Company Takeovers

Subject LAWS70042 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

October, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 09-Sep-2015
Teaching Period 07-Oct-2015 to 13-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Jan-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 14-Sep-2015
Census Date 07-Oct-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 04-Dec-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment:

The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.

Prerequisites:

Prior study in company law or appropriate practical experience is required.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

  • The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
  • The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
  • The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
  • The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Mr Rodd Levy

Contact

For more information:

Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 6190
Website: www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters

Subject Overview:

Company takeovers are an integral part of stock markets in Australia and overseas. Their regulation seeks to deal with the often competing objectives of market efficiency and fairness to shareholders. This subject examines the laws and rules in the area, from both a theoretical and a practical point of view and deals with the key legal concepts and steps that occur in a typical takeover bid and takeover defence, illustrated by actual transactions. The lecturer is a practising takeover lawyer, text book author and member of the Takeovers Panel—Australia’s takeover dispute resolution body—which helps ensure that the subject matter is topical and current.

Principal topics include:

  • The Eggleston principles
  • The 20% rule
  • Shareholding disclosures
  • Exempt acquisitions
  • Pre-bid activity
  • Scheme alternative
  • Bidder’s statements
  • Action during the bid
  • Defensive strategies
  • Target’s statements
  • Compulsory acquisition
  • Role of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Takeovers Panel
  • Dispute resolution
  • Compulsory acquisition.
Learning Outcomes:

A student who has successfully completed this subject will:

  • Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the objectives and theory of Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
  • Be able to critically examine, analyse and assess the effectiveness of the present rules in Chapter 6 in achieving the stated objectives of the legislation
  • Be an engaged participant in debate regarding recent developments in this field of law and practice
  • Have a sophisticated appreciation of practical problems and issues that arise in a company takeover and have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse those problems and issues
  • Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding company takeovers to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • Be able demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of takeovers law.
Assessment:

10,000 word research paper (100%) (20 January 2016) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator.

A minimum of 75% attendance is a hurdle requirement.

Prescribed Texts:

Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Details regarding any prescribed texts will be provided prior to the commencement of the subject.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: www.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/LAWS70042/2015
Notes:

This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the website www.law.unimelb.edu.au/masters/courses-and-subjects/subjects/subject-timing-and-format for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.

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