The degree is awarded on the basis of nine final examinations at the end of the three-year course (or four years in the case of Law with Law Studies in Europe) and (for students who began the course in October 2011 or later) an essay in Jurisprudence written over the summer vacation at the end of the second year. Note: the Jurisprudence exam at the end of the third year is correspondingly shorter. This phase of the Final Honour School includes the first and second term of the final year; the Final Examinations are taken in the third term of the final year.

The company is one of the most important institutions in our society. There are over two million registered companies which, of course, vary radically in size and commercial significance ranging from the "one person" company to the large public companies. By virtually any measurement the company is the dominant vehicle through which business is conducted. There are a number of reasons for this but principally it is because it is a very flexible commercial institution and it is made conveniently and cheaply available.

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic conceptual apparatus of company law and to analyse some of the policy issues raised in regulating this pervasive commercial form. It is important to note that the course is of relevance not only to those who wish to pursue a career as commercial or company lawyers, but also to those who have no such aspirations, as a knowledge of the company and how it works is relevant to many aspects of legal practice. The course involves an analysis of not only cases but also statute law and, although the Companies Act 2006 is among the largest statutes on the statute book, the course is not overly dominated by the study of statutory materials.

The teaching group comprises Professor John Armour, Professor Paul Davies, Ms J Payne, Dr Wolf-Georg Ringe, Mr Roger Smith, and Dr John Vella . The teaching consists of lectures and seven tutorials in Michaelmas and Hilary terms. The tutorials will be arranged by the teaching group.

A one-year sample of courses from our BA programmes, aimed only at students visiting from our partner universities.

The company is one of the most important institutions in our society. There are over two million registered companies which, of course, vary radically in size and commercial significance ranging from the "one person" company to the large public companies. By virtually any measurement the company is the dominant vehicle through which business is conducted. There are a number of reasons for this but principally it is because it is a very flexible commercial institution and it is made conveniently and cheaply available.

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic conceptual apparatus of company law and to analyse some of the policy issues raised in regulating this pervasive commercial form. It is important to note that the course is of relevance not only to those who wish to pursue a career as commercial or company lawyers, but also to those who have no such aspirations, as a knowledge of the company and how it works is relevant to many aspects of legal practice. The course involves an analysis of not only cases but also statute law and, although the Companies Act 2006 is among the largest statutes on the statute book, the course is not overly dominated by the study of statutory materials.

The teaching group comprises Professor John Armour, Professor Paul Davies, Ms J Payne, Dr Wolf-Georg Ringe, Mr Roger Smith, and Dr John Vella . The teaching consists of lectures and seven tutorials in Michaelmas and Hilary terms. The tutorials will be arranged by the teaching group.

Our taught postgraduate programme, designed to serve outstanding law students from civil law backgrounds.

The company is one of the most important institutions in our society. There are over two million registered companies which, of course, vary radically in size and commercial significance ranging from the "one person" company to the large public companies. By virtually any measurement the company is the dominant vehicle through which business is conducted. There are a number of reasons for this but principally it is because it is a very flexible commercial institution and it is made conveniently and cheaply available.

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic conceptual apparatus of company law and to analyse some of the policy issues raised in regulating this pervasive commercial form. It is important to note that the course is of relevance not only to those who wish to pursue a career as commercial or company lawyers, but also to those who have no such aspirations, as a knowledge of the company and how it works is relevant to many aspects of legal practice. The course involves an analysis of not only cases but also statute law and, although the Companies Act 2006 is among the largest statutes on the statute book, the course is not overly dominated by the study of statutory materials.

The teaching group comprises Professor John Armour, Professor Paul Davies, Ms J Payne, Dr Wolf-Georg Ringe, Mr Roger Smith, and Dr John Vella . The teaching consists of lectures and seven tutorials in Michaelmas and Hilary terms. The tutorials will be arranged by the teaching group.

Our taught postgraduate programme, designed to serve outstanding law students from common-law backgrounds

The course consists of a comparative study of major areas of the company laws of the UK, continental Europe (in particular, Germany) and the United States as well as an assessment of the work done by the European Union in the field of company law.

