CORPORATE LAW AND GOVERNANCE

This module will provide an understanding of the major principles of UK Company Law with particular reference to the legal and corporate governance rules imposed on the board of directors, the senior management and advisors. The module examines the nature and formation of companies, their constitution and the role of and legal responsibilities of management including the theoretical and practical issues involved in the direction and control of companies. The module considers agency theory and stakeholder theory upon which the modern UK and US corporate governance models are based. It will also review some of the most spectacular failures of governance mechanisms in recent years which led to the development of codes of best practice and legislation in the UK and the USA respectively. In addition specific criminal laws affecting businesses today will be considered such as The Bribery Act 2010 and the Fraud Act 2006 and the active management required of the issues raised as a consequence of such legislation. Learning is sustained by case studies and problem solving scenarios.