The governance of companies and its regulation by the law is of great public, political and academic interest.
This module introduces (and then explores in depth) the main areas of law that relate to the legal regulation of corporate governance. By reflecting on several theories of corporate governance and current corporate governance practices, the module aims to provide you with an insight into the current legal regulation of corporate governance and the academic and policy debates formed around its development.
The module will focus primarily on considering the legal regulation of corporate governance in the UK and the EU, but comparisons will be made with relevant parts of the law of corporate governance in the USA (mainly Delaware and Federal Law), Germany and other jurisdictions. Among other topics, the module will consider issues related to the nature of the company as a form of business organisation, the regulation of the corporate purpose, the role of the board of directors, board diversity, executive remuneration, shareholder activism and stewardship, stakeholder considerations, and corporate social responsibility.
A combination of independent reading, regular seminars and other teaching and reflective activities will provide you with a sound grasp of the major legal regimes of corporate governance. You will also develop a greater understanding of the central questions and debates arising from this area of law.