CapLaw-2012-53

Opting-out has been the most discussed topic in Swiss takeover law since its entry into force in 1998. At the core of the debate has been the question as to who should regulate the right to opt-out from the mandatory offer obligation—the civil courts, the Takeover Board or both? On 11 October 2012, the Takeover Board (TOB) issued a decision in the matter Advanced Digital Broadcast Holdings SA (decision 0518/01), whereby the TOB stated that (i) it would review itself whether the introduction of the opting-out prejudices the rights of minority shareholders by examining the votes of these minority shareholders…