The Jean Renauld Centre of the Faculty of Law of the Catholic University of Louvain organised an international symposium on 30 November 2007 on the reform of the regulation of takeover bids. The main aspects of the Law of 1 April 2007 and the Royal Decrees of 27 April 2007 transposing Directive 2004/25/EC of 21 April 2004 have been analysed. This book includes the text of the contributions presented during this study day: the issues at stake in the European Directive of 21 April 2004; the scope of the new rules as well as issues of private international law and prospectus; analysis of the takeover procedure; the role of the Board of Directors as well as defensive measures and due diligence; the new rules on mandatory takeover bids; the transitional arrangements in this area; squeeze out and sell out; appeals in relation to takeover bids; the transposition of the Directive in other European countries and ultimately an economic analysis of takeover bids.