The College of Law – University of Baghdad discussed a PhD dissertation entitled:
“Conflicts of Interest in the Board of Directors of Joint-Stock Companies: A Comparative Study” by the student Ali Amer Hassan, at the Private Law Department, in the college’s conference hall.
The discussion committee consisted of the following professors:
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Prof. Dr. Aseel Baqer Jasim, Chair
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Prof. Dr. Akram Muhammad Hussein, Member
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Prof. Dr. Ali Matshar Abdul Sahib, Member
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Asst. Prof. Dr. Rabab Hussein Kashkoul, Member
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Asst. Prof. Dr. Andulus Hamid Abdul, Member
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Asst. Prof. Dr. Haifa Mazhar Falhi, Member and Supervisor
The dissertation aimed to focus on conflicts of interest in the decision-making of the board of directors of joint-stock companies, where personal interests may outweigh the interests of the company and its shareholders, emphasizing the need to provide adequate legal protection for the company.
The dissertation consisted of three chapters:
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Chapter One addressed the nature of conflicts of interest in the board of directors of joint-stock companies.
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Chapter Two examined conflicts of interest related to board members’ ownership stakes in the company.
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Chapter Three focused on conflicts of interest in the management of the joint-stock company by the board.
The dissertation concluded with several recommendations, most notably:
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Develop internal and external control systems by forming committees to monitor conflicts of interest, linking these committees to clear procedures and solutions in case of violations.
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Reduce conflicts of interest within the board of directors by requiring a mandatory proportion of independent members and restricting management compensation tied to short-term financial results.
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Benefit from comparative legislation, particularly French and Egyptian laws, in disclosure and transparency, achieving a balance between attracting investors and protecting shareholders.
