In 1980, the United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) came into being as an attempt to create a uniform commercial sales law. This book, first published in 2007, compares two major restatements - the UNIDROIT Principles and the Principles of European Contract Law (PECL) - with CISG articles. This work has gathered scholars and legal practitioners from twenty countries who contribute analysis on the various issues covered in the articles of the CISG comparing them with how the issue is treated in the UNIDROIT and PECL restatements.The introductory section of the book addresses theoretical and practical issues of the appropriate interpretive methodology as mandated in CISG Article 7 and it is followed by individual analyses of the Convention's provisions.

In the past two decades, the General Counsel in many companies has risen in importance, and the GC is now often involved in business strategy from the inception. Consequently, the position has become more desirable, lucrative, and competitive. Those who achieve it are required to be better versed in the same fundamental principles of business practice and leadership as other senior executives.
In The Generalist Counsel: How Leading General Counsel are Shaping Tomorrow's Companies, Prashant Dubey and Eva Kripalani offer guidance for lawyers making the transition to company leadership. They describe the steps a lawyer should take to blend legal training with other business disciplines to perform a much broader and more strategic role for the organization. Further, the authors provide a view into the GC role that will enable non-lawyers to better understand how their in-house legal departments execute their role.
Through research and in-depth interviews with sitting and former General Counsel and executives in the sphere of influence, the authors identify a deliberate evolution in the fabric and tenor of the role of the GC. The personal stories are not only thought-provoking, but also entertaining. The authors also discuss how this shift is leading to other innovations within the legal profession, such as the evolving relationship with outside counsel, General Counsel demands for new products and services, and models for service delivery that are similar to Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing delivery models.

The events that began with the collapse of Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, and Adelphia and continued into the financial crisis of 2008 teach us an important lesson: corporate governance matters. Although it is widely acknowledged that good corporate governance is a linchpin of good corporate performance, how can one improve corporate governance and its impact on corporate and overall economic performance. This book offers a diverse and forward-looking set of approaches from experts, covering the major areas of corporate governance reform and analyzing the full range of issues and concerns. Written to be both theoretically rigorous and grounded in the real world, the book is well suited for practicing lawyers, managers, lawmakers, and analysts, as well as academics conducting research or teaching a wide range of courses in law schools, business schools, and economics departments.

The importance of disclosure as a regulatory device in company law is widely recognized. This 2006 book explores the disclosure requirements of companies in their reporting activities, and seeks to bring together the main features of the reporting system. The book considers the theoretical basis of the corporate reporting system and describes the regulatory framework for that system. It explores financial reporting and 'narrative' reporting, highlighting the fact that financial reporting requirements are more substantially developed than narrative reporting requirements - a consequence of the shareholder-centred vision that persists in company law. The roles of those responsible for providing corporate reports and those entitled to receive such information are examined. The book concludes with some broad suggestions for future development, with particular focus on the need to recognize the relevance of the communicative role of corporate reporting. The use of new technology also presents both challenges and opportunities for improving the regime.

The resilience of family businesses has been evident from their success over centuries and across continents. It remains common for practitioners to advise families whose principal source of wealth is or has been a successful family enterprise, and to provide guidance on the specific and complex relationships and issues that arise in this context. This new edition, edited by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), features chapters by leading practitioners in the field, including the Family Firm Institute, Schroders, Boodle Hatfield and SandAire, Kleinwort Hambros, Dixon Wilson and Rathbones. The book considers what makes business families and family businesses unique, and examines the issues that advisers are often called upon to consider and address when assisting them. It helps practitioners to deepen their understanding of how families operate, and to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to advise on such complex areas as conflicts between working and non-working family members, ownership structure, succession, wealth management, governance and meeting a family's philanthropic objectives. The guide provides a comprehensive handbook for all practitioners who advise business families, including lawyers, accountants, financial advisers and wider family business advisers.

The increasing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) means that companies must consider multi-stakeholder interests as well as the social, political, economic, environmental and developmental impact of their actions. However, the pursuit of profits by multinational corporations has led to a series of questionable corporate actions and the consequences of such practices are particularly evident in developing countries. Adefolake O. Adeyeye explores how CSR has evolved to aid the anti-corruption campaign. By examining voluntary rules applicable for curbing corruption, particularly bribery and analysing the domestic and extra-territorial laws of Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States for holding corporations liable for bribery, she assesses the adequacy of international law's approach towards corporate liability for bribery and explores direct corporate responsibility for international corruption. The roles of corporate governance, global governance and civil liability in curbing corporate corrupt practices are given special focus.

This discussion of the Cross-Border Merger Directive and its implementing legislation in each Member State of the European Union and the European Economic Area provides companies and their advisors with useful insight into the legal framework applicable to, and the tax treatment of, cross-border mergers throughout the European Economic Area. Analysis of the Community rules laid down in the Cross-Border Merger Directive and the Community rules on the tax treatment of cross-border mergers is complemented by chapters on the implementing legislation in each Member State, prepared in accordance with a common format and contributed by a practitioner from each state. Annexes contain the Cross-Border Merger Directive (Annex I), the Parent-Subsidiary Directive (Annex II) and a list of the implementing legislation in each Member State (Annex III).

