in particular). In order to provide a clear understanding of the practical relevance of this framework, the author tests the provisions of specific EC company law instruments for compatibility with the EC Treaty. Although the substantial body of EC company law that has been built up over the years is covered, the focus is on EC company law instruments which have been adopted in implementation of the 2003 Action Plan. The book includes a survey of the various company law instruments (both pre- and post-Action Plan) which together make up EC company law, and discusses the objectives of EC company law policy. Among the specific elements covered are the following: * the freedom of establishment for companies; * free movement of capital; * transfer of a company's seat; * cross-border conversions; * cross-border merger operations; * recognition of companies; * the breakthrough rule on takeover bids; * the mandatory bid; * shareholder rights; * minimum capital requirements; * Community legal forms of enterprise; and * regulatory competition. Modernization of European Company Law and Corporate Governance will be welcomed by lawyers, academics and policymakers for a variety of reasons - as the clearest analysis available of the ongoing impact of the Action Plan, as a practical investigation of the interface between company law and EC law, and as a point of departure for investigation on the limits of competence in such related fields as EC contract law and EC securities law.

From the creators of the UK's bestselling Law Express revision series. Maximise your marks for every answer you write with Law Express Question and Answer. This series is designed to help you understand what examiners are looking for, focus on the question being asked and make even a strong answer stand out.

This book focuses on the legal and social aspects of corporate governance through doctrinal and empirical research papers presented at the 9th International Conference on Governance Fraud Ethics and Social Responsibility held at National Law University Delhi in 2018. The papers encompass the internal and external factors that affect the interests of a company's stakeholders, including shareholders, customers, suppliers, government regulators and management, and several other important players. The book provides better clarity on the concept of corporate governance and how it is intertwined with factors such as sustainability, social responsibility and the role of government, taxation and audit, and shareholder engagement.

Since its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), China has undertaken stronger initiatives toward adapting its legal system to support the development of a market-oriented economy. However, in this important new study the author contends that China's steps in this direction are not sufficient. Although barriers to merger and acquisition targeting of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been significantly reduced, excessive administrative intervention continues to discourage foreign & involving domestic listed companies. This book proposes changes in Chinese law, including a new full-scale regulatory scheme, which would enhance and expand such foreign direct investment. The discussion proceeds from the perspectives of company law, securities law, antimonopoly law, and foreign investment law. Based on the analysis of the market situation and policy background in China, and on a comparison among the relevant aspects of the legal systems of China and other jurisdictions, this book addresses the Chinese legal system for foreign and involving listed companies, including its policy support. The analysis highlights such aspects as the following: features and structures of the current Chinese foreign and market; China's state-owned enterprise reform; functions of the Chinese stock market; Chinese foreign investment policy; components of the Chinese legal system specific to foreign; and, comparative studies of foreign and regulation and experience (US, EU, UK, and Russia) and what may be useful in each for China. The author's detailed recommendations for the improvement of the Chinese legal system primarily concern the regime of state ownership exercise, the establishment of an antitrust scheme, the improvement in the regulation of corporate takeovers, and national treatment of foreign investors under the WTO system. This is in every way a ground-breaking contribution to the literature of international trade law. The author's deeply informed and cogent analysis will be of immeasurable value to policy makers and academics across a range of fields, and this book's practical value to business persons everywhere with an eye on China cannot be overestimated.

When courts 'pierce the corporate veil', they disregard the separateness of the corporation and hold a shareholder responsible for the corporation's action as if it were the shareholder's own. Although as a general rule the courts are reluctant to allow corporate veil piercing, creditors of an insolvent corporation frequently attempt to hold the shareholders liable when they cannot obtain satisfaction from their debtor. In the United States, in fact, piercing claims constitute the single most litigated area in corporate law.This study clears up some of the mists hanging around the concept of corporate veil piercing. What exactly is corporate veil piercing and in which situations does it occur? What are the legal rules involved? Following a short overview of the applicable law in the six legal systems that are the subject of this study-those of Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States-the author proceeds with a more profound analysis from a functional comparative perspective, starting from particular situations that typically call for shareholder liability for the debts of subsidiary companies.Among the grounds for veil piercing claims the author discusses the following, along with the substantive and procedural law and important cases associated with each in the six jurisdictions covered: undercapitalization; asset stripping; undue continuing of loss-making activities; and dentification or the consideration of the corporate group as an economic unit. In the course of the presentation, a thorough analysis of legal scholarship in the area leads to numerous applications of the various theories and doctrines that can be brought to bear on veil piercing cases. In addition, an in-depth discussion of the international dimension of corporate veil piercing focuses on the question of which laws should govern the liability of a parent corporation for the debts of its subsidiary. Throughout, the author's clear insight into the substantive law of veil piercing sheds light on traditional misconceptions in the conflict of laws on the issue.She also details initiatives undertaken by various international bodies, including the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union, the International Court of Justice, and the International Labour Organization.Dr Vandekerckhove's study is the most comprehensive, far-reaching, and up-to-date study of this important growing area of corporate law practice. As such it will prove of great value to practitioners, judges, and academics in the field, and will prove its worth anywhere in the world where the presence of multinational corporations is felt.

This book addresses the question of how competition authorities assess mergers in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector so as to promote competition in innovation. A closer look at the question reveals that it is far more complex and difficult to answer for the ICT, telecommunications and multi-sided platform (MSP) economy than for more traditional sectors of the economy. This has led many scholars to re-think and question whether the current merger control framework is suitable for the ICT sector, which is often also referred to as the new economy. The book pursues an interdisciplinary approach combining insights from law, economics and corporate strategy. Further, it has a comparative dimension, as it discusses the practices of the US, the EU and, wherever relevant, of other competition authorities from around the globe. Considering that the research was conducted in the EU, the practices of the European Commission remain a key aspect of the content.Considering its normative dimension, the book concentrates on the substantive aspects of merger control. To facilitate a better understanding of the most important points, the book also offers a brief overview of the procedural aspects of merger control in the EU, the US and the UK, and discusses recent amendments to Austrian and German law regarding the notification threshold. Given its scope, the book offers an invaluable guide for competition law scholars, practitioners in the field, and competition authorities worldwide.

