Bibliographie sélective OHADA

O atual direito brasileiro admite a intervenção estatal em relações contratuais nas hipóteses previstas em lei ou por vontade das partes. Uma das possíveis vias para essa intervenção é a judicial, por meio da qual o juiz pode revisar contratos, ou seja, garantir sua conservação mediante a modificação de elementos do conteúdo pactuado pelas partes contratantes (revisão em sentido lato) - seja pela alteração superveniente de circunstâncias, por nulidade parcial ou por anulabilidade parcial. Apesar de comum na prática forense, identificou-se não haver uma clara definição de modelo uniforme de critérios limitadores do cabimento, extensão e profundidade dos poderes do juiz em demandas revisionais de contratos. Partindo-se de uma seleção mais ampla dos poderes (-deveres) judiciais em poderes de decisão, de direção e de instrução processual, propõe-se que, em demandas revisionais de contratos, tais poderes - nos de direção, em parte - sejam exercidos conforme a limitação imposta, cumulativamente, pelos parâmetros (1) da natureza da relação contratual e do tipo contratual, bem como das disposições legais a eles aplicáveis, (2) da vulnerabilidade das partes impactadas pelos efeitos do contrato, (3) da lógica econômica do contrato à luz do mercado em que se insere a contratação e (4) do impacto da contratação ao interesse público. Em resumo, quanto maior for o interesse estatal em tutelar determinado modelo de relação contratual (seja por sua importância jurídica, social, econômica ou política), menor deve ser a limitação dos poderes do juiz em demandas revisionais de contratos. Tais parâmetros estão intimamente atrelados aos escopos da jurisdição e do próprio processo enquanto viabilizador do direito material e se mostram em conformidade com o contemporâneo papel do 'juiz cooperativo' em nossa sociedade. The current Brazilian law admits State intervention in contractual relationships in the hypotheses provided for by law or by the will of the parties. One of the possible ways for such intervention is the judicial pathway, whereby the judge may adjust agreements, i.e., ensure their preservation by means of modification of elements of the agreed content agreed between the contracting parties (review lato sensu) - whether by the supervening change of circumstances, partial nullity, or partial voidability. Despite its common use in court practice, it was identified that there is no clear definition of uniform model of criteria that limit the admissibility, extension and depth of the powers of the judge in claims for review of agreements. Based on a broader selection of the judicial powers (-duties) in powers of decision, of guidance and of evidentiary stage, it is proposed that, in claims for review of agreements, said powers - partially, in guidance - be exercised in accordance with the limitation cumulatively imposed by the parameters (1) of the nature of the contractual relationship and the type of agreement, and the legal provisions applicable to them, (2) of the vulnerability of the parties affected by the effects of the agreement, (3) of the economic logic of the agreement in the light of the market in which the contracting is inserted, and (4) of the impact of such contracting on the public interest. In summary, the greater the State interest to protect a given model of contractual relationship (due to its legal, social, economic or political relevance), the smaller the limitation of the powers of the judge in claims for review of agreements should be. Said parameters are closely attached to the scopes of the jurisdiction and of the due process itself as enabling the substantive law, and are shown to be in compliance with the contemporary role of the 'cooperative judge' in our society.

The financial development of many Sub-Saharan African countries over the years has not been able to match up with other regions like the Middle East and North Africa, East Asia and Pacific, and Europe and central Asia (IMF, 2016). Trade openness has been argued in several empirical literature as a factor that could spur up the level of financial development, although the high levels of trade openness in Sub-Saharan Africa is not contributing much to the desired levels of financial development in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is an indication in literature that trade openness will be more relevant to financial development of economies that have a strong institutional quality. Thus, by using system General Method of Moment estimation technique, this study examined how institutional quality moderates the relationship between trade openness and financial development of Sub-Saharan African economies. The study found that institutional quality enhances the effect of trade openness on financial development of Sub-Saharan African economies. It is therefore recommended that, Sub-Saharan African economies should put in measures to strength their institutional quality so that the high levels of trade openness will better enhance financial development. Specifically, trade openness can better enhance financial development by improving government effectiveness, reducing corruption, enhancing regulatory quality, abiding by the rule of law, and allowing voice and accountability. As an extra benefit, the improvements in institutional quality on their own too will yield positive impact on financial development.

