Securities Law Commons^™

Using State Inspection Statutes For Discovery In Federal Securities Fraud Actions, Randall Thomas, Kenneth J. Martin

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

We propose that plaintiffs in securities fraud actions should use state inspections statutes to obtain discovery about potential securities fraud cases. First, we argue that the Private Securities Law Reform Act has substantially increased shareholders' difficulty in uncovering securities fraud. Next, we show that shareholders have an alternative method of investigating fraud: state inspections statutes. We then analyze cases filed under the Delaware inspection statute to examine the costs to plaintiffs of pursuing claims under this statute. We find that the statutory inspection process is a largely successful, although expensive and time-consuming, process. Nevertheless, potential plaintiffs could realize substantial benefits …

Inefficiency In The Market For Initial Public Offerings, Jonathan A. Shayne, Larry D. Soderquist

Vanderbilt Law Review

The market for initial public offerings ("IPOs") of common stock is inefficient, and this fact is not reflected in securities law. New statistical evidence shows that, on average, companies go public at times when the general stock market is priced 22.7% higher than its normal level, and that underwriters sell IPO stock at a further 12.5% premium to the prevailing, high market. These two figures are based on the long-term performance of IPOs and comparable non-IPO stocks over the period 1970 to 1990, and are consistent with the beliefs of knowledgeable practicing investors.

The value and number of IPOs varies …

The Estonian Securities Market Act: A Lesson For Former Republics Of The Soviet Union, John J.A. Burke

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Article describes and analyzes the Estonian Securities Market Act; the only securities statute presently in effect in Estonia. Before examining the requirements of that law, the Article provides an overview of the development of a securities market in Estonia, including a description of the securities, exchanges, and professionals that comprise the contemporary market. After providing this context, the Article analyzes the Estonian Securities Market Act. The author concludes that Estonia should not adopt complex securities legislation, but rather should "sample" the laws of other states. This process will allow Estonia to tailor a comprehensive regulatory system to the particular …

French & Sec Securities Regulation: The Search For Transparency And Openness In Decisionmaking, Keith D. Nunes, Louis Vogel, Chris X. Linn, Peter C. Kostant

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

In this Article, the authors retrace the history and development of France's securities markets. The authors find that the French markets have become dynamic and diverse in the wake of their modernization. In contrast to the passivity of the United States regulatory regime, the authors demonstrate that the role of French regulators is more aggressive and intrusive. The authors also note that, through directives seeking to coordinate the policies of member states, the European Economic Community serves as the world's leading securities regulator. The authors conclude that French securities laws have been successful in improving disclosure and market efficiency. But …

Judicial Review Of Defensive Tactics In Proxy Contests: When Is Using A Rights Plan Right?, Randall S. Thomas

Vanderbilt Law Review

Proxy contests have reemerged recently as an important part of the market for corporate control. After years of indifference to corporate elections, dissident shareholders have turned once again to the ballot box as a means of removing unwanted management. In a surprisingly large number of these battles, the challengers have succeeded in getting all or much of what they wanted."

The resurgence of proxy contests has sparked renewed interest by incumbent managements in developing powerful new defensive tactics in corporate elections. Incumbents' time-honored campaign strategies, such as switching the annual shareholders' meeting date, or restricting the potential candidates who can …

Loss Compensation In The Japanese Securities Market: Causes, Significance, And Search For A Remedy, Mitsuru Misawa

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Recently, the Japanese securities market has been plagued by scandals in which brokerages have compensated large customers for their losses from trading. Following a brief historical review of loss compensation, Dr. Misawa describes the mechanics of a loss compensation scheme. The author then details how rising interest rates caused the losses to clients that brokerages were compensating.

