No Derivative Shareholder Suits in Europe - A Model of Percentage Limits and Collusion

Abstract

We address one of the cardinal puzzles of European corporate law: the lack of derivate shareholder suits. We explain this phenomenon on the basis of percentage limits which require shareholders to hold a minimum amount of shares in order to bring a lawsuit. We show that, under this legal regime, managers will collude with large shareholders by means of settlements or bribes that impose a negative externality on small shareholders. Contrary to conventional agency models, we find that large shareholders do not monitor the management; as a consequence, there is no free riding opportunity for small shareholders.

Keywords: Derivative Shareholder Suits, Percentage Limits, Collusion, Monitoring, Free Riding

JEL Classification: K22, K42, G30