Author: Chima Williams Iheme
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331941836X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 305
Book Description
This book offers a valuable guide to one of the most challenging areas of commercial law, now frequently referred to as secured transactions, with a focus on Nigerian, Canadian and United States perspectives. A debtor’s ability to provide collateral influences not only the cost of the money borrowed, but also in many cases, whether secured lenders are willing to offer credit at all. The book proposes that increasing access to, and indeed, lowering the cost of credit could tremendously boost economic development, while at the same time arguing that this would best be achieved if the legal framework for secured transactions in Nigeria, and of course, any other country with similar experiences, were designed to allow the use of personal property and fixtures to secure credit. Similarly, the creation, priority, perfection, and enforcement of security interests in personal property should be simplified and supported by a framework that ensures that neither the interests of secured lenders nor debtors are hampered, so as to guarantee the continuous availability of affordable credit as well as debtors’ willingness to borrow and do business. The book further argues that in addition to the obvious preference for real property over personal property by secured lenders due to the unreformed secured-transactions legal framework in Nigeria, its compartmentalized nature has also resulted in unpredictability in commerce and the concomitant effects of poor access to credit. Through the comparative research conducted in this book utilizing the UCC Article 9 and Ontario PPSA as benchmarks, the author provides reformers with a repository of tested secured-transactions law solutions, which law reformers in the Commonwealth countries in Africa and beyond, as well as the business community will find valuable in dealing with issues that stem from secured transactions.
Towards Reforming the Legal Framework for Secured Transactions in Nigeria
Author: Chima Williams Iheme
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331941836X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 305
Book Description
This book offers a valuable guide to one of the most challenging areas of commercial law, now frequently referred to as secured transactions, with a focus on Nigerian, Canadian and United States perspectives. A debtor’s ability to provide collateral influences not only the cost of the money borrowed, but also in many cases, whether secured lenders are willing to offer credit at all. The book proposes that increasing access to, and indeed, lowering the cost of credit could tremendously boost economic development, while at the same time arguing that this would best be achieved if the legal framework for secured transactions in Nigeria, and of course, any other country with similar experiences, were designed to allow the use of personal property and fixtures to secure credit. Similarly, the creation, priority, perfection, and enforcement of security interests in personal property should be simplified and supported by a framework that ensures that neither the interests of secured lenders nor debtors are hampered, so as to guarantee the continuous availability of affordable credit as well as debtors’ willingness to borrow and do business. The book further argues that in addition to the obvious preference for real property over personal property by secured lenders due to the unreformed secured-transactions legal framework in Nigeria, its compartmentalized nature has also resulted in unpredictability in commerce and the concomitant effects of poor access to credit. Through the comparative research conducted in this book utilizing the UCC Article 9 and Ontario PPSA as benchmarks, the author provides reformers with a repository of tested secured-transactions law solutions, which law reformers in the Commonwealth countries in Africa and beyond, as well as the business community will find valuable in dealing with issues that stem from secured transactions.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331941836X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 305
Book Description
This book offers a valuable guide to one of the most challenging areas of commercial law, now frequently referred to as secured transactions, with a focus on Nigerian, Canadian and United States perspectives. A debtor’s ability to provide collateral influences not only the cost of the money borrowed, but also in many cases, whether secured lenders are willing to offer credit at all. The book proposes that increasing access to, and indeed, lowering the cost of credit could tremendously boost economic development, while at the same time arguing that this would best be achieved if the legal framework for secured transactions in Nigeria, and of course, any other country with similar experiences, were designed to allow the use of personal property and fixtures to secure credit. Similarly, the creation, priority, perfection, and enforcement of security interests in personal property should be simplified and supported by a framework that ensures that neither the interests of secured lenders nor debtors are hampered, so as to guarantee the continuous availability of affordable credit as well as debtors’ willingness to borrow and do business. The book further argues that in addition to the obvious preference for real property over personal property by secured lenders due to the unreformed secured-transactions legal framework in Nigeria, its compartmentalized nature has also resulted in unpredictability in commerce and the concomitant effects of poor access to credit. Through the comparative research conducted in this book utilizing the UCC Article 9 and Ontario PPSA as benchmarks, the author provides reformers with a repository of tested secured-transactions law solutions, which law reformers in the Commonwealth countries in Africa and beyond, as well as the business community will find valuable in dealing with issues that stem from secured transactions.