Loss compensation is illegal in Japan. The law prohibiting it, however, is ambiguous as to whether it applies to voluntary compensation. The author suggests the law should be clarified also to prohibit voluntary compensation. Dr. Misawa further recommends that brokerage commissions be liberalized …

The European Community's Ucits Directive, Patrick J. Paul

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

As the twenty-first century approaches, the world is undergoing massive change. Social, political, and economic barriers are being torn down; new alliances are forming, as are new barriers. Economic stability and supremacy have replaced military supremacy in the hierarchy of a nation's policy objectives. The European Community's move toward a single market exemplifies this policy shift.

This Note focuses on one element of these global changes--internationalization of the securities market. The Note begins with an overview of the international securities market and the reasons for its increased globalization. The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) that, in part, …

Case Digest, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ABROAD BY UNITED STATES PHYSICIAN IN CONNECTION WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE REGULATIONS GOVERNING TORT CLAIMS PROVIDED FOR AN INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE FOLLOWED BY AGENCY DECISION--AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOLDS NO CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS TO EVALUATE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIM ON THE MERITS AND IN ACCORD WITH MINIMAL DUE PROCESS. Tarpeh-Doe v. United States, 904 F.2d719 (D.C. Cir. 1990).

THE FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT DOES NOT CREATE AN IMPLIED PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION THAT KENTUCKY TOBACCO GROWERS COULD USE TO RECOVER DAMAGES FROM COMPANIES THAT ALLEGEDLY ENGAGED IN CORRUPT PRACTICES TO THE DETRIMENT OF GROWERS. THE ACT OF STATE DOCTRINE, HOWEVER, DOES …

Books Received, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Books Received

GOOD FAITH IN ENGLISH LAW

By J.F. O'Connor

Brookfield, Vermont: Dartmouth Publishing Company, 1990. Pp. 148.

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LAW AND ISLAM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Edited by Daisy Hilse Dwyer

New York, New York: Bergin & Garvey, 1990. Pp. 168.

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INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES REGULATION

By Norman S. Poser

Boston, Massachusetts: Little, Brown and Company, 1991. Pp. 799.

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COMPARATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL FEDERALISM

Edited by MarkTushnet

Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1990. Pp. 157.

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ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND U.S. TRADE

By Michael P. Melloy

Boston, Massachusetts: Little, Brown and Company, 1990. Pp. 752.

Securities Arbitration After Mcmahon, Rodriguez, And The New Rules: Can Investors' Rights Really Be Protected?, Perry E. Wallace, Jr.

Vanderbilt Law Review

Securities arbitration' is now ascendant as a favored device for resolving disputes between broker-dealers and their customers, and much of this recent status derives from a series of United States Supreme Court decisions.' Culminating in Shearson/American Express,Inc. v. McMahon and Rodriguez de Quijas v. Shearson/American Ex-press, Inc., these decisions have ended the reign of certain restrictive judicial decisions that previously governed the availability of arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA or Arbitration Act) Accordingly, such developments presage a greatly expanded use of arbitration as a future means of resolving disputes between broker-dealers and customers." Indeed, since the Supreme Court …

Current Rico Policies Of The Department Of Justice, Edward S.G. Dennis, Jr.

Vanderbilt Law Review

In H.J. Inc. v. Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. the United States Supreme Court issued its latest opinion interpreting the reach of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).' The H.J. Inc. decision comes at a time when the RICO statute is at the center of controversy. Those opposed to private treble damages suits particularly attack the statute. The defense bar attacks the use of the statute in white-collar prosecutions, especially in those cases involving securities fraud. If the defense bar has its way in Congress, RICO could not be invoked in cases involving fraud alone. The criminal defense bar …

Icarus And His Waxen Wings: Congress Attempts To Address The Challenges Of Insider Trading In A Globalized Securities Market, John T. Thomas

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Note addresses the globalization of the world financial securities markets and the potential for fraud in these expanded markets. The author considers actual cases of insider trading that have crossed national borders and the enforcement problems such cases raise. The author analyzes the first significant response by the United States Congress to these problems and concludes that the response is inadequate. Congress recognizes the incredible pace of evolution of the world financial markets, but is slow to address this process. The SEC offered serious proposals to Congress--proposals that apparently have bipartisan support--and Congress failed to act on these proposals …