The three areas or jurisdictions selected for comparative study have, collectively, had a very significant impact on the development of company law throughout the world. An understanding of these thus assists students in understanding both the content of, and influences upon, many others. The approach taken is both functional and comparative, looking at a series of core problems with which any system of corporate law must deal, and analysing, from a functional perspective, the solutions adopted by the systems in question. The course seeks to situate these solutions in the underlying concepts and assumptions of the chosen systems, as these often provide an explanation for divergences. To this end, the course begins with a contextual overview of ‘systems’ of corporate governance, which material is then applied in the following seminars on more substantive topics. Such a comparative study is intended to enable students to see their own system of company law in a new and more meaningful light, and to be able to form new views about its future development. Finally, a study of the ways in which the European Union is developing company law within its boundaries is also important, not only as illustrating, by a review of the harmonisation programme, the benefits to be derived from a comparative study in practice, but also because it shows new ways in which corporate vehicles can be developed to meet particular policy objectives.

 The course assumes students have knowledge of the basic structure of corporate laws, such as would be gained from an undergraduate course (regardless of jurisdiction). MJur students who have previously studied company law in another jurisdiction may find it helpful to take Company Law at the same time.

The teaching group comprises Professor J Armour, Dr WG Ringe and Ms J Payne. Teaching consists of a combination of lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Guest lectures by visiting academics may also be given at various points.

Our taught postgraduate programme, designed to serve outstanding law students from civil law backgrounds.

The course consists of a comparative study of major areas of the company laws of the UK, continental Europe (in particular, Germany) and the United States as well as an assessment of the work done by the European Union in the field of company law.

The three areas or jurisdictions selected for comparative study have, collectively, had a very significant impact on the development of company law throughout the world. An understanding of these thus assists students in understanding both the content of, and influences upon, many others. The approach taken is both functional and comparative, looking at a series of core problems with which any system of corporate law must deal, and analysing, from a functional perspective, the solutions adopted by the systems in question. The course seeks to situate these solutions in the underlying concepts and assumptions of the chosen systems, as these often provide an explanation for divergences. To this end, the course begins with a contextual overview of ‘systems’ of corporate governance, which material is then applied in the following seminars on more substantive topics. Such a comparative study is intended to enable students to see their own system of company law in a new and more meaningful light, and to be able to form new views about its future development. Finally, a study of the ways in which the European Union is developing company law within its boundaries is also important, not only as illustrating, by a review of the harmonisation programme, the benefits to be derived from a comparative study in practice, but also because it shows new ways in which corporate vehicles can be developed to meet particular policy objectives.

 The course assumes students have knowledge of the basic structure of corporate laws, such as would be gained from an undergraduate course (regardless of jurisdiction). MJur students who have previously studied company law in another jurisdiction may find it helpful to take Company Law at the same time.

The teaching group comprises Professor J Armour, Dr WG Ringe and Ms J Payne. Teaching consists of a combination of lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Guest lectures by visiting academics may also be given at various points.

The course consists of a comparative study of major areas of the company laws of the UK, continental Europe (in particular, Germany) and the United States as well as an assessment of the work done by the European Union in the field of company law.

The three areas or jurisdictions selected for comparative study have, collectively, had a very significant impact on the development of company law throughout the world. An understanding of these thus assists students in understanding both the content of, and influences upon, many others. The approach taken is both functional and comparative, looking at a series of core problems with which any system of corporate law must deal, and analysing, from a functional perspective, the solutions adopted by the systems in question. The course seeks to situate these solutions in the underlying concepts and assumptions of the chosen systems, as these often provide an explanation for divergences. To this end, the course begins with a contextual overview of ‘systems’ of corporate governance, which material is then applied in the following seminars on more substantive topics. Such a comparative study is intended to enable students to see their own system of company law in a new and more meaningful light, and to be able to form new views about its future development. Finally, a study of the ways in which the European Union is developing company law within its boundaries is also important, not only as illustrating, by a review of the harmonisation programme, the benefits to be derived from a comparative study in practice, but also because it shows new ways in which corporate vehicles can be developed to meet particular policy objectives.

