Bibliographie sélective OHADA

Market manipulation is one of the dishonest means used by unscrupulous investors to make unjustified profits. It is conduct which unlawfully interferes with the normal operations of the markets in order to create false appearances with respect to the trading activity or the price of a financial asset. Market abuse is one of the various challenges plaguing the crypto-assets market, and is one of the financial regulators’ priority concerns. This study examines and discusses the problem of market manipulation in crypto-assets, and the need for the enactment of an effective regulatory framework in order to combat this problem and to promote investor protection and safeguard the integrity of the markets. The study finds that South Africa and other countries need to introduce rules in crypto-assets market which aim at regulating the activities of crypto-asset service providers. Currently South Africa has not enacted a comprehensive regulatory framework to address the various illegal uses of crypto-assets. The general approach adopted by South Africa to regulate crypto-assets activities involves subjecting crypto-asset service providers and their activities under the various financial sector laws established to regulate the traditional financial markets. This approach has been criticised as being inefficient in light of the unique risks presented by crypto-assets. The study discusses some of these arguments in detail and concludes by highlighting the need for the adoption of innovative regulations, in the long term, which comprehensively and effectively addressed the various risks presented by crypto-assets which also include market manipulation.

Le travail de recherche aborde le cadre juridique du partenariat entre la Chine et le Cameroun, en se concentrant sur les impacts de la colonialité, des investissements chinois et du développement national. Le travail présente un sommaire structuré en plusieurs sections, chacune explorant divers aspects des relations sino-camerounaises.Dans la première section, le cadre juridique et politique de développement au Cameroun est examiné, mettant en lumière les influences historiques, notamment coloniales, sur le droit des affaires. Il est souligné que le Cameroun allie des systèmes juridiques de droit civil et de common law, hérités des périodes coloniales françaises et britanniques. Cette dualité rend difficile l’application uniforme des lois, ce qui se traduit par des inégalités dans les investissements étrangers, particulièrement ceux de la Chine, avec un cadre juridique isolé et sans harmonisation efficace présentant des défi s pour le développement économique. La politique de développement camerounaise, illustrée par la Stratégie Nationale de Développement (SND30) et la Vision 2035, vise à transformer l'économie. Les instruments juridiques entourant les partenariats publics-privés (PPP), comme les contrats de type Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), sont analysés, mettant en avant les défi s d'une dépendance accrue vis-à-vis des financements chinois et des lacunes juridiques. La deuxième section traite du partenariat commercial avec la Chine, en se concentrant sur le Traité bilatéral d'investissement (TBI) et la présence croissante d'entreprises chinoises au Cameroun. Bien que ces investissements apportent des avantages, tels que la modernisation des infrastructures, ils soulèvent des préoccupations quant à la souveraineté économique et à un nouveau colonialisme économique. Le rapport souligne la nécessité d'un cadre normatif cohérent pour gérer les investissements afin d'entraîner une transformation économique durable. Les obstacles à l'atteinte des objectifs de la Vision 2035 sont également discutés, notamment l'incohérence du cadre normatif, la corruption et l'influence des élites. Le document préconise l'intégration de l'Afrikapitalisme, une idéologie économique axée sur le développement durable et inclusif, et suggère des réformes anti-corruption et l'adaptation des lois pour répondre aux besoins spécifiques du Cameroun. Enfin, la conclusion réaffirme l'importance de reconstruire un cadre juridique qui favorise une véritable coopération gagnant-gagnant avec les investisseurs étrangers, en tenant compte des réalités socio-économiques du pays. Le texte conclut en insistant sur la nécessité d'un équilibre entre les intérêts nationaux et l'attraction d'investissements, pour un développement durable et équitable.

A dissertação propõe analisar a cláusula de não concorrência sob perspectivas funcional e estrutural, explorando suas origens históricas, fundamentos jurídicos e aplicações práticas, especialmente no contexto brasileiro. O estudo busca identificar os elementos essenciais dessa cláusula e avaliar sua compatibilidade com os princípios constitucionais da livre iniciativa e da concorrência, fundamentais à ordem econômica, além de posicioná-la perante o fenômeno da concorrência e o direito concorrencial. A pesquisa utiliza métodos históricos e dogmáticos, abrangendo análises legislativas, doutrinárias e jurisprudenciais. Também incorpora referências ao direito estrangeiro para examinar como a cláusula de não concorrência é tratada em diferentes sistemas jurídicos. A coleta de dados da jurisdição estatal e da atividade do Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica permite compreender as interpretações dos órgãos decisórios brasileiros sobre a matéria. O estudo conclui que a cláusula de não concorrência desempenha um papel vital na proteção de investimentos e elementos imateriais, como clientela e segredos empresariais. Contudo, sua regulamentação no Brasil ainda é fragmentada, com previsões específicas no Código Civil, na Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho e na Lei de Franquias, sem que qualquer deles trate verdadeiramente do aspecto contratual da cláusula. Não obstante, conclui-se ser possível o encontro de elementos funcionais e estruturais comuns à cláusula, independentemente da relação jurídica base, a partir de que se propõe a categorizá-la como um instituto jurídico. Além disso, oferece subsídios para futuras discussões legislativas e jurisprudenciais, destacando a importância de conciliar a proteção de interesses econômicos com a promoção da livre concorrência. This dissertation analyzes the non-compete clause from functional and structural perspectives, exploring its historical origins, legal foundations, and practical applications, particularly in the Brazilian context. The study aims to identify the essential elements of this clause and evaluate its compatibility with the constitutional principles of free enterprise and competition, which are fundamental to the economic order, while positioning it in relation to the phenomenon of competition and antitrust law. The research employs historical and dogmatic methods, encompassing legislative, doctrinal, and jurisprudential analyses. References to foreign law are incorporated to examine how the non-compete clause is addressed in different legal systems. Data collected from state jurisdiction and the activities of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense provide insights into how Brazilian decision-making bodies interpret the matter. The study concludes that the non-compete clause plays a vital role in protecting investments and intangible elements such as clientele and trade secrets. However, its regulation in Brazil remains fragmented, with specific provisions in the Civil Code, the Consolidation of Labor Laws, and the Franchise Law, none of which adequately address the contractual aspect of the clause. Nevertheless, it is concluded that functional and structural elements common to the clause can be identified, regardless of the underlying legal relationship, leading to its proposed categorization as a legal institute. Furthermore, the dissertation offers resources for future legislative and jurisprudential discussions, emphasizing the importance of balancing the protection of economic interests with the promotion of free competition.

Ce mémoire étudie les limites de la réglementation des marchés financiers quant à la protection des investisseurs en cas de pratiques abusives et la responsabilité civile des défendeurs quant aux pertes économiques. Il compare les recours disponibles à l’investisseur prévu par le régime de responsabilité civile de la Loi sur les valeurs mobilières du Québec et le droit commun. Il établit l’importance de revoir les mécanismes de protection des investisseurs sur une base régulière pour assurer la stabilité des marchés financiers, tout en reconnaissant que la mise en œuvre de la réglementation des valeurs mobilières joue un rôle important dans la confiance du public sur les marchés financiers. Ce mémoire discute du défi auquel l’investisseur fait face quant au recouvrement des pertes attribuées à une faute commise sur les marchés financiers, particulièrement le défi de l’obtention de l’autorisation préalable du tribunal et de la preuve de causalité. Il faut reconnaitre que, pour établir un équilibre entre la protection des investisseurs et l’efficience des marchés, la coexistence du recours privé et public est nécessaire. Ces mesures ont pour objectif de décourager les pratiques déloyales sur les marchés financiers. De plus, l’étendue des dommages de l’investisseur doit être revue périodiquement et considérée à la lumière du contexte économique en cours pour assurer la cohérence du régime de responsabilité civile. En effet, il est important d’adopter une limite de responsabilité civile qui tient compte de l’aversion au risque de chacune des parties et qui ne désavantage pas l’une d’elles de manière excessive. Ceci permet d’atteindre un meilleur équilibre entre l’intérêt des investisseurs et les acteurs des marchés financiers, et de limiter le risque de poursuites opportunistes.

