This course equips legal professionals, in-house counsel, compliance officers, and finance specialists with advanced knowledge and practical skills in securities and derivatives law. The program explores regulatory frameworks, trading practices, risk management, contract structures, compliance obligations, and dispute resolution in securities markets and derivative instruments. Participants will gain the ability to advise clients, manage legal and regulatory risks, draft contracts, and ensure compliance with domestic and international financial regulations. The course combines legal theory, regulatory guidance, case studies, and practical exercises for actionable learning.
Secure enrollment • Professional certificate included
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Understand the legal frameworks governing securities and derivatives markets.
Draft and review contracts for securities transactions and derivative instruments.
Advise on regulatory compliance with securities law, exchange rules, and international standards.
Assess and mitigate legal risks associated with trading and derivatives operations.
Handle disputes, enforcement issues, and regulatory investigations effectively.
Apply best practices in structuring, monitoring, and managing derivative transactions.
Course Content
Module 1: Introduction to Securities Law Overview: Provides foundational knowledge of securities regulation and market operations. Subtopics: Types of securities: equity, debt, hybrid instruments Regulatory frameworks and governing bodies Securities issuance, trading, and registration requirements Market participants and their roles Disclosure obligations and investor protection Case studies of securities law enforcement Practical Focus: Analyze a securities prospectus and identify regulatory compliance requirements. Module 2: Law of Capital Markets and Regulatory Compliance Overview: Focuses on legal and regulatory obligations in capital markets. Subtopics: Capital markets regulations and compliance frameworks Insider trading, market manipulation, and fraud prevention Reporting obligations for issuers and intermediaries International securities law harmonization (IOSCO standards) Case studies on compliance breaches and enforcement actions Practical Focus: Exercise: Draft a compliance checklist for capital market participants. Module 3: Introduction to Derivatives Law Overview: Covers the legal principles and structures governing derivatives contracts. Subtopics: Types of derivatives: forwards, futures, options, swaps Legal recognition and enforceability of derivatives contracts Master agreements (e.g., ISDA) and standard terms Counterparty risk and margining Regulatory oversight of derivatives markets Practical Focus: Analyze an ISDA Master Agreement and identify key legal obligations and risks. Module 4: Trading, Clearing, and Settlement Legal Issues Overview: Examines legal aspects of trading, clearing, and settlement in securities and derivatives. Subtopics: Trading platforms and market infrastructure Clearinghouses, settlement procedures, and delivery obligations Legal risk management in trading and post-trade processes Collateral, margin, and netting arrangements Dispute resolution mechanisms for trading disputes Practical Focus: Simulation: Review a derivatives trade and identify legal and operational risk points. Module 5: Securities and Derivatives Contracts Drafting Overview: Focuses on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating securities and derivatives contracts. Subtopics: Key clauses in securities purchase agreements Drafting derivative contracts: forwards, swaps, and options Representations, warranties, covenants, and indemnities Risk allocation clauses and enforceability considerations Contract amendments and novations Practical Focus: Workshop: Draft a derivatives contract and review risk allocation clauses. Module 6: Risk Management and Legal Strategies Overview: Covers legal and commercial risk assessment in securities and derivatives. Subtopics: Identifying legal and regulatory risks in trading and derivatives Risk mitigation strategies and contractual safeguards Compliance programs and internal controls Case studies on risk failures and mitigation approaches Integration with financial risk management frameworks Practical Focus: Exercise: Develop a risk mitigation plan for a derivatives portfolio. Module 7: Dispute Resolution and Enforcement Overview: Covers resolving conflicts and enforcement in securities and derivatives law. Subtopics: Arbitration and litigation in financial markets Enforcement of contracts and regulatory sanctions Handling counterparty disputes and defaults Remedies and damages in securities and derivatives disputes Case studies of landmark disputes and regulatory enforcement Practical Focus: Simulation: Draft a dispute resolution clause for a derivatives agreement. Module 8: International Securities and Derivatives Law Overview: Examines cross-border issues, harmonization, and international best practices. Subtopics: Global regulatory standards (SEC, ESMA, IOSCO, Basel III) Cross-border derivatives transactions and jurisdictional challenges International enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards Multilateral netting and cross-border collateral management Case studies on global securities and derivatives compliance Practical Focus: Group exercise: Develop a compliance framework for cross-border derivatives transactions. Module 9: Emerging Issues and Innovations Overview: Covers evolving trends, digital transformation, and regulatory challenges. Subtopics: Digital assets, tokenized securities, and crypto-derivatives Blockchain and smart contracts in securities and derivatives trading Market innovation and associated legal risks ESG considerations in capital markets Lessons from recent regulatory developments Practical Focus: Workshop: Assess legal implications of tokenized derivatives transactions. Module 10: Practical Case Studies and Applied Learning Overview: Integrates learning from all modules through real-world examples and exercises. Subtopics: Analyzing complex securities and derivatives transactions Reviewing regulatory investigations and enforcement actions Drafting, negotiating, and mitigating risks in high-value contracts Applying lessons from landmark cases in practice Practical Focus: Capstone simulation: Manage a complex securities and derivatives transaction, including drafting contracts, assessing risks, and resolving disputes
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for lawyers, in-house counsel, compliance officers, risk managers, financial regulators, and investment advisors. It is also suitable for professionals involved in securities trading, derivative instruments, capital markets, and financial risk management.
