Germany: new corporate governance code - copy in English now available

Earlier this month the Corporate Governance Code Commission published an updated edition of the German Corporate Governance Code: see here. A copy of the new Code is now available in English, together with a press release outlining the changes that have been made: see here.

UK: FRC publishes audit quality assessment practice aid for audit committees

Following requests for further guidance, the Financial Reporting Council has published a practice aid to assist audit committees in their evaluation of audit quality: see here (pdf). Further information is available here and also in the short, accompanying leaflet: see here (pdf).

UK: FRC publishes annual audit inspection report

The Financial Reporting Council has published its annual report on audit quality, based on inspections of 109 private sector audits: see here (pdf). Separate reports for five individual audit firms have also been published: see here. The FRC concludes, on the basis of its inspections, that the quality of audit work is improving although it remains concerned that 33% of the audits inspected required improvements or significant improvements.

IASB consults on revised conceptual framework for financial reporting

The IASB is seeking views on proposed amendments to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting: see here. The exposure draft is available here (pdf) and a summary of the proposed changes is available here (pdf). Further background information is available in the 'basis for conclusions' document published by the IASB to accompany the exposure draft: see here (pdf).

If the proposed amendments are accepted, the revised conceptual framework will, amongst other things, give greater prominence, within its discussion of the objective of financial reporting, to the importance of providing information needed to assess management's stewardship. Another proposed amendment provides additional text as part of the explanation of 'faithful representation', one of the fundamental qualitative characteristics. This new text provides that a faithful representation is one that provides information about the substance of an economic phenomenon instead of merely providing information about its legal form. Changes to the definitions of assets and liabilities are also proposed.

UK: The Queen's Speech - Bank of England Bill proposed

The State Opening of Parliament took place today and the Government's legislative programme was set out in The Queen's Speech: see here. Amongst the proposed Bills is the Bank of England Bill, the purpose of which - according to the accompanying briefing notes - is to further strengthen the governance and accountability of the Bank of England and implement the recommendations of the Warsh Review.

UK: PRA policy statement - the implementation of ring fencing - legal structure, governance and continuity of services

The Prudential Regulation Authority has published a policy statement on the implementation of ring-fencing, dealing with legal structure, governance and continuity of services and facilities: see here (pdf). The policy statement provides feedback on the responses received to Consultation Paper 19/14 published in October 2014, and the amendments that the PRA has made to the draft rules and supervisory statements included in this consultation paper. Updated ‘near final’ versions of the rules and supervisory statements are included in the policy statement. The final rules and supervisory statements are expected next year. The new ring fencing framework is due to come into effect on 1 January 2019.

UK: The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2015

The first commencement regulations for the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 - the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2015 - have been made: see here or here (pdf). Of note is the fact that the Regulations bring into force, today, section 81 and schedule 3 (register of people with significant control) for the purposes of enabling the exercise of any power to make secondary legislation or to prepare and issue guidance. For further information on the 2015 Act, see here.

UK: England and Wales: substantial property transactions and shareholder approval

Judgment was given last week in Granada Group Ltd v The Law Debenture Pension Trust Corporation Plc [2015] EWHC 1499 (Ch). At issue was whether certain arrangements made by Granada in August 2000, to secure the payment of supplementary retirement and death benefits to several of its executive directors, were voidable under section 320 ("Substantial property transactions involving directors, etc") of the Companies Act 1985 (now section 190 of the Companies Act 2006) because the prior approval of the shareholders was not obtained.

The trial judge, Mrs Justice Andrews, held that the arrangements were not voidable under section 320, observing that "[it] seems to me ... that s.320(1)(a) was not intended by Parliament to apply to the rights or interests of the director himself, whatever they may be, when the non-cash asset is held in trust for him by someone other than the company itself, save possibly where the trust arrangement is a "bare trust" or the so-called trustee is really a nominee" (para. [47]).