This study interrogates the intersection of climate justice and litigation in the South African context. It addresses the urgent need for legal methods to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalised communities. As climate change has become one of the greatest global challenges, marginalised communities most keenly feel its impacts, particularly those historically disadvantaged by socioeconomic inequalities rooted in apartheid. What follows is a critical examination of the most important international climate frameworks, in particular the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, which have shaped the global discourse on climate change. The increasing recognition of the rights of historically marginalised and vulnerable communities underscores the potential role of climate litigation in achieving climate justice for all by holding both government and corporations accountable for their actions and lack thereof in mitigating climate change. The study examines the South African legal framework and recognises its progressive constitution that guarantees environmental rights. On the other hand, the study highlights significant barriers to effective climate action, particularly for the country’s most vulnerable, poor and marginalised populations, who often lack access to legal resources and skills needed for climate action. Using decided climate cases such as Earthlife Africa v. Minister of Environment, the study highlights the problems that plaintiffs often face when it comes to proving causation and the need for expert evidence in such litigation. Finally, the study concludes that while climate litigation offer opportunities for climate justice, the challenges identified need to be addressed to ensure the effectiveness of climate processes in achieving climate justice. The study therefore makes recommendations for strengthening legal aid, promoting public climate litigation and improving community capacity. By implementing these recommendations, climate justice will be achieved so that South Africa can effectively utilise climate litigation to demand climate justice for both current and future generations.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is a watchdog established to counter the abuse of the financial system by criminals for money laundering, the financing acts of terrorists and proliferation financing. For the FATF to achieve its mandate, it came up with a set of global standards in the form of Recommendations. The Recommendations seek to mitigate the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and to assess whether FATF member countries are taking effective action to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. South Africa is a member of the FATF and therefore, is obliged to comply with the standards set to combat money laundering and terrorist financing and proliferation. The FATF uses assessments done through peer mutual evaluations. In other words, FATF members assess one another’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regulatory frameworks for compliance with FATF’s standards. Following the FATF's assessment in the years 2003, 2009 and 2018, South Africa’s AML/CTF regulatory framework was found to be weak leading to greylisting in 2023. The greylisting of South Africa follows the findings of strategic deficiencies in the country’s implementation of the FATF AML/CFT standards. Greylisting by the FATF carries various economic and reputational implications for South Africa such as increased scrutiny from international partners resulting in increased compliance costs for financial institutions, an estimated reduction in South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) and a decrease in foreign direct investment (FDI). Since the greylisting, South Africa has embarked on a legislative and regulatory journey to address the shortcomings with a view to be taken off the greylist. This dissertation provides a detailed analysis of the FATF standards, evaluates South Africa's legislative and institutional responses in the form of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 and the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act 33 of 2004, and assess their effectiveness in addressing the identified deficiencies. Recommendations are suggested to assist in fortifying South Africa’s AML/CTF regulatory framework.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues have gained prominence in recent years. Companies have come to understand their role in the global economy and that their decisions cannot be based solely on profits. They are now required to have regard for the environment in which they operate, to be mindful of the social factors that affect their employees, customers and the community at large, and to ensure that their corporate governance complies with the standards set out in the Companies Act 71 of 2008 and the various King Reports. While ESG has become a buzz word in the corporate world, there is still much uncertainty among stakeholders about what they are required to do and what the reporting requirements, if any, are. Its implementation in South Africa is still in its infancy and there is much uncertainty about what ESG monitoring and compliance truly entail. A perfect illustration of this is the fact that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) only published ESG disclosure guidelines for the first time in 2022. This means that until the guidelines were published, hundreds of companies in South Africa had been wondering aimlessly in the dark when it comes to ESG issues. To make matters worse, while environmental issues and corporate governance issues have received significant attention from scholars and legislators in South Africa alike, the "S" in ESG has received little attention. It is often treated as the undesirable stepchild that everyone conveniently forgets is part of the ESG family. The purpose of this study is to highlight the gaps in the existing ESG regulatory framework, which leads to gaps in the understanding and monitoring of the implementation of the social indicators of ESG. The study aims to firstly determine whether companies in South Africa have a proper understanding of the social framework of ESG and whether the current legal and/or regulatory framework in South Africa offers sufficient guidance to n organisations to ensure that they comply with and fully implement the social guidelines of the ESG framework.

The ongoing ISDS reform, under UNCITRAL Working Group III with a substantial input from the EU, has recently proposed for the establishment of a Multilateral Investment Court (MIC) with an appellate mechanism. Simultaneously, expedited arbitration procedures have gathered significant academic interest in the recent decades. While extensive literature exists on both the MIC development and expedited procedures, their intersection remains relatively unexplored. This dissertation bridges this research gap by analyzing how the best practices from different expedited procedures and EU treaties could be used to establish expedited MIC procedures. Adopting a doctrinal methodology, the research identifies the prominent models and trends in different expedited procedures, accesses their compatibility with the objectives of MIC, and finally proposes a suitable model to attain (cost and time) efficiency and consistency both for the first-tier and appellate proceedings in MIC. By doing so, the study contributes some recommendations for the development of expedited MIC procedures.