Stock In A Closely Held Corporation:Is It A Security For Uniform Commercial Code Purposes?, Tracy A. Powell

Vanderbilt Law Review

The term security has many applications. No application, however,is more important than when an interest owned or traded is determined to be within the legal definition of security. Security is defined by statutes and applied by many courts for the purposes of federal securities laws and for state blue sky laws. When interpreting the term security for federal securities laws, courts have emphasized the underlying congressional purpose of protecting investors. State courts also have interpreted the term liberally in an effort to protect the public under blue sky laws.'

The definition of security in the Uniform Commercial Code(U.C.C.), however, has …

The Exchange-Trading Requirement Of The Commodity Exchange Act, William L. Stein

Vanderbilt Law Review

The Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) makes it illegal to trade a contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery-a"futures contract"-unless the contract is executed on a federally designated exchange. Despite its long history of trouble-free administration and operation, this central premise of futures regulation recently has been attacked as unworkable and undesirable. Some argue that the requirement discourages commercially useful off-exchange transactions. They claim that even if such transactions fall within the letter of the requirement, off-exchange transactions do not implicate the trading restriction's policy concerns. In contrast, others suggest that off-exchange

transactions threaten the safety …

Swiss Bank Secrecy And United States Efforts To Obtain Information From Swiss Banks, Elliot A. Stultz

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The United States has utilized numerous techniques to penetrate bank secrecy, with varying degrees of success. The United States and Switzerland have signed several agreements relating to bank secrecy and its role in United States criminal investigations. These efforts have allowed United States authorities to obtain normally privileged information in numerous investigations over the past ten years, although some confusion as to what information is available still exists today.

Two recent events have expanded the scope of information available to United States investigators and alleviated some of the confusion. In November 1987 the United States and Switzerland exchanged a Memorandum …

Foreign Securities Offerings In The United States: The Impact Of Sec Clearance Of Denationalized French Stock Issues, John T. Vogel

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

In response to the growing internationalization of financial markets and the internal deregulation of foreign national securities structures, the United States Government, through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or Commission), has entertained suggestions and has implemented measures to facilitate the flow of capital across United States borders. The world financial community has generally applauded these actions, but has nonetheless continued the call for more reform and liberalization of capital markets. The ideas behind the voices of reform have appeal: less federal regulation means more corporate access to international capital, more opportunities for investors, and a more efficient allocation of …

The Supreme Court And The Definition Of "Security": The"Context" Clause, "Investment Contract" Analysis, And Their Ramifications, Marc I. Steinberg, William E. Kaulbach

Vanderbilt Law Review

In two recent decisions' construing the scope of the federal securities acts, the Supreme Court apparently has undertaken to alleviate some of the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the most fundamental question in securities law: the definition of"security" itself. Much of the existing confusion can be traced to earlier decisions of the Court that first implied, and later held,that the regulatory or offering context in which a particular transaction occurs could function to exclude the transaction from cover-age of the securities laws' anti-fraud provisions. This result could follow even though the transaction in question otherwise might satisfy the traditional Howey or …

A Study Of Mexico's Capital Markets And Securities Regulation, Samuel Wolff

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Article will analyze Mexico's capital markets and regulations, primarily from an empirical point of view. The discussion will begin with an overview of the Mexican financial and legal systems to provide a context for the analysis of the market and the law. The essay will then discuss the Mexican securities market, including history, participants and characteristics. Finally, Mexico's Ley del Mercado de Valores ("Securities Market Law") will be analyzed." The objective of the study is to increase understanding of the Mexican market by Mexicans and foreigners alike. The study should be useful to policymakers in Mexico and other developing …

Regulation Of New Financial Instruments Under The Federal Securities And Commodities Laws, David J. Gilberg

