Takeovers and Securities Regulation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law; Torts; Legal Theory; Constitutional Law; Administrative Law; Contracts; Property; Corporations Law or in each case their equivalents.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills, and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to providing support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/.

This subject is intended to introduce students to aspects of takeovers and securities regulation including regulation of takeovers under the Corporations Act and other related legislation; statutory regulation of financial services products and providers; regulations of and by the stock exchange; public offerings of securities; and the role of the regulatory authorities in relations to takeovers and securities.

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

• Understand the policy governing regulation of corporate takeovers and the practical application of the statutory provisions;
• Understand the policy governing regulation of financial services products and providers and the practical application of the statutory provisions;
• Understand the policy governing regulation of offerings of securities and the practical application of the statutory provisions;
• Understand the unique role of the ASX in regulation of securities and how the ASX is a regulated participant;
• Understand the role of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in the regulation of these related areas.

• Written work comprising an essay (3,000 words) (worth 40%) due start of Week 6; and
• A final written examination (2 hours plus reading time) (worth 60%).

Australian Corporations Legislation.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• Attitudes towards knowledge that include valuing truth, openness to new ideas and ethics associated with knowledge creation and usage;
• The capacity for close reading and analysis of a range of sources;
• The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
• The capacity to solve problems, including through the collection and evaluation of information;
• The capacity to communicate, both orally and in writing;
• The capacity to plan and manage time;
• The capacity to participate as a member of a team;
• Intercultural sensitivity and understanding.

In addition, on completion of the subject, students should have developed the following skills specific to the discipline of law:

• They should be able to undertake research, and in particular online research, in relation to takeovers and securities regulation;
• They should be able to formulate policy arguments and critically evaluate reform proposals on the basis of policy;
• They should be able to provide advice in relation to takeovers and securities issues;
• They should be able to undertake a number of tasks such as legal writing, case study analysis and problem solving.