6102 sayılı Türk Ticaret Kanunu m. 531'de anonim şirketin özel sona erme hallerinden biri olarak haklı sebeplerle fesih düzenlenmiştir. Bu düzenleme ile 6762 sayılı Türk Ticaret Kanunu döneminde anonim şirketin haklı sebeple feshinin mümkün olup olmadığı yönündeki tartışmalar sona ermiş ve anonim şirketin haklı sebeple feshi kurumu hukukumuza kazandırılmıştır. Anonim şirketin haklı sebeple feshi, haklı sebeplerin varlığı durumunda, sermayenin en az onda birini ve halka açık şirketlerde yirmide birini temsil eden pay sahipleri tarafından istenebilir. Anonim şirketin haklı sebeple feshi davası şirket merkezinin bulunduğu yer asliye ticaret mahkemesinde açılır. Kanunda anonim şirketin haklı sebeple feshinde haklı sebep kavramı tanımlanmamış ve haklı sebep teşkil edebilecek durumlara örnek gösterilmemiştir. Kanun gerekçesinde bu kavramın niteliklerinin gösterilmesinin ve tanımlanmasının yargı kararları ve doktrine bırakıldığı belirtilmiştir. İleri sürülen sebeplerin haklı sebep olarak kabul edilip edilmemesi mahkemenin takdirindedir. Yargılama sonucunda mahkemenin şirketin feshine, davacı pay sahiplerinin paylarının değerinin ödenerek şirketten çıkarılmasına veya uygun düşen ve kabul edilebilir diğer bir çözüme karar verme yetkisi bulunmaktadır. Çalışmamız kapsamında anonim şirketin haklı sebeple feshinde haklı sebep teşkil edebilecek durumlar incelenmiştir. Bu inceleme yapılırken kanun metni ve gerekçesi, doktrinde ileri sürülen görüşler ve yargı kararları ile çalışmamız desteklenmiştir. Article 531 of the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 regulates the dissolution of a joint stock company for just cause as one of its special grounds for termination. With the introduction of this provision, the debates regarding whether the dissolution of a joint stock company for just cause was possible under the period of the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6762 have been resolved, and the institution of dissolution of a joint stock company for just cause has been incorporated into our legal system. The dissolution of a joint stock company for just cause may be requested by shareholders representing at least one-tenth of the capital, or one-twentieth in publicly traded companies, in the presence of just causes. The lawsuit for the dissolution of a joint stock company for just cause is filed in the commercial court where the company's head office is located. The law does not define the concept of "just cause" in the context of the dissolution of a joint stock company, nor does it provide examples of situations that might constitute just cause. According to the legislative intent, the determination and definition of the characteristics of this concept are left to judicial decisions and legal doctrine. Whether the reasons presented are accepted as just cause is at the discretion of the court. Following the trial, the court has the authority to decide on the dissolution of the company, the payment of the value of the shares to the plaintiff shareholders in exchange for their exit from the company, or another suitable and acceptable solution. This study examines situations that may constitute just cause for the dissolution of a joint stock company for just cause. In this analysis, the text and rationale of the law, views expressed in legal doctrine and judicial decisions have been taken into account.