Secured Transactions Law Reform in Africa
Author: Marek Dubovec
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509913084
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 553
Book Description
Over the last few decades, many countries have reformed their secured transactions law. One of the main reasons has been the clear link between reform and the availability of credit, and the drive to improve access to finance, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. This book focuses particularly on developing economies in Africa, which have legal frameworks influenced by English, French, Belgian, Roman-Dutch and other laws. Reform in this area of law across African countries has taken a number of forms, which are explored and discussed in this book. Secured Transactions Law Reform in Africa is a mixture of a critical description of the pre-reform law and practice, and the reform process itself. It also includes a comparative analysis of the legal provisions and an examination of the early results of the reforms. The book sets out a road map for the future of secured transactions reform; primarily in Africa, but also in other countries that have undertaken or are contemplating similar reforms. This book is the second in a series of books about Secured Transactions Law in countries around the world, and its reform, both on a national and an international scale. The first book, Secured Transactions Law Reform: Principles, Policies and Practice, was published in 2016.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509913084
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 553
Book Description
Over the last few decades, many countries have reformed their secured transactions law. One of the main reasons has been the clear link between reform and the availability of credit, and the drive to improve access to finance, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. This book focuses particularly on developing economies in Africa, which have legal frameworks influenced by English, French, Belgian, Roman-Dutch and other laws. Reform in this area of law across African countries has taken a number of forms, which are explored and discussed in this book. Secured Transactions Law Reform in Africa is a mixture of a critical description of the pre-reform law and practice, and the reform process itself. It also includes a comparative analysis of the legal provisions and an examination of the early results of the reforms. The book sets out a road map for the future of secured transactions reform; primarily in Africa, but also in other countries that have undertaken or are contemplating similar reforms. This book is the second in a series of books about Secured Transactions Law in countries around the world, and its reform, both on a national and an international scale. The first book, Secured Transactions Law Reform: Principles, Policies and Practice, was published in 2016.
Secured Transactions Law in Asia
Author: Louise Gullifer
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509926518
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 651
Book Description
This collection of essays offers a unique insight and overview of the secured transactions law in many of the most important countries in Asia, as well as reflections on the need for, benefits of and challenges for reform in this area of the law. The book provides a mixture of general reflections on the history, successes and challenges of secured transaction law reform, and critical discussion of the law in a number of Asian countries. In some of the countries, the law has already been reformed, or reform is under way, and here the reforms are considered critically, with recommendations for future work. In other countries, the law is not yet reformed, and the existing law is analysed so as to determine what reform is desirable, and whether it is likely to take place. First, this book will enable those engaging with the law in Asia to understand better the contours of the law in both civil and common law jurisdictions. Second, it provides analytical insights into why secured transactions law reform happens or does not happen, the different methods by which reform takes place, the benefits of reform and the difficulties that need to be overcome for successful reform. Third, it discusses the need for reform where none has yet taken place and critically assesses the reforms which have already been enacted or are being considered. In addition to providing a forum for discussion in relation to the countries in question, this book is also a timely contribution to the wider debate on secured transactions law reform which is taking place around the world.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509926518
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 651
Book Description
This collection of essays offers a unique insight and overview of the secured transactions law in many of the most important countries in Asia, as well as reflections on the need for, benefits of and challenges for reform in this area of the law. The book provides a mixture of general reflections on the history, successes and challenges of secured transaction law reform, and critical discussion of the law in a number of Asian countries. In some of the countries, the law has already been reformed, or reform is under way, and here the reforms are considered critically, with recommendations for future work. In other countries, the law is not yet reformed, and the existing law is analysed so as to determine what reform is desirable, and whether it is likely to take place. First, this book will enable those engaging with the law in Asia to understand better the contours of the law in both civil and common law jurisdictions. Second, it provides analytical insights into why secured transactions law reform happens or does not happen, the different methods by which reform takes place, the benefits of reform and the difficulties that need to be overcome for successful reform. Third, it discusses the need for reform where none has yet taken place and critically assesses the reforms which have already been enacted or are being considered. In addition to providing a forum for discussion in relation to the countries in question, this book is also a timely contribution to the wider debate on secured transactions law reform which is taking place around the world.
