Global Securities Litigation Trends

As companies rapidly expand globally and securities markets become increasingly interconnected, multinational companies must prepare for a new era of global securities litigation. As explained in “Developments in Global Securities Litigation,” a white paper prepared by Dechert last year (“White Paper”)1, this sea change is at the forefront of potential risks for multinational companies. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Morrison v. National Australia Bank Ltd. set the stage for the current legal landscape. Morrison extinguished access to U.S. courts for “F-cubed” cases (foreign investors, suing a foreign issuer, trading on foreign exchanges). But since its publication, lower courts have grappled with the scope of its holding and its effects on international law have been far reaching and substantial. This post serves as an update to the above-mentioned White Paper addressing recent developments. In Part I, we describe recent developments in U.S. actions in a post-Morrison world, where courts continue to struggle with the application of Morrison. Part II reviews the more significant updates to shareholder rights’ litigation in the European Union, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Japan. Finally, Part III summarizes key findings, observations, and trends of which issuers should be aware to understand and to best position themselves to actively defend against these developments around the world. Continue Reading "Global Securities… Continue Reading