Serbest piyasada önemli bir işleve sahip anonim şirketlerde, şirkete yeni sermaye sağlamak veya şirketteki mevcut pay sahiplerinin kontrolü elinde tutmak amacıyla imtiyazlı paylar oluşturulur. İmtiyazlı paylar (TTK m.478) ve imtiyazlı pay sahipleri özel kurulu (TTK m.454) ile şirketteki bazı paylara, diğer paylardan farklı ve üstün haklar, koruma mekanizmaları tanınmıştır. Bu çalışma kapsamında imtiyazlı paylar ve imtiyazlı pay sahipleri özel kurulu; 6102 sayılı Türk Ticaret Kanunu'ndaki (TTK) hükümler, mukayeseli hukuktaki düzenlemeler, öğreti görüşleri, Yargıtay kararları ve uygulamadaki sorunlar ele alınarak incelenmiştir. Konumuz ile ilgili tartışmalı hususlar, kanun ve yargı kararlarıyla netlik kazanması beklenen durumlar irdelenerek yeni bir bakış açısı kazandırmak amaçlanmıştır. Bu doğrultuda ''Anonim Şirketlerde İmtiyazlı Paylar ve İmtiyazlı Pay Sahipleri Özel Kurulu'' başlıklı tezimiz dört bölüm olarak hazırlanmıştır. ''İmtiyazlı Paylar'' başlıklı birinci bölümde, imtiyazlı pay kavramı, benzer kavramlar ve anonim şirketlere hakim olan ilkeler ile mukayese edilerek imtiyazlı pay ilkeleri çerçevesinde incelenmiştir. ''İmtiyazlı Pay Çeşitleri'' başlıklı ikinci bölümde, imtiyazlı pay çeşitleri incelenerek, bölümün ana omurgasını oluşturacak şekilde uygulamada en çok tartışılan hususlar olan, oy hakkında imtiyazlı paylar ve yönetim kurulunda temsil edilme hakkında imtiyazlı paylar irdelenmiştir. ''İmtiyazlı Pay Sahipleri Özel Kurulu'' başlıklı üçüncü bölümde imtiyazlı pay sahipleri özel kurulu kavramı, oluşturulma amacı, hukuki niteliği, mukayeseli hukukta imtiyazlı paylar ve imtiyazlı pay sahipleri özel kurulu, imtiyazlı pay sahipleri özel kurulunun toplanma şartları, toplanma süreci, toplanmasını gerektiren kararlar ve toplanmasına gerek olmayan durumlar ele alınarak incelenmiştir. ''İmtiyazlı Pay Sahipleri Özel Kurul Kararlarının Hukuki Etkisi, İptali ve Hükümsüzlüğü'' başlıklı dördüncü bölümde ise imtiyazlı pay sahipleri özel kurulu kararlarına karşı hukuki koruma mekanizmaları incelenmiştir. In joint-stock companies, which have an important function in the free market, privileged shares are created to provide new capital to the company or to maintain the control of the existing shareholders. In the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, privileged shares (TTK m. 478) and the special assembly of privileged shareholders (TTK m. 454) are regulated, granting certain shares in the company different and superior rights and protection mechanisms compared to other shares. With in the scope of this study, privileged shares and the special assembly of privileged shareholders have been examined by addressing the provisions of the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102, comparative law regulations, doctrinal views, Supreme Court decisions, and practical issues. By examining the controversial issues related to our topic and the situations expected to gain clarity through laws and judicial decisions, it is aimed to provide a new perspective. In this context, our thesis titled "Special Shares and Special Shareholders in Joint-Stock Companies" has been prepared in four sections. In the first chapter titled "Preferred Shares," the concept of preferred shares was examined within the framework of preferred share principles by comparing it with similar concepts and the principles governing joint-stock companies. In the second section titled "Types of Preferred Shares," the various types of preferred shares are examined, focusing on the most debated issues in practice, namely, preferred shares with voting rights and preferred shares with representation on the board of directors, which form the main backbone of the section. In the third section titled "Special Assembly of Preferred Shareholders," the concept of the special assembly of preferred shareholders, its purpose of establishment, legal nature, preferred shares in comparative law, and the special assembly of preferred shareholders, the conditions for convening the special assembly of preferred shareholders, the process of convening, decisions requiring a meeting , and situations where a meeting is not necessary have been examined. In the fourth section titled "Legal Effect, Annulment, and Nullity of Preferred Shareholders Special Assembly Decisions," the legal protection mechanisms against the decisions of the preferred shareholders' special assembly are examined.