With the globalisation of markets, the phenomenon of market failure has also been globalised. Against the backdrop of the territoriality of nation state jurisdictions and the slow progress of international law based on the principle of sovereignty this poses a serious challenge. However while the legal infrastructure of globalised markets has a firm basis in formal national and international law, the side effects of economic transactions on public goods such as the environment, human health and consumer interests often escape state-based regulation. Therefore, attention is drawn to the potential of self-regulation by transnational industry. While hypotheses abound which try to grasp this phenomenon in conceptual terms, both empirical and legal research is still underdeveloped. This volume helps to fill this gap, in two ways: firstly by reconstructing self-regulatory settings such as multinational corporations, transnational production networks and industry-NGO partnerships in terms of organisation, problem-solving and legitimation, and secondly, by linking their empirical findings to formal law by examining how legal concepts are reflected in self-regulation, how the law builds on self-regulatory solutions, and how it helps to establish favorable conditions for private governance.

Wang Jiang Yu approaches corporate law from a development and political economic perspective, while also giving a detailed analysis of what the law is. Better analyses of US corporate law have studied agency problems and strategically viable responses within the firm, while good studies of EU company law have also factored in questions of harmonization and regulatory arbitrage among jurisdictions. Wang provides us with what might become the leading paradigm for studies on Chinese corporate law: an understanding of how Western corporation forms have been employed and adjusted in China to meet the development agenda of the Chinese government and how this law is evolving in response to the state of the Chinese economy and the periodically adjusted positions of government planners' - David Donald, Professor, Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong KongThis accessible book offers a comprehensive and critical introduction to the law on business organizations in the People's Republic of China. The coverage focuses on the 2005-adopted PRC Company Law and the most recent legislative and regulatory developments in the company law landscape in China. The book covers a wide range of topics including the definitions of companies as compared with other forms of business organizations, incorporation, shareholders rights and legal remedies, corporate governance (including the fiduciary and other duties and liabilities of directors, supervisors and managers), corporate finance (including capital and shares offering), fundamental corporate changes (including mergers & acquisitions, and takeovers), and corporate liquidation and bankruptcy. In addition to presenting strong doctrinal analysis, the author also considers China's unique social, political and economic contexts. Contents: 1. An Overview of the Company Law Regime In China 2. Types of Companies in the Diverse World of Business Organizations in China 3. Corporate Legal Personality and Limited Liability 4. Formation of Companies and the Rules of Capital Maintenance 5. Shareholders and their Rights 6. The General Corporate Governance and Management Structure 7. Fiduciary Duties of the Directors, Supervisors and Management Executives 8. Shareholder Litigation 9. Offering and Trading of Shares in Joint Stock Limited Companies 10. Financial Affairs, Accounting and Profit Distribution 11. Mergers, Acquisitions, and Takeovers 12. Corporate Liquidation and Bankruptcy Index

This guide aims to be concise, but not superficial, practical, but fully alert to the hidden dangers lurking in the interstices of applicable law. A notable feature is the emphasis on particular Belgian practice in such specific areas as representations and warranties, purchasers' and sellers' protection. M&A in Belgium deals with all the elements of a merger acquisition or a joint venture transaction - shareholders' rights, compliance with foreign investment regulations and competition law, structuring, due diligence, financing, transfer formalities, documentation, and taxation. The authors pay close attention to the relevant demands of labour law and environmental law, and offer especially valuable guidance in helping the practitioner to recognize the environmental "red flags" that can make or break a deal. Whether the contemplated merger or acquisition is pure share, share-share, asset-share, or pure asset, private or public, friendly or hostile, this book should provide the exact procedural details that add up to a successful deal.

China's company and commercial law is still in formation, but its emerging patterns contain many practical elements that can be of immediate use to business people and their counsel. This guide presents not only the current disposition of such elements, but also an analysis, by two outstanding Chinese legal scholars with US, UK, and Canadian experience, of likely developments in the future. As well as providing an understanding of the legal issues affecting transactions in China, this book offers systematic treatment of such business factors as: procedural aspects of setting up a business in China; business incentives and restrictions; contracts; competition; taxation; property rights; protection of creditors; regulation of foreign trade and investment; regulation of financial markets; insolvency; and intellectual property rights.

"This book offers the ideal way for foreign lawyers, business executives, accountants, and professional advisors, to get a solid understanding of Dutch corporate law. This book represents a unique publication in the English language, and an indispensable tool for anybody who is involved in corporate matters in the Netherlands. Many international companies are or use Dutch holding companies. Therefore, the book addresses a wide audience. The book incorporates recent substantial changes in corporate law in the Netherlands."

The essentials of mergers and acquisitions (M & A) practice can best be examined from a buyer's perspective. In a corporate transaction, it is the buyer who typically faces the more substantial risks. In many instances, legal problems exist of which the buyer must be aware before deciding to purchase the target company. The book features a collection of reports by experienced young practitioners from seventeen different jurisdictions, along with a general report for a working session organised by the Corporate Acquisitions and Joint Ventures and Tax Law Commissions of l' Association international des jeunes avocats (AIJA) for the AIJA Annual Congress in Lisbon in August 2002. Each national report follows the same structure as the general report, but from a local perspective.