Admission requirements
Background in law
Sufficient command of English
Description
The main theme of the "Comparative Corporate Law" course is doing business in a global world. It covers the rights and duties of key organs within companies, including the board of directors, shareholders, and stakeholders, as well as the conflicts that arise among them. The course has an international and comparative perspective which allows students to become acquainted with key corporate rules and regulations of major jurisdictions on continental Europe and in the Anglo-American world. The course also addresses major expansion strategies such as different types of mergers, acquisitions and conversions and the legal framework of these strategies. Students gain an understanding of the different policy challenges legislators are facing in these jurisdictions, issuing mainly from the size of the firms and their ownership structure. Thus, the effects of regulatory competition and corporate mobility in the field of corporate law inside the EU are also touched upon, enabling students to understand the extent to which legal convergence has been achieved.
Students will deepen their knowledge in the areas of corporate law that are chosen for comparative analysis, while students with no prior background in corporate law will gain insight into fundamental regulatory issues in corporate law, including: the duties and liabilities of directors, the powers of the shareholders’ general meeting vis-à-vis the powers of the management bodies (incl. principles of decision-making), minority shareholders’ protection, fundamental changes in the relationship among participants of the firm through mergers and acquisitions and cross-border corporate mobility in the EU/EEA.
Course objectives
This course seeks to equip students with knowledge and understanding of the differences and similarities of selected issues of corporate law in Europe and the U.S.A. Within this context, the course aims to provide students with an understanding of the sources, nature and application of corporate law.
Achievement levels
Familiarity with the sources and purposes of corporate law and corporate governance;
A critical understanding of the actors in the corporate governance framework of a corporation and how corporate law regulates the conflicts between management and shareholders, between dominant shareholders and minority shareholders and between shareholders and stakeholders;
A clear understanding of the position of shareholders in different situations, their rights and the ability to reflect upon this;
Awareness of the various board structures and how they manifest in different jurisdictions;
A sound grasp of directors’ duties and tools to minimize risks related to business decisions;
A general understanding of the basic acquisition structures (stock purchase, merger and asset purchase) mergers;
Explain and illustrate how the main forms of corporate mobility function in the EU/EEA and its ramifications;
An understanding of the differences between the regulatory philosophy and core principles of corporate law in continental Europe and the Anglo-American world.
Timetable
Check MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Lectures and tutorials
Lecturers: H. Koster and others
Number: 10 two-hour lectures with theoretical instruction and case-based teaching
Required preparation by students: complete assigned reading and possibly case assignments
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
Written exam (100%).
If only a few students fail the written exam at the first attempt, the retake of the written exam may be an oral exam. In that case, students will be informed by the coordinator at least 10 days ahead of the scheduled resit date. Otherwise, the retake will be in the form of another written exam.
The course has to be completed within the academic year.
Regulation retake passed exams
In this course it is possible to retake an exam that has been passed (cf. art. 4.1.8.1 and further of the Course and Examination Regulations). Students who have passed the exam may retake the final written assessment (test) of the course if they meet certain requirements. To retake a passed exam, students need to ask the Student Administration Office (OIC) for permission. For more information, go to 'course and exam enrollment' > 'permission for retaking a passed exam' on the student website.
Submission procedures
To be announced in the course information guide and/or on Brightspace.
Areas to be tested within the exam
The course information guide consists of the required reading (literature) for the course and the subjects taught in class and all other instructions which are part of the course.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
- The literature list will be included in the course information guide and published on Brightspace.
Course information guide:
- The course information guide will be published on Brightspace.
Reader:
The reader, if any, will be published on Brightspace.
Recommended course materials will be published on Brightspace.
Registration
Check the website under “course and exam enrollment” for information on how to register for the course.
Exchange students have priority and will be registered for the course first. Any remaining seats will be available for students from Leiden University and other Dutch Universities.
Contact information
Co-ordinator: To be announced
Work address: Company Law Department
Contact information: see below
Email: ccl@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Private Law
Department: Company Law
Room number secretary: B2.43
Opening hours: 9.00 – 17:00
Telephone number secretary: 071 527 7235
Remarks
In case of (corona)restrictions imposed by the government, this course description is subject to change.