Vanderbilt Law Review

In the last few years, "an endless stream of exotic financial instruments conjured by Wall Street wizards" literally has taken the financial community by storm, fundamentally altering market trading practices and pitting institutions against each other in an intense competition for development of still more innovative instruments. These products--which include various types of"swaps," options, forward contracts, and price guarantees--now are being offered to and traded by every major financial institution and multinational corporation in the world, as well as by governments and individuals, and nothing indicates that the unprecedented growth of the markets for such instruments is likely to sub-side …

Public Access To Civil Court Records: A Common Law Approach, Ronald D. May

Vanderbilt Law Review

Courts have long recognized a general common law right of access to courtroom proceedings' and court records. Recently, however, courts have begun to consider whether the first amendment of the Constitution protects this right of access. In 1980 the United States Supreme Court in Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. Virginia held that the press and the public have a first amendment right to attend criminal trials. The Supreme Court found this right implicit in the various clauses of the first amendment. Although the Supreme Court has taken few opportunities since Richmond Newspapers to define precisely the contours of the first amendment …

Secrecy And Blocking Laws: A Growing Problem As The Internationalization Of Securities Markets Continues, Rochelle G. Kauffman

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Note examines the problems recently faced by the SEC in policing securities transactions effected by foreign financial institutions in jurisdictions with secrecy and blocking laws, and it proposes both a short-term solution and a long-term solution to the SEC's enforcement problems. Part II of the Note outlines the problems confronting the SEC, specifically addressing the growing internationalization of securities markets and the effects on United States markets. This section also examines the problems confronting the SEC as a result of secrecy and blocking laws, and it suggests that unless new enforcement procedures are developed, these problems will increase when …

Customer Rights Under The Commodity Exchange Act, Jerry W. Markham, Kyra K. Bergin

Vanderbilt Law Review

This Article reviews customer rights and remedies now available under the CEA. Specifically, part II of this Article explores the scope of transactions covered by the CEA, part III addresses the antifraud provisions of the CEA, and part IV discusses the standard of intent required to prove that fraud has been committed under CEA provisions. Part V of this Article examines the secondary liability of brokerage firms and others for the fraudulent acts of its employees, part VI discusses fiduciary liability under the CEA, and part VII enumerates the various forums available for customer remedies." This Article concludes in part …

The Continuing Puzzle Of Secured Debt, Alan Schwartz

Vanderbilt Law Review

In 1981, I wrote an article showing that no good answer had been given to the question why corporations issue some debt on a secured basis and other debt on an unsecured basis.' This showing had normative implications because claims that the institution of personal property security is efficient or otherwise desirable must be impeached if the actual purposes that security serves are unknown. Consequently, the law's favorable treatment of secured debt-for example, giving it first place in bankruptcy distributions--is without plausible support. My article did not advocate repealing the privileges attached to secured debt, however, because then--current knowledge also …

Rule 10b-5-Application Of The In Pari Delicto Defense In Suits Brought Against Securities Brokers By Customers Who Have Traded On Inside Information, Mark G. Strauch

Vanderbilt Law Review

This Note advocates that courts should permit tipper defendants to assert the in pari delicto defense in private 10b-5 cases against tippee plaintiffs unless one of the first three exceptions to the analytical framework applies. Part II of this Note discusses the purpose and application of the in pari delicto defense and the four situations in which courts have rejected it. Part II also illustrate show courts analyze the in pari delicto defense in contract, anti-trust, and non-10b-5 securities cases. Part III provides a general background on the purpose of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and rule 10b-5, …

Lifting The Cloud Of Uncertainty Over The Repo Market: Characterization Of Repos As Separate Purchases And Sales Of Securities, William F. Hagerty, Iv

Vanderbilt Law Review

In light of the actual and potential financial harm that repo investors faced after failures of several repo market participants,this Note proposes a new legal characterization of repos and argues for adoption of proposed Bankruptcy Code amendments pertaining to repos. Both of these suggestions would give repo investors significant future financial protection without destroying the financially attractive characteristics of repurchase agreements.

