The corporate law landscape is undergoing rapid change, making it essential for corporate lawyers to keep up to date. Our webinars are based on extensive research with practitioners, ensuring that they cover both new legislation and offer you top tips on the issues you address every day.
It is expected that the FCA will start work in 2013. It will regulate conduct in retail, wholesale, financial markets and the infrastructure that supports these. Our March webinar will examine its powers and
the likely consequences for the regulatory regime.
The UK Listing Regime underwent significant changes on 1 October 2012 with further amendments to the sponsor regime coming in on 31 December 2012. Our January webinar will analyse the new rules and examine their impact.
Forthcoming Webinars
Here is the schedule of forthcoming webinars for this practice area.
On Demand Webinars
Here is a list of previously broadcast webinars that are now available on demand.
6th Jun 2012 15:30
Financing alternatives for private companies
In an age of austerity and an uncertain financial future, private companies are increasingly looking toward alternative methods of finance. This can minimise risk, shield a business from the full effects of a volatile economic market and prevent a company from collapsing altogether. With dire consequences being an increasingly real possibility, it is essential to explore alternative avenues for finance.
This highly relevant webinar will assess the financing alternatives, which could provide the maximum long-term benefits and minimum risks for private companies, whilst analysing the key trends in case law.
This webinar will cover:
- Why are financing alternatives required?
- Financing alternatives: Traditional and alternative sources
- Additional financing sources for larger structures
o Tapping into the US loan market
o Combining US loan (senior) with European Mezz
o High yield offering
o Yankee bond offering
o US private placement
- Additional structuring techniques
o Amend and extend
o Forward start facilities
o Combining bank and bond
25th Jun 2012 15:30
Corporate governance developments
Following the Davies Review of diversity in the boardroom and the consultation paper of the Financial Reporting Council, due to be implemented in October 2012, the landscape of corporate governance appears to be shifting. This fully interactive webinar will assess the practical application of the Code, whilst analysing the EU approach to the corporate governance framework.
This webinar will cover:
• Diversity and board selection including Davies Review and 2012 changes to Governance Code
• The EU approach to the corporate governance framework
• Comply or explain
• Applying the Code, board effectiveness and shareholder engagement
• Board evaluation
• Director remuneration – BIS proposals
• Risk and audit committees including FRC proposals and Sharman Review
14th Sep 2012 15:30
The Takeover Code - how are the changes working?
This webinar will cover:
• What were the key changes?
• How are they working in practice?
• Schemes of arrangement or contractual offer- what approach is the market now adopting?
• Have they made a difference to bid activity?
• Impact on private equity bidders
• International perception of UK as a market for implementing takeovers
22nd Oct 2012 15:30
Competition compliance - key areas of concern for directors
This webinar will cover:
• Why does compliance matter?
- Fines and sanctions – general
- Directors’ disqualification orders
- Benefits of compliance – leniency and mitigation
• Substantive competition law issues
- Hard core breaches of competition law
- Effects-based concerns
- Merger control
- Particular issues for SMEs
• How to achieve compliance
- How to structure an effective competition law compliance programme
*OFT Key Drivers of Compliance
*Mechanisms for training / minimising compliance risk
*Dawn raid preparation
-How directors can minimise personal risk
23rd Nov 2012 15:30
Financial services regulation update for corporate lawyers
The FSA will restructure in 2013, creating two new supervisory organisations: the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority. It is widely expected that this redistribution of control will lead to a system of more intensive regulation and increasingly stringent standards for companies. It is therefore of vital importance that you understand the practical implications that these changes will have.
Our panel of expert speakers will discuss the potential implications of the restructuring for AIM companies, whilst analysing the latest developments in market abuse and insider trading.
This webinar will cover:
• What impact will the restructuring of the FSA have on listed companies?
• Is there a peripheral impact on AIM companies?
• Market abuse and insider trading
- Prosecutions
- PDMRs
• How is the FCA proceeding? Is there a greater emphasis on enforcement?
• AIFMD Update
28th Jan 2013 15:30
Investigating changes to the Listing Rules
The Financial Services Authority introduced major changes to the UK Listing Regime on 1 October 2012. The changes came into force unexpectedly with the proposals only being announced on 28 September. Furthermore at the same time they published plans to change the sponsor regime which came into effect on 31st December 2012. Shortly after, the FSA also issued a consultation paper CP12/25 outlining plans for further reforms.
With a barrage of changes to the Listing Regime, it is essential to be fully up to date on the new rules and forthcoming proposals
This webinar will cover:
• 1 October 2012 changes to the Listing Rules
- changes to the sponsor regime
- reverse takeovers
- class / related party transactions
- restrictions for externally managed companies
• Consultation on enhancing the effectiveness of the regime:
- additional requirements for premium listed issuers with a controlling shareholder
- changes to the application of the Listing Principles
- modifications to the free float rules
- changes to continuing obligations
• UKLA guidance on the Rules
28th Feb 2013 15:30
IPOs – recent developments in law and practice
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has recently published a Consultation Paper CP12/25 which proposes changes to the Listing Rules. It aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Listing Regime and sets out the FSA’s feedback to an earlier Consultation CP12/2. The recommendations include changes relating to eligibility requirements on a Premium Listing, additional requirements where a premium listed issuer has a controlling shareholder and clarification of the free float rules.
This webinar will examine the likely impact of these proposals and offer you an update on other recent developments affecting IPOs.
This webinar will cover:
• De-risking the IPO process
• Impact of recent changes to the Prospectus Rules
• Retail offers – using intermediaries (e.g. Direct Line) and direct retail offers (e.g. Superdry)
• Overseas elements, particularly the inclusion of US investors under 144a v. 4(2)
• Use of standard listings v. premium
• Overseas companies listing in London
• CP 12 / 25 and its’ impact
22nd Mar 2013 15:30
Reviewing the new FSA structure following the abolition of the FSA
It is expected that the FSA will cease to exist on 1st April 2013. It will be replaced by two new regulators: the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA’s strategic objective will be to protect and enhance confidence in the UK financial system. It will aim to do so by securing appropriate protection for consumers, promoting efficiency and choice in the market and protecting and enhancing the integrity of the UK financial system. In order to achieve these aims it will receive new powers from the Financial Services Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
This interactive webinar will examine the new powers the FCA will have and discuss what consequences they will have for the regulatory landscape.
This webinar will cover:
• The FCA’s new powers and objectives
• Will there be a change of regulatory approach as a result?
• The FCA’s role as a markets regulator
• The importance of governance to the FCA
• Applying for suspension or discontinuance
• Disciplining sponsors, primary information providers
• Changes to the listed company enforcement process
• Clarifying the meaning of being knowingly concerned in a breach of the listing rules
24th May 2013 15:30
Private equity developments
In order to encourage economic growth through new enterprises and entrepreneurship, the Government introduced the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) in April 2012. It offers tax efficient benefits to venture capitalists who invest in small and early stage start-up businesses in the UK. The relief includes an exemption from Capital Gains Tax when SEIS shares are disposed of. However the conditions for qualifying for this scheme are complex for both investors and investee companies.
Our eminent speakers will offer you practical guidance on how to take full advantage of this new scheme.
This webinar will cover:
• Government and regulatory update
- new Seed Enterprise investment Scheme
- new rules for Venture Capital Trusts
• Market developments including recent buy outs and exits
• Advising clients on alternatives to traditional debt finance facilities