This study evaluated the extent to which value relevance of financial information in Nigerian manufacturing firms has improved after the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Specifically, the study intended to: Ascertain the extent the adoption of IFRS has significantly improved the book value per share of manufacturing companies in Nigeria; Determine the extent the adoption of IFRS has significantly improved the Earnings Per Share of manufacturing companies in Nigeria and Examine the extent the adoption of IFRS has significantly improved the cash flow of manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 54 manufacturing companies was randomly selected from manufacturing companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange for the periods of 2008-2015. Data for the study were obtained from the annual reports and accounts of the sampled companies. Specifically, a modified price model for detecting value relevance of accounting data for two different periods was employed. Regression Analysis and Chow test statistical tools were used to analyze and validate the data with aid of SPSS version 20.0. The study found that the adoption of IFRS has improved the book value per share, market share price, Earnings Per Share and cash flow of manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The implication of findings is that the value relevance of accounting information of manufacturing companies is more sensitive during Post-IFRS era than the Pre-IFRS era. The findings also imply that the book value per share, market price, earnings and cash flow have become informative to equity investors in determining the value of firms following IFRS adoption. The study recommends among other things that the accounting information for book value per share should be communicated to the investing public; and such information should be of high quality to avoid negative consequences on the part of investors.

A contract involves s a promise between two persons for the exchange of either good or services. A contract signifies the free consent of the parties to the contract to be bound by law. For a contract to be valid, it must have these basic elements: mutual assent, consideration, capacity, and legality. Mutual assent is characterized by offer and acceptance through mutual accent; "consideration," on the other hand denotes any form of compensation with something of value for the goods or services traded. A contract between persons, either natural persons or legal persons, who have no capacity to contract can either be voidable or void depending on the case. Legality gives the condition that should be satisfied for a contract to be excised by the law. Illegal contracts are for example those involving illegal activities. For example one can't bring a plea of damages to a court of law for breach of a contract entered into to kill another person.The possible remedies for breach of contract are; general damages, consequential damages, reliance damages, and specific performance. This paper will examine the capacity to contract as pertains to contracts entered by minors minor's.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo a análise do direito internacional privado enquanto disciplina metodológica que regula conflitos pluriconectados, isto é, conflitos ligados a mais de uma jurisdição, à luz do processo de internacionalização do direito, ocorrido, sobretudo, na segunda metade do século XX. Por internacionalização do direito compreende-se o fenômeno descrito por Mireille Delmas-Marty2 e identificado por André Jean Arnaud3 como o direito nascido não apenas da globalização econômica, mas também aquele evocado por conta da universalização dos direitos do homem e da consagração de sua autonomia da vontade. No primeiro capítulo, são destacadas as bases do direito internacional privado, como sua definição como matéria, seu objeto de estudo, as fontes de onde emerge e principalmente seu método conflitual clássico, baseado em normas de conflitos (regras de conexão) promovidas por elementos de conexão entre os ordenamentos em contato. No segundo capítulo, analisa-se especificamente o fenômeno da internacionalização do direito e como esse processo levantou a hipótese de uma possível insuficiência do método conflitual clássico de Direito Internacional Privado. Para isso, são analisados alguns fenômenos privados de construção normativa, que evidenciaram um pluralismo jurídico de fontes e um recuo do Estado por meio da normalização e de uma intensa mimetização do setor privado com o poder público na produção do Direito. Segundo o conceito de direito transnacional proposto por Jessup, nesse capítulo pretende-se demonstrar que essas novas fontes normativas são criadas por processos de interação entre agentes e relações transnacionais, e revelam um modo diferente de internacionalização do direito com impacto sobre o direito internacional privado. Como exemplo desse novo plexo normativo, são analisados os aportes teóricos da nova Lex Mercatoria, da Lex Sportiva e da Lex Eletronica, como autênticas fontes transnacionais - ou soft norms - que concorrem com o método de direito internacional privado na solução de conflitos pluriconectados. No terceiro e último capítulo, é proposta uma análise e levantadas algumas hipóteses do por que esse pluralismo jurídico, emergido da internacionalização do direito, vir ganhando proeminência, de onde emerge sua legitimidade e por que ele estaria concorrendo com o método clássico de conflitos de normas quando da ocorrência de conflitos multilocalizados. Finalmente, o trabalho trata de algumas possibilidades de conjugar e harmonizar o aporte teórico desse novo plexo normativo transnacional com o método conflitual clássico por meio do diálogo das fontes e de um pluralismo ordenado.