This book offers a guide, for companies, pension funds, asset managers, and other institutional investors, on how to commence the legal, governance, and financial strategies needed for effective climate mitigation and adaptation, and to help distribute the economic benefits of these actions to their stakeholders. It takes the reader from ideas to action, from first steps to a more meaningful contribution to the move towards a net zero carbon world. It can serve as a helpful guide to everyone implicated in a corporation's activities - employees, pensioners, consumers, banks and other lenders, policymakers, and community members. It offers insights into what we should be expecting, and asking, of these fiduciaries who have taken responsibility for effectively managing our savings, our retirement funds, our investments, and our tax dollars.

A. J. Boyle assesses the state of English company law on minority shareholders' remedies from historical, theoretical and comparative perspectives in this important addition to Cambridge Studies in Corporate Law. He analyses the reforms of the UK Law Commission, which have been further appraised and amplified by the work in progress of the Company Law Review Steering Group. The book covers the common law actions by exception to the Rule in Foss v. Harbottle, and the statutory remedies by way of petition for unfair prejudice and/or just and equitable winding up. As well as considering the complexities of derivative actions and statutory minority remedies, Boyle discusses directions for minority shareholders' remedies. This book will be of interest to academics and practitioners in company and corporate law, particularly in the UK, US, France and Germany, as well as throughout the Commonwealth.

On the one hand, it can be argued that the increasing economic and political interdependence of countries has led to the convergence of national legal systems. On the other hand, advocates of the counterhypothesis maintain that this development is both unrealistic and unnecessary. Mathias Siems examines the company law of the UK, the USA, Germany, France, Japan and China to see how this issue affects shareholder law. The author subsequently analyses economic and political factors which may or may not lead to convergence, and assesses the extent of this development. Convergence of Shareholder Law, which was originally published in 2007, not only provides a thorough comparative legal analysis but also shows how company law interconnects with political forces and economic development and helps in evaluating whether harmonisation and shareholder protection should be enhanced.

Corporate law and corporate governance have been at the forefront of regulatory activities across the world for several decades now, and are subject to increasing public attention following the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Law and Governance provides the global framework necessary to understand the aims and methods of legal research in this field. Written by leading scholars from around the world, the Handbook contains a rich variety of chapters that provide a comparative and functional overview of corporate governance. It opens with the central theoretical approaches and methodologies in corporate law scholarship in Part I, before examining core substantive topics in corporate law, including shareholder rights, takeovers and restructuring, and minority rights in Part II. Part III focuses on new challenges in the field, including conflicts between Western and Asian corporate governance environments, the rise of foreign ownership, and emerging markets. Enforcement issues are covered in Part IV, and Part V takes a broader approach, examining those areas of law and finances that are interwoven with corporate governance, including insolvency, taxation, and securities law as well as financial regulation. Now in paperback, the Handbook is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary resource placing corporate law and governance in its wider context, and is essential reading for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in the field.

The typical British publicly traded company has widely dispersed share ownership and is run by professionally trained managers who collectively own an insufficiently large percentage of shares to dictate the outcome when shareholders vote. This separation of ownership and control has not only dictated the tenor of corporate governance debate in Britain but serves to distinguish the UK from most other countries. Existing theories fail to account adequately for arrangements in the UK. Corporate Ownership and Control accordingly seeks to explain why ownership became divorced from control in major British companies.
The book is organized by reference to the 'sell side', which encompasses the factors that might prompt those owning large blocks of shares to exit or accept dilution of their stake, and the 'buy side', which involves factors that motivate investors to buy equities and deter the new shareholders from themselves exercising control. The book's approach is strongly historical in orientation, as it examines how matters evolved from the 17th century right through to today. While a modern-style divorce of ownership and control can be traced back at least as far as mid-19th century railways, the 'outsider/arms-length' system of ownership and control that currently characterizes British corporate governance did not crystallize until the middle of the 20th century. The book brings the story right up to date by showing current arrangements are likely to be durable. Correspondingly, the insights the book offers should remain salient for some time to come.

The Council Directive of 21 April 2004 on takeover bids sets forth the general principles applicable to takeover bids and clarifies certain minimum rules with respect to the procedure for a takeover bid, the obligation to make a mandatory bid in the event a minimum threshold is crossed and the majority shareholder's squeeze-out right as well as the minority shareholders' sell-out right. Furthermore, the Directive defines the authority which is competent to approve offer documents and supervise takeover bids, and provides for optional restrictions on the actions of the target company's management and on defence mechanisms. This book discusses the Takeover Directive and its implementing rules in each Member State of the European Union and the European Economic Area, providing companies and their advisors with useful insight into the legal framework and principles applicable to takeover bids in the region.

