This Commentary is the first comprehensive work to analyse the revised EU Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II). SRD II sets a new agenda for engaged shareholders and sustainable companies in the EU, sparking a wider debate on the adoption of duties in company and capital markets law. By providing a systematic and thorough framework for analysis, this Commentary evaluates the purpose and aims of SRD II and further enriches the debate on the usefulness of the EU's drive to encourage long-term shareholder engagement. Key features include: article-by-article analysis of each of the provisions as adopted in the revised SRD II contribution to the ongoing discussions on shareholder rights and duties anticipated to be at the centre of debate for years to come detailed explanation by leading scholars in the field to ensure complete understanding of each SRD II provision for the reader exploration of the two pillars of shareholder engagement: the facilitation of shareholder rights and improved communication to bridge procedural gaps and implementation of transparency obligations applicable to companies, investors and service providers. This Commentary will be a key resource for legal practitioners, legislators, scholars and students alike, working in the fields of corporate governance, alternative dispute resolution and financial law.

A heavily debated topic, the evolution of shareholders' duties risks the transformation of the very concept of shareholder primacy, crucially associated with shareholder rights. Offering a distinctive and comprehensive examination of both current and forthcoming enforcement mechanisms in the area of shareholder duties, this timely book provides an exhaustive analysis of the many issues related to these mechanisms, and considers the ongoing challenges surrounding their implementation. Enforcing Shareholders' Duties is unique in critically challenging the revised Shareholder Rights Directive as well as other legal provisions. Adopting a holistic view of the possible enforcement issues shareholders may face in company law, it argues for a measured approach in the design of such enforcement mechanisms and for a careful consideration of the effects of a legal interventionist approach. Astute and engaging chapters provide arguments and recommendations for future regulatory initiatives aimed at ensuring shareholders will remain incentivised to invest in companies, whilst still assuming their responsibilities. Students and researchers with an interest in financial and corporate law, particularly from a policy and governance angle, will find this book an important resource. Its focus on the emerging agenda surrounding the enforcement of shareholders' duties ensure it is also highly relevant for legislators, policymakers, and practitioners. Contributors include: A. Anand, H.S. Birkmose, J. Borg-Barthet, I.H.-Y. Chiu, M. Gargantini, E. Howell, C. Malberti, M. Neville, J. Payne, C. Puska

This authoritative textbook offers a thorough, theoretical and practical overview of the current EU legal framework applicable to capital markets. It is intended to enable a critical analysis of the overall regulatory principles as well as the interaction between market actors and EU law which has shaped the regulatory agenda both at national and EU level. The book gives an overview of the foundations of EU capital markets and touches upon issuer disclosure obligations, inappropriate market practices and gatekeepers. EU law is the main focus, complemented by comparative analysis where applicable, primarily relating to UK, French and German laws. Ideal for upper-level undergraduate or graduate law students taking a module in Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation, Corporate Finance Law or EU Company Law. Also useful for accounting, business or economics MSc students who need to broaden their understanding of the legal aspects of capital markets, and for academics and policy makers.