 The course assumes students have knowledge of the basic structure of corporate laws, such as would be gained from an undergraduate course (regardless of jurisdiction). MJur students who have previously studied company law in another jurisdiction may find it helpful to take Company Law at the same time.

The teaching group comprises Professor J Armour, Dr WG Ringe and Ms J Payne. Teaching consists of a combination of lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Guest lectures by visiting academics may also be given at various points.

Our taught postgraduate programme, designed to serve outstanding law students from common-law backgrounds

The limited company is a hugely popular business vehicle, and the primary reason for this is its ability to act as a successful vehicle for raising business finance and diversifying financial risk. All companies need to raise money in order to function successfully. It is these "money matters" which are at the heart of corporate law, and an understanding of the ways in which companies can raise money, and the manner in which their money-raising activities are regulated, is central to an understanding of how companies function. The aims of the course are (a) to explain the complex statutory provisions governing the issue and marketing of corporate securities, against the background of business transactions; (b) to explore the fundamental legal propositions around which corporate finance transactions are usually organised and (c) to examine the means by which money is raised by borrowing and quasi-debt and different methods of securing debt obligations. Technical issues will therefore be placed in their economic and business context. There is a strong emphasis on the policy issues underlying the legal rules. The course focuses on the forms of corporate finance and on the structure and regulation of capital markets. The course also examines the attributes of the main types of securities issued by companies and the legal doctrines which are designed to resolve the conflicts of interests between shareholders and creditors. Consideration is given to the EU directives affecting the financial markets, especially the manner in which they have been implemented into English law. Many of the issues arising are of international importance and the course examines the harmonisation of these matters within the EU.

This course will be of interest to any student wishing to develop a knowledge of corporate law, as well as to those who are corporate finance specialists. No prior knowledge of the subject is required, nor is it necessary to have studied company law, though this will be of significant advantage. Those with no knowledge of company law will need to do some additional background reading prior to the start of seminars, and advice can be given on this issue. MJur students are welcome, especially if they have prior knowledge of corporate finance in their own jurisdictions, but they must be prepared to engage with the case law and with UK statutes where appropriate.

The teaching group comprises Professor Paul Davies, Professor L Gullifer, Mr C Hare, Professor J Payne and Mr J Prassl. The teaching consists of lectures and seminars in Michaelmas and Hilary terms, and four tutorials spread across the year. The tutorials will be arranged in the seminars. Corporate finance practitioners will also give guest lectures throughout the year.

The main areas studied are: 1. Equity financing including the legal nature of shares, minimum capital requirements, payment for shares, raising additional capital, dividends, reductions of capital, financial assistance, gearing issues, and reform options in these areas. 2. Legal issues arising in relation to secured and unsecured debt, including analysis of contractual techniques for the protection of creditors such as covenants, set-off, guarantees and other credit protection. 3. Analysis of proprietary techniques for the protection of creditors, including the different forms of security, priority between different creditors, re-characterisation issues and the reform of this area of the law. 4. Legal issues arising from the transfer of debt, and from debt structures involving multiple lenders such as bond issues and syndicated loans. 5. Public distributions including choice of market issues, the role of institutional investors, the structure and regulation of public offers and listing, enforcement of the listing rules and civil liability for defective prospectuses. 6. The ongoing regulation of the capital markets including disclosure issues, insider dealing and market abuse. 7. Takeovers including the regulation of takeovers, the duties of the target board, equality of treatment of shareholders, the rationales for takeovers, and a comparison with schemes of arrangement. 8. The use of private equity in corporate finance. 9. The role of corporate governance in corporate finance.

Our taught postgraduate programme, designed to serve outstanding law students from civil law backgrounds.

