In this business group lecture and discussion, Scott Hopkins, Co-Chair of The British-Japanese Law Association, who is now back with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom after being seconded for two years to The Takeover Panel, looks at takeovers, their beginnings, processes and implications. This will not be a session for lawyers only but will consider all aspects of this fast-changing area of activity, which has implications for many members. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK and The British-Japanese Law Association are in association for this event.

The regulation of takeovers is currently very topical in London, with the Takeover Panel engaged in a wide-ranging review of its rules. The findings are expected at the end of 2010 and February will therefore be a particularly good time to discuss the process. How easy should it be to take over a company and what criteria should be used to decide if a takeover is a ‘good deal’? Is price the determining factor or should the interests of stakeholders such as employees, customers and suppliers be considered?

 

Kraft’s bid for Cadbury earlier this year generated widespread debate among market participants, politicians and the general public as to whether the market for corporate control in the U.K. is being regulated in an efficient and appropriate manner. In Japan, authorities are looking at how bids are regulated and are seeking to balance the desire to increase FDI with the perception that companies should be protected from what the court has called ‘abusive acquirers”. At the same time Canada wonders whether BHP’s proposed acquisition of Potash Corporation would generate a ‘net benefit’ for the country and UK BIS Secretary Vince Cable voices his concern over the influence of ‘short-term money” in UK takeovers.

 

Scott Hopkins is counsel in the London office working principally in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. He recently returned to Skadden, Arps from secondment to the UK Takeover Panel. During his 2 years at the panel, he regulated more than 200 transactions governed by the UK Takeover Code, including BHP Billiton’s hostile offer for Rio Tinto. He is a member of the firm’s Japan Practice Group.

 

A sandwich lunch will be served from 12.00 pm and the lecture will start promptly at 12.30 pm. The event should be concluded by 2.00pm. The cost of attendance will be £12 per head for members of the Japan Society,  of the JCCI and of the BJLA (£18 per head for non-members of any of them).

 

We are grateful to JETRO for kindly hosting this event.

To book your place please contact the Japan Society office on tel: 020 7828 6330 or email: events@japansociety.org.uk

 

In association with:

JETRO / JCCI

This series of lectures is being attributed to the following companies which are committed to a five year programme of support for The Japan Society Schools Education and Outreach programmes: Astellas Pharma Inc, Canon Europe Ltd, Central Japan Railway Company, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Daiichi, Sankyo Co Ltd, Eisai Europe Ltd, Hitachi Europe Ltd, Itochu Europe plc, “K” Line Europe Ltd., Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV, Mitsui & Co Europe Plc, PWC LLP, Swire Charitable Trust, Sumitomo, Corporation Europe Ltd, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd and TEPCO.

 

Entrance cost:

£12 for members of JS/JCCI and those introduced by JETRO
£18 for non members
Deadline for booking,  31st January 2011

 

sandwich lunch  - 12.00 pm
lecture – 12.30pm
end – 2.00pm