Report on Improving Corporate Governance in Hong Kong

Оригинал на английском языке.
Гонконгский институт лицензированных публичных бухгалтеров
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Авторы: Syren Johnstone и Say H Goo
Обзор текущего состояния (дата издания отчета 15.12.2017) корпоративного права Гонконга, основанного на Ординансе "О компаниях" 2014 года (Hong Kong Companies Ordinance) и Ординансе "О ценных бумагах и фьючерсах" 2003 года (Hong Kong Securities and Futures Ordinance). Исследование недостатков действующего режима и предложения о направлениях развития.

Скачать полную версию оригинала.

Среда, 08 мая 2019

3. Discussion and analysis of jurisdictions studied. 3.1.5 Cost-benefit considerations

Any system of regulatory controls on a market can be considered from various angles according to the standpoint one assumes and the interests that one wishes to prioritize over others. One possibly neutral standpoint is the question of the overall cost/benefit assessment of a regulatory system or any changes proposed to be made to a regulatory system. This certainly includes questions related to CG standards.

Although somewhat dated, estimates (in 2005) of the «adjusted regulatory costs» in terms of the cost of securities regulation per billion dollars of stock market capitalization put Hong Kong and the United States on a roughly equal footing ($73,317 and $83,943, respectively) compared with other jurisdictions - for example, the UK stood at $138,159, Singapore at $95,406). On the basis of those numbers, Hong Kong is doing well, however, the estimate predates a number of significant changes. In Hong Kong, the SFO had only just been introduced and the period since has witnessed a significant growth in the size of the SFC workforce, an increased level of surveillance and enforcement activity of the SFC in part in response to a significant growth of the stock exchange and the composition of companies listed on it. In the UK, the listing function had only been transferred away from the exchange to the UK Listing Authority in May 2000, and a twin peaks model of regulation later came into effect in April 2013. In Singapore, many initiatives have been taken since 2012 that may have increased the regulatory compliance cost. It may also be noted in Mainland China, where there have been many legislative and regulatory changes since 2005, e.g. the Company Law 2014.

As noted, the above figures are somewhat out of date and it is not one of the purposes of the present study to undertake an update of the same. However, the point is that any system of CG operates within a wider regulatory framework such that proposing changes to CG regulation will bring with it a greater or lesser impact on the overall regulatory costs of a system.

The SEC have for a long time been subject to requirements to provide cost-benefit analyses. However, there are different views on the overall utility of the requirement given the delays and costs involved in undertaking the analysis as well as the selection of the appropriate metric used to measure cost-benefit. Whether or not it is correct to regard it as a burdensome obstacle to implementing productive change, rules implemented by the SEC are sometimes challenged on the basis of the analysis the SEC has undertaken. For example, the SEC's Rule 14a-11 that was designed to facilitate the rights of shareholders to nominate directors to a company's board was successfully overturned on this basis, as discussed in Section 3.4 and Appendix III.7.2.

The SFC has in the past year or so been increasingly bringing focus to listed companies- related issues such as the risks posed by corporate fraud and misfeasance, and has cited a figure of HK$200 billion as the cost to market capitalization. This is not merely about the setting or enforcement of CG standards but is very much concerned with the establishment of effective mechanisms that enable the identification and rectification of CG shortcomings.

When considered in terms of cost/benefit to the system, enforcement is resource intensive and ultimately expensive, particularly when assessed against the potential damage already done to the integrity of the market. This is perhaps one reason why regulatory agencies, including the SFC, have increasingly been turning their attention to gatekeeping or ex ante mechanisms, which are systemically more cost effective than enforcement. There are a number of potential gatekeepers. For example, the SEC regards outside directors as gatekeepers that are important links in the preservation of quality information in the market. The SFC has utilized its role as an overseer of intermediaries to increase its regulatory focus on sponsors of new listing applicants as well as the roles performed by financial advisers to listed issuers. A focus of these efforts is the quality of information and management's role in relation to the same.

