Company Takeovers (LAWS70042)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Off Campus
About this subject
Contact information
June
Teaching staff:
Rodd Levy (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | June - Off Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Company takeovers are an integral part of stock markets in Australia and overseas. Their regulation seeks to deal with the often competing objectives of market efficiency and fairness to shareholders. This subject examines the laws and rules in the area, from both a theoretical and a practical point of view and deals with the key legal concepts and steps that occur in a typical takeover bid and takeover defence, illustrated by actual transactions.
The lecturer is a practising takeover lawyer, textbook author and former long-standing member of the Takeovers Panel—Australia’s takeover dispute resolution body—which helps ensure that the subject matter is topical and current.
Indicative list of principal topics:
- The Eggleston principles
- The 20% rule
- Shareholding disclosures
- Exempt acquisitions
- Pre-bid activity
- Scheme alternative
- Bidder’s statements
- Action during the bid
- Defensive strategies
- Target’s statements
- Compulsory acquisition
- Role of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Takeovers Panel
- Dispute resolution
- Compulsory acquisition.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the objectives and theory of Chapter 6 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
- Be able to critically examine, analyse and assess the effectiveness of the present rules in Chapter 6 in achieving the stated objectives of the legislation
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding recent developments in this field of law and practice
- Have a sophisticated appreciation of practical problems and issues that arise in a company takeover and have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse those problems and issues
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding company takeovers to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of takeovers law.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must meet one of the following prerequisite options:
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program and successful completion of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS70107 | Principles of Corporate Law |
May (On Campus - Parkville)
September (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
Previous study of Corporations Law (in a Common Law jurisdiction)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50108 | Mergers, Acquisitions & Capital Markets | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 20 August 2025 | 90% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- June - Off Campus
Principal coordinator Rodd Levy Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 14 May 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 11 June 2025 to 17 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 19 May 2025 Census date 13 June 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 25 July 2025 Assessment period ends 29 August 2025 June contact information
Teaching staff:
Rodd Levy (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Commercial Law Course Master of Laws Course Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law Course Graduate Diploma in Laws - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
(enquiries for current students | enquiries for prospective students).
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025