Bibliographie sélective OHADA

La responsabilité des intermédiaires d'Internet fait débat dans un univers numérique de plus en plus complexe. Les intermédiaires offrent des services en ligne. Ils créent ou facilitent des transactions entre des parties tierces (hébergement, e-commerce, fournisseurs d'accès…). A la fin des années 1990, un consensus s'est établi sur l'instauration d'une responsabilité limitée pour ces acteurs, dans le but de favoriser leur développement ainsi que celui d'Internet par des externalités croisées. Cependant, l'apparition régulière de nouveaux usages a induit des externalités négatives affectant certains agents économiques. La multiplication récente de décisions de jurisprudence parfois contradictoires, en particulier dans le domaine de la propriété intellectuelle, vient désormais remettre en cause cette exemption. Elle fait naître un risque juridique pour les intermédiaires d'Internet. Ces-derniers doivent alors prendre en compte ce nouveau contexte dans leurs modèles d'affaires. Notre recherche étudie les comportements spécifiques que la responsabilité des intermédiaires d'Internet engendre à travers l'exemple de la propriété intellectuelle. En premier lieu nous décrivons l'évolution historique de cette responsabilité. Nous développons ensuite un modèle théorique simple qui explore l'influence du risque légal dans un contexte de concurrence entre un intermédiaire et un ayant droit du copyright. Enfin nous étendons ce modèle de concurrence aux différents comportements de protection que peuvent choisir les intermédiaires.

The research is devoted to the consideration of issues of legal nature of right deprivation legal facts, mechanism of regulation of property civil relations and mechanism of legal termination of civil rights, responsibilities, relationships and legal capacity. The definitions of right deprivation legal fact, mechanism of legal regulation and mechanism of legal termination are proposed. The scientific analysis of the grounds and the procedure of termination of material rights, responsibilities and relationships, as well as grounds for termination of obligations are conducted. The author researches the grounds for classifications of right deprivation legal facts and defines their place in mechanism of regulation of property civil relations and mechanism of legal termination. It is understood, that the mechanism of legal termination of property relations in integral part of stages in which, through legal termination legal facts provided regulatory action law on social relations. In addition, under legal termination, through appropriate legal facts is a compensatory effect of the mechanism of civilian property relations. The scientific analysis of the reasons and the suspension of real rights, responsibilities and relationships, as well as grounds for termination obligations.

La liberté contractuelle est un principe fondateur du droit civil français, en vertu duquel chaque sujet de droit est libre, non seulement de décider de s’engager ou non, mais également de déterminer les conditions de son engagement contractuel et la personnalité de son cocontractant. Malgré ses apparentes particularités, dues à son objet, le droit des marchés financiers ne constitue pas une branche autonome du droit, de telle sorte que le droit civil a toute vocation à s’appliquer sur les marchés financiers. Pour autant, un rapide examen du droit des marchés financiers fait apparaître des atteintes à la liberté contractuelle, en premier lieu à la libre détermination du contenu du contrat. Ce constat est d’autant plus frappant lorsque l’on approfondit l’étude des marchés financiers, les offres publiques étant en effet l’occasion de multiples atteintes. Plus particulièrement, l’initiative contractuelle est lourdement affectée par les offres publiques obligatoires, qu’elles soient d’acquisition ou de retrait. Cette thèse a pour objet d’examiner ces diverses atteintes portées par le droit des marchés financiers à la liberté contractuelle afin d’en déterminer le fondement.