UK: England and Wales: limited partnerships - certificates of registration - fraud and forgery

Judgment was given last week in Bank of Beirut S.A.L. v HRH Prince Adel El-Hashemite [2015] EWHC 1451 (Ch). This is an important decision concerning the status of the certificate of registration issued by the Registrar in respect of limited partnerships. The trial judge held that such certificates provide conclusive evidence that the partnership has come into existence on the date of registration (as section 8C(4) of the Limited Partnerships Act 1907 provides; section 8C was inserted into the 1907 Act by the Legislative Reform (Limited Partnerships) Order 2009) and that this is unaffected by the fact that registration may have been procured by fraud and forgery.

UK: PRA consultation - 'corporate governance: board responsibilities'

The Prudential Regulation Authority is consulting on a proposed supervisory statement setting out its expectations on key aspects of the board's role and responsibilities: see here (pdf). The supervisory statement will apply to all PRA-regulated firms. It is not intended to be a comprehensive governance guide, but instead sets out the PRA's expectations in the following a reason: setting strategy; culture; risk appetite and risk management; board composition; the roles of executive and non-executive directors; knowledge and experience of non-executive directors; board time and resources; management information and transparency; succession planning; remuneration; subsidiary boards; and board committees.

Gibraltar: Supreme Court considers directors' duties

The Hon. Mr. Justice Jack, sitting in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, gave judgment last month in Compson v FSC, Weal v FSC (Claim No 2015 C No 001 and Claim No 2015 C No 002): see here (pdf). This is an important decision on directors' duties and the operation of section 35(1A) of the Financial Services (Investment and Fiduciary Services) Act 1989, in which the trial judge accepted as relevant the principles on directors' individual and collective responsibility outlined by Jonathan Parker J. and approved by the English Court of Appeal in Baker v Secretary of State of Trade and Industry [2001] BCC 273.

UK: FRC review of the implementation and operation of the audit firm governance code

The Financial Reporting Council has published the results of its review of the implementation and operation of the Audit Firm Governance Code, in a consultation paper published yesterday: see here (pdf). The paper seeks views on a number of proposals and questions, including a change in the stated purpose of the Code.

UK: England and Wales: directors' duties and resignation

Mr Justice Hildyard gave judgment earlier this week in Allfiled UK Ltd v Eltis [2015] EWHC 1300 (Ch). The duties of directors, in particular section 175 ("Duty to avoid conflicts of interest") of the Companies Act 2006, were considered in the context of a claim for interlocutory injunctive relief. Of note is the position, accepted by Mr Justice Hildyard, that "...the rigour of fiduciary accountability may occasionally be abated where resignation has been forced upon the director and he or she has not actively sought to seduce the company's customers or to exploit any opportunity belonging to it" (para. [102]).

UK: England and Wales: challenging alterations to the articles of association

The Court of Appeal gave judgment yesterday in Arbuthnott v Bonnyman [2015] EWCA Civ 536. At first instance, the trial judge dismissed the petition brought by Mr Arbuthnott in which he alleged that the company's affairs had been conducted in a manner unfairly prejudicial to him under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006 (see [2014] EWHC 1410 (Ch)). His petition was based, in part, on an alteration to the company's articles of association. Mr Arbuthnot appealed and, as we learned yesterday, was unsuccessful. The decision is noteworthy because the Chancellor of the High Court, in the leading judgment, provided seven principles, derived from the case law, regarding the circumstances in which alterations to the articles of association may be held invalid (see paras. [90] to [97]).

UK: England and Wales: FCA notices - identification and third party rights

The Court of Appeal gave judgment yesterday in Financial Conduct Authority v Macris [2015] EWCA Civ 490. At issue was whether Mr Macris was identified in certain notices given by the Authority to JPMorgan Chase Bank. Individuals identified in such notices are given certain 'third party' rights under section 393 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Mr Macris was JP Morgan's International Chief Investment Officer and whilst the notices did not name him they were critical of JP Morgan's Chief Investment Office in London and New York.

The Upper Tribunal held that Mr Macris had been identified and was therefore entitled to the rights set out in section 393: see [2014] UKUT B7 (TCC). The Court of Appeal agreed that Mr Macris had been identified, in what is now the leading judgment on section 393.

Canada: securities administrators publish guidance for proxy advisory firms

The Canadian Securities Administrators have adopted National Policy 25-201 Guidance for Proxy Advisory Firms: see here (pdf). The policy document contains recommended practices in respect of conflicts of interest; the determination of vote recommendations; the development of proxy voting guidelines; and communications with clients, market participants, other stakeholders, the media and the public.

