Seminar | Corporate Finance

Radical changes to British company law
Thursday 5th October 2006
at 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1BE

In association with The Daily Telegraph

SJ Berwin LLP invites senior members of the business community to a Breakfast Forum on the impact of the - now imminent - radical overhaul of company law. We are fielding the opposition team who are arguing the case for changes to the Bill in the House of Commons. It is therefore a unique opportunity for you to say what you think about the proposed changes - and how they will affect your business - before the Bill moves to its final, crucial Report stage in October/November. We want you to influence the way that the arguments are put to Government ministers.  

We are delighted to have received confirmation that Margaret Hodge MP, Minister of State for Industry & the Regions at the Department for Trade & Industry and the Minister responsible for The Companies Bill in the House of Commons, will be speaking at the Forum.  You will therefore have a final opportunity to hear and comment on the genuine disagreements between the parties on issues which are of critical importance to the business community.

We will ask for your views on the draft law, and we are sure that the Government and the Opposition team will be interested to hear your viewpoint. 

Due to the popularity of this event, only clients and alumni of SJ Berwin are able to attend.

Background

Although much of the Companies Bill is welcome and uncontested, there are some key proposals which many senior business people and politicians fear will have an adverse impact on British business.

This Forum will be an interactive session looking at whether the reforms will help or hinder UK business.   We would welcome your views on the impact of these changes and your help in challenging the proposed changes for the good of the whole business community.

The Companies Bill was published in November 2005 following the DTI White Paper setting out the Government's proposals for company law reform in March 2005.   The changes - the first radical overhaul in over a century - will take effect next year.

The Government's stated objectives are to:

• enhance shareholder engagement and a long-term investment culture;
  
• ensure better regulation and a "Think Small First" approach;
  
• make it easier to set up and run a company;
  
• provide flexibility for the future.

Who should attend?

The Bill will have an impact on directors, auditors and shareholders of private, public and quoted companies and therefore this Forum is aimed at senior business people who wish to understand and influence the looming debate on the floor of the House of Commons, due to take place in October/November.

Timetable

08.00             Registration & breakfast
08.25             Welcome by Jonathan Blake
08.30             Introduction from Damian Reece
08.35             Forum commences
10.00             Forum ends - Refreshments

Programme

There are a number of important points of disagreement between the Government and the Opposition

• How will you or your business be affected by these?
  
• Do you agree with the areas on which the Opposition are fighting?
  
• How much should UK business worry about these issues?

There are four main areas to be examined:

• Shareholder rights - institutional voting; disclosure; extended rights for shareholders to sue directors for negligence and other defaults
  
• Directors' responsibilities - clarity of directors' general duties including the impact of any actions on all stakeholders.
  
• Accounting - simplifying the process (auditors liability and certificates; auditors offence and the role of the company secretary)
  
• Protection from intimidation - the implications of the plans for the shareholders register, directors' home addresses and Companies House records.
  

RSVP

Email Suzanne Clark suzanne.clark@sjberwin.com or telephone: 020 7111 5180