Discrimination, Vulnerable Consumers and Financial Inclusion
Author: Cătălin-Gabriel Stănescu
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000295192
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 291
Book Description
This book addresses the questions of discrimination, vulnerable consumers, and financial inclusion in the light of the emerging legal, socioeconomic, and technological challenges. New technologies – such as artificial intelligence-driven consumer credit risk assessment and Fintech platforms, the changing nature of vulnerability due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the sophistication of digital technologies, which help circumvent legal barriers and protections – necessitate the continuous study of the existing legal frameworks and measures that are capable of tackling these challenges. Organized in two major parts, the first addresses, from multiple national angles, the idea of a human rights approach to consumer law, in order to replace the mantra of economic efficiency that characterizes financial services with those of human dignity and freedom from discrimination and from debt-induced servitude. The second tackles the challenges posed by increased usage of technology in connection with financial services, which tends to solve, but also creates, additional issues for consumers in general, and for vulnerable groups in particular.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000295192
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 291
Book Description
This book addresses the questions of discrimination, vulnerable consumers, and financial inclusion in the light of the emerging legal, socioeconomic, and technological challenges. New technologies – such as artificial intelligence-driven consumer credit risk assessment and Fintech platforms, the changing nature of vulnerability due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the sophistication of digital technologies, which help circumvent legal barriers and protections – necessitate the continuous study of the existing legal frameworks and measures that are capable of tackling these challenges. Organized in two major parts, the first addresses, from multiple national angles, the idea of a human rights approach to consumer law, in order to replace the mantra of economic efficiency that characterizes financial services with those of human dignity and freedom from discrimination and from debt-induced servitude. The second tackles the challenges posed by increased usage of technology in connection with financial services, which tends to solve, but also creates, additional issues for consumers in general, and for vulnerable groups in particular.
Promoting Foreign Judgments
Author: Pontian N. Okoli
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9403511125
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 373
Book Description
In many African countries, litigants experience significant uncertainty in their attempts to enforce foreign judgments. Drawing on the experiences of the United Kingdom and the United States (vis-à-vis efforts to attain an effective global legal framework on foreign judgments), this book undertakes a comparative analysis of how South African and Nigerian courts can promote the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in a fair manner. This comparative analysis is made considering both African countries as paradigms of their respective legal traditions. The author, a legal consultant and academic in private international law analyses, stage by stage, the challenging process that litigants face when they seek to enforce foreign judgments in South Africa and Nigeria. This analysis includes insightful consideration of broader issues such as the following: how challenges faced by judgment creditors may be circumvented; practical issues impeding the free movement of foreign judgments; impact of globalisation, increase in international commercial transactions, and regionalism on private international law; application of ‘fairness’; how territorial sovereignty and State interests in international commerce impede the free movement of foreign judgments; and ‘qualified obligation’, under which courts would presumptively enforce foreign judgments subject to certain exceptions and to the balancing of competing interests between private litigants and the State. The comparative analysis is undergirded by relevant case law – spanning decades in Africa and centuries in Europe and the United States. In summary, the author projects a clear case for predictability and certainty in the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, as well as how to go about it, thus offering lawyers a strategic position to weigh their options in contemplating enforcement of foreign judgments in any jurisdiction even beyond the African region. This innovative approach will also be of particular value to policymakers at national levels, international and regional economic organisations, as well as scholars in private international law and international commercial law generally. This is regardless of their specific legal area or niche, especially considering the dearth of literature in African private international law.
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9403511125
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 373
Book Description
In many African countries, litigants experience significant uncertainty in their attempts to enforce foreign judgments. Drawing on the experiences of the United Kingdom and the United States (vis-à-vis efforts to attain an effective global legal framework on foreign judgments), this book undertakes a comparative analysis of how South African and Nigerian courts can promote the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in a fair manner. This comparative analysis is made considering both African countries as paradigms of their respective legal traditions. The author, a legal consultant and academic in private international law analyses, stage by stage, the challenging process that litigants face when they seek to enforce foreign judgments in South Africa and Nigeria. This analysis includes insightful consideration of broader issues such as the following: how challenges faced by judgment creditors may be circumvented; practical issues impeding the free movement of foreign judgments; impact of globalisation, increase in international commercial transactions, and regionalism on private international law; application of ‘fairness’; how territorial sovereignty and State interests in international commerce impede the free movement of foreign judgments; and ‘qualified obligation’, under which courts would presumptively enforce foreign judgments subject to certain exceptions and to the balancing of competing interests between private litigants and the State. The comparative analysis is undergirded by relevant case law – spanning decades in Africa and centuries in Europe and the United States. In summary, the author projects a clear case for predictability and certainty in the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, as well as how to go about it, thus offering lawyers a strategic position to weigh their options in contemplating enforcement of foreign judgments in any jurisdiction even beyond the African region. This innovative approach will also be of particular value to policymakers at national levels, international and regional economic organisations, as well as scholars in private international law and international commercial law generally. This is regardless of their specific legal area or niche, especially considering the dearth of literature in African private international law.
