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Impact of the Takeover Directive on the Takeover Code. Noel Hinton Deputy Director General The Takeover Panel 11 July 2006. Background. Panel established in 1968 Non statutory, self regulation General Principles and Rules 7000 offers.
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Impact of the Takeover Directive on the Takeover Code Noel Hinton Deputy Director General The Takeover Panel 11 July 2006
Background • Panel established in 1968 • Non statutory, self regulation • General Principles and Rules • 7000 offers
Directive Timetable July 1989 Discussions start April 2004 Passed January 2005 DTI Consultation Paper published Panel Explanatory Paper published April 2005 Responses to Papers in July 2005 Draft clauses for legislation tabled November 2005 Draft legislation – Company Law Reform Bill – published Panel Consultation Paper published March 2006 Responses to Panel Consultation Paper in May 2006 Deadline for Implementation
Implementation in the UK – Main Tasks • Impact on the Panel System • Changes to the Code • Articles 9 and 11 • Other Company Law / Regulatory Issues
The Panel’s Objectives • Retain benefits of current system • Speed, flexibility and certainty • Panel’s independence • Everything in the Code • Give all necessary powers to Panel • Preserve Panel system for non-Directive companies
Key Issues - Framework • Primary legislation • Panel “authorised body” with full rule-making power • Directive applies to listed companies (no residency test) • Article 4(2) Joint Jurisdiction • Code still applies to non-Directive companies
Key Issues – Panel Constitution • Independence retained • Continued separation of rule-making and appeal-hearing functions • Maintain nominating bodies and secondment system • New Nomination and Remuneration Committees • Role of Executive unchanged • Compliant with Human Rights legislation
Key Issues – Panel’s Powers and Sanctions • Remedy problem first, sanctions afterwards • Inter-regulator co-operation – Article 4(4) • Information-gathering powers • Compliance and compensation rulings • Other sanctions unchanged
Key Issues – General Principles and Dispensations • Current Code – 10 General Principles • Article 3 – 6 General Principles • Article 4(5) – Derogations “respecting” General Principles • Existing Panel flexibility unaffected
Changes • Introduction • Jurisdiction • General Principles • Employees • Cash confirmation • Frustrating action
Summary • Speed • Panel system essentially unchanged • Panel formalises Committee structure • Same Executive composition • Certainty • Minimise tactical litigation • Flexibility • Article 4(5) – scope for discretion • Same “style” to Code – need to consult Executive
Conclusion • Business as usual?