The opening of the work provides the reader with a critical overview of the European legislative process and regulatory framework in the context of public and private capital-raising activities (equity and debt), trading activities, takeovers of publicly traded companies, and the associated liabilities. The implications of the recent EU Prospectus Regulation and the EU Market Abuse Regulation are discussed, as well as the Transparency Directive, the Takeover Directive and the MiFID regimes. Particular considerations for non-EU issuers are also considered, including the position of the UK following Brexit.

Part II examines the practicalities of planning and conducting the most common types of transactions under the applicable regulation, highlighting the ways in which key issues, concerns and uncertainties are dealt with by experienced professionals. Key elements of the processes of selected EU Member States are discussed throughout, and a useful chart outlines the process involved in passporting a prospectus into different EU Member States. Part II also features a chapter new to this edition, covering the ongoing development of the high yield bond market in Europe.

In Part III, a country-by-country analysis covers specific issues that arise in eleven of the most significant EU Member States (and the United Kingdom) exploring matters of national legislation as well as interpretation and implementation of EU legislation by those EU Member States. The UK chapter considers the implications of Brexit for market players in the United Kingdom and Europe.

This work is an essential resource for all lawyers advising on securities transactions and financial and securities laws, whether for clients based in Europe or for non-EU issuers in Europe.