This volume examines the regulation which applies to private companies in all of their forms, and analyzes their relative merits. Full account is taken of the Companies Act 1989 and the European influence on company law, particularly the development of the European Economic Interest Group. Other subjects covered in the text include the deregulation of private companies, promotion, formation and registration of a company, the company directors, redemption and purchase of shares and financial assistance, transfers and take-overs, taxation, disclosure requirements, the Business Expansion Scheme, private companies in financial difficulties and winding-up procedures.

The seventeenth edition includes the full text of the Financial Services and Markets Acts 2000 and the texts of those statutory instruments made under the 2000 Act that are most relevant to corporate lawyers. The Enterprise Act 2000 ( Part 3 Mergers ), as amended by the Communications Act 2003 , is reproduced in this edition and the amendments made by Part 10      ( Insolvency ) of the 2002 Act have been incorporated into the Insolvency Act 1986. All the statutes have been updated, including the amendments made by the Regulatory Reform ( Removal of 20 Member Limit in Partnerships etc ) Order 2002, the Companies ( Acquisition of Own Shares ) ( Treasury Shares) Regulations 2003 and the Uncertificated Securities (Amendment ) ( Eligible Debt Securities) Regulations 2003.