INTRODUCTION TO COMPANY LAW

Paul Davies is one of the foremost company law experts and editor of Gower's Principles of Modern Company Law
Concise and stimulating introduction that equips students with the necessary tools to understand the nature and scope of company law
Identifies and examines the key functions and themes underlying the subject
The author sets UK company law within the context of the latest international scholarship

This addition to the renowned Clarendon Law Series offers a concise and stimulating introduction to company law. Professor Davies sets out the five key functions of company law: the creation of separate legal personality for the company; the conferment of limited liability on the company's shareholders; the provision of centralised management; the allocation of control rights over the company; and the creation of transferable shares. However, the purpose of company law is not simply to implement these policies as they all have costs as well as benefits. The role of the law istherefore to maximise the benefits whilst minimising the costs. The author examines these crucial policy choices within the context of the central relationships with which company law deals (or ought to deal). These are the relations between senior management and the shareholders; those between majority and minority shareholders; and those between company controllers (whether managers or shareholders) and non-shareholder stakeholders in the company. This new and comprehensive introductory volumeis an essential resource for all those studying company law.