Bourne on Company Law

Publisher: Routledge

Author: Nicholas Bourne

Price: £26.99

Edition: 5th Edition (July 2010)

ISBN: 978-0-415-56350-5

Buy from Routledge: Click Here

Now in its fifth edition, and coming only two years since the last edition, Bourne on Company Law has been thoroughly updated following the final enactment of the Companies Act 2006.  It aims to carefully examine and guide students "through the way legal rules are applied in this core commercial module".  It largely achieves that aim.

Written by an experienced academic, Bourne on Company Law is split into twenty-five chapters: introduction; the Salomon principle and the corporate veil; promotion and pre-incorporation contracts; shares and payment of capital; Financial Services Authority - issue of shares to the public; the company's constitution - some vital considerations; the articles of association; the payment of dividends; the maintenance of capital; directors; powers of directors; directors' duties; insider dealing and market abuse; minority protection; company meetings; accounts and returns; auditors and annual return; secretary; debentures and the law of mortgages; receivership; voluntary arrangements and administration; investigations; takeovers, reconstructions and amalgamations; liquidation; and corporate governance.

Each chapter adopts a similar format: firstly, Bourne explains the topic; secondly, he impressively summaries each element; and thirdly, he sets out a list of further reading.  This is an excellent approach as it allows the reader to check their understanding as they work their way through the text.  Bourne on Company Law is largely well-written: the key principles are clearly set out and cross-referenced, where appropriate, to relevant case-law.  An important feature is that Bourne also includes extracts from the Parliamentary reading stages so that readers can understand the background to the discussions which implemented the Companies Act 2006.  Given the size of the Companies Act 2006, this is an important (and invaluable) feature.

For anyone studying company law, Bourne on Company Law is an excellent introductory text.  It explains the law in a clear and engaging way.  While it does not go into a great amount of depth on many legal issues, it does not intend to.  Instead, its aim is to break down the fundamental topics into short and clear sections.  If this is what you are looking for in a company law text, Bourne on Company Law will be an excellent addition to your library.

Reviewed on 22 January 2012

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