Part II of this Note begins laying the foundation for this proposal by discussing current repo market problems that the failures of several repoissiers have exposed.

Part II discusses new policies concerning the appropriate uses of the collateral securities …

Special Project -- Legal Issues Arising From The Mexican Economic Crisis, Robert L. Morgan --, J. Robert Paulson, Jr., Fred A. Frost, Terrence L. Dugan, Cynthia L. Wells, G. Wilson Horde, Iii, Judith B. Anderson

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The economic crisis in Mexico, which profoundly altered the financial and political course of that nation, has also had a significant impact on persons and corporations having business ties to Mexico. Foreign investors and businesses now are required to follow new Mexican rules that often differ dramatically from those previously in effect. The impact of the crisis has not been confined to changes in Mexican law. A substantial number of issues have arisen that will have significant bearing on United States and international law.

The Special Project discusses the changes in the legal environment following the crisis, with its focus …

Case Digest, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

THE UNITED STATES MAY EXERCISE JURISDICTION OVER PERSONSON A "STATELESS" VESSEL WITHOUT SHOWING A NEXUS BETWEEN THE VESSEL AND THE UNITED STATES--United States v. Pinto-Mejia, 720 F.2d 248 (2d Cir. 1983).

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ALIEN RETAINS RIGHT TO DEPORTATION PROCEEDING AFTER RETURNING FROM AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE NOTWITHSTANDING THAT IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE PERMISSION TO DEPART WAS STYLED AS AN "ADVANCE PAROLE"--Joshi v. District Director, Immigration and Naturalization Serv., 720 F.2d 799 (1983).

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NO VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW WHEN EQUIPMENT LOCATED IN UNITED STATES RECORDS TRANSNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS--United States v. Romano, 706 F.2d 370 (2d Cir. 1983).

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UNITED STATES MANUFACTURERS HAVE A CAUSE …

Rulemaking Under Section 14(E) Of The Exchange Act: The Sec Exceeds Its Reach In Attempting To Pull The Plug On Multiple Pro Ration Pools, David J. White

Vanderbilt Law Review

This Recent Development first considers the problems that gave rise to the adoption of revised rule 14d-8, the rationale that three members of the Commission articulated in support of the rule,' and the rationale of the two members who opposed it. The Recent Development then examines two judicial decisions, one that considers the validity of the current tender offer practices under the Williams Act and rule 14d-8'8 and another that analyzes the rule making authority of the SEC under sections 14(e) and 23(a) of the Exchange Act. Relying primarily upon congressional hearings and debates,' the Recent Development next discusses the …

Seller Liability Under Section 12(2) Of The Securities Act Of 1933, Leonard A. Silverstein

Vanderbilt Law Review

This Note discusses which persons courts should deem to be"sellers" under section 12(2) according to their relationships to the challenged transaction. Part II examines the divergent approaches that courts have developed to identify seller status in the absence of legislative history. Part III analyzes the three major approaches and compares the scope of liability under each analysis. Last, part IV concludes that significant differences exist among these approaches and that courts uniformly should adopt a modified version of the proximate cause-substantial factor analysis

...

This part examines each of the three approaches in particular situations and compares the results under …

Swimming Against The Deregulatory Tide, Harry S. Gerla

Vanderbilt Law Review

Increasing pressure from institutional investors during the last two decades has led to indirect discounting practices that some commentators contend threatens the fixed price offering system. In response to this concern the SEC in 1980 approved new NASD rules designed to bar direct or indirect discounting in fixed price public offerings of securities. In this Article Professor Gerla argues that the SEC erred in approving the new NASD rules. Professor Gerla states that the new rules change drastically the Commission's policy that the fixed price system operate without direct or indirect government enforcement. Further, he contends that the SEC approved …