Convergence in Shareholder Law

Mathias M. Siems examines whether the shareholder law of six countries is becoming more similar internationally.

Mathias M. Siems (Author)

9780521876759, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 December 2007

522 pages
22.6 x 16 x 3.7 cm, 0.93 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Siems' book makes an important contribution to the ongoing debate on convergence in corporate governance systems across the world. … close attention to detail … keen awareness … The reasoning is clear and systematic and the arguments carefully balanced … There is much to commend here both to the corporate and the comparative lawyer.' Edinburgh Law Review

On the one hand, it can be argued that the increasing economic and political interdependence of countries has led to the convergence of national legal systems. On the other hand, advocates of the counterhypothesis maintain that this development is both unrealistic and unnecessary. Mathias M. Siems examines the company law of the UK, the USA, Germany, France, Japan and China to see how this issue affects shareholder law. The author subsequently analyses economic and political factors which may or may not lead to convergence, and assesses the extent of this development. Convergence of Shareholder Law not only provides a thorough comparative legal analysis but also shows how company law interconnects with political forces and economic development and helps in evaluating whether harmonisation and shareholder protection should be enhanced.

Introduction
Part I. The Object and Course of the Investigation: 1. Dimensions of convergence in shareholder law
Part II. The Status Quo of Convergence: 2. Legal bases
3. Bases for a shareholder typology
4. The 'Shareholder as Such'
5. The shareholder in the power structure of the company
6. Conclusions of Part II
Part III. Developmental Trends and Patterns: 7. Bases
8. Convergence through congruence
9. Convergence through pressure
10. Future convergences in shareholder law
11. Conclusions of Part III
Part IV. Conclusion: 12. Convergence as a model for the future
13. Summary of principal findings.

Subject Areas: Jurisprudence & general issues [LA]