Guernsey: consultation - transparency of beneficial ownership of companies

The States of Guernsey has published a consultation paper on the transparency of beneficial ownership of companies in Guernsey: see here (pdf). The key question asked in the paper is whether Guernsey should establish a central register of beneficial ownership information and, if so, who should have access to it.

UK: High Pay Centre calls for reforms to performance related pay

The High Pay Centre has published a report titled No Routine Riches - Reforms to Executive Pay: see here (pdf). The report calls for major reforms to performance related pay for directors, including the abolition of long-term incentive plans (LTIPs). LTIPs have, the report argues, driven up executive pay without a corresponding increase in company performance. Other proposed reforms include: diversifying the membership of remuneration committees; requiring annual bonuses to be paid in cash not shares; and limiting the circumstances in which 'golden hello' payments can be made.

Germany: new edition of corporate governance code published

The Corporate Governance Code Commission has published an updated edition of the German Corporate Governance Code: see here. A copy of the Code, in English, is expected soon.

Update (29 May 2015) - a copy of the new Code, in English, is available here.

Guernsey: The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 - update on transitional provisions

The Guernsey Registry has provided an updated guidance note explaining which of the transitional provisions in the Companies (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2008 will expire on 31 December 2016: see here (pdf). These provisions relate to the company law framework set out in the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, which was commenced in July 2008. The Registry is advising companies formed before July 2008 to review their memorandum and articles of incorporation to ensure that they are consistent with the new framework.

Europe: Bank of England responds to capital markets union green paper

Earlier this year the European Commission published a green paper seeking ideas on how to create a capital markets union: see here. Today the UK's central bank, the Bank of England, published its response and indicated its strong support the Commission's initiative: see here (pdf).

Gibraltar: Private Trust Companies Bill 2015

The Private Trust Companies Bill, which contains a framework for the voluntary registration of private trust companies, was published in the Gibraltar Gazette earlier this month: see here (pdf). The accompanying command paper, with includes a very brief explanatory memorandum, is available here (pdf).

UK: Takeover Panel consultation - dividends paid by an offeree company

The Takeover Panel issued a consultation paper today containing proposed amendments to the Takeover Code in respect of the treatment of dividends paid by an offeree (target) company to its shareholders: see here (pdf).

Ireland: Central Bank consults on governance requirements for investment firms

The Central Bank of Ireland has published a consultation paper setting our proposals for the governance requirements of investment firms: see here (pdf).

Ireland: Companies Act 2014 implementation - commencement Order made

The Companies Act 2014, which contains Ireland's new company law framework, became law last December: see here. The secondary legislation that will bring the new framework into force on 1 June this year - the Companies Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2015 - has now been made and published on the Irish Statute Book website: see here or here (pdf). Further information about the Act and its implementation is available here.

USA: SEC publishes disclosure rules on the relationship between executive pay and company financial performance

The Securities and Exchange Commission has published for consultation proposed rules that will require certain companies to disclose the relationship between executive pay and company financial performance: see here (pdf). A summary of the proposed rules is available here; they will implement section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 2010.

Europe: Joint Committee finds that financial system risks have intensified

The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities has today published its fifth report Risks and Vulnerabilities in the EU Financial System: see here (pdf). The report finds that risks affecting the financial system have not changed in substance but have intensified.

Isle of Man: locus standi to present a winding-up application

A copy of the judgment Wallis v Soberano (case number 21 of 2014), which was delivered in April this year in the High Court (Staff of Government, Appeal Division), has recently been published on the Isle of Man courts website. The court considered, amongst other things, issues of locus standi (legal standing) in respect of the winding-up of companies and limited partnerships. The judgment is noteworthy because the court appears to have recognised the existence of a residual discretion to permit an individual to proceed with a winding-up application in exceptional circumstances where that individual falls outside of the statutory categories of those entitled to make such an application.

UK: FCA publishes policy development update

The Financial Conduct Authority has published a policy development update: see here (pdf). This provides details of its on going work concerning high level standards - many of which relate to governance - and likely publication dates.