Set out in four sections the book begins by discussing those elements, historical and current, that shape the modern company. This section encompasses the impact of the market, and the origins of modern corporate governance and its current manifestation in Codes. In section two it examines the players who feature in the Codes, and considers other groups that play some role in corporate governance. In the third section the book critically assesses key corporate governance practices such as disclosure and takeovers. In the final section, it sets out proposals for reform, using case studies to explore the impact of the law in practice.