The limited company is a hugely popular business vehicle, and the primary reason for this is its ability to act as a successful vehicle for raising business finance and diversifying financial risk. All companies need to raise money in order to function successfully. It is these "money matters" which are at the heart of corporate law, and an understanding of the ways in which companies can raise money, and the manner in which their money-raising activities are regulated, is central to an understanding of how companies function. The aims of the course are (a) to explain the complex statutory provisions governing the issue and marketing of corporate securities, against the background of business transactions; (b) to explore the fundamental legal propositions around which corporate finance transactions are usually organised and (c) to examine the means by which money is raised by borrowing and quasi-debt and different methods of securing debt obligations. Technical issues will therefore be placed in their economic and business context. There is a strong emphasis on the policy issues underlying the legal rules. The course focuses on the forms of corporate finance and on the structure and regulation of capital markets. The course also examines the attributes of the main types of securities issued by companies and the legal doctrines which are designed to resolve the conflicts of interests between shareholders and creditors. Consideration is given to the EU directives affecting the financial markets, especially the manner in which they have been implemented into English law. Many of the issues arising are of international importance and the course examines the harmonisation of these matters within the EU.

This course will be of interest to any student wishing to develop a knowledge of corporate law, as well as to those who are corporate finance specialists. No prior knowledge of the subject is required, nor is it necessary to have studied company law, though this will be of significant advantage. Those with no knowledge of company law will need to do some additional background reading prior to the start of seminars, and advice can be given on this issue. MJur students are welcome, especially if they have prior knowledge of corporate finance in their own jurisdictions, but they must be prepared to engage with the case law and with UK statutes where appropriate.

The teaching group comprises Professor Paul Davies, Professor L Gullifer, Mr C Hare, Professor J Payne and Mr J Prassl. The teaching consists of lectures and seminars in Michaelmas and Hilary terms, and four tutorials spread across the year. The tutorials will be arranged in the seminars. Corporate finance practitioners will also give guest lectures throughout the year.

The main areas studied are: 1. Equity financing including the legal nature of shares, minimum capital requirements, payment for shares, raising additional capital, dividends, reductions of capital, financial assistance, gearing issues, and reform options in these areas. 2. Legal issues arising in relation to secured and unsecured debt, including analysis of contractual techniques for the protection of creditors such as covenants, set-off, guarantees and other credit protection. 3. Analysis of proprietary techniques for the protection of creditors, including the different forms of security, priority between different creditors, re-characterisation issues and the reform of this area of the law. 4. Legal issues arising from the transfer of debt, and from debt structures involving multiple lenders such as bond issues and syndicated loans. 5. Public distributions including choice of market issues, the role of institutional investors, the structure and regulation of public offers and listing, enforcement of the listing rules and civil liability for defective prospectuses. 6. The ongoing regulation of the capital markets including disclosure issues, insider dealing and market abuse. 7. Takeovers including the regulation of takeovers, the duties of the target board, equality of treatment of shareholders, the rationales for takeovers, and a comparison with schemes of arrangement. 8. The use of private equity in corporate finance. 9. The role of corporate governance in corporate finance.

The limited company is a hugely popular business vehicle, and the primary reason for this is its ability to act as a successful vehicle for raising business finance and diversifying financial risk. All companies need to raise money in order to function successfully. It is these "money matters" which are at the heart of corporate law, and an understanding of the ways in which companies can raise money, and the manner in which their money-raising activities are regulated, is central to an understanding of how companies function. The aims of the course are (a) to explain the complex statutory provisions governing the issue and marketing of corporate securities, against the background of business transactions; (b) to explore the fundamental legal propositions around which corporate finance transactions are usually organised and (c) to examine the means by which money is raised by borrowing and quasi-debt and different methods of securing debt obligations. Technical issues will therefore be placed in their economic and business context. There is a strong emphasis on the policy issues underlying the legal rules. The course focuses on the forms of corporate finance and on the structure and regulation of capital markets. The course also examines the attributes of the main types of securities issued by companies and the legal doctrines which are designed to resolve the conflicts of interests between shareholders and creditors. Consideration is given to the EU directives affecting the financial markets, especially the manner in which they have been implemented into English law. Many of the issues arising are of international importance and the course examines the harmonisation of these matters within the EU.

