European Company Law

Faculty of Law

European Company Law

Full course description

The European Company Law course aims to introduce students to the discipline of company law in the European Union, including the efforts to harmonize the company laws of the Member States since the 1970s. European Company Law is a fascinating field of law, albeit complicated against the background of the harmonization efforts. To comprehend the theory of this legal discipline and the practical operation of companies, knowledge of both EU company law and national company laws is required. This course provides a solid foundation to this end.

Course objectives

Students are able to define and understand the principles and fundamental features of company law (including the board of directors, shareholders, capital, mergers, …). They should understand the characteristics of business organizations in general, with a focus on private and public companies.
Students are able to identify, understand and analyse the relevant sources of national and European company law, including how they apply to the cross-border aspects of doing business.
Students understand the close relationship between national company law and EU company law and can analyse the extent to which national company law is influenced by the harmonization efforts of the EU.
Students are able to apply their understanding of national and EU company law to solve legal cases, develop a legal line of argumentation, and draft clauses for the articles of association.
Students are able to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of choosing for different types of companies and governance arrangements.

Prerequisites

None

Recommended prior knowledge
EU institutional law, private law

European Company Law