Directors' Liability and Indemnification

Book excerpt: Directors' liabilities have been a key concern in boardrooms since the various high-profile corporate failures in Europe and the United States over the past two decades, when regulation increased and shareholders' and companies' rights to bring civil claims were extended. The current financial crisis will inevitably bring with it greater risks and challenges for directors. There is an increasingly aggressive environment for civil claims, fuelled by insolvencies, shareholders' pressure and public outcry. The attention of the regulators is also ever more sharply focussed on directors' conduct. directors are understandably looking closely at the protection available to them, through both indemnification and directors' and officers' insurance. The exposures faced by directors and the extent to which indemnification and insurance may provide protection vary significantly around the world. This comprehensive second edition features contributions by leading experts on the important aspects of directors' liability, the protection available to directors and the risks of doing business in multiple jurisdictions. New to the second edition are chapters on China, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. In addition to civil claims and indemnification, each chapter now includes commentary on regulatory and criminal liability. Particular focus is placed on the impact of the credit crisis. There is also a new section dealing with regulatory issues surrounding global directors' and officers' programmes and their ability to provide cover in all intended jurisdictions. Unique in its approach, this forthcoming second edition is a powerful tool in assisting directors, officers, in-house counsel and the private practice laywers advising them to make well-informed judgements about the risks they are taking.