Full Title: Liability of Corporate Groups: Autonomy and control in Parent-Subsidiary Relationships in US, German and EU Law, An International and Comparative Perspective.

Corporation law dates from the 19th century when the growth of business enterprise required a division between the private and the company sphere, making the company a legal person with its own rights, responsibilities and liabilities.

The company was no longer the legal equivalent of its owner but became a separate legal entity, providing a form of legal protection for the owners, employees and the customers. The introduction of company law meant a great step forward for those engaged in big business in Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere.