The European Private Company (SPE) ― A Critical Analysis of the EU Draft Statute

This book focuses on the Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Statute for a European Private Company (Societas Privata Europaea, SPE), as put forward by the European Commission in the summer of 2008. It adds to the comments already made in the legal literature by dealing with key aspects of the SPE Proposal in an extensive way and by including, where relevant, the amendments adopted by the European Parliament in March 2009. The book contributes to the debate on the characteristics of the SPE and how this legal form can best be implemented within the context of national law. The latter is illustrated by including a Dutch perspective of the various issues dealt with. The practical approach of the various topics addressed in the book makes it useful for practitioners as well as academics. The book analyzes: the need for the SPE, the role of private international law, the main issues related to the formation of the SPE and to its shares, the expulsion and withdrawal of shareholders, the provisions concerning the capital of the SPE, the internal organization, the 'voice' rights of shareholders, the duties and liabilities of the SPE's directors , the issue of employee participation, the transfer of the registered office of the SPE, corporate restructuring mechanisms like transformations, mergers, and divisions.