The Uncorporation and Corporate Indeterminacy
Larry E. Ribstein (Deceased)
University of Illinois College of Law; PERC - Property and Environment Research Center
U Illinois Law & Economics Research Paper No. LE08-012
University of Illinois Law Review, January 2009
Abstract:
William Carney and George Shepherd argue that Delaware's success in corporate law is a "mystery" when one considers the high transaction costs engendered by the indeterminacy and instability of Delaware law. This paper shows that the mystery is clarified by analyzing Delaware law on "uncorporate" cases - that is, limited partnerships and limited liability companies. In this setting, parties can rely on specific contractual incentive and disciplinary devices rather than on open-ended fiduciary duties. Delaware lawmakers provide substantial coherence by focusing on the parties' contracts. It follows that the problems of Delaware law seem to be mainly a function of the corporation rather than of Delaware lawmakers.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 37
JEL Classification: H77, K10, K20, K22, K41
Accepted Paper Series
Suggested Citation
Ribstein (Deceased), Larry E., The Uncorporation and Corporate Indeterminacy. U Illinois Law & Economics Research Paper No. LE08-012; University of Illinois Law Review, January 2009. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1115876
