Bibliographie sélective OHADA

L'objectif de cette thèse est de réaliser dans le contexte béninois un état des lieux de l'effectivité de la protection des emprunteurs de microcrédit. Pour ce faire, sept principes de protection des emprunteurs ont été identifiés. Notre approche est inscrite dans une perspective semi-inductive de sociologie du droit permettant de combiner l'analyse de contenu des textes de loi à l'analyse d'observations directes et de données empiriques collectées auprès de 18 emprunteurs et de huit chefs d'agence à propos des sept principes de protection des emprunteurs préalablement identifiés. Nos résultats montrent qu'au plan juridique les sept principes de protection des emprunteurs bénéficient d'un encadrement très variable, allant d'un fort encadrement législatif pour le principe de confidentialité à un faible encadrement pour les principes de gestion des plaintes, de développement et distribution appropriés des microcrédits, puis de traitement respectueux et responsable. L'analyse des perceptions des divers acteurs permet de constater que si un fort encadrement législatif ne conduit pas toujours vers une bonne protection des emprunteurs contre les risques, un faible encadrement législatif n'induit pas non plus obligatoirement un faible niveau de protection. Plusieurs écarts entre normes juridiques et pratiques institutionnelles ont été identifiés comme en ce qui concerne la confidentialité des informations personnelles de la clientèle. Il a aussi été possible de repérer quelques innovations pratiques dans le secteur comme la mise en place d'un réseau local d'information sur l'endettement des demandeurs de microcrédit permettant de contourner, non pas sans difficultés l'inexistence d'un Bureau d'information et de crédit pour protéger les emprunteurs contre le surendettement. Au regard des résultats, il importe que des actions concrètes d'éducation, de supervision et d'amélioration de la réglementation soient mises en œuvre pour améliorer la protection des emprunteurs de microcrédit. Au-delà des nécessaires réajustements du cadre réglementaire à travers par exemple l'instauration d'un dispositif de gestion des plaintes, d'aide à l'analyse de la capacité de remboursement des clients, de supervision de la confidentialité des données, l'accent doit être véritablement mis sur le renforcement de la surveillance et la sensibilisation des divers acteurs. Il serait aussi opportun de réfléchir à la mise en place de programmes de microcrédit intégré incluant le microcrédit, l'alphabétisation, la micro-assurance ainsi que la formation à la littératie financière. The objective of this thesis is to carry out the situation of the effectiveness of the protection of microcredit borrowers in the Beninese context. To do this, seven principles of borrower protection have been identified. Considering these principles, our approach is based on a perspective of semi-inductive sociology of law that combines content analysis of legal texts with analysis of direct observations and empirical data collected from 18 borrowers and 8 agency heads. Our results show that, from a legal point of view, the seven principles of borrower protection benefit from a very variable framework, ranging from a solid legislative framework for the principle of confidentiality to a weak framework for the principles of complaint management, the development and appropriate distribution of microcredits, and the respectful and responsible treatment. The analysis of the perceptions of the various actors shows that while a solid legislative framework does not always lead to adequate protection of borrowers against risks, a weak legislative framework does not necessarily induce a low level of protection either. Several gaps between legal standards and institutional practices have been identified, for example, the confidentiality of personal information of clients. It was also possible to identify some practical innovations in sectors like the establishment of a local information network on the debt of microcredit applicants to bypass, not without difficulty, the lack of an Information and Credit Office to protect borrowers against over-indebtedness. Considering the results, it is important that concrete actions of education, supervision and better regulation are implemented to improve the protection of microcredit borrowers. Beyond the necessary readjustments to the regulatory framework through, for example, the introduction of a complaints management system, assistance in analyzing clients' repayment capacity and supervision of data confidentiality, real emphasis must be placed on strengthening monitoring and raising awareness among the various stakeholders. It would also be appropriate to consider the implementation of integrated microcredit programmes including microcredit, microinsurance and financial literacy training.

