This introductory survey course explores the law of business associations primarily from a doctrinal perspective but with some elementary discussion of theoretical scholarship, as well. The topics to be canvassed in the course will include a brief history of the business corporation, theories of the firm, the foundational characteristics of the modern Canadian business corporation, disregard of the corporate entity, the capitalization of corporations, corporate governance, shareholder "voice" and directors' and officers' duties, and shareholders' (and others') remedies. During the initial portion of the course, students will examine alternatives to the corporate form of business association including sole proprietorships, (general) partnerships, limited partnerships, and unlimited companies. The principle goal of the course is to help students develop a basic framework within which to understand and analyze legal issues as they are encountered by lawyers, regulators, and policy makers. In addition, the course should provide the necessary groundwork for more specialized study in corporate finance, securities regulation, mergers & acquisitions, and so on.
This introductory survey course explores the law of business associations primarily from a doctrinal perspective but with some elementary discussion of theoretical scholarship, as well. The topics to be canvassed in the course will include a brief history of the business corporation, theories of the firm, the foundational characteristics of the modern Canadian business corporation, disregard of the corporate entity, the capitalization of corporations, corporate governance, shareholder "voice" and directors' and officers' duties, and shareholders' (and others') remedies. During the initial portion of the course, students will examine alternatives to the corporate form of business association including sole proprietorships, (general) partnerships, limited partnerships, and unlimited companies. The principle goal of the course is to help students develop a basic framework within which to understand and analyze legal issues as they are encountered by lawyers, regulators, and policy makers. In addition, the course should provide the necessary groundwork for more specialized study in corporate finance, securities regulation, mergers & acquisitions, and so on.
