Company Law

Course Description

This unit aims to provide information to learners about English Law relating to registered companies including both private and public limited companies. Learners will gain knowledge and understanding about the legal issues affecting companies, the rights and obligations of shareholders and directors and the legal procedures relating to corporation liquidation.

Course Objectives

This unit aims to provide information to learners about English Law relating to registered companies including both private and public limited companies. Learners will gain knowledge and understanding about the legal issues affecting companies, the rights and obligations of shareholders and directors and the legal procedures relating to corporation liquidation.

Key Topics

1. LO1: Understand legal issues affecting companies through the analysis of characteristics, incorporation, functions and regulatory frameworks.
2. LO2: Understand the rights and obligations of directors.
3. LO3: Understand the rights of shareholders and minority shareholders.
4. LO4: Understand the legal procedures relating to corporation liquidation.

Course Outline

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Understand legal issues affecting companies through the analysis of characteristics, incorporation, functions and regulatory frameworks.
2. 1.1 Analyse the characteristics of: o the sole trader o partnership o public and private companies
3. 1.2 Evaluate different functions of EU companies.
4. 1.3 Evaluate regulatory frameworks of incorporation of UK and EU companies.
5. 1.4 Evaluate the articles of association and how these can be enforced.
6. 1.5 Analyse the effect of the corporate veil and how this can be lifted.
7. LO2 Understand the rights and obligations of directors.
8. 2.1 Evaluate the legal nature, roles, powers and liabilities of shareholders and directors towards the company.
9. 2.2 Assess the consequences of a breach in directors’ duties in company law.
10. 2.3 Analyse the directors’ responsibilities to creditors of the company in financial distress.
11. 2.4 Analyse the mechanisms for disqualifications of directors.
12. LO3 Understand the rights of shareholders and minority shareholders.
13. 3.1 Analyse the rights of shareholders in public and private limited companies.
14. 3.2 Explain the rights of members in voting
15. 3.3 Analyse minority shareholder protection.
16. LO4 Understand the legal procedures relating to corporation liquidation.
17. 4.1 Evaluate the role of the auditor.
18. 4.2 Analyse the winding up process and dissolution including powers and duties of the liquidator.
19. 4.3 Assess the priority of creditors in a winding up process.
20. 4.4 Evaluate the role of licensed Insolvency Practitioners.