European and German Company Law
Course Level
intermediate - advanced / 3rd - 4th year
Course Language
English
Course Classification
This is a Themis course. It is also open to non-Themis students.
Teaching Mode
face-to-face teaching
Contact Hours
intensive course
ECTS-credits
5 (if course has been attended regularly and exam has been passed)
Frequency
The course will be held in every winter semester.
Time Schedule and Course Venue
please see our electronic course catalogue
Course Description
In any state companies are essential market players. In the European Union, the rules which govern important types of companies have been gradually harmonized, in some cases – in particular with regard to corporations as opposed to partnerships – to a large extent. In addition, some independent company types have been developed at the European level. At the same time Member States continue to keep their own rules in those areas of company law which are not (or not yet) governed by EU law. For instance, German company law is still partly dominated by rules that are in some respects different from those of other Member States, e.g. with regard to partnerships.
The course mainly aims at offering orientation on EU company law. However, subjects include some orientation on German company law as well.
Active oral participation of students in class will be encouraged. While no special knowledge is required a prior basic understanding of the principles and structures of company law (in particular: corporations) will be very helpful.
The course will cover the following topics:
- European Legislation on National Company Law
- Publicity of Company Data
- Capital Maintenance
- Mergers and Divisions
- Financial Accounting
- European Companies
- Private International Law
- Golden Shares
- German Company Law (Overview)
- The German Public Limited Company (AG)
- The German Private Limited Company (GmbH)
Reading suggestions:
There will be comprehensive presentations available during and after the respective units. For those who wish to consult a textbook in addition you might consider one of the following: Nicola de Luca, European Company Law. Text, cases and materials, Cambridge University Press, 3rd ed. 2026 (most current textbook) or Andrea Vicari, European Company Law, de Gruyter, 2021.
Restricted Enrollment
no (that means that everyone who signs up for this course on time can take part in this course)
Course Registration
Please sign up for this course under the module "Study Program for Exchange Students - Module 1".
registration period: 1 October 2026, 9 a.m. - 30 October 2026 (midnight)
De-Registration from this Course
regular drop period: 1 October 2026, 9 a.m. - 30 October 2026 (midnight)
After the regular drop period you can only drop this course with a valid cause until 14 days prior to the exam. Please contact the International Office at the Law Department if you have to use this option.
Type of Exam
There will be a written final exam with a duration of 120 minutes on 2 December 2026. Details will follow in class.
Registration for the Exam
Students will automatically be registered for the exam when they sign up for this course.
De-Registration from the Exam
Students who drop this course via Campus Management are automatically de-registered from the exam. Students who do not drop this course via Campus Management and do not take the exam, are going to finish this course with a non-passing grade (0 points).
Grade Release