The legal consequences of the shared use of cash and services for publicly held companies in corporate groups

The main purpose of this study is to determine the legal limits and consequences of the shared use of cash and services within corporate groups for publicly held companies' in relation to capital markets legislation. In this respect, the legal limits of transactions which enables sharing cash among group companies with respect to rules on formation and protection of capital of publicly held companies is reviewed within the context of related party transactions and cases which may result in disguised profit distribution is evaluated. Additionally, the use of shared services in corporate groups which provides significant savings and is necessary for developing common strategies is examined in order to determine which principles must be adhered to while charging for these services with regard to the ban on disguised profit distribution. Furthermore, Capital Markets Boards' intervention powers regarding the shared use of cash and services which results in violation of the law is evaluated and the parent company's opportunity of balancing the disadvantages of the subsidiary is assessed for publicly held companies. Finally, legislative amendments have been proposed in order to balance the conflicts of interest which arises where a publicly held company is part of a corporate group.