Module overview
In an age of globalisation, significant trade is carried on across borders with the result that, when businesses collapse or require restructuring (because of financial difficulties or possibly following takeovers and mergers), there will be a multi-jurisdictional problem. The most pressing concern will be how to manage these cross-border dimensions.
In recent years, the EU has led the way to resolving these problems with innovative cross-border mechanisms to manage insolvencies and restructuring which have attracted world-wide attention. Further, for decades the UK has pioneered a form of restructuring called a scheme of arrangement which also attracts international attention as a method of addressing corporate insolvencies, in particular.
This module will focus on:
- The recast EU Insolvency Regulation, currently Regulation 2015/848, as a pre-eminent form of cross-border insolvency regime;
- The EU Cross-Border Mergers Directive, currently Directive 2017/1132, as an innovative mechanism for cross-border restructuring within the EU; and
- The UK scheme of arrangement under the companies legislation, as an exemplar of a corporate law restructuring mechanism. Many overseas companies have taken advantage of these provisions in recent years.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Communicate effectively knowledge of these cross-border issues and their resolution and present reasoned arguments coherently.
- Critically evaluate legal materials (legislation, soft law, and cases as appropriate), journal articles, Governmental and non-Governmental reports
- Analyse and interpret legal materials, identify key legal principles and issues and, where appropriate, make constructive criticisms and assessment of the main frameworks to manage cross-border restructuring of solvent and insolvent companies, whether through mergers or insolvency proceedings.
- Develop and present written arguments supported by appropriate evidence
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Analyse complex written texts and evaluate differing arguments.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The framework of cross-border mergers, especially corporate group mergers, effected under the Cross-Border Mergers Directive
- The scope, jurisdiction, and application of insolvency framework applicable to cross-border corporate insolvencies governed by EU or Model Law provisions.
- The UK scheme of arrangement under the companies legislation, its scope, effect and impact on contractual rights.
Syllabus
The syllabus will focus on three significant legal mechanisms for addressing cross-border group restructurings which are of great importance in a globalised trading environment:
- The recast EU Insolvency Regulation, currently Regulation 2015/ 848, examining especially the jurisdictional issues which determine the governing jurisdiction and looking in particular at the application of the Regulation to the resolution of cross-border group insolvencies;
- The Cross-Border Merger Directive, especially considering jurisdictional issues focusing on the use of the Directive to enable cross-border group restructuring; and
- The UK scheme of arrangement under the companies legislation with particular reference to the flexible restructuring which is possible by virtue of the binding effect of a scheme of arrangement which can trump contractual rights.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
- 2 hour weekly seminars, with opportunities for individual student presentations on a rota basis which will help you develop your presentation skills. You will receive feedback on your presentation.
Learning activities include:
- Directed and additional reading, as per distributed reading lists reproduced on Blackboard;
- Engagement with media business reports so that you can relate the materials being discussed to contemporary controversies.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 130 |
Teaching | 20 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
Textbooks
Payne (2014). Schemes of Arrangement: Theory, Structure and Operation. CUP.
Moss, Fletcher and Isaacs (2016). The EU Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings 3rd ed (2016). OUP.
Assessment
Formative
Formative assessment description
Class discussionsSummative
Summative assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Open Book Exam | 100% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Open Book Exam | 100% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Open Book Exam | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External