Le contrôle de l’équilibre contractuel constitue l’un des marqueurs du droit des contrats contemporain. Plusieurs fondements président à l’instauration d’un tel contrôle. Certains auteurs évoquent la morale, d’autres la justice contractuelle et d’autres enfin son utilité économique. Appliqués aux déséquilibres entre professionnels, les outils mis en œuvre pour assurer ce contrôle trahissent l’existence d’un contrôle objectif de l’équilibre attendu du contrat. L’équilibre subjectif voulu par les parties n’est pas écarté, mais il se trouve concurrencé par la détermination d’une forme d’équilibre objectif motivé tant par la volonté de protéger la partie faible que par celle de promouvoir une certaine vision de l’économie, et des échanges commerciaux. Le droit des pratiques restrictives se présente à cet égard comme une discipline intégratrice permettant d’allier protection de la partie faible et protection du marché. L’influence que cette discipline exerce sur le droit commun des contrats, et la « civilisation », à l’inverse, du droit de la concurrence sous l’influence du droit commun, permettent d’éclairer les rouages de ce contrôle objectif de l’équilibre contractuel. Cette étude propose de décrire l’objectivation des critères d’identification du déséquilibre contractuel et celle des remèdes qui lui sont réservés. Pour ce faire, le droit commun des contrats et celui des pratiques restrictives de concurrence seront mis en miroir afin d’éclairer les implications de ce contrôle sur l’une et l’autre des matières. Plus exactement, cette thèse propose de déjouer les phénomènes de superposition et de concurrence des dispositifs de contrôle objectif de l’équilibre contractuel existant dans ces deux disciplines par une identification précise de leurs champs d’applications et de leurs objectifs respectifs. Elle tend enfin à décrire les fonctions de ce contrôle objectif tant à l’égard des parties qu’à celui du marché, en insistant sur la nécessité d’envisager conjointement les dimensions micro et macro-économiques des contrats étudiés.

Desde hace mucho tiempo el Ecuador, ha estado inmersa en una profunda crisis económica. En vista de esta situación el Estado se ha comprometido en reactivar la economía y para ello ha implementado políticas que aporten al desarrollo de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES) y de esta manera generar mayores fuentes de empleo y reactivar el sistema productivo empresarial. Antes de saber si los emprendedores tienen una pequeña o mediana empresa deben estar constituidas como una sociedad mercantil, para que sea considerada desde el punto de vista jurídico como pequeña o mediana empresa. En la actualidad el gobierno ecuatoriano se ha desempeñado por hacer una distinción clara entre la pequeña y mediana industria. El estudio presenta un enfoque cualitativo, con un alcance analítico-descriptivo, ya que se ha detallado el fenómeno en el cual se han encontrado inmersas las PYMES. En vista del incremento del desempleo y la depreciación del sistema productivo ecuatoriano, demuestra que la pequeñas y medianas empresas son una buena altemativa para todas aquellas personas que ingresan al mercado laboral y adquirir los beneficios que conlleva el formarse como personería juridica. Sin embargo, para el camino que las empresas deben recorrer se puede pronosticar poco éxito al emprender esta idea de conformarla.

