LL301: Corporate Finance Law

Corporate finance law is a key part of any growing business needing to finance its operations and ensure that its structure complies with the legal and regulatory constraints of the region it operates in.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation in corporate finance law covering three components. The first component is an introduction to corporate finance theory, which covers the nature of equity and debt as well as an introduction to how capital markets work and the theories of capital structure and valuation. The second covers the regulation of legal capital, including the relevant core accounting concepts, the regulation of dividends and share buy-backs. The third addresses the issuance of debt and equity, and related aspects of securities regulation such as insider trading and disclosure regulation, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

This highly interactive course allows you to apply the theory to real-world cases from UK and EU law and regulation. You will also draw on the approaches to regulation in other jurisdictions, such as the United States and Germany. By the end of the course you will have a well-rounded understanding of the key function of corporate finance law and its role within an organisation. You will also be familiar with how corporate finance is regulated in the UK and the EU, understanding the interactions between corporate law, finance and the regulation of capital markets.

Prerequisites: An introductory law course, and familiarity with company law would be an advantage. Students with no previous exposure to company law may find it useful to first take LL135 Introduction to Corporate Law and Governance.

Level: 300 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One examination and one essay

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

This course is suitable if you want to become familiar with the principles of corporate finance and its regulation in the UK and the EU. The course will also help you if you want to understand the interactions between corporate law, finance, and the regulation of capital markets. If you are targeting a role in law, corporate finance, private equity, risk management or financial regulation you should consider taking this course. 

• Understand the principles of corporate finance and its regulation in the UK and EU

• Analyse the interaction between corporate law, finance and the regulation of capital markets

• Discuss the relationship between risk and return, and modern portfolio theory

• Understand how capital markets work and the theories of capital structure and valuation

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.