' … a thorough, reflective and open account of the benefits, drawbacks and practical utility of the European company … readily accessible to busy practitioners who wish to obtain an overview of the issues surrounding the European company while at the same time affording detailed analysis to those who wish to learn more.' The Journal of Business Law

The European company ('SE') is a legal entity offering a European perspective for businesses, which became a reality on 8 October 2004. Its purpose is to allow businesses that wish to extend their activities beyond their home Member State to operate throughout the EU on the basis of a single set of rules and a unified management system. This book explains how to set up and organise a European company, and sets out the text of the relevant EC instruments that serve as its legal basis, as well as the national implementing legislation. It is essential for businesses and their advisers to understand the implementing legislation of the relevant Member States in deciding where to establish an SE. This book provides comprehensive coverage of such legislation in all Member States of the European Economic Area which have, as at 1 July 2005, implemented the Regulation containing the SE statute and the Directive on employee involvement in the SE.

List of contributors
Preface Dirk Van Gerven, NautaDutilh
Part I. The European Legal Framework: 1. The Societas Europaea: a new opportunity? Paul Storm, NautaDutilh
2. Provisions of Community law applicable to the Societas Europaea Dirk Van Gerven, NautaDutilh
3. European involvement: rights and obligations Philippe François and Julien Hick, NautaDutilh
4. International tax aspects of the Societas Europaea Roderik Bouwman and Jan Werbrouck, NautaDutilh
Part II. Application in each Member State: National Reports for EU Member States
5. Austria Andreas Hable and Horst Lukanec, Binder Grösswang Rechtsanwälte
6. Belgium Dirk Van Gerven and Elke Janssens, NautaDutilh
7. Denmark Vagn Thorup, Nikolaj Hansen, Claus Juel Hansen and Arne Ottosen, Kromann Reumert
8. Finland Berndt Heikel and Johan Nybergh, Hannes Snellman
9. Germany Wilhelm Haarmann and Clemens Philipp Schindler, Haarmann Hemmelrath
10. The Netherlands Marianne de Waard, Frits Oldenburg and Paul Storm, NautaDutilh
11. Estonia Sven Papp and Maarja Oviir-Neivelt, Raidla & Partners
12. Hungary Jacques de Servigny, Gide Loyrette Nouel
13. Lithuania Zilvinas Kvietkus, Mindaugas Civilka, Norcous & Partners
14. Poland Agnieszka Szydlik, Jacek Bondarewski, Magdalena Moczulska, Malgorzata Kozak, Michal Bernat and Morvan Le Berre, Wardynski & Partners
15. Slovak Republic Katarina Cechová, Michaela Jurková and Cechová Rakovsky
16. Sweden Klaes Edhall, Anne Rutberg, Helena Rempler, Annika Andersson, Anna-Karin Liljeholm and Kerstin Kamp-Wigforss, Mannheimer Swartling
17. United Kingdom Nigel Boardman, Slaughter & May
National reports for EEA Member States: 18. Iceland Thorunn Gudmundsdottir, Thorunn Gudmundsdottir Lex Law Office
Part III. Annexes: Annex Ia. Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of 8 October 2001 on the Statute for a European Company (SE)
Annex Ib. Public limited-liability companies referred to in Article 2(1) of the Regulation
Annex Ic. Public and private limited-liability companies referred to in Article 2(2) of the Regulation
Annex II. Council Directive 2001/86/EC of 8 October 2001 supplementing the Statute for a European company with regard to the involvement of employees
Annex III. List of national laws implementing the Regulation and the Directive.

Subject Areas: Company law [LNCD], Commercial law [LNCB], Laws of Specific jurisdictions [LN], Comparative law [LAM], Business & management [KJ]