Le principe de l’autonomie de la clause compromissoire est au cœur du mécanisme de l’arbitrage, tout en demeurant complexe et polyvalent. Cette étude met en lumière les différentes dimensions de ce principe, tout en identifiant ses limites face aux exigences fondamentales de justice et d’ordre public. L’autonomie de la clause compromissoire signifie d’abord que cette clause, bien qu’intégrée dans un contrat principal, existe et survit de manière indépendante. Concrètement, cela veut dire qu’une contestation ou une invalidité du contrat principal n’affecte pas automatiquement la clause compromissoire. Cette indépendance permet aux parties de préserver leur engagement à soumettre les litiges à un tribunal arbitral, offrant ainsi une sécurité juridique et une continuité au processus de résolution des conflits. L’arbitrage repose ici sur un engagement volontaire et anticipé, qui ne saurait être remis en cause par des circonstances affectant le contrat lui-même. Au-delà de cette indépendance, l’évolution du principe d’autonomie a permis d’introduire une autre dimension : la liberté de choix dans les règles qui régissent la clause compromissoire. Cela signifie que les parties ne sont pas nécessairement liées aux règles du contrat principal. Cette forme d’autonomie favorise la flexibilité, permettant aux parties de concevoir une procédure arbitrale adaptée à leurs besoins spécifiques. Cependant, cette liberté rencontre certaines limites, notamment en matière d’ordre public, qui agit comme un rempart pour protéger les valeurs fondamentales de justice et d’équité. Un autre aspect fondamental de ce principe est son interaction avec le concept de compétence-compétence, selon lequel le tribunal arbitral est habilité à statuer sur sa propre compétence. Cette relation étroite entre les deux principes peut créer une certaine confusion, car si l’autonomie de la clause concerne sa validité et son indépendance, la compétence-compétence relève plutôt du pouvoir décisionnel des arbitres. Toutefois, ces deux notions, bien que distinctes, contribuent ensemble à garantir l’efficacité de l’arbitrage en permettant de résoudre rapidement les questions liées à la compétence et à la validité de la clause. L’étude aborde également la transmissibilité de la clause compromissoire, qui pose un défi théorique à l’idée d’autonomie. En cas de cession ou de transfert du contrat principal, la clause compromissoire accompagne généralement le contrat, ce qui semble paradoxal par rapport à son indépendance. Cette apparente contradiction s’explique toutefois par la nécessité pratique d’assurer la continuité des mécanismes d’arbitrage, en particulier dans des situations complexes comme les contrats multipartites ou les groupes d’entreprises. Enfin, le principe d’autonomie, malgré sa robustesse et son importance dans l’arbitrage, demeure encadré. La protection des intérêts fondamentaux des parties les plus vulnérables et des principes essentiels de justice impose des limites nécessaires. L’ordre public joue ici un rôle clé en veillant à ce que la liberté contractuelle ne se traduise pas par une atteinte aux droits fondamentaux ou aux valeurs essentielles de la société. En conclusion, l’autonomie de la clause compromissoire est un instrument essentiel qui garantit la stabilité et l’efficacité de l’arbitrage. Elle repose sur une double dynamique : une indépendance par rapport au contrat principal et une flexibilité permettant aux parties d’organiser librement la procédure arbitrale. Toutefois, cette autonomie doit coexister avec des limites claires pour concilier la liberté contractuelle avec les exigences de justice, assurant ainsi un équilibre nécessaire entre efficacité et protection des principes fondamentaux. The principle of the autonomy of the arbitration clause is central to the arbitration mechanism, while remaining both complex and multifaceted. This study sheds light on the various dimensions of this principle and identifies its limits in the face of fundamental justice and public policy requirements. The autonomy of the arbitration clause primarily signifies that the clause, although incorporated into a principal contract, exists and survives independently. In practical terms, this means that a dispute regarding or the invalidity of the principal contract does not automatically affect the arbitration clause. This independence enables the parties to uphold their agreement to submit disputes to arbitration, thereby ensuring legal certainty and continuity in conflict resolution processes. Arbitration thus rests on a voluntary and preemptive commitment that cannot be undermined by circumstances affecting the main contract. In addition to this independence, the development of the principle of autonomy has introduced another significant aspect: the freedom of the parties to determine the rules governing the arbitration clause. This autonomy allows the parties to deviate from the rules of the principal contract, fostering flexibility and enabling the design of arbitration procedures that meet their specific needs. However, this freedom is not without limits, particularly where public policy intervenes as a safeguard to preserve fundamental principles of justice and fairness. A crucial component of this principle is its interaction with the kompetenz-kompetenz doctrine, which empowers the arbitral tribunal to rule on its own jurisdiction. This close relationship between the two concepts may cause confusion: the autonomy of the arbitration clause concerns its validity and independence, whereas kompetenz-kompetenz pertains to the decision-making authority of arbitrators. Despite their distinctions, both principles collectively enhance the effectiveness of arbitration by facilitating the prompt resolution of jurisdictional and validity-related challenges. This study also explores the issue of the arbitration clause’s transmissibility, which presents a theoretical challenge to the notion of autonomy. In cases where the principal contract is assigned or transferred, the arbitration clause typically follows the contract, creating a seemingly paradoxical situation regarding its independence. This apparent contradiction can, however, be justified by the practical need to maintain the continuity of arbitration mechanisms, particularly in complex contexts such as multiparty contracts or corporate groups. Ultimately, despite its essential role and resilience, the autonomy of the arbitration clause is subject to necessary constraints. The protection of vulnerable parties and the preservation of fundamental principles of justice impose clear limitations. Public policy serves as a crucial safeguard to ensure that contractual freedom does not infringe upon fundamental rights or societal values. In conclusion, the autonomy of the arbitration clause is a cornerstone of arbitration’s stability and effectiveness. It is characterized by independence from the principal contract and the flexibility afforded to the parties in shaping their arbitration proceedings. However, this autonomy must be balanced against clear limits to harmonize contractual freedom with justice requirements, ensuring an essential equilibrium between efficiency and the protection of core principles.

Post-commencement financiers provide a lifeline to companies under business rescue and these financiers have their best interest in the survival of these companies. Should it be that the business rescue plan is unsuccessful, the chances are that the post commencement financiers will be the largest creditors. In Wescoal Mining (Pty) Ltd v Mkhombo NO, a dispute arose regarding the appropriate adoption of a business rescue plan during the meeting. One critical legal issue was whether the Companies Act bestows voting rights exclusively to the company's creditors who existed at the initiation of business rescue, or if creditors accruing after the commencement may also partake in voting on the plan. Following an assessment by Judge Wilson, it was established that only creditors with claims predating the commencement were eligible to participate in the voting process. Subsequently, Judge Wilson believed that section 135 of the Companies Act places post-commencement financiers as creditors in a different class and provides for their protection and interests in a different way. Against this background, the dissertation evaluates the position of post-commencement creditors when it comes to voting on a business rescue plan.