A tese discute o problema dos terceiros na arbitragem. Ela distingue os planos substantivo (contratual) e processual (jurisdicional) da arbitragem e, portanto, o status de parte e terceiro com relação, respectivamente, à convenção de arbitragem e ao processo arbitral. Depois de desenvolver as premissas teóricas na Parte 1, a Parte 2 expõe as teorias contratuais e societárias por meio das quais um não-signatário pode ficar vinculado à convenção de arbitragem, com destaque para a extensão a todos os acionistas da companhia da cláusula compromissória estatutária, bem como para a aplicação do princípio da boa-fé objetiva (teoria dos atos próprios, estoppel) para impedir com que determinados signatários burlem a convenção de arbitragem ao incluir terceiros no polo passivo da demanda ou, ainda, para impor a arbitragem a não-signatários que derivaram um benefício do contrato inter alios. Na Parte III, a atenção volta-se para o processo e a sentença arbitral. Expõe-se uma teoria dos efeitos da sentença, buscando-se explicar a sua potencial eficácia ultra partes com base: a) na necessidade de realizar o direito da contraparte à tutela jurisdicional (adquirente do direito litigioso, sucessores post rem judicatam); e b) na identificação de nexos de prejudicialidade-dependência permanente entre as relações jurídicas no plano do direito material (terceiro titular de situação dependente). Refutam-se, em passo seguinte, teorias que preconizam o valor absoluto da sentença. Oferece-se, como núcleo da tese, uma reconstrução dogmática das modalidades de intervenção de terceiro, buscando adaptá-las à arbitragem para alcançar, em cada situação, um justo equilíbrio entre as expectativas contratuais das partes originárias e a natureza privada da arbitragem, de um lado, e os efeitos da sentença perante terceiros, de outro. Conclui-se que, em alguns casos, legitima-se o terceiro a intervir voluntariamente, mesmo contra ou independentemente da vontade das partes, se ele estiver sujeito aos efeitos da sentença. Em hipótese excepcionalíssimas, ademais, a parte pode sujeitar um terceiro aos efeitos de intervenção, provocando a sua assistência no processo arbitral. The thesis addresses the problems of third parties in arbitration. It distinguishes the substantive (contractual) and procedural dimensions of arbitration and, hence, the status of parties and third parties in connection with, respectively, the arbitration agreement and the arbitral proceedings. After spelling out theoretical premises in Part 1, Part 2 covers the contractual and corporate theories by which a non-signatory may be bound by the arbitration agreement, highlighting the extension to all shareholders of the agreement in the corporate bylaws, as well as the application of the equitable doctrine of estoppel to bar certain signatories from avoiding the arbitration agreement by including third parties as defendants or even to impose arbitration onto non-signatories who derived a benefit from the contract inter alios. In Part III, my attention turns to the proceedings and the arbitral award. I set out a doctrine of the effects of judgments, seeking to explain their potential effects on third parties based: a) on the prevailing need to preserve the counterpartys right to a binding declaration on its asserted claims (acquirers, successors post rem judicatam); b) the identification of substantive ties between legal relationships that make the third parties rights permanently dependent on the situation between the parties. I then refute theories ascribing absolute value to the award vis-à-vis third parties. As the core of the thesis, I offer a doctrinal reconstruction of third party interventions, seeking to adapt them to arbitration in order to achieve, in each situation, a fair balance between the contractual expectations of the original parties and the private nature of arbitration, in one hand, and the effects of the award on third parties, on the other. I conclude that a third party should be allowed to intervene, albeit against the will of the parties, if it is subject to the concrete effects of the arbitral award. In exceptional situations, moreover, a party may vouch in a third party, who will then be bound by the determinations of factual and legal issues made in the award.

La doctrine a souvent débattu sur la nature du droit du cyberespace, c’est-à-dire le type de règles qui doivent encadrer les transactions électroniques. La formation du contrat électronique B2B et B2C permet d’aborder ce débat sous un angle pratique, qui met le législateur devant deux options connues : l’une, qui encourage l’élaboration de règles typiques, compte tenu d’une spécificité présumée de ces contrats ; l’autre, tendant à privilégier le droit existant, éventuellement adapté. Le formalisme issu des récentes productions législatives, notamment en droit de la cyberconsommation, réaffirme le rôle essentiel du consentement dans la formation du contrat, avec la reconduction automatique des opérations traditionnelles de l’offre et de l’acceptation. Mais dans le cyberespace, la manière d’exprimer ces deux opérations bénéficie de balises pratiques plus ou moins précises, peut-être pour éviter que des règles impératives en la matière ne vieillissent trop rapidement à cause du contexte technologique en perpétuelle transformation. Or, cette hésitation, peut-être ce choix, a fait émerger plusieurs modalités d’expression de l’acceptation dont la validité n’est pas acquise de façon mécanique, mais demeure fréquemment suspendue à l’appréciation des juges. Mais en examinant les motifs progressivement développés par les tribunaux en common law et en droit civil, de même qu’en doctrine, les auteurs décelent une constante, un critère invariable dans l’appréciation du rituel de l’acceptation en ligne. Cette analyse dépasse ainsi ces techniques apparues des usages, c’est-à-dire le « Box-Top », « Shrink-Wrap », « Browse-Wrap », « Click- Wrap », « Hybrid Click-Wrap », « Hyperwrap », et tente de définir et de circonscrire cette valeur, ce critère qui ins pire un retour aux fondements traditionnels du droit des contrats. Nous proposons, enfin, de recourir à des pictogrammes pour réaliser la mise en oeuvre de ce critère.