This course will be of interest to any student wishing to develop a knowledge of corporate law, as well as to those who are corporate finance specialists. No prior knowledge of the subject is required, nor is it necessary to have studied company law, though this will be of significant advantage. Those with no knowledge of company law will need to do some additional background reading prior to the start of seminars, and advice can be given on this issue. MJur students are welcome, especially if they have prior knowledge of corporate finance in their own jurisdictions, but they must be prepared to engage with the case law and with UK statutes where appropriate.

The teaching group comprises Professor Paul Davies, Professor L Gullifer, Mr C Hare, Professor J Payne and Mr J Prassl. The teaching consists of lectures and seminars in Michaelmas and Hilary terms, and four tutorials spread across the year. The tutorials will be arranged in the seminars. Corporate finance practitioners will also give guest lectures throughout the year.

The main areas studied are: 1. Equity financing including the legal nature of shares, minimum capital requirements, payment for shares, raising additional capital, dividends, reductions of capital, financial assistance, gearing issues, and reform options in these areas. 2. Legal issues arising in relation to secured and unsecured debt, including analysis of contractual techniques for the protection of creditors such as covenants, set-off, guarantees and other credit protection. 3. Analysis of proprietary techniques for the protection of creditors, including the different forms of security, priority between different creditors, re-characterisation issues and the reform of this area of the law. 4. Legal issues arising from the transfer of debt, and from debt structures involving multiple lenders such as bond issues and syndicated loans. 5. Public distributions including choice of market issues, the role of institutional investors, the structure and regulation of public offers and listing, enforcement of the listing rules and civil liability for defective prospectuses. 6. The ongoing regulation of the capital markets including disclosure issues, insider dealing and market abuse. 7. Takeovers including the regulation of takeovers, the duties of the target board, equality of treatment of shareholders, the rationales for takeovers, and a comparison with schemes of arrangement. 8. The use of private equity in corporate finance. 9. The role of corporate governance in corporate finance.

Our taught postgraduate programme, designed to serve outstanding law students from common-law backgrounds

Corporate insolvency gives rise to a number of fascinating and complex questions. Which assets can be claimed by the company’s creditors? What should be done with them? How should the proceeds raised be distributed amongst the creditors? How should those responsible for the company’s losses be dealt with? In addition, many interesting questions from other areas of law (particularly property law) come to be raised and explored in the context of insolvency. The course seeks to develop an understanding of the ways these issues are resolved by the current law. Students will also be expected to analyse and evaluate the law, and consideration will be paid to the business context in which insolvency disputes arise.

The course begins with an overview of the functions of insolvency procedures. It then examines, in the context of winding-up, the relationship between insolvency law and the general law of property and obligation, and the extent to which insolvency law interferes with rights accrued under the general law, and examines the rationality of the legal principles underlying the rules relating to the treatment of claims and the distribution of assets in winding up. The course then turns to consider procedures that are capable of securing the continuation of viable businesses, often referred to as “corporate rescue”. The most significant of these is the administration procedure, but administrative receivership, which it is gradually replacing, is also still of some practical importance. They raise interesting and complex questions about the allocation of decision-making power, and the mechanisms for ensuring the accountability of decision-makers. More informal procedures, in particular schemes of arrangement, are also considered. Company law also has a role to play in relation to insolvent companies, raising in particular such questions as the liability of a parent for the debts of its subsidiary and the responsibilities of directors under general law and under insolvency legislation. Lastly, the issues discussed throughout the course are considered in a comparative context, and the problem of cross-border insolvency, particularly in the context of the EC Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings, is examined.

No prior knowledge of the subject is required, nor is it necessary to have studied company law, though this is of some advantage. MJur students are welcome, especially if they have prior knowledge of corporate insolvency in their own jurisdictions, but they must be prepared to engage with the case law and with UK statutes where appropriate. The teaching group comprises Professor J Armour, Professor L Gullifer, Professor J Payne, Professor G Moss and Professor H Eidenmueller. The teaching consists of a combination of lectures and seminars. Guest lectures by visiting academics and practitioners may also be given at various points. Revision tutorials will be arranged in the seminars.

Our taught postgraduate programme, designed to serve outstanding law students from civil law backgrounds.