On 15 March 2020 the President of the Republic of South Africa announced a nationwide lockdown. The unpredicted pandemic dictated that extraordinary measures be put in place, which resulted in the country coming to a total standstill. Consequently, there was an alarming decline in economic activities and therefore government had to introduce measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on employers and workers... <br>LL.M. (Commercial Law)

Le législateur algérien a fait le choix au moment crucial de réguler le secteur de la distribution automobile par une règlementation spéciale, considérée comme un instrument de lutte contre l’anarchie et favorisant la sécurité juridique dans ce secteur. L'objectif poursuivi était le suivant : combattre les dysfonctionnements et les anomalies du marché de la commercialisation des véhicules automobiles neufs et garantir une protection au consommateur qui était totalement livré à lui-même. Les nouvelles conditions prévues par le législateur algérien portent sur les procédures administratives, les conditions d’exercice de l’activité de concessionnaires de véhicules neufs, le service après-vente ainsi que la garantie et les délais de livraison auxquels est soumis le concessionnaire automobile. L'objectif principal de cette étude est d’évaluer cette nouvelle règlementation à travers une approche comparative avec le droit européen et le droit français applicables à la distribution automobile. Il s’agit pour cela d’insister sur les différences, ou encore essayer d’identifier des principes communs à ces systèmes juridiques. Ainsi il serait possible de détecter les lacunes en droit algérien et d’anticiper sur les problèmes que peut causer la nature complexe de la distribution automobile afin de bénéficier des expériences déjà acquises en droit européen et français, notamment en matière de pratiques anticoncurrentielles et d’équilibre contractuel. Dans un contexte de mondialisation et d'intégration régionale, la présente étude vise aussi à contribuer au développement de la relation entre l’Algérie et les pays de l’Union Européenne et particulièrement la France, en apportant une meilleure compréhension du système juridique algérien, à travers l'analyse comparée du contrat de distribution automobile, lequel exige une étude plus approfondie grâce à sa complexité, plus particulièrement en matière de droit des obligations, de la concurrence, et de la propriété intellectuelle. إختار المشرع الجزائري في وقت حاسم تنظيم نشاط توزيع السيارات من خلال نص قانوني خاص ، يعتبر كأداة لمكافحة الفوضى وتعزيز الأمن القانوني في هذا القطاع. كان الهدف من ذلك هو مكافحة الاختلالات والعيوب في سوق بيع السيارات الجديدة وتوفير حماية للمستهلك الذي كان مهملا بالكامل. تتعلق الشروط الجديدة التي حددها المشرع الجزائري بالإجراءات الإدارية، شروط ممارسة نشاط وكلاء المركبات الجديدة، وخدمة ما بعد البيع ، بالإضافة إلى الضمان ومواعيد التسليم التي يخضع لها موزع السيارات. إن الهدف الرئيسي من هذه الدراسة هو تقييم هذا النص القانوني الجديد من خلال منهجية المقارنة مع القانون الأوروبي والقانون الفرنسي المطبق على توزيع السيارات. لأجل هذا يتعلق الأمر بالتأكيد على الاختلافات، أو محاولة تحديد المبادئ المشتركة لهذه النظم القانونية. بالتالي ، سيكون من الممكن اكتشاف الثغرات في القانون الجزائري وتوقع المشاكل التي قد تنجم عن الطبيعة المعقدة لتوزيع السيارات من أجل الاستفادة من الخبرات المكتسبة بالفعل في القانون الأوروبي والفرنسي ، لا سيما فيما يتعلق بالممارسات المنافية للمنافسة و التوازن التعاقدي. في سياق العولمة والاندماج الإقليمي ، تهدف هذه الدراسة أيضًا إلى المساهمة في تطوير العلاقة بين الجزائر ودول الاتحاد الأوروبي وخاصة فرنسا ، من خلال تقديم فهم أفضل للنظام القانوني الجزائري ، عن طريق التحليل المقارن لعقد توزيع السيارات ، والذي يتطلب دراسة أكثر تعمقا بسبب تعقيده، وخاصة فيما يتعلق بقانون الالتزامات والمنافسة والملكية الفكرية. The Algerian legislator made the choice at the crucial moment to regulate the automobile distribution sector by a special regulation, considered as an instrument of fight against lawlessness and promoting legal security in this sector. The objective was to combat malfunctions and anomalies in the market for the sale of new motor vehicles and to provide protection to the consumer who was completely left alone. The new conditions stipulated by the Algerian legislator concern the administrative procedures, the conditions of exercise of the activity of dealers of new vehicles, the after-sales service as well as the guarantee and the delivery times to which the car dealer is subjected. The main objective of this study is to evaluate this new regulation through a comparative approach with European law and French law applicable to car distribution. This involves emphasizing the differences, or trying to identify principles common to these legal systems. Thus it would be possible to detect deficiencies in Algerian law and to anticipate the problems that may be caused by the complex nature of automobile distribution in order to benefit from the experiences already acquired in European and French law, particularly with regard to anti-competitive practices and contractual balance. In a context of globalization and regional integration, this study also aims to contribute to the development of the relationship between Algeria and the countries of the European Union and particularly France, by bringing a better understanding of the Algerian legal system, through the comparative analysis of the automobile distribution contract, which requires a more in-depth study because of its complexity, particularly in terms of the law of obligations, competition, and intellectual property.

