Corporate Governance: On-line resource provides information on the rules across 29 European jurisdictions

National firm Eversheds has this week launched a comprehensive Web-based guide to corporate governance rules across 29 European jurisdictions - which it claims is the only single source of this information in the world.


The on-line database, Directors Law of Europe, is particularly designed for general counsel of companies with a presence in three or more European jurisdictions.


The information provided covers general corporate governance rules in the different countries, as well as specific information on reporting obligations, what constitutes a conflict of interest and breach of fiduciary duty, and laws affecting directors. All reports are available both in English and the language applicable to the jurisdiction.


Eversheds technology lawyer Jonathan Armstrong said: 'We worked out that there were a relatively small number of questions that we kept getting asked by clients a disproportionate number of times in relation to corporate governance. So we have tried to answer the questions for 29 jurisdictions.


'The product will be particularly useful where, for example, a US general counsel may be flying to Europe and meeting several European offices in a week. They will be able to see the relevant law themselves and also provide the same material to the local directors in, for example, Bulgarian - or whatever the relevant language is.'


Eversheds partner Paul Smith added: 'It is now imperative for businesses to be able to navigate a vast labyrinth of multi-venue, multi-faceted law. We designed Directors Law of Europe to be a comprehensive resource which is user-friendly at the same time. It will enable companies all over the world to do business in Europe more cost-effectively and with less risk.'



Meanwhile Eversheds' employment team has developed an on-line service, HR Contract Builder, designed for human resource professionals in large organisations. The service - which will be available 24 hours a day - automates the drafting of employment documents.


It was developed as part of a joint venture with systems provider Business Integrity.