This article analyses the regulation of cross-border insolvency under the Cross-Border Insolvency Act 42 of 20001 in order to examine the adequacy of such regulation as regards to the enforcement of insolvency proceedings in South Africa and other relevant jurisdictions. To this end, the paper provides an overview analysis of the regulation and/or enforcement of insolvency proceedings under the Cross-Border Insolvency Act. Moreover, where possible, the paper also provides a comparative analysis of selected aspects of the regulation and/or enforcement of insolvency proceedings under the Cross-Border Insolvency Act and those that are provided under the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 and other related international instruments. This is done to expose the challenges and future prospects of the regulatory and enforcement framework under the Cross-Border Insolvency Act in South Africa.

O presente estudo científico debruça-se sobre as formas de liberação do fiador. Sob esta matriz, procuramos retractar o tema sustentados nas malhas da legislação passada, mas também associados a actual ciência normativa, sem deixar de lado a experiência jurídica de diversas legislações estrangeiras, assim como as polémicas abertas na doutrina, coerentemente encarada no seu conjunto como condição necessária para problematizar o debate, suscitando ideias resultantes de sucessivos raciocínios controvertidos, sobre os quais também se armaram conceitos e variadas posições, em virtude da relevância que esta matéria resgata no âmbito das relações creditícias. Por sua vez, são abordados ainda alguns tópicos adjacentes a este tema que finalizam o entendimento sobre a matéria. Com efeito, as linhas de projecção do nosso estudo estão alinhadas no sentido de tentar responder às indagações do quotidiano, de modo a contornar as diversas situações que ocorrem na vida real, mas igualmente sem deixar de pensar na pretensa possibilidade de estabelecer caminhos ou rumos a tomar no futuro.

Depuis les premières lois instituant un code du travail en Rèpublique gabonaise en 1962, les règles relatives à la protection de la santé au travail repose sur deux piliers fondamentaux, la prévention et la réparation des risques professionnels. Avec la réforme du code du travail de 1994 un accent particulier a été mis sur la prévention des risques en ce sens qu'elle doit être privilégiée, la réparation ne devant intervenir que de manière secondaire. Malgré cette évolution, 20 ans après cette réforme, La protection de la santé des travailleurs repose encore essentiellement sur la réparation des risques liés au travail et sur la préservation de l'emploi des victimes d'accident du travail ou de maladie professionnelle. Un intérêt pour la prévention et la promotion de la santé au travail est perceptible mais il reste encore hésitant. Le constat général qui se dégage de l'examen de cette protection est qu'elle reste largement inappliquée, compte tenu de nombreux facteurs, liés au caractère essentiellement législatif et incomplet des textes. Les insuffisances tiennent également aux difficultés dans l'organisation de la prévention. La mise en oeuvre des règles de sécurité et santé au travail pose encore beaucoup de problèmes, ce qui contribue à relativiser la protection à laquelle les travailleurs peuvent prétendre. Since the first laws establishing a labor code in the Gabonese Republic in 1962, the rules relating to the protection of occupational health are based on two fundamental pillars, the prevention and repair of occupational hazards. With the 1994 reform of the Labor Code, special emphasis has been placed on risk prevention in the sense that it should be privileged, with reparation only being required in a secondary way. Despite this development, 20 years after this reform, the protection of workers' health is still essentially based on the reparation of work-related risks and the preservation of the employment of victims of work-related accidents and occupational diseases. Interest in the prevention and promotion of occupational health is perceptible but it remains hesitant. The general finding that emerges from the review of this protection is that it remains largely unimplemented, given many factors related to the essentially legislative and incomplete nature of the texts. The shortcomings are also due to difficulties in the organization of prevention. The implementation of occupational safety and health rules still poses many problems, which contributes to relativizing the protection that workers can claim.