No abstract available.

This work aims to find a practical solution to the problem that exists between intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and European Union (EU) law over conflict of jurisdiction issues. Currently, there is a problem as the EU Commission has rendered intra-EU BITs incompatible with EU law. This work argues that the current conflict of jurisdictional problems within investment agreements can be overcome by the creation of an EU investment court. The reliance on this court for the resolution of this conflict, as opposed to private law mechanisms, is important as it is the way forward in handling the conflict of jurisdiction issue at its best. This work argues that an EU investment court will be a panacea to the current problems concerning the conflict of jurisdiction. These problems will be presented through a positivist method where the law is analysed in its current form, highlighting its current weaknesses and resolving these weaknesses by proposing recommendations for such a court through a comparative examination of other international courts that fulfil a similar dispute resolution function, namely the Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The purpose of this work is manifold. The work will provide an analytical examination of the relationship between EU law and international obligations within intra-EU BITs. It will further explore and assess the viability of a range of alternative solutions to intra EU BITs enforcement within the EU. It will additionally examine the operation of the OHADA, the UPC and the WTO to inform the proposal of an EU investment court. This is important as the outcome of these examinations will support the argument made in this thesis. It will also impact dispute resolution beyond academia by providing a practical solution to alleviate the current challenges with intra-EU BITs. The recommendations thus can inform changes for lex ferenda.

No abstract available.

It is no secret that there has been an increase in international trade in recent decades. Natural and juristic persons have taken it upon themselves to trade both domestically and internationally. As international trade increases so too do the conclusion of international commercial contracts. When individuals enter into an international contract, one particularly important issue, and one that should be foremost in the minds of the contracting parties, is which legal system will govern their agreement? Therefore, a significant factor to any international commercial contract is whether the parties have the freedom to choose the law applicable to their agreement and to choose the court that will adjudicate upon their contractual disputes, and if so, to what extent may the parties exercise their freedom of choice?... <br>LL.M. (International Commercial Law)

