Bibliographie sélective OHADA

This research traces the developments of the directors’ fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the company and looks at how these developments affect human rights and interests of stakeholders. The main focus of the study is on the human rights impact of this duty. Initially, this duty was only regulated in terms of common law which proved to be problematic. The problem with common law lies within the definition of ‘best interests of the company’, which not only exclude the interests of other stakeholders but also has the potential to bring about violation of human rights, particularly the rights to equality, dignity and fair labour practice. At common law best interests of the company means interests of the company itself and its shareholders. The common law only protects the company and its shareholders, while excluding the rights and interests of stakeholders. The common law duty to in the best interests of the company is not in line with our contemporary law because it ignores human rights. The neglect of human rights by this duty renders it inconsistent with the values contained in the Constitution. Furthermore, the exclusion of stakeholders’ rights by this duty cannot be justified because stakeholders play an important part in safeguarding the stability and continued existence of the companies. The fiduciary duty to act in company’s best interests is now contained in the Companies Act of 2008. Inclusion of this duty in the Act enables our courts to interpret it in a manner that protects human rights and which takes into account interests of other stakeholders. Section 7 (a) of the Act provides that among other goals of the Act is the promotion of compliance with the Bill of Rights when applying the company law. The impact of section 7 is that it imposes an indirect duty on directors to consider the human rights impact of their decisions. Section 158 of the Act enables the courts to “develop common law as it is necessary to improve the realisation and enjoyment of rights established by the Companies Act of 2008.” Given this recognition of the Bill of Rights by the Companies Act, it’s of vital importance that our courts should interpret and apply the duty to act in the best interests of the company in manner that is consistent with the Constitution. Directors are now obliged to pay attention to the human rights impact of their decisions.

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.