Directors' Duties and Liabilities - What You Need to Know BPP University

Overview

Directors must navigate a complex framework of duties and liabilities, and mistakes can carry serious legal and commercial consequences.

This Directors' Duties and Liabilities - What You Need to Know course at BPP University gives you a practical, up‑to‑date introduction to the responsibilities of a director under the Companies Act 2006 and related legislation, supported by examples that bring the rules to life.

Whether you are stepping into a director role or advising those who do, you’ll leave with the clarity and confidence needed to manage risk and support effective governance.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Identify the different types of directors (executive, non‑executive, de facto and shadow) and understand their corresponding duties and liabilities
• Understand the process for appointing and terminating directors, including changes introduced by ECCTA 2023
• Advise on director ID verification requirements and the related enforcement regime.
• Assess available reliefs from liability for directors
• Recognise directors’ duties under other key statutes, including bribery, health and safety and environmental legislation
• Understand the process and legal requirements for effective board meetings and informal decision‑making
• Explain directors’ personal liabilities for wrongful and fraudulent trading under the Insolvency Act 1986
• Identify conflicts of interest and duties relating to proposed transactions with the company
• Recognise risks and consequences under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986
• Apply practical action points for newly appointed directors to ensure compliance and good governance