What legislation defines the rights of shareholders in the UK?

The Companies Act 2006 is the legislation that comprehensively defines the rights of shareholders in the UK. This Act modernized company law to reflect current business practices and to simplify the legal framework surrounding companies. It encompasses a wide range of provisions, including the rights of shareholders to vote at general meetings, the right to receive dividends, and the ability to access company information.

One of the significant advancements introduced by the Companies Act 2006 is the enhancement of shareholder rights, ensuring greater transparency and accountability from companies. It lays out the regulations governing how companies are managed and how shareholders can engage with these entities, promoting active participation in corporate governance.

The other options refer to earlier iterations of companies legislation, which lacked the comprehensive reforms and updates found in the 2006 Act. For instance, the Companies Act 2000 and earlier acts do not capture the full scope of contemporary shareholder rights as established in the 2006 legislation.