Le brevet est un titre de propriété industrielle, qui confère à son titulaire une exclusivité d’exploitation de l’invention. À l’heure actuelle, il n’existe pas de véritable brevet africain, il existe seulement une procédure d’enregistrement unique auprès de l’organisation africaine de propriété intellectuelle (OAPI). Le brevet africain unitaire est un projet de recherche, inspiré du brevet européen à effet unitaire. Ce brevet permettra l’obtention d’une protection dans tous les pays africains, membres de l’OHADA et l’OAPI, par le biais du dépôt d'une seule demande auprès du nouvel office du brevet africain unitaire (OBAU). L’idée d’instaurer un brevet africain unitaire (BAU) émerge comme une entreprise d’une magnitude cruciale au sein du contexte évolutif de l’essor économique du continent africain. Dans le monde, présentement, il existe plusieurs systèmes de brevets unitaires, notamment celui du CGG, Eurasie, et le brevet européen à effet unitaire qui servira d’ailleurs de modèle pour le brevet africain unitaire. Le BAU est un nouveau titre de propriété intellectuelle, qui consiste à produire un effet juridique attribué à un nouveau titre : le brevet africain unitaire. C’est un nouvel instrument de protection et un droit de propriété intellectuelle, dans la mesure où il nécessite une procédure spécifique de délivrance. De plus, l’effet unitaire ne possède pas une durée déterminée, il naît et disparaît par application des règles particulières. L’une de ses caractéristiques principales est la faculté de fournir une protection uniforme et de produire les mêmes effets dans tous les États membres participants. Il s’agit donc d’une protection unitaire et dont son obtention est soumise à des conditions qui doivent être scrupuleusement respectées pour pouvoir bénéficier des prérogatives octroyées par le BAU. Enfin, son annulation ou sa révocation résulte du droit de l’OHADA et OAPI sur le nouveau brevet africain unitaire. Le développement économique de l’Afrique se trouve indéniablement lié à sa capacité à encourager l’innovation, à protéger les droits de propriété intellectuelle et à exploiter les ressources créatives de ses citoyens. À une période où la préservation des inventions et des innovations se révèle impérative afin de catalyser la croissance économique, l’établissement d’un mécanisme de brevetage harmonisé propose des perspectives considérables. Ce mémoire vise à mettre en lumière l’importance capitale de l’implantation d’un brevet africain unitaire en fournissant une étude approfondie de la problématique. Dans un premier temps, nous étudierons l’état des lieux d’un brevet unifié sur le plan européen et africain puis nous envisagerons dans un second temps la création d’un brevet africain à effet unitaire.

This dissertation critically analyses new generation continental, regional and bilateral investment treaties in Africa with the aim to explore enhancements that could be made thereto in order to enable African citizens to hold investors accountable for investment-related climate change issues in Africa. The main research question answered in the dissertation is: to what extent does African investment treaty practice incorporate climate change-related provisions and investor accountability for climate change. The dissertation analysed traditional investment treaties, particularly noting their silence on climate change and investor accountability, and their partiality to investor protection. Using the AfCFTA Investment Protocol as an anchor alongside other new generation continental, regional and bilateral investment treaties in Africa, it discusses a fundamental contemporary shift in African investment treaty practice towards ensuring sustainable investments and greater investor accountability for sustainability in Africa. It also explores the various limitations in these new generation investment treaties that still make investor accountability. In the end it proposes reforms to the Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions of these investment treaties to recognise citizen-led arbitral claims against investors, utilising the Hague Rules on Business and Human Rights as the procedural infrastructure for handling arbitration of such claims.

This dissertation on the relationship between the business rescue practitioner and the directors of the company under business rescue. In essence, this dissertation investigates whether a conflict arises between the duties, roles and powers of the business rescue practitioner and those of directors of the financially distressed company. The aim of this dissertation is to study what are the limitation on duties, roles and powers of directors of the company as a result of the appointment of the business rescue practitioner and the extent thereof. In achieving the above objective, this dissertation commences with setting out the background of business rescue proceedings in South Africa by analysing provisions of Chapter 6 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 which has introduced “a new corporate rescue procedure” in South Africa, being business rescue. The focus is on provisions dealing with duties, roles and powers of directors in the ordinary course as set out in section 66, 75 to 77 of the Act. The focus then shifts to the provisions dealing with the commencement of business rescue proceedings, the appointment of the business rescue practitioner and his duties, roles and powers. In order to establish whether a conflict truly exists between the duties, roles and powers, various sources dealing with this issue are considered. In order to assess whether there are solutions in dealing with the conflict and/or limitation that arises, this dissertation includes a comparative study on selected foreign jurisdictions dealing with the interaction between the board of directors and business rescue practitioner are considered. In particular, this dissertation considers corporate rescue mechanisms in the Commonwealth of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The purpose of the comparative study is to determine which lessons can be learned from the practices in the aforementioned jurisdictions. The overall objective of this study is to determine how the South African legal framework pertaining to the interaction between directors and business rescue practitioners can be enhanced.