Mon projet de thèse porte sur les enjeux de la modernisation de la justice car le Sénégal, après avoir mis en place un système original d'unité de juridiction à dualité de contentieux en 1960, a procédé à des réformes majeures de son organisation judiciaire en 1984, en 1992, en 2008 et enfin en 2015. Entre temps, le pays a signé le traité de Port-Louis instituant l'OHADA qui a mis en place une Cour commune de justice et d'arbitrage, une école de la magistrature et pris dix actes uniformes qui régissent le droit des affaires dans les 17 Etats parties. Le pays a également été le premier pays signataire du traité de Rome instituant la CPI et après avoir reçu mandat de l'Union africaine de juger l'ancien président tchadien monsieur Hussein Habré, a créé les chambres africaines extraordinaires dans son dispositif institutionnel. Le Sénégal avait amorcé également un vaste programme de modernisation de la justice dénommé programme sectoriel justice avec comme objectifs spécifiques d'accroître l'accessibilité de la justice, son efficacité et d'améliorer son cadre institutionnel. La mise en œuvre de toutes ces réformes a certes donné des résultats significatifs mais des contraintes majeures demeurent. Mon étude a donc pour vocation de présenter un système judiciaire qui s'est complexifié au fil de ses réformes, ambitionne de se hisser à des normes de standard international d'où la nécessité de changer de paradigmes pour atteindre les performances qui donnent satisfaction aux justiciables, aux citoyens et aux investisseurs. My thesis project focuses on the challenges of modernizing the justice system. The reason for this choice is that Senegal, after having originally set up a dual system of juridiction in 1960, made major reforms of its judicial organization in 1984,1992, 2008 and ultimately in 2015. Meanwhile,the country signed the Port Louis Treaty establishing the OHADA which set up a common Court of Justice and Arbitration, a Judicial Academy and led to adoption of 10 uniform acts that govern the business law in the 17 member states. Senegal was the first country sign the treaty of Rome establishing the International Crininal Court and after receiving a mandate from the African Union to try the former President of Tchad Mister Hussein HABRE, created the Extraordinary African chambers in its institutional system. The implementation of all these reforms has certainly yielded significant results but major contraints still remain. My study therefore aims to present a judicial system that as become more complex throughout its various reforms, and rise up to international standard hence the need to change paradigms in order to achieve performance that give satisfaction to litigants, citizens and investors.

Depuis plusieurs années on assiste à un regain d’intérêt pour l’intégration régionale. Les expériences de cette dernière pendant la première vague d’intégration dans les années 60 et 70 ont produit des résultats mitigés, et souvent décevants en terme de développement du commerce, de la croissance économique, du changement des conditions de vie de la population. Certains auteurs néoclassiques sont extrêmement critiques à l’égard de l’intégration économique car, les groupements régionaux entraveraient la libéralisation du commerce international. Cette tendance à l’intégration régionale a également touché huit (8) pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest notamment le Benin, le Burkina-Faso, la Côte d’ivoire, la Guinée-Bissau, le Mali, le Niger, le Sénégal et le Togo, ayant une histoire commune et qui ont décidé de se réunir et former un seul bloc : l’Union Economique et Monétaire Oust-Africaine (UEMOA). Les pays membres ont connus en moyenne une amélioration des indicateurs économiques (croissance de PIB, l’Inflation, etc.), quoi que sa situation ne soit pas l’une des meilleures, compte tenu des résultats moins satisfaisants pour certains indicateurs comme les finances publiques, solde commercial et le non respect des critères de convergences. Toutefois, les efforts fournis par l’UEMOA en matière de réalisation des objectifs, sont loin d’être récompensés car, mise à part la Côte d'Ivoire qui est un pays en développement, les sept autres membres de l'Union économique et monétaire ouest-africaine (UEMOA) sont des pays moins avancés (PMA), avec la pauvreté qui touche une personne sur deux dans la zone.