Providing a comprehensive framework for a sustainable governance model, and how to leverage it in competing global markets, "Governance, Risk, and Compliance Handbook" presents a readable overview to the political, regulatory, technical, process, and people considerations in complying with an ever more demanding regulatory environment and achievement of good corporate governance. Offering an international overview, this book features contributions from sixty-four industry experts from fifteen countries.

The Council Directive of 21 April 2004 on takeover bids sets forth the general principles applicable to takeover bids and clarifies certain minimum rules with respect to the procedure for a takeover bid, the obligation to make a mandatory bid in the event a minimum threshold is crossed and the majority shareholder's squeeze-out right as well as the minority shareholders' sell-out right. Furthermore, the Directive defines the authority which is competent to approve offer documents and supervise takeover bids, and provides for optional restrictions on the actions of the target company's management and on defence mechanisms. This book discusses the Takeover Directive and its implementing rules in each Member State of the European Union and the European Economic Area, providing companies and their advisors with useful insight into the legal framework and principles applicable to takeover bids in the region.

In areas such as dispute resolution, visibility and investor interest, the relationship between a senior executive employee and his or her employer differs materially from the relationship that most employees have with their employer. Executives are tools which help create shareholder value. A company's decision to employ one executive over another should be based on the ability of the potential employees to create shareholder value for the organisation. It is therefore essential to get both the appointment and contract right. Negotiating and agreeing the right contract requires an understanding of areas as diverse as valuation, employment law, tax and accounting. Covering the appointment of UK executives under contracts governed by UK law, this volume of essays is intended to help anyone involved in the appointment and termination process.

This book goes beyond the 'what and how' of corporate governance to explore the impact and benefits of good governance for companies and their investors. The contributors are leading market practitioners, investors, academics and consultants who offer their own views based on a wealth of experience. Topics covered include what makes for an effective board and is the unitary board sustainable? The contribution of governance to financial performance - is the research conclusive? Managing risk and reputation - how do boards ensure they are trusted by their shareholders? The benefits of market led standard setting -do US and EU regulatory initiatives threaten the traditional UK approach? The book looks to dispel the belief that governance is a burden on companies that adds little value by demonstrating the contribution it makes to board effectiveness and corporate performance.

Lode Walgrave has made a highly significant contribution to the worldwide development of the restorative justice movement over the last two decades. This book represents the culmination of his vision for restorative justice. Coming to the subject from a juvenile justice background he initially saw restorative justice as a means of escaping the rehabilitation-punishment dilemma, and as the basis for a more constructive judicial response to youth crime that had been the case hitherto. Over time his conception of restorative justice moved in the direction of focusing on repairing harm and suffering rather than ensuring that the youthful offender met with a 'just' response, and encompassing the notion that restorative justice was not so much about a justice system promoting restoration, more a matter of doing justice through restoration. This book develops Lode Walgrave's conception of restorative justice further, incorporating a number of key elements. * a clearly outcome-based definition of restorative justice * acceptance of the need to use judicial coercion to impose sanctions as part of the reparative process * presenting restorative justice as a fully fledged alternative to the punitive apriorism * development of a more sophisticated concept of the relationship between restorative justice and the law, and acceptance of the need for legal regulation * a consideration of the expansion of a restorative justice philosophy into other areas of social life and the threats and opportunities this provides * a consideration of the implications of the expansion of restorative justice for the discipline of criminology and democracy

This new Blackstone's Guide provides the complete text of the Companies Act 2006, together with a clear explanation of the legislation and its impact. The Companies Act is a major piece of legislation - comprising 1300 sections and 16 schedules. It represents an attempt to reform company law for the 21st century in accordance with the Government's stated objectives of encouraging small companies, promoting shareholder involvement and fostering a long term investment culture. It puts whole areas of company law which are the product of the common law such as directors' duties and derivative actions on a statutory basis for the first time, and implements EU Directives on Takeovers and Transparency Obligations. The 2006 Act almost completely consolidates companies legislation in one place with only a few minor provisions remaining in the 1985 Act. This Guide provides a clear analysis of the new legislation, explaining both its genesis and likely effect. The authors adopt a topic-based approach, focussing on the most important changes and developments for both private and public companies. The Blackstone's Guide Series delivers concise and accessible books covering the latest legislative changes and amendments. Published soon after enactment, they offer timely and expert commentary on the meaning and effects of the legislation, plus a copy of the Act itself. The Guides are a cost-effective solution to key information needs and are the perfect companion for any practitioner needing to get up to speed with the latest changes.

Starting from a discussion of the theoretical underpinning of the place companies occupy in society, this book explores the consequences of adherence to free market contractualist theory, including the lack of regulatory control of a sufficiently robust nature. Professor Dine comments on the absence of a concept of governance of groups from a comparative perspective and considers the consequences of this absence for the conflict of laws. In particular, she highlights the tragic consequences of globalization by transnationals including polarization of income and environmental damage, and suggests a possible legal framework to prevent future damages.