Netherlands – EA Takeovers Cooling-off Period

Netherlands – EA Takeovers Cooling-off Period

On 19 December 2019, NLD EA issued bill on cooling-off in hostile takeovers.

  • Bill submitted to the Lower House, results from the coalition government agreement and follows previous bill on cooling-off period during hostile takeovers.

Details

  • New bill provides for the board of a Dutch listed company to be given a cooling-off period of up to 250 days in order to be able to respond well to a hostile takeover bid.
  • Reflection period can also be used if certain shareholders put pressure on management to change the strategy by, for example, insisting on a split of the company.
  • During the cooling-off period, directors and supervisory directors cannot be suspended or dismissed at a shareholders' meeting at the initiative of the shareholder.
  • Gives management an opportunity to consider interests of the company, stakeholders.
  • Boards wishing to use reflection time require the approval of the supervisory board.
  • Shareholders with an interest of at least 3% can request the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal to terminate the reflection period.