Le notaire a une fonction essentielle pour conseiller les familles dans la gestion de leur patrimoine. Il intervient directement ou indirectement en matière d'optimisation fiscale. Pour les riches et les ultra-riches, son rôle peut être déterminant dans la construction des schémas d'optimisations fiscales. La plus-value du conseil notarial réside dans la vision à la fois juridique et fiscale. Son intervention s'étend également dans les dossiers internationaux. L'expertise du notaire français en droit international privé et en fiscalité international du patrimoine permet d'accompagner les projets familiaux et patrimoniaux transfrontaliers.

Encyclopaedic Corporate Governance (CG) is now a mainstream issue of concern in the business world. Yet, there has been no systematic investigation of CG practices in general, allowing for a distinction between the profit and non-profit organizations. In this regard, this article aims to investigate the nuances in the application of sound governance principles across different types of organizations in general, together with the understanding and applications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Regulation (CR) in the context of the OHADA zone. With CSR envisages as a model of CG that extends the fiduciary duties from fulfilment of responsibilities towards the shareholders of the firm to fulfilment of analogous fiduciary duties towards all the firm?s stakeholders. Thus, after considering the place of CSR in the debate about alternative CG modes, a full-fledged social contract foundation of the multi-stakeholder and multi-fiduciary model is present. The article, therefore, shows that CSR is a social norm that would endogenously emerge from the stakeholders? social contract seen as the first move in an equilibrium selection process that reaches the equilibrium state of a CG institution; and as a global trend involving corporations, states, international organizations and civil society organizations. Besides, the article portrays the trend of CSR in three ways: as a regulatory framework that places new demands on corporations; as a mobilization of corporate actors to assist the development aid of states and; as a management trend. With each of these portraits suggesting certain actors, relations, driving forces and interests as being central. These multiple identities may partially describe the trend?s success, but could equally well describe its contestation, fragility and fluidity. Based on the argument that CSR is not just a fashion but rather the future from another angle, the article explicitly explores the nexus between CSR, CG and CR as appreciated in the OHADA zone. It also presents fresh insights into the applications of CG and CSR principles under the OHADA perspective that has not received systematic attention and consideration in the literature and, thus, provides policy recommendations to mainstream a viable CSR framework in the OHADA zone.

La personne qui a osé porter atteinte à une valeur pénalement protégée par la société mérite-t-elle, de la part de celle-ci une quelconque défense? Pendant longtemps, cette défense a fait l'objet de controverses, si certains y étaient favorables, d'autres y étaient résolument hostiles. Le compromis a consisté à refuser les droits de la défense dans l'enquête policière en adoptant un système inquisitoire et à les consacrer largement dans la phase de jugement avec un système accusatoire. Cette mixité de la procédure semble a priori répondre aux intérêts antagonistes au cœur de la procédure pénale. Mais, à l’aune des droits fondamentaux et sous l’influence des dispositions internationales et européennes, cette conception de la procédure devient inadaptée. Les droits de la défense, droits du procès équitable, ne doivent plus faire l’objet de limitations, ils doivent gouverner toute la procédure, de l’enquête policière jusqu’à la phase de jugement. Comment des droits qui ne s’appliquaient initialement que devant une juridiction indépendante et impartiale vont-ils faire irruption dans l’enquête policière sans l’existence d’un juge présentant des garanties équivalentes à celles de la juridiction de jugement ?Si le législateur a d’abord introduit les droits de la défense dans la phase de l’instruction pénale, le déclin de cette dernière au profit de l’enquête policière devrait le pousser à procéder à leur extension. C’est ce qu’il a d’ailleurs commencé à faire, mais de manière timorée. L’effectivité des droits de la défense dans l’enquête policière nécessite non seulement de procéder à leur élargissement, mais aussi de mettre en place un juge indépendant et impartial chargé de garantir leur pleine application comme dans la phase de jugement. Une juridictionnalisation de l’enquête policière est aujourd’hui un impératif.

