Controlling the conduct of company directors

Abstract

In recent years, debate has intensified regarding the accountability of large public companies. In particular, the present regulatory regime in the UK has subject to sustained critique, largely as a result of a number of spectacular corporate failures. This thesis focuses on one element of the above debate, namely the particular controls which exist in the UK to regulate the conduct of directors. The present legal and regulatory regime is examined with a view to assessing the adequacy of the present controls. In addition, reforms which have been proposed in order to strengthen the regulation of directors will be evaluated. The focus is on directors, as the regulation of directorial conduct is a first and important step towards regulating corporate activity as a whole.