There are many possible approaches to improving CG standards that are consistent with the protection of shareholders and the integrity of a marketplace. This may involve changes to laws or regulatory requirements that impact on board processes, the transparency, quality and timeliness of information, shareholder involvement, shareholder rights, or any of the other matters discussed in Section 3.1.1 «Thematic topics». An important consideration in any of these alternative approaches must be: what is the likelihood that the change will facilitate the objectives sought (for example, as compared to box-ticking), and what is the overall cost to the system in light of the benefits it is expected to deliver. Certainly, the mere addition of more rules does not, without clear justification, represent taking a step forward.

 

Содержание отчета

Executive summary
Executive Summary I Key Findings
Executive Summary II Summary of Recommendations
Executive Summary III Approach to the Study
Executive Summary IV Abridged Text of the Analysis

1 Introduction to the study and its purposes
Introduction
1.1 Purpose of this Report
1.2 The development of CG in Hong Kong
1.2.1 Domestic drivers
1.2.2 Global drivers
1.3 Structure of this Report
1.3 Structure of this Report
1.3.1 Methodology
1.3.2 Analysis
1.3.3 Recommendations
1.4 Scope and limitations of this Report
1.5 Next steps

2 Methodology
Introduction
2.1 Scope
2.1.1 CG concepts
2.1.2 CG Geographic reach
2.1.3 CG mechanisms
2.2 Work process
2.2.1 Data collection
2.2.2 Initial data organization
2.2.3 Oral evidence
2.2.4 Parity check
2.2.5 Analysis
2.2.6 recommendations

3 Discussion and analysis of jurisdictions studied
Introduction
3.1 Overarching considerations
3.1.1 Thematic topics
3.1.2 Trends in regulating CG standards
3.1.3 The role of culture
3.1.4 The methodology of assessment
3.1.5 Cost-benefit considerations
3.1.6 Maintaining competitiveness
3.1.7 Effectiveness
3.2 Non-locally incorporated companies
3.2.1 Application of local laws and regulations
3.2.2 Cross border enforcement and cooperation
3.3 Information
3.3.1 Legal status of CG disclosures
3.3.2 Disclosure of listing rule compliance
3.3.3 Board evaluation
3.3.4 Audit committee
3.4 Involvement
3.4.1 Shareholder stewardship
3.4.2 Shareholder votes
3.4.3 Remuneration
3.4.4 Changes of control
3.5 Equality
3.5.1 Voting rights generally
3.5.2 Weighted voting rights
3.6 Accountability
3.6.1 Information disclosures generally
3.6.2 Listing rules
3.6.3 Board refreshment
3.6.4 Appointment of independent directors
3.7 Effectiveness
Part A - CG system design
3.7.1 Impact of regulatory design
3.7.2 Policy development agencies
3.7.3 Enforcement agencies
3.7.4 Audits of public companies
3.7.5 Duties of directors
3.7.6 Role of fiduciary law
Part B - Specific actions
3.7.7 Differentiation of CG requirements
3.7.8 Listing regime standards upon entry
Part C - Independent directors
3.7.9 Determination of independence
3.7.10 Requirements relating to INED performance
3.7.12 Empowerment of INEDs - controlling shareholders
Part D - Other items
3.7.13 Whistle-blowing
3.8 Coda

4 Recommendations
Introduction and approach to the recommendations
Part A - The board
4.1 Processes
4.2 Independent directors
4.3 CG standards
Part B - Enforcement
4.4 Shareholders
4.5 CG disclosures
4.6 Regulators
4.7 Ex ante mechanisms
Part C - Architecture and policy
4.8 Architecture
4.9 Policy
4.10 Summary tables

5 Concluding remarks
5.1 The Recommendations
5.2 The Hong Kong market

Юридический перевод с английского и немецкого языка.

Москва.

Перевод с английского и немецкого языка: 400 руб./стр.

Стоимость перевода новых редакций ранее переведенных документов: 300 руб./стр.

Перевод законов: индивидуально (пишите).

Любой перевод документа можно заверить подписью/печатью переводчика без дополнительной оплаты (см. образец заверения).

Image

info@perevodzakonov.ru

Copyright © 2014-2023. Переводчик с английского и немецкого. Москва.
ИП Скляренко К.В., ОГРНИП 319774600389010, адрес: г. Москва, Рязанский проспект, 10с18
Телефон для вопросов и предложений: +7 (985) 870-90-90 (В чат можно писать в любое время).

Политика конфиденциальности и порядок оказания услуг