This paper aims to investigate Corporate Alternative Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution compliance through an appraisal of International Arbitration practices in Project-based Organizations in the Nigerian Construction Industry. In this study, simple percentages and frequencies of occurrence were used to analyse data derived through subject matter interviews and a questionnaire survey. Using the Survey Monkey tool, 85 questionnaires were distributed to key players in the AEC (Architecture-Engineering-Construction) Industry including Engineers, Project Managers, Architects and Quantity Surveyors and 53 were returned complete. The survey indicated that 66% preferred a more private Construction Arbitration to a public Litigation as a preferred method of dispute resolution, with 65% agreeing that a lack of proper project funding hinders the arbitration process in the Nigerian Construction Industry. 66% agree that Arbitration Time contributes more to project delays while 32% believe that Cost of the arbitration process is the greater source of project delays. We recommend that issues of confidentiality be carefully managed in dealing with outside counsels, while Project-based Organisations in Nigeria should ensure to develop master plans compatible with long-term strategies, including setting aside adequate funding for the timely resolution of project disputes through the implementation of only Arbitration-friendly contracts. This paper contributes to knowledge by bringing to bear the current compliance levels of project-based organisations in the practice of Arbitration in the Nigerian Construction Industry.

Whenever legal disciplines overlap interesting scenarios occur and differences in opinions create intellectual tension. One such interesting scenario occurs when employees’ rights are affected during a company’s liquidation or business rescue. The employees of a company are normally the last persons to find out that a company is struggling financially. They are also the only stakeholders who are in no position to negotiate their risk should the company be liquidated. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the rights given to employees during a company’s liquidation and business rescue. The fundamental ideologies of company law, insolvency law and labour law are challenged and examined to attempt a harmonizing result that respects the core of each discipline. It is crucial to determine whether an appropriate balance is struck between the interests of all the stakeholders of the company during these procedures. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate whether South Africa manages to strike this balance. If employee rights are protected whilst a company is restructured back to solvency and success, this balance will be struck. An evaluation will also be made whether employees are always better protected during business rescue than in liquidation. The study analyses employee rights in a company’s liquidation and during a company’s restructuring process. The comparative study of employee rights in liquidation and rescue is done with the jurisdictions of Australia and England – countries with similar procedures. Important conclusions show that South Africa protects employee rights during business rescue procedures the best. An appropriate balance is indeed struck between the interests of all stakeholders of a company during business rescue procedures and employees are most of the time better off after a restructuring than in a liquidation. Should the recommendations for law reform be implemented in our legislation, South Africa will overcome the few obstacles currently in its way to be seen as a world leader where employee rights are concerned in liquidation proceedings as well as business rescue.

