The European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 2004

These Regulations came into force on 8th October 2004 and provide for the creation of a new form of public limited liability company, the Societas Europaea (SE), available to commercial bodies with operations in more than one member state.  It can be formed in a number of ways as set out in the Regulation and will be governed by the Regulation and in respect of matters where the Regulation so provides, by the law applying to public limited liability companies of the Member State in which it is (or is proposed) to be registered.  The Regulations also implement the accompanying Directive (European Directive 2001/86/EC) which sets out the employee involvement arrangements that will govern a European Company, covering employee information, consultation and in certain circumstances participation on the board.