The book "Company and Securities Law in New Zealand" is a comprehensive treatise edited by John H. Farrar and Susan Watson. Here is a detailed overview of the book, including its key themes, plot summary, and critical reception:
Key Themes
- Company Law: The book covers various aspects of company law in New Zealand, including the structure and governance of companies, their formation, and dissolution.
- Securities Law: It delves into securities law, focusing on the regulation of securities, insider dealing, and the role of government and quasi-government bodies in this area.
- Takeovers, Mergers, and Amalgamations: The book provides a detailed study of takeovers, mergers, and amalgamations, including the Takeovers Code and the language of takeovers.
- Corporate Governance: It explores corporate governance, including the powers of directors and the role of the Registrar of Companies.
- Regulatory Framework: The book examines the regulatory framework governing corporate and securities law in New Zealand, highlighting the significant role of government and quasi-government bodies.
Plot Summary
The book is structured into several parts, each addressing a specific area of company and securities law:
- Part 6: Securities Law - This section covers the history, policy, context, and detail of securities law in New Zealand, including the 2006 amendments related to insider dealing.
- Part 7: Takeovers, Mergers, and Amalgamations - This part includes a detailed study of the Takeovers Code, the language of takeovers, and short chapters on amalgamations and court-sanctioned arrangements.
- Corporate Governance and Regulation - The book concludes with a useful section on corporate governance and regulation, highlighting the public law interface and the role of governmental powers.
Critical Reception
The critical reception of the book is generally positive, acknowledging its comprehensive and authoritative nature. However, there are some criticisms:
- Scholarship and Objectivity: The reviewer notes that some bold assertions in the introduction might distract practitioners and students from objective enquiry. However, these are seen as relatively infrequent and should be put in context with the immense body of careful scholarship that permeates the book.
- Typos and Organization: There are some typographical errors, particularly in Part 7, which affect footnotes and body text. The reviewer suggests that a larger part on corporate and securities regulation could have usefully brought together Parts 6 and 7.
- Major Milestone in Scholarship: Despite these minor criticisms, the book is recognized as a major milestone in New Zealand company law scholarship, far exceeding the sum of its parts.
Overall, "Company and Securities Law in New Zealand" is a valuable resource for practitioners, students, and scholars of corporate and securities law in New Zealand, providing a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the subject matter.