The UK's recent vote for Brexit has sparked a fierce debate over the implications for the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the rest of the EU. So far, however, there has been relatively little discussion of the implications of Brexit for legal persons -that is, corporate citizens of the EU, which may also be profoundly affected by consequent changes. The ECJ's 1999 decision in Centros made clear that the freedom of establishment protects the entitlement of corporate persons formed in one EU Member State to carry on their business in another Member State. Since then, many entrepreneurs in continental European countries have chosen to form companies in the UK, while still carrying on their business in their home country. What will the consequences of Brexit be for such companies?
Currently, the Council of the European Union is negotiating the European Commission’s recent proposal on cross-border mobility. This paper provides an overall assessment based on the proposal’s central pillars: freedom of establishment and protection of the interests of creditors, shareholders, and employees. The proposed directive meets a real necessity for regulation on a European level and pursues an ambitious agenda. While the general approach is excellent, there is room for improvement on some issues of importance.
The Mobility Package currently under discussion in the Council will constitute a major breakthrough for cross-border transactions if finally adopted. Although its focus is on enabling companies to make use of the freedom of establishment, some of its core rules address the protection of creditors and minority shareholders. Both groups can be adversely affected by being transferred across borders; a coherent, harmonised regulation of both issues is crucial for ensuring a largely frictionless enforcement of the different legal regimes applicable to the company or companies affected by such a cross-border transaction. This article critically analyses the proposed regulation against this background. It takes into account the developments until the end of 2018.
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