The European Company ('SE') is a legal entity offering a European perspective for businesses. Its purpose is to allow businesses that wish to extend their activities beyond their home Member State to operate throughout the EU on the basis of one set of rules and a unified management system. The book explains how to set up and organise a European Company, as well as setting out the text of the EC instruments (a Regulation and a Directive) serving as its legal basis, and a list of national implementing laws. This second volume reports on the countries which have legislated during 2005 and 2006. Divided into two sections, it first offers critical review of the usefulness of, and the opportunities presented by, this new vehicle; analyses the Regulation and the Directive; and examines the tax aspects of the SE. The second part reports on each of the Member States.

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).

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.

The Prospectus Directive of 4 November 2003 and the Prospectus Regulation of 29 April 2004 permit a single European passport for a prospectus that has been approved by the competent authority of a Member State to be used for the public offering of securities in other Member States without the need to obtain approval in each state. The Prospectus Directive sets forth the general rules and requirements for the preparation, approval and distribution of prospectuses and defines the content, format and publication of the prospectus, while the Prospectus Regulation defines the minimum information that must be included in the prospectus and its related documents. This second volume contains reports of the implementation of the Prospectus Directive in those EU and EEA Member States not included in the first volume. Together, both volumes give the reader an overview of the implementation throughout the European Union and the European Economic Area.

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.

The Prospectus Directive of 4 November 2003 sets the rules on the publication of a prospectus in the event that securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a stock exchange in the European Union. These rules apply in all 30 member states of the European Economic Area. Since member states decide to a large extent how to implement the Directive in their law, the rules in the different member states will differ substantially. It is therefore important not only to have an understanding of the rules laid down in the Directive but also to obtain knowledge of the rules applicable in the different states. As an English book it provides an understanding for non-Europeans of the rules applicable on the publication of a prospectus. A comprehensive table of contents, text of the European Directive and a list of national implementing laws are also included.

The European company ('SE') is a new legal entity offering a European perspective for businesses, which became a reality on 8 October 2004. Its purpose is to allow businesses that wish to extend their activities beyond their home Member State to operate throughout the EU on the basis of a single set of rules and a unified management system. This book explains how to set up and organise a European company, and sets out the text of the relevant EC instruments that serve as its legal basis, as well as the national implementing legislation. It is essential for businesses and their advisers to understand the implementing legislation of the relevant Member States in deciding where to establish an SE. This book provides comprehensive coverage of such legislation in all Member States of the European Economic Area which have, as at 1 July 2005, implemented the Regulation containing the SE statute and the Directive on employee involvement in the SE.

One of the major challenges facing the legal profession today is how to adapt and apply the concept of attorney-client privilege (or professional secrecy) in an increasingly globalised world. Rules on attorney-client privilege differ significantly from country to country. This book explores such differences within 32 jurisdictions in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Together with its complementary volume Professional Secrecy of Lawyers in Europe (Cambridge, 2013), this book explores the creation of a common definition for attorney-client privilege which can be accepted by a wide variety of countries and international institutions. Practice and interpretation within each jurisdiction is mapped and explored, including reference to local laws, ethical rules and case law. This book is a useful resource for those working on transactions or litigations which involve several countries.

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 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 provides an overview of the Second Council Directive 77/91/EEC of 13 December 1976 (also known as the Capital Directive) and its implementing rules in each Member State of the European Union and the European Economic Area. It provides companies and advisors with useful insights regarding articles of association and related documents, the incorporation and capital requirements of European companies with limited liability and the rules applicable to the acquisition and pledge of their own shares, the cross-participations, the financial assistance and the distribution of profits. A general report on the Capital Directive is followed by a discussion of the implementation of the rules laid down in the Directive in the national laws of each Member State, each in accordance with a common format and contributed by a practitioner from that State.