Corporate insolvency gives rise to a number of fascinating and complex questions. Which assets can be claimed by the company’s creditors? What should be done with them? How should the proceeds raised be distributed amongst the creditors? How should those responsible for the company’s losses be dealt with? In addition, many interesting questions from other areas of law (particularly property law) come to be raised and explored in the context of insolvency. The course seeks to develop an understanding of the ways these issues are resolved by the current law. Students will also be expected to analyse and evaluate the law, and consideration will be paid to the business context in which insolvency disputes arise.

The course begins with an overview of the functions of insolvency procedures. It then examines, in the context of winding-up, the relationship between insolvency law and the general law of property and obligation, and the extent to which insolvency law interferes with rights accrued under the general law, and examines the rationality of the legal principles underlying the rules relating to the treatment of claims and the distribution of assets in winding up. The course then turns to consider procedures that are capable of securing the continuation of viable businesses, often referred to as “corporate rescue”. The most significant of these is the administration procedure, but administrative receivership, which it is gradually replacing, is also still of some practical importance. They raise interesting and complex questions about the allocation of decision-making power, and the mechanisms for ensuring the accountability of decision-makers. More informal procedures, in particular schemes of arrangement, are also considered. Company law also has a role to play in relation to insolvent companies, raising in particular such questions as the liability of a parent for the debts of its subsidiary and the responsibilities of directors under general law and under insolvency legislation. Lastly, the issues discussed throughout the course are considered in a comparative context, and the problem of cross-border insolvency, particularly in the context of the EC Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings, is examined.

No prior knowledge of the subject is required, nor is it necessary to have studied company law, though this is of some advantage. MJur students are welcome, especially if they have prior knowledge of corporate insolvency in their own jurisdictions, but they must be prepared to engage with the case law and with UK statutes where appropriate. The teaching group comprises Professor J Armour, Professor L Gullifer, Professor J Payne, Professor G Moss and Professor H Eidenmueller. The teaching consists of a combination of lectures and seminars. Guest lectures by visiting academics and practitioners may also be given at various points. Revision tutorials will be arranged in the seminars.

Corporate insolvency gives rise to a number of fascinating and complex questions. Which assets can be claimed by the company’s creditors? What should be done with them? How should the proceeds raised be distributed amongst the creditors? How should those responsible for the company’s losses be dealt with? In addition, many interesting questions from other areas of law (particularly property law) come to be raised and explored in the context of insolvency. The course seeks to develop an understanding of the ways these issues are resolved by the current law. Students will also be expected to analyse and evaluate the law, and consideration will be paid to the business context in which insolvency disputes arise.

The course begins with an overview of the functions of insolvency procedures. It then examines, in the context of winding-up, the relationship between insolvency law and the general law of property and obligation, and the extent to which insolvency law interferes with rights accrued under the general law, and examines the rationality of the legal principles underlying the rules relating to the treatment of claims and the distribution of assets in winding up. The course then turns to consider procedures that are capable of securing the continuation of viable businesses, often referred to as “corporate rescue”. The most significant of these is the administration procedure, but administrative receivership, which it is gradually replacing, is also still of some practical importance. They raise interesting and complex questions about the allocation of decision-making power, and the mechanisms for ensuring the accountability of decision-makers. More informal procedures, in particular schemes of arrangement, are also considered. Company law also has a role to play in relation to insolvent companies, raising in particular such questions as the liability of a parent for the debts of its subsidiary and the responsibilities of directors under general law and under insolvency legislation. Lastly, the issues discussed throughout the course are considered in a comparative context, and the problem of cross-border insolvency, particularly in the context of the EC Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings, is examined.

No prior knowledge of the subject is required, nor is it necessary to have studied company law, though this is of some advantage. MJur students are welcome, especially if they have prior knowledge of corporate insolvency in their own jurisdictions, but they must be prepared to engage with the case law and with UK statutes where appropriate. The teaching group comprises Professor J Armour, Professor L Gullifer, Professor J Payne, Professor G Moss and Professor H Eidenmueller. The teaching consists of a combination of lectures and seminars. Guest lectures by visiting academics and practitioners may also be given at various points. Revision tutorials will be arranged in the seminars.