The Future of Corporate Law: Regulation, Accountability and Resilience

The modern corporate landscape faces several profound challenges, from the climate crisis and digital transformation to shifting geopolitical dynamics. As the role of the corporation in society evolves, the legal frameworks governing it must be rigorously interrogated. The aim of the conference is to explore the extent to which the foundational principles of corporate law must adapt to remain fit for purpose.

Final programme:

Registration 09.30

Coffee/Tea and pastries

Opening remarks 09.50.

First session 10:00 – 11:15

Chair: Dr John Wood

Rethinking Corporate Law Frameworks

· Jonathan Hardman – We Need a New Companies Act

· John Tribe – Looking back to Look ‘Profitably’ Forward: Lord Thring, the Companies
Act 1862, and lessons for the future and a non-Foucauldian Profit Gaze

· Chris Umfreville – The Future of Corporate Law: Regulation, Accountability and
Resilience

Break 11:15 – 11:30

Second session 11:30 –12.45

Chair: Dr Rafael Savva

Sustainability, Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility

· Eoin Jackson – Human Rights Due Diligence and the Evolution of Corporate
Climate Accountability

· Lance Ang – Materiality and the Logic of the Political Economy: A Comparative
Analysis of Sustainability Risk

· Bryan Wang – Proactive Law in corporate compliance: stakeholder engagement &
sustainability reporting

Lunch 12:45-13:45

Provided

Third session 13:45-15:00

Chair: Dr Matt Shillito

Regulation, Compliance and Market Control

· Rafael Savva & Divya Jyoti – Regulating business on combatting modern slavery
across supply chains

· Lorena Carvajal Arenas – The Intersection of Company Law and Contract Law in
the Interest of Sustainability

· Ilaria Zavoli & Oriana Casasola – One Size Fits None: The Architecture of AML
Supervision and the Insolvency Exception

Break – refreshments 15:00-15:15

Final session 15:15-16:30

Chair: Dr Matt Shillito

Accountability, Governance and Corporate Failure

· Angharad James – Restructuring, corporate recidivism and accountability for repeat
failures

· Michael Boland – The ‘No Profit’ and ‘No Conflict’ Duties in Ireland: Time for
Reform?

· John Picton – The ‘Depersonalised’ Incorporated Charity

Closing remarks 16:30

End of conference

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Host or Publisher Lancaster University, School of Law