This study was motivated by the quest to find new innovative and practical ways of combating public procurement corruption in developing countries to complement the existing measures. This was achieved by comparing three jurisdictions, Hong Kong-China, Botswana and South Africa. The focus was on how each jurisdiction uses the following four measures to curb public procurement corruption: criminal measures; administrative measures; institutional measures and civil activism measures. It was established that Hong Kong uses what this study has classified as the traditional approach of combating public procurement corruption. The traditional approach is characterised by the use of a separate procurement legal framework and a separate corruption legal framework to curb public procurement corruption. Its strengths are in the strict enforcement of criminal measures that are anchored on a robust legal framework, a clear anti-corruption strategy, an independent anti-corruption agency (institutional measure), effective internal oversight and a strong political will. However, the following weaknesses of the traditional approach were identified: over reliance on criminal measures; excessive dependence on one enforcement institution; it neglects the development of administrative measures and has weak civil activism measures. It was established that Botswana uses what this study has classified as the classical approach of combating public procurement corruption. The classical approach is characterised by a procurement legal framework that incorporates very minimum anti-corruption provisions. The anti-corruption provisions in the procurement legislation are enforced by an external institution (the DCEC in the case of Botswana) which relies heavily on the criminal measures. Its strengths are the following: a strong legal framework which provides for a clear anti-corruption strategy; it has anti-corruption units in each Ministry and it has a dedicated Corruption Court. However, the classical approach has the following weaknesses: the anti-corruption agency is not adequately independent as it under the control of the executive (the President in the case of Botswana); lacks effective internal oversight mechanisms; weak political will; neglects the development of administrative measures and civil activism measures are almost non-existent save for the media. It was established that South Africa uses what this study has classified as the traditional cum silo approach of combating public procurement corruption. The traditional cum approach is characterised by multiple procurement legislation which has certain but minimum anti-corruption provisions and a separate corruption legal framework. Multiple anti-corruption agencies are prone to political interference which renders them ineffective and unfit for purpose. Its strength is in the promotion and protection of civil activism measures (right to access information, right to freedom of speech and legal protection of whistle-blowers). Notable weaknesses of the traditional cum silo approach are: the poor enforcement of criminal measures; there is no lead anti-corruption agency that spearheads and coordinates all cases of public procurement corruption; there is no clear anti-corruption strategy; the administrative measures such as debarment are poorly enforced; it has multiple anti-corruption institutions that lack focus and professionalism which results in political manipulation. The thesis concluded by suggesting a new approach, the contemporary approach to combating public procurement corruption which entails the enactment of a single procurement legislation (model law) the Public Procurement and Combating of Public Procurement Corruption Act (hereafter PPCPPC). The contemporary approach advocates for the regulation of public procurement and the combating of public procurement corruption in one legislation. This legislation (PPCPPC) takes into account, the current demands for public procurement as well as future developments of public procurement. These include but are not limited to self-cleaning, cyber-crime and public procurement corruption as well as the role of foreign convictions for debarment purposes. The envisaged PPCPPC will in addition to regulating public procurement, encompass the best criminal measures, administrative measures, institutional measures and civil activism measures. In addition, the contemporary approach through the PPCPPC proposes two new innovations: the corruption clearance certificate and a mandatory anti-corruption clause in all government contracts.

The International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (hereinafter "ICSID") has started its fourth amendment of its Arbitration Rules since 2016. The issue of transparency has been highlighted as a delicate issue in ICSID ongoing current amendment. It is also listed in the topics that have been identified for potential amendment. This article analyses how the issues of access to hearings and confidentiality over information arising from arbitration is treated under the current framework. A comparison is made against the Transparency Rules. The analysis is also made against the comments received from the public whose views are analysed as a possible direction the amendment may take.

La thèse vise à déterminer les moyens juridiques qui permettent dans la famille recomposée de transmettre un patrimoine entre le beau-parent et l'enfant avec lequel il n'existe aucun lien d'alliance ou de sang qualifié d'enfant-tiers. Est-il possible qu'une relation affective puisse se transformer en liens juridiques ayant des conséquences positives envers l'enfant-tiers ? Nous examinerons les limites offertes par le droit positif français qui empêchent une véritable transmission au sein de la famille recomposée. Nous analyserons certains systèmes juridiques non spécifiques au droit de la famille qui permettent d'atteindre certains buts de transmission. Un constat sera fait sur la précarité de ces moyens juridiques et la non satisfaction concernant la transmission patrimoniale entre le beau-parent et l'enfant-tiers. Nous ferons diverses propositions pour que cette relation affective existant au sein de la famille recomposée soit véritablement prise en compte dans le droit patrimonial de la famille. Nous pensons que le défi du XXIème siècle sera d'inclure l'enfant-tiers comme membre véritable de la nouvelle famille qui se recompose en lui permettant de recevoir une transmission patrimoniale.