It is still true to say that the English law encourages couples to marry rather than to live together without the sanction of the marriage ceremony. The parties to a stable relationship outside marriage, however, have recently been granted, both by judicial developments and statutory innovation, legal rights previously associated only with the status of marriage. In particular, reforming legislation has included the cohabiting, but unmarried, couple in certain significantly important improvements to the previously existing legal position of husband and wife. This article provides an overall review of recent developments. Questions relating to the status of children and the rights and duties of the parents, whether married or unmarried, are excluded. The legal position for the unmarried couple is, to a large extent, dictated by the prevailing policy that marriage should be encouraged. The opposing trends—both practical as well as changing moral norms—have not been sufficiently powerful for any substantial policy shift.

It is a trite proposition that company directors normally owe their fiduciary duties and those relating to their standard of care, in their capacity as directors, to the company and to no one else. Thus a violation of any such duty may only be redressed by an action brought by the company itself. This is essentially the so-called “rule in Foss v. Harbottle.” However, to this notion has become attached the principle that “the courts will not interfere with the internal management of companies acting within their powers, and in fact do not have the jurisdiction to do so.” It has therefore become established that where the wrong which has been committed against the company may be excused by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders in general meeting the courts will not, save in exceptional circumstances, interfere.