In its decision of 20 July 2018, the Fourth Senate of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court [OLG] ruled as follows: D&O insurance does not cover payments made by a managing director after the company has reached insolvency maturity and for which he is held liable under section 64 German Law on Limited Liability Companies [GmbHG]. The following article shows the consequences of this judgement.
As soon as two parties are domiciled in different countries, the contract should contain terms on applicable law and jurisdiction. Using the example of company acquisitions, the following article examines the risks arising from the absence of such contract terms and outlines what needs to be taken into account when drawing up such agreements.
https://it-landgraf.de/wp-content/uploads/honert_logo_270px.png00Ester Hahnhttps://it-landgraf.de/wp-content/uploads/honert_logo_270px.pngEster Hahn2018-12-20 09:40:582019-09-05 10:53:16JURISDICTION CLAUSES AND APPLICABLE LAW IN BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
If a GmbH [limited liability company] share is to be redeemed against the will of the person concerned, it is necessary to set an important course already in statutes but also while drawing up a redemption resolution. The BGH [Federal Court of Justice] has found in its decision of 26 June 2018 the nullity of a redemption resolution of 26 June 2000 – the findings made are of considerable importance for the consulting practice beyond the individual case.
On 8 June 2016, the European Union adopted the Directive on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure (the “Privacy Directive”). Even though the implementation of German legislation has not yet been completed, there are already indications of what companies will have to take into account in the future to protect business information.
https://it-landgraf.de/wp-content/uploads/honert_logo_270px.png00Ester Hahnhttps://it-landgraf.de/wp-content/uploads/honert_logo_270px.pngEster Hahn2018-12-20 09:20:142019-09-05 10:02:50NEW REGULATIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF SECRETS
Following the extension of the scope of the review of foreign investments in Germany in July 2017, the German Federal Cabinet [Bundeskabinett] has resolved on another tightening of the scope of investment reviews on December 19, 2018. In addition, an EU-wide legislative procedure in this field is about to be finalized.
https://it-landgraf.de/wp-content/uploads/honert_logo_270px.png00Ester Hahnhttps://it-landgraf.de/wp-content/uploads/honert_logo_270px.pngEster Hahn2018-12-20 09:10:362019-09-05 10:05:53REVIEW OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS: EXPERIENCES SINCE 2017 AND FURTHER TIGHTENING AS OF 2019
On 25 May 2018, the ECOFIN Council, consisting of the Ministers of Economics and Finance, passed the Directive (EU) 2018/822 amending Directive 2011/16/EU on the mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation on relation to reportable cross-border arrangements. This is intended to create an obligation to report potentially aggressive tax-planning arrangements. The directive must be transposed into national law by 31 December 2019. The disclosure obligation will come into force on 1 July 2020.
LIABILITY GAP FOR D&O INSURANCES – ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS REQUIRED!
/in 2018 Q4/by Ester HahnIn its decision of 20 July 2018, the Fourth Senate of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court [OLG] ruled as follows: D&O insurance does not cover payments made by a managing director after the company has reached insolvency maturity and for which he is held liable under section 64 German Law on Limited Liability Companies [GmbHG]. The following article shows the consequences of this judgement.
JURISDICTION CLAUSES AND APPLICABLE LAW IN BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
/in 2018 Q4/by Ester HahnAs soon as two parties are domiciled in different countries, the contract should contain terms on applicable law and jurisdiction. Using the example of company acquisitions, the following article examines the risks arising from the absence of such contract terms and outlines what needs to be taken into account when drawing up such agreements.
REDEMPTION OF GMBH SHARES – BGH PASSES JUDGMENT AFTER 18 YEARS!
/in 2018 Q4/by Ester HahnIf a GmbH [limited liability company] share is to be redeemed against the will of the person concerned, it is necessary to set an important course already in statutes but also while drawing up a redemption resolution. The BGH [Federal Court of Justice] has found in its decision of 26 June 2018 the nullity of a redemption resolution of 26 June 2000 – the findings made are of considerable importance for the consulting practice beyond the individual case.
NEW REGULATIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF SECRETS
/in 2018 Q4/by Ester HahnOn 8 June 2016, the European Union adopted the Directive on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure (the “Privacy Directive”). Even though the implementation of German legislation has not yet been completed, there are already indications of what companies will have to take into account in the future to protect business information.
REVIEW OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS: EXPERIENCES SINCE 2017 AND FURTHER TIGHTENING AS OF 2019
/in 2018 Q4, 2018 Q4/by Ester HahnFollowing the extension of the scope of the review of foreign investments in Germany in July 2017, the German Federal Cabinet [Bundeskabinett] has resolved on another tightening of the scope of investment reviews on December 19, 2018. In addition, an EU-wide legislative procedure in this field is about to be finalized.
PLANNED DUTY OF DISCLOSURE FOR TAX ARRANGEMENTS
/in 2018 Q3/by Ester HahnOn 25 May 2018, the ECOFIN Council, consisting of the Ministers of Economics and Finance, passed the Directive (EU) 2018/822 amending Directive 2011/16/EU on the mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation on relation to reportable cross-border arrangements. This is intended to create an obligation to report potentially aggressive tax-planning arrangements. The directive must be transposed into national law by 31 December 2019. The disclosure obligation will come into force on 1 July 2020.