Corporate and M&A

Roundtable - On 12 December 2018, Stibbe Amsterdam will host its annual roundtable on the developments and key points for listed companies in the preparation of the annual reporting and the general meeting.

Articles - Hoewel de corporate governance verklaring – ook al ten tijde van de omzetting van de Jaarrekeningrichtlijn – werd geacht onderdeel uit te maken van het bestuursverslag, werd de rol van de accountant bij de corporate governance verklaring met de omzetting van de Jaarrekeningrichtlijn niet aangepast aan de gewijzigde rol van de accountant bij (de overige onderdelen van) het bestuursverslag.

Articles - A Royal Decree stipulating some important amendments to the Belgian rules governing public takeover bids was published on 5 October 2018 (the “Royal Decree”). The Royal Decree follows the new Belgian Prospectus Law of 11 July 2018. The amendments at stake relate to, among others, the financing of public takeover bids, the disclosures of transactions during the offer period, the squeeze-out procedure, and the rules applying to companies listed on certain markets (other than regulated markets). This newsletter discusses the implications for listed companies and offeror(s).

Articles - The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 18 September 2017 (the “AML Act”) set up a central register at the Treasury Administration(the “UBO Register[1]”) to which all Belgian companies (and certain other legal entities) have to provide information on their Ultimate Beneficial Owner (“UBO”). A royal decree laying down the terms of access, contents, and timing of the register was published on 14 August (the “Royal Decree”).  The register is operational as of today. The required information must be provided by 31 March 2019. This newsletter discusses the implications for companies.

Special event - On 9 November, before Steven Hijink's inaugural speech at Radboud University, the Business and Law Research Center (OO&R - Onderzoekcentrum Onderneming & Recht) will host a symposium about role of information in decision making in corporate law.

Conference - Stibbe partners are attending the IBA's annual conference in Rome.  

Articles - A Royal Decree was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 5 October 2018 containing, among other things, amendments to the Takeover Decree (Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on takeover bids) and the Squeeze-out Decree (Royal Decree of 27 April 2007 on squeeze-out bids), with a view to updating the said texts.

Seminar - On 7 September 2018, Stibbe in Amsterdam will host a client seminar about remuneration and annual reporting.