A Q&A guide to equity capital markets law in the UK (England and Wales).

The Q&A gives a high-level overview of the main equity markets/exchanges and market activity, the regulatory bodies and legislative framework, and the main requirements for a primary and secondary listing on the main public equity markets/exchanges. The main structures used for IPOs and follow-on equity offerings are covered, together with the advisers involved, and the main documents produced, in a public equity offering. The prospectus/main offering document requirements are included, along with overviews of the disclosure requirements, marketing, bookbuilding and underwriting. The rules on price stabilisation/market manipulation, taxation on issuing/listing publicly traded equity securities, and the continuing obligations on listed companies, are also covered. The restrictions on market abuse/insider dealing, de-listing, and an overview of private equity offerings, are also included along with reform proposals.