Despite the emergence of corporate governance as a formal discipline more than thirty years ago, the proliferation internationally of scholarly work on the topic and its formal regulation over this period, the scope, definition and direction of corporate governance remain contested. Company theories could potentially assist in this regard but have been inconsistent in their explanations of the both the means and ends of corporate governance. This has led to scepticism about the efficacy of theories to illuminate the phenomena associated with companies and company law. Notwithstanding, theory is critical as it makes explicit what is implicit in policymaking by regulators, as well as in the behaviour and decision-making by corporate actors, so that regulation and decisions are transparent for analysis and evaluation. The study, therefore, set out to provide a synthesis and doctrinal analysis of the main theories on the nature and general purpose of corporations in historical context. It was found that objections can be raised against all of these theories to a greater or lesser extent for inaccurate portrayal of the law, limited explanatory power and detachment from the real word. This study shows that corporate theories are a product of the settings in which they have developed and consequently none of these theories represents a universal or absolute truth, nor are they an inevitability due to widespread adoption and use. This leaves room for new formulations of the corporate form and its purpose fit for today’s context with its political, social and environmental challenges. This dissertation also includes further directions for theoretical exploration.

This paper constitutes a composite analysis of the legal framework and procedures for removing directors and the key challenges presented by the framework. It achieves this by looking at four legal questions: Firstly, it looks into what is the legal framework for director removal in South Africa, secondly, it delves into the challenges and/or uncertainties presented by this process, and further explores if there are any possible learnings South Africa can learn from foreign jurisdiction.

Informal social security is a non-governmental form of social security between kin and/or community members and is a prevalent practice in South Africa. The question this dissertation analyses is whether the South African government fails in its constitutional duty to protect and advance informal social security. The dissertation limits itself to analysing cash transfers through social grants, and social insurance in the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. This dissertation delineates its definition of informal social security, historically contextualises its practice, and explains the contemporary formal social security framework. This dissertation finds five prominent shortcomings in the formal framework, and that these shortcomings have a profoundly negative, weakening effect on informal social security, as the more people who rely on informal mechanisms, the less it can respond to needs arising from life contingencies, shocks, and risks. The dissertation concludes by analysing three legal reform proposals the state can implement: extending existing social insurance frameworks to those in the informal sector, promoting cooperatives as a formal platform for the informal, and the basic income grant.

The work proposes to investigate the extension of collaboration contracts through traditional tools that rely on the classic contractual model based on exchange and whether these solutions are more suitable for this type of contract. The theory of contracts is to assist in the task of understanding the specifics and the environment of business collaboration contracts and the prospect of terminating the relationship due to the lack of collaboration, based either on default or on the impossibility of the performance itself in the interest of the creditor. In collaboration contracts, collaboration is, by the very definition of these contracts, the main obligation, integral to the core of the contractual object. It is collaboration that is one of the other obligations, allowing the configuration of the common project as a contract. In this type of relationship, the binomial provision and consideration is multifaceted, as are the positions of creditor and debtor. In this context, the study of these collaboration contracts requires a more comprehensive and complex view of the institutes that, originally, were formulated for a tight exchange relationship and for well-defined contractual positions. What we intend to confirm in this research is that the lack of collaboration, in this type of contract, can lead to positive violation or absolute default, which must be determined according to the interest of the creditor which, in corporate contracts, has to do with the economic function, with its own contractual program. Given the difficulty of characterizing a positive breach of the contract or, even more so, absolute default, the investigation also encompasses a broadening of the perspectives of the default itself, to conclude that the performance ultimately serves the interest of the creditor (understood in an amplified position) and can only be read from the economic function of the business. When collaboration between the parties is no longer possible, the specific execution of obligations appears useless and involving.

This dissertation investigates the impact of digital transformation on risk management within the banking sector, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing operational risk management. It examines key research questions about how digitisation reshapes risk management practices, the extent to which South African banks align with international standards, and the role of AI in advancing these frameworks. The study finds that AI holds substantial potential to improve risk management, particularly in managing operational risks, while underscoring the indispensable role of human oversight. Ultimately, this shift toward a more AI-driven, adaptive approach marks a pivotal evolution in the financial sector, suggesting that the future of risk management can indeed rely on AI's transformative capabilities.