Bibliographie sélective OHADA

The law of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) enshrines the principle of compulsory representation by lawyer before its High Court, the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA). It follows from this principle that any appeal before the CCJA and any related procedural document such as the reply or replication, not signed by a lawyer belonging to a Bar in the OHADA geographical area, are to be declared inadmissible. Notwithstanding the explicit consecration of this principle in OHADA law, the CCJA has been called upon on many occasions to define its contour. This paper examines the interpretation of this principle by this court. It first notes the scope of this principle as defined by the CCJA in relation to the criteria retained for the exercise of the ministry of counsel before its jurisdiction. Finally, it dwells on its jurisprudence concerning the form and statements of the special mandate to be given to the lawyer, on the one hand, and on the legal consequences attached to it, on the other hand. It concludes by pointing out that OHADA law, and the High Court in its jurisprudential practice, are more flexible and better adapted to the obligation of representation by a lawyer than the law of certain OHADA member states.

This study traces the evolution of the CCJA case law on the principle of exemption from enforcement for public companies. It aims in particular to highlight the direction in which this case law is moving. It appears that the CCJA has so far not succeeded in elaborating its own definition of the concept of 'public companies'; yet it is there that, in our view, the mystery of the immunity from execution that it has long recognized to these companies hides; even when they were incorporated in the form of a corporation. However, over time, the Court has rightly reversed its previous decisions by moving from an extensive to a restrictive interpretation of exemption from enforcement. In any case, the involvement of the lawmaker is more than welcome in order to put an end to the situation of inequality, which has existed for a long time in terms of enforcement under OHADA law, between corporations having the State or its branches (public companies) as shareholders and those whose shareholders have no State participation.

The glaring lack of employment opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to the conclusion of special employment contracts, includin…

The Access of Foreign Commercial Companies to the OHADA Area - Recognition of Legal Personality under CCJA Case Law. The Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) is striving to make its geographical area more attractive, particularly to foreign investors and foreign commercial companies. This should be achieved by adopting, at a supranational level, uniform and modern legal standards which can be readily embraced by the business community and by ensuring legal certainty through the establishment of the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA). To date, however, OHADA has not yet adopted any provision recognizing the legal personality of companies operating throughout its region. However, the recognition of such entities is essential with regard to their participation - particularly as shareholders or partners - in a commercial company incorporated under OHADA law or in relation to the establishment of branches or subsidiaries within OHADA member states. The CCJA has, however, issued a number of rulings on this issue. This study examines these decisions and recommends the adoption of an OHADA-wide procedure for recognizing the legal personality of foreign commercial companies.