LAW4168 - Regulation of financial products and markets 406

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

Studies most comprehensive change to regulation of financial markets ever seen in Australia, being implemented over the next 2 years. Considers issues for investors and regulators in hi-tech internationalised markets. Particularly: nature of financial regulation and leading regulatory techniques eg disclosure, licensing, market misconduct, powers of investigation and enforcement. Gives special attention to current problems and developing regulatory policy: market and regulatory convergence; protection of financial consumers; criminal law or informal approaches to regulation, international and comparative national approaches, the role of ethical arguments as justifications for regulation.

Objectives

To study the context of the regulation of financial products and markets, including the institutions and practices of the market. Satisfying this objective will include a visit, where possible, to the trading floor of one of the leading market intermediaries; To develop an understanding of the arguments for financial regulation, the main regulatroy techniques adopted (eg. disclosure, ownership and control, regulation of intermediaries) and the issues of law and policy in the area; To enrich the study of relevant regulatory rules and policy by the introduction of interdisciplinary and comparative material and policy which govern markets in collective investments.

Assessment

Short written reports of market visit: 10%
Prospectus due diligence exercise: 10%
Research essay (3000 words): 40%
Examination (2 hours writing time plus 10 minutes reading time): 40%

Contact hours

Three hours of lectures per week

Prerequisites

LAW4171