Bibliographie sélective OHADA

Abstract available in pdf.

This dissertation explores the concepts of non-disclosure and misrepresentation in South African law. The principal focus surrounds the effect non-disclosure as a form of misrepresentation has on the liability of contracting parties. In order to explore this effectively, the study explores the concept of duty of disclosure, and whether such a duty exists in South African law. Instances when a duty to disclose arises are explained, such as positive steps taken to conceal facts, the seller having sole knowledge of the material fact, an omission or misleading language, and a change in circumstances. Similarly to the English law duty of disclosure in relation to information in contracts uberrimae fidei, the similar South African law concept in insurance or agency contracts known as ‘utmost good faith’, is discussed and explored. The study determines whether such a concept should be a mandatory requirement in pre-contractual negotiations. Additionally, this study explores the various avenues of relief that are available to those who have fallen victim to misrepresentation. This results in an analysis of the effectiveness and success of the current traditional methods of claiming and quantifying damages that are adopted by South African legislature and the judiciary. The discussion then explores the proposed alternate method which aims to combine a claim into one of delict and that of contractual liability, or on the other hand institute a claim solely based on contractual liability. Lastly, this study explores the effect the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 has had on contractual agreements, remedies and penalties, and how this ground-breaking legislation has altered the approach previously adopted by the common law and whether it has done enough to protect consumers.

South Africa has experienced significant levels of reckless credit thus leading to over-indebtedness of consumers. Furthermore, research conducted in 2008 and 2013 by the University of Pretoria indicated that there were abuses prevalent in emolument attachment orders (EAOs). An interesting aspect of the research was that credit providers were particularly interested in employed consumers, as their wages or salaries were deemed to be a form of security. The aim of this dissertation is to examine the link between reckless credit and EAOs. The main research problem revolves around the fact that credit providers do not conduct thorough pre-agreement assessments and have a tendency to subscribe to the tick box approach to compliance. Moreover, these pre-agreement assessments do not make provision for the inclusion of external market factors, which is essential to safeguard consumers against economic events. This dissertation argues that, at the point when reckless credit is granted, it is inevitable that default will occur thus leading to the culmination of an EAO. In this regard, the case of University of Stellenbosch Legal Aid Clinic and Others v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Others; Association of Debt Recovery Agents NPC v University of Stellenbosch Legal Aid Clinic and Others; Mavava Trading 279 (Pty) Ltd and Others v University of Stellenbosch Legal Aid Clinic and Others (CCT127/15) [2016] ZACC 32 is important. The judgement illustrates how vulnerable consumers fell prey to unscrupulous credit providers who then took advantage of their salaries. An important aspect about the judgement was that section 65J of the Magistrates Court Act has now been amended through a joint interpretative mechanism of severance and reading in. The Constitutional Court’s order now requires judicial supervision in the EAO process, whereby a magistrate issues the EAO. This dissertation examines the effect of this and how EAOs are currently regulated. It also discusses whether judicial supervision is the solution to ameliorating the law on EAOs. Qualitative research methods were utilised such as legislation, case law, textbooks and journal articles. While there are no statistics to prove the link, anecdotal evidence proves the link between reckless credit and EAOs.

No abstract available.

Companies are constantly facing risks, including financial constraints, which may contribute to companies being unable to trade in the manner desired. Unfortunately, companies that find themselves in this predicament have, in reality, been without a remedy from as early as statutory provisions regulating company law were promulgated in 1926. Judicial management, as a remedy, is notorious for being an outright failure, but the current Companies Act 71 of 2008 introduced the remedy of business rescue for financially distressed companies. The scrutiny and spotlight on the new remedy turns on whether it can be truly accessible for the companies in question and what significant changes it has made to favour financially distressed companies. This mini dissertation will aim to discuss whether the remedy of business rescue has been a success or failure.

No abstract provided.

Upon the recognition that the implementation of the judicial management process would not be the success that it was anticipated it would be, it became apparent that there was need for a system of corporate rescue appropriate to the needs of a modern South African economy. The legislature then introduced a new business rescue regime when the Companies Act 71 of 20082 (the Act) came into effect in the South African law. This new Act remarkably changed corporate law. One of the central features of the Act is the introduction of business rescue- a procedure which provides for the rehabilitation of financially distressed companies in a manner that seeks to balance the rights of all stakeholders. These provisions are said to be the appropriate method for modern South African economy and they differently affect the stakeholders of a company. This thesis will be discussing the different rights given to affected persons in the new Companies Act and examine how the provisions of business rescue affect different stakeholders of the company and compare such effects with those experienced under judicial management, specifically in light of the improvements of the positions of the stakeholders. Although the new business rescue is a remarkable improvement from the old judicial management system, there is still room for improvement.

No abstract available.

L’analisi svolta in questo lavoro ha ad oggetto le procedure adottabili in caso di fallimento, quando esse coinvolgono società costituite in gruppi di impresa. È una questione non recente che ha tuttavia avuto la sua consacrazione nel panorama internazionale solo negli ultimi anni. La grande crisi finanziaria del 2008 ha fatto sorgere la necessità di emanare nuove specifiche regole. Pertanto, l’obiettivo che questo lavoro si propone, è di analizzare tali regole, sia iure condito che iure condendo, per consentire al lettore di avere una panoramica chiara su come l’insolvenza di gruppo possa essere trattata.

International trade has had an increasing impact on the national economies of states. For this reason, some international institutions have sought to standardise rules on the international sale of goods. The Convention, which stands out from these rules, is the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, opened for signature in Vienna on 11th April, 1980, known as the Vienna Convention (CISG). The transfer of risk is one of the most sensitive issues in international trade. Therefore, it would seem apt to observe the legal regime of the transfer of risk contained in the various provisions of this international instrument. To understand the rules of the transfer of risk, it is necessary to observe the notion of contract for the international sale and the obligations of the parties involved in the international contract. In addition, it should be noted that, in most situations, the contract for the international sale is related to the transport of goods. With this framework, the study of this essay focuses on the analysis of article 68 of the Vienna Convention. So, this dissertation deals with the question of determining the exact moment of the transfer of risk in the contract of international sale of goods in transit under the Vienna Convention. O comércio internacional tem tido cada vez mais impacto nas economias nacionais dos Estados. Por esse motivo, algumas organizações internacionais têm procurado uniformizar as regras relativas à compra e venda internacional de mercadorias. A Convenção, que se destaca dessas regras, é a Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre os Contratos de Compra e Venda Internacional de Mercadorias, aberta à assinatura em Viena a 11 de abril de 1980, conhecida como Convenção de Viena. A transferência do risco apresenta-se como uma das temáticas mais delicadas do comércio internacional. Portanto, afigura-se como útil a observação do regime jurídico da transferência do risco contido nas diversas disposições deste instrumento internacional. Para compreender as regras da transferência do risco, é necessário observar a noção de contrato de compra e venda internacional e as obrigações das partes do contrato internacional. Além disso, há que perceber que, na generalidade das situações, o contrato de compra e venda internacional está relacionado com o transporte de mercadorias. Com este enquadramento, o estudo deste trabalho centra-se na análise do artigo 68.º da Convenção de Viena. Assim, a presente dissertação debruça-se sobre a questão de determinar qual é o momento exato da transferência do risco no contrato de compra e venda internacional de mercadorias em trânsito no âmbito da Convenção de Viena.