Micro Business Entities and the Reform of Personal Property Security Law in Nigeria
Author: Gregory Esangbedo
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 152755287X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 190
Book Description
This book examines an enactment that reforms Nigeria’s personal property security law by adopting the unitary system of secured transactions in replacement of the common law system. With the unitary system widely acclaimed for enhancing access to credit for small business entities, the book highlights the drawbacks of the enactment in the attainment of this objective. Being the foremost Nigerian book on the unitary system, it is a significant text for all stakeholders in the credit system within and outside Nigeria, including law academics, practitioners, students and financial regulators. It will interest those in countries that are intent on undergoing similar reform as it provides guidance on the unique features of the unitary system in contrast with those of the common law. In the spirit of reform, the book compares the Nigerian enactment to other similar enactments to highlight potential lessons in areas in which the Nigerian enactment appears to have lost traction.This book examines an enactment that reforms Nigeria’s personal property security law by adopting the unitary system of secured transactions in replacement of the common law system. With the unitary system widely acclaimed for enhancing access to credit for small business entities, the book highlights the drawbacks of the enactment in the attainment of this objective. Being the foremost Nigerian book on the unitary system, it is a significant text for all stakeholders in the credit system within and outside Nigeria, including law academics, practitioners, students and financial regulators. It will interest those in countries that are intent on undergoing similar reform as it provides guidance on the unique features of the unitary system in contrast with those of the common law. In the spirit of reform, the book compares the Nigerian enactment to other similar enactments to highlight potential lessons in areas in which the Nigerian enactment appears to have lost traction.
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 152755287X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 190
Book Description
This book examines an enactment that reforms Nigeria’s personal property security law by adopting the unitary system of secured transactions in replacement of the common law system. With the unitary system widely acclaimed for enhancing access to credit for small business entities, the book highlights the drawbacks of the enactment in the attainment of this objective. Being the foremost Nigerian book on the unitary system, it is a significant text for all stakeholders in the credit system within and outside Nigeria, including law academics, practitioners, students and financial regulators. It will interest those in countries that are intent on undergoing similar reform as it provides guidance on the unique features of the unitary system in contrast with those of the common law. In the spirit of reform, the book compares the Nigerian enactment to other similar enactments to highlight potential lessons in areas in which the Nigerian enactment appears to have lost traction.This book examines an enactment that reforms Nigeria’s personal property security law by adopting the unitary system of secured transactions in replacement of the common law system. With the unitary system widely acclaimed for enhancing access to credit for small business entities, the book highlights the drawbacks of the enactment in the attainment of this objective. Being the foremost Nigerian book on the unitary system, it is a significant text for all stakeholders in the credit system within and outside Nigeria, including law academics, practitioners, students and financial regulators. It will interest those in countries that are intent on undergoing similar reform as it provides guidance on the unique features of the unitary system in contrast with those of the common law. In the spirit of reform, the book compares the Nigerian enactment to other similar enactments to highlight potential lessons in areas in which the Nigerian enactment appears to have lost traction.
International and Comparative Secured Transactions Law
Author: Spyridon V Bazinas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509901159
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 411
Book Description
The law of secured transactions has seen dramatic changes in the last decade. International organisations, particularly the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), have been working towards the creation of international legal standards aimed at the modernisation and harmonisation of secured financing laws (eg, the United Nations Convention on the Assignment of Receivables in International Trade, the UNCITRAL Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions and its Intellectual Property Supplement, the UNCITRAL Guide on the Implementation of a Security Rights Registry and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Secured Transactions). The overall theme of this book is international (or cross-border) secured transactions law. It assembles contributions from some of the most authoritative academic voices on secured financing law. This publication will be of interest to those involved in secured transactions around the world, including policy-makers, practitioners, judges, arbitrators and academics.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509901159
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 411
Book Description
The law of secured transactions has seen dramatic changes in the last decade. International organisations, particularly the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), have been working towards the creation of international legal standards aimed at the modernisation and harmonisation of secured financing laws (eg, the United Nations Convention on the Assignment of Receivables in International Trade, the UNCITRAL Legislative Guide on Secured Transactions and its Intellectual Property Supplement, the UNCITRAL Guide on the Implementation of a Security Rights Registry and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Secured Transactions). The overall theme of this book is international (or cross-border) secured transactions law. It assembles contributions from some of the most authoritative academic voices on secured financing law. This publication will be of interest to those involved in secured transactions around the world, including policy-makers, practitioners, judges, arbitrators and academics.