Circular labour migration is steadily gaining prominence the world over, primarily due to the benefits it offers to the migrants, to the sending country, and to the receiving country – the so-called "triple-win" benefits. In order to enhance the benefits of circular labour migration, both the International Labour Organisation and the International Organisation for Migration recommend that adequate instruments of governance should be utilised. From the outset, this thesis recognises bilateral labour arrangements as the ideal instruments for enhancing the potential benefits that circular labour migration offers to the stakeholders involved in the process. As far as could be established, there has been no comprehensive research that seeks to provide insights on how the selected countries in the Southern Africa Development Community (South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe) could optimise the benefits of circular labour migration for all stakeholders, primarily through the use of bilateral labour arrangements. The need for these insights in Southern Africa is pertinent due to the absence of a contemporary and clear framework regulating circular labour migration in the region. Based on the foregoing, this thesis advances the proposition that the guidelines provided by international law and standards of labour migration, and the best practices in Spain and New Zealand, can provide significant insights on how South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe can enhance the regulation of circular labour migration to provide optimised benefits for all stakeholders. Proceeding from the above premise, this thesis makes a number of findings. These include the affirmation that bilateral labour arrangements are indeed the key regulatory instruments for promoting the triple-win benefits that circular labour migration offers; that circular labour migration, if managed well, plays an instrumental role in development in both the sending countries and the receiving countries; and that three key areas should be addressed in bilateral labour arrangements in order to effectively promote triple-win benefits. The three key areas that need to be addressed in bilateral labour arrangements in order to enhance the benefits for all stakeholders are linking migration with development, migration governance, and the protection of the rights of migrant workers. This thesis outlines the various principles that are necessary to give effect to these three key areas. This thesis finds that, based on the guidelines provided by international law and standards, it is essential that bilateral labour arrangements, at the minimum, incorporate provisions that facilitate skills training, the return and reintegration of migrants, the transfer of remittances, and the promotion of human resources development. In this regard, this study finds that the bilateral labour arrangements between South Africa and its neighbours, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, fall short of the guidelines provided by international law and standards on labour migration and by the best practices in New Zealand and Spain. The original contribution of this study lies in it being the first study to comprehensively explore the legal measures that South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe could utilise to optimise the regulation of circular labour migration to South Africa as the main receiving country in SADC. This study makes recommendations on how the labour migration legal framework between the three countries can be improved, based on lessons learned from international law and standards on labour migration and best practices from selected countries.

Responsible investment (RI) is the investment strategy that incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the investment decision-making process (Hebb, Hawley, Hoepner, Neher, & Wood, 2015). RI has shifted from what was considered a niche market to become one of the fastest-growing areas of finance in many parts of the world (PRI, 2019b). However, a closer look at the development of RI and adoption rates in countries and regions reveals that RI is not commonly practised in sub-Sahara Africa (except for South Africa). This study explores the critical challenges for RI development in the retirement benefits sector of Kenya and, by engaging with a variety of key stakeholders, proposes how to overcome the identified challenges. It contributes to the literature on challenges for RI in a developing country by offering an in-depth case study of the retirement benefits sector.My study employs qualitative methods to collect and analyse data collected from semi-structured interviews with 22 participants (asset managers, regulators and capital market experts, and a council member of the Association of Retirement Benefits Schemes of Kenya) as well as a collection of published documents by government agencies in Kenya. Also, I analysed 10 annual reports to assess the kind of ESG information that is disclosed by listed companies. My study explores, in particular, how actors in the retirement benefits sector conceptualise RI. It identifies the leading ESG factors in Kenya and draws on the business-case approach to RI to explore whether the participants consider those factors as material risk factors that present both risks and opportunities to the investment decision-making process. Further, my study identifies the specific barriers for RI development and proposes how to overcome them. The findings show that participants define RI using several terminologies. This is consistent with the existing literature. My study finds that all participants consider corporate governance as a material risk factor that can impact the financial returns of a portfolio. However, most of the asset managers do not think that the environmental and social factors can present material risk factors to their investment decision-making process. Although over a third of the asset managers recognise that the environmental and social issues in Kenya present business opportunities to retirement benefits schemes, there is a shortage of well-structured assets in those areas. Further, this study identifies five specific barriers for RI development: diversification challenges; a lack of ESG data; a lack of demand/incentives; short-termism; and the demand for high financial returns and a lack of awareness and expert knowledge of RI practices. My study recommends that the National Treasury of Kenya develops RI policy for the entire finance sector. In addition, the findings support a recommendation for the Capital Markets Authority and the Retirement Benefits Authority to embark on capacity building programmes to educate the actors in the finance sector on RI strategies and to create awareness of the impact of ESG on financial returns in the long run.