A tese propõe uma análise multidisciplinar e dogmática da arbitragem societária, notadamente do processo de inclusão de cláusula compromissória no estatuto social de sociedades anônimas fechadas, com base em uma deliberação assemblear tomada pela regra da maioria (fase pré-arbitral). O ponto de partida do trabalho é o exame da dimensão jurídica do contrato de sociedade aliado à verificação dos limites da autonomia privada dos sócios na definição da estrutura do negócio jurídico societário, à compreensão da categoria dos direitos subjetivos e dos traços fundamentais que formam a tipologia das anônimas fechadas, incluindo o tratamento dado aos direitos individuais dos acionistas. Ato contínuo, desloca-se a discussão para as esferas arbitral e constitucional, com especial atenção para os pressupostos da arbitragem como método de resolução de conflitos. O cerne do trabalho reside na relação entre a situação subjetiva ativa do acionista de manifestar sua vontade favorável ou contrariamente à escolha da arbitragem e a eficácia da regra da maioria como pilar de funcionamento das sociedades anônimas. Sustenta-se que a escolha da arbitragem constitui um direito fundamental de todo o acionista, cuja renúncia depende de manifestação, expressa ou tácita, de sua vontade, a qual não pode ser elidida ou alterada pelo estatuto ou pela assembleia geral majoritária sem o seu consentimento. Após examinar as correntes doutrinárias sobre o tema no Brasil e as possíveis alternativas para resolver o imbróglio, o estudo concluiu que a alteração legislativa que cria uma hipótese adicional de recesso representa a melhor solução para a problemática. The thesis examines arbitration in corporate law, namely the inclusion of a statutory arbitration clause in the by-laws of a closely held corporation based on a deliberation taken by the majority rule (pre-arbitration phase). The study starts by analyzing the legal aspects of the corporate contract together with the limits of shareholders autonomy in defining the structure of such contract and the characteristics that form the typology of corporations, including shareholders individual rights. The discussion then moves on the arbitration and constitutional spheres, particularly to the premises of arbitration as a form of settling conflicts. The core of the thesis is the relation between the prerogative of a shareholder to express its will in favor of or against arbitration and the incidence of the full effects of the majority rule as an essential element in the structure of a corporation. The study sustains that the choice for arbitration is a fundamental right of all shareholders, which is why renunciation depends on their express or tacit individual manifestation and therefore, majority deliberation cannot in itself insert or remove it from by-laws. Finally, the thesis provides different scholars understandings on the issue as well as the main possible alternatives to dealt with it. The creation of an additional hypothesis of appraisal right within the existing law is suggested as the best solution to solve this conundrum.

The EU regulation no. 1346/2000. The proposal for a modification of the regulation. New trends.

A presente tese realiza uma análise interdisciplinar dos contratos de aliança, arranjos colaborativos desenvolvidos a partir do início da década de 90, cujo objetivo é a implantação de projetos complexos industriais e de infraestrutura. Este trabalho investiga a percepção do autor de que o modelo proposto pelos contratos de aliança, em regra, promove um esvaziamento voluntário da função do contrato como ferramenta de aplicação, ainda que potencial, de sanções a comportamentos culposos, justamente com o fim de não prejudicar a construção natural de uma relação cooperativa. Busca-se ainda compreender a função desempenhada pelo contrato e pelo direito contratual, nesse contexto colaborativo, e qual a relação entre os mecanismos formais e informais de garantia de cumprimento contratual. Sustenta-se que, nesse universo, o aparato formal do contrato auxilia as ferramentas informais de enforcement, fornecendo o arcabouço de troca de informações essencial à criação endógena de confiança. Ademais, a fim de não prejudicar o ambiente cooperativo, sustenta-se a aplicação de sanções contratuais formais somente em situações excepcionais, geralmente caracterizadas pelo elemento de quebra de confiança. Sugere-se, ao longo da tese, que uma abordagem processual de regulação do contrato a qual permite sanção de comportamentos que descumpram o procedimento contratual acordado seria mais adequada do que uma abordagem estritamente substantiva que proteja a relação inicial de troca. Ao final, amparada pelas percepções construídas ao longo da pesquisa, é realizada uma reflexão jurídico-dogmática, na qual, após a contextualização jurídica dos contratos de aliança, lhes são sugeridas interpretações de aplicação de conceitos da teoria obrigacional, e de ferramentas de organização de interesses intracontratuais, como a boa-fé, o conflito de interesses e os deveres fiduciários. This thesis conducts an interdisciplinary analysis of project alliancing, collaborative arrangements developed as of the beginning of the 90s, whose goal is the implementation of complex industrial and infrastructure projects. This work investigates the perception of the author that the model proposed by alliance contracts, in general, promotes a voluntary emptying of the role of the contract in punishing, even potentially, unintentional contractual defaults, as a means of not harming the natural construction of a cooperative relation. The work seeks to understand the role played by the contract and the contractual law, in such collaborative environment, and what is the relation between formal and informal mechanisms of contractual enforcement. It argues that, in this universe, formal contractual apparatus supports informal contractual enforcement mechanisms, providing a governance framework that allows information exchange, which is essential to the endogenous creation of trust. Moreover, in order not to jeopardize the cooperative environment, this thesis suggests the suitability of formal contractual punishment only in exceptional circumstances, often characterized by the breach of trust. It is suggested, along the thesis, that a procedural approach of contract regulation which allows punishment of behaviors that deviates from agreed contractual procedures may be more suitable than a strictly substantive approach that protects the initial exchange relation. At the end, supported by the perceptions constructed along the research, some legal-dogmatic considerations are made, in which, after legally qualifying the alliance contracts, it is suggested to it some applicative interpretations of concepts of obligational theory, and organizational tools of intracontractual interests, such as good faith, conflicts of interest and fiduciary duties.