Personal property law in Nigeria
Author: Mike A.A. Ozekhome
Publisher: Pretoria University Law Press
ISBN: 1920538976
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
This book addresses core issues of personal property law in Nigeria from a comparative perspective. It offers a detailed account of the laws governing personal property and the different lightweight reforms undertaken mainly through case law before the enactment of the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act in 2017. The book draws insights from the United States UCC article 9, being unarguably the first law that introduced the concept of modern secured transactions law, and was influential to many common and civilian law systems in reforming their personal property laws. Given that personal property law is fairly new in Nigeria, and also in Africa in general, the main aim of the book is to provide judges and academic researchers with a rich collection of tested solutions from jurisdictions that have experimented with modern secured transactions law for several decades. The primary and secondary works that were referenced in the book have tracked the different epochal shifts in legal thinking and their significances. This may assist scholars and judges in Nigeria to come up with bespoke interpretations of the Act and solutions to underlying problems on credit and security, that will satisfy the local conditions as opposed to copying the unaltered solutions from the United States and other advanced systems.
Publisher: Pretoria University Law Press
ISBN: 1920538976
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
This book addresses core issues of personal property law in Nigeria from a comparative perspective. It offers a detailed account of the laws governing personal property and the different lightweight reforms undertaken mainly through case law before the enactment of the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act in 2017. The book draws insights from the United States UCC article 9, being unarguably the first law that introduced the concept of modern secured transactions law, and was influential to many common and civilian law systems in reforming their personal property laws. Given that personal property law is fairly new in Nigeria, and also in Africa in general, the main aim of the book is to provide judges and academic researchers with a rich collection of tested solutions from jurisdictions that have experimented with modern secured transactions law for several decades. The primary and secondary works that were referenced in the book have tracked the different epochal shifts in legal thinking and their significances. This may assist scholars and judges in Nigeria to come up with bespoke interpretations of the Act and solutions to underlying problems on credit and security, that will satisfy the local conditions as opposed to copying the unaltered solutions from the United States and other advanced systems.
Secured Transactions Law Reform
Author: Louise Gullifer
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509903127
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 616
Book Description
Secured transactions law has been subjected to a close scrutiny over the last two decades. One of the main reasons for this is the importance of availability of credit and the consequent need to reform collateral laws in order to improve access to finance. The ability to give security effectively influences not only the cost of credit but also, in some cases, whether credit will be available at all. This requires rules that are transparent and readily accessible to non-lawyers as well as rules that recognise the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. This book critically engages with the challenges posed by inefficient secured credit laws. It offers a comparative analysis of the reasons and the needs for a secured transactions law reform, as well as discussion of the steps taken in many common law, civil law and mixed law jurisdictions. The book, written under the auspices of the Secured Transactions Law Reform Project, informs the debate about reform and advances novel arguments written by world renowned experts that will build upon the existing literature, and as such will be of interest to academics, legal practitioners and the judiciary involved in secured transactions law around the world. The text considers reform initiatives that have taken place up to the end of April 2016. It has not been possible to incorporate events since then into the discussion. However, notable developments include the banks decree passed by the Italian Government on 29th June 2016, and the adoption of the Model Law on Secured Transactions by UNCITRAL on 1st July 2016.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509903127
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 616
Book Description
Secured transactions law has been subjected to a close scrutiny over the last two decades. One of the main reasons for this is the importance of availability of credit and the consequent need to reform collateral laws in order to improve access to finance. The ability to give security effectively influences not only the cost of credit but also, in some cases, whether credit will be available at all. This requires rules that are transparent and readily accessible to non-lawyers as well as rules that recognise the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. This book critically engages with the challenges posed by inefficient secured credit laws. It offers a comparative analysis of the reasons and the needs for a secured transactions law reform, as well as discussion of the steps taken in many common law, civil law and mixed law jurisdictions. The book, written under the auspices of the Secured Transactions Law Reform Project, informs the debate about reform and advances novel arguments written by world renowned experts that will build upon the existing literature, and as such will be of interest to academics, legal practitioners and the judiciary involved in secured transactions law around the world. The text considers reform initiatives that have taken place up to the end of April 2016. It has not been possible to incorporate events since then into the discussion. However, notable developments include the banks decree passed by the Italian Government on 29th June 2016, and the adoption of the Model Law on Secured Transactions by UNCITRAL on 1st July 2016.
Doing Business 2010
Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821379658
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 231
Book Description
The seventh in a series of annual reports investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it, 'Doing Business' presents quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights that can be compared across 183 economies--from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe--and over time. Regulations affecting 10 stages of a business's life are measured: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business. Data in 'Doing Business 2010' are current as of June 1, 2009. The indicators are used to analyze economic outcomes and identify what reforms have worked, where and why.
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821379658
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 231
Book Description
The seventh in a series of annual reports investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it, 'Doing Business' presents quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights that can be compared across 183 economies--from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe--and over time. Regulations affecting 10 stages of a business's life are measured: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business. Data in 'Doing Business 2010' are current as of June 1, 2009. The indicators are used to analyze economic outcomes and identify what reforms have worked, where and why.