The accelerated pace of European financial market integration is posing new challenges for the single market project. The shareholder structure of Europe’s corporations is becoming more diverse and pan-European restructuring is reaching sectors that were considered untouchable pillars of national identity. By whom, how and for what purpose corporate control is exerted has become a European concern.

Two sets of issues have received particular attention. One, low interest rates and  restructuring opportunities have brought new actors to the centre of the European stage – private equity firms, buy-out funds and hedge-funds. Controversial forms of combining sophisticated trading strategies with exercising corporate influence have emerged. The aggressive use of leverage is contentious.

At the same time, dormant barriers to corporate restructuring have been activated by private actors and by Member States. New barriers have been deployed and when unavailable have been called for. In some cases the commitment to the market process has been put in doubt. Corporate control has become the ultimate test of Europe’s willingness to complete its single market.

This conference will gather reputed specialists to assess this scenario, as it presents a unique opportunity to present new research and to evaluate the existing practices and legal solutions. Special attention will be paid to future European regulation as recent European takeover rules are once again under scrutiny and possible interventions on hedge funds and on the one-share/ one-vote principle are being considered by the European institutions.