O tema desenvolvido na tese diz respeito à suspensão do exercício de direitos do acionista, por deliberação da assembleia geral, na hipótese de descumprimento de determinados deveres societários pelo sócio. A suspensão de direitos tem como fundamento legal os artigos 120 e 122, V, da Lei n. 6.404, de 15 de dezembro de 1976 (Lei de Sociedades Anônimas). Não há previsão legal homóloga em direito comparado. No Brasil, a temática não foi objeto de estudo monográfico específico e detalhado. A tese procura, assim, sistematizar a matéria e oferecer contribuição original para o desenvolvimento do tema investigado. Na primeira parte, apresenta-se o tratamento normativo em matéria de suspensão de direitos do acionista a partir de escorço histórico da legislação brasileira e analisam-se os fundamentos teleológico e dogmático do instituto. A segunda parte estrutura-se em torno das posições jurídicas subjetivas passivas e ativas do acionista. Identificam-se, nesse contexto, quais são os deveres do acionista que, uma vez violados, constituem-se como hipótese de aplicação do art. 120 da Lei de Sociedades Anônimas e quais direitos, poderes e faculdades podem ter o seu exercício suspenso pela assembleia. Na terceira e última parte são destacados os aspectos controvertidos em torno da assembleia geral na qual se pretende deliberar sobre a suspensão dos direitos do acionista. Em especial, os problemas vinculados à competência privativa da assembleia, ao método assemblear e aos efeitos da deliberação e o controle desta.

Agentes econômicos com posição dominante são capazes de se conduzir de maneira independente na sua atividade comercial. Da mesma forma, possuem todos os incentivos para manutenção desta posição, em detrimento de seus concorrentes, fornecedores e clientes. O presente trabalho visa, inicialmente, em estudo comparado da doutrina e jurisprudência no Brasil, União Europeia e Estados Unidos, identificar os elementos de cognição da teoria do abuso de posição dominante para cinco modalidades de conduta. A partir daí traçamos seus elementos de correlação com o propósito de sugerir uma teoria aplicada ao ordenamento jurídico pátrio, que passa pelo reconhecimento da concorrência como garantia institucional, de forma a estabelecer-se igualdade material segundo a teoria da função social dos meios de produção. A presença constante da concorrência nos mercados deve ser tratada como presunção de bem-estar social. E finalmente, valendo-se destes elementos de suporte, propomos uma teoria da responsabilidade especial para agentes econômicos em posição dominante, que implicaria o dever de autoaplicação dos limites permitidos para sua conduta comercial, cujo descumprimento ensejaria presunção relativa de efeitos deletérios ao mercado, segundo os parâmetros propostos.

This thesis examines whether the establishment of Joint Development Zones (JDZs) for the development of offshore oil and gas resources in the Arctic and Southern Oceans can effectively resolve competing continental shelf and outer continental shelf (OCS) claims arising under the provisions of Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC). One of the effects of global warming has been increased interest in oil and gas activity in the Arctic region, however there is significant concern as to the related environmental risks. The Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty currently suspends exploration for state parties for oil and gas in the Southern Ocean, however current exploration has been reported. A JDZ may be defined as an inter-governmental arrangement of a provisional or permanent nature, designed for joint exploration and exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources of the sea-bed. JDZs are generally based on agreements to suspend sovereignty claims and share offshore oil and gas in the JDZ region. The thesis was prepared to contribute to the prevention of potential international conflicts over offshore oil and gas resources. State claims may be based on historic claims, interpretation of treaties, and LOSC exclusive economic zone (EEZ), continental shelf, and OCS delimitation provisions. LOSC provides dispute resolution alternatives, including referral to the International Court of Justice and international arbitration. A significant number of states have, however, preferred to adopt JDZ agreements. The methods used for the thesis included analysis of LOSC maritime delimitation provisions, existing JDZ agreements, the terms of model JDZ agreements, and analysis of current Arctic and Southern ocean maritime boundary disputes. The principal thesis conclusions are: - JDZs can resolve resource disputes as demonstrated by the existing international state practice in adopting JDZs. JDZ regimes are not a universal panacea, however, and successful JDZs are based on the continued political support of the respective states; - LOSC maritime boundary delimitation provisions may not resolve boundary disputes, which can arise due to issues including conflicting sovereignty of land territory; - Specific Arctic and Southern