Subjects:

Company Law

Contents:

Introduction

Part I. General Issues:
1. Disclosure theory and the limitations of corporate reports

2. The regulatory framework

3. Persons responsible for presenting corporate reports and information

4. Users of corporate reports

5. The Companies Register

Part II. Financial Reporting:
6. Financial reporting

7. International aspects of financial reporting

8. Disclosure in securities markets regulation

Part III. Narrative Reporting:
9. The Operating and Financial Review

10. Social and environmental reporting

11. Corporate reporting and employees

Part IV. A Way Forward:
12. Conclusions - rethinking the disclosure agenda.

The importance of disclosure as a regulatory device in company law is widely recognized. This book explores the disclosure requirements of companies in their reporting activities, and seeks to bring together the main features of the reporting system. The book considers the theoretical basis of the corporate reporting system and describes the regulatory framework for that system.

It explores financial reporting and 'narrative' reporting, highlighting the fact that financial reporting requirements are more substantially developed than narrative reporting requirements - a consequence of the shareholder-centred vision that persists in company law.

The roles of those responsible for providing corporate reports and those entitled to receive such information are examined. The book concludes with some broad suggestions for future development, with particular focus on the need to recognize the relevance of the communicative role of corporate reporting. The use of new technology also presents both challenges and opportunities for improving the regime.