This book provides a wide-ranging overview of the law and regulatory rules applicable to investment in financial instruments. Part 1 introduces the basic principles and structure of the law relating to financial investment. It explains the legal nature of financial instruments, the rationale for regulation and the history and development of the system of regulation in the United Kingdom. It includes an analysis of the main principles and regulatory techniques introduced by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Part 2 examines investments and investors. It explains the legal nature and structure of the main forms of financial investment and examines the legal principles and regulatory rules that are relevant to institutional investment and private investors. Part 3 deals with finance and governance. In essence this part aims to explain the legal mechanisms through which investors supply money to companies seeking investment and the governance techniques that have been developed to allow investors to monitor investments and hold company directors accountable for their actions. Part 4 discusses how markets and market participants operate and are regulated. It examines the nature of financial markets, their regulation and the legal rules that promote "clean" markets. There is also discussion of the role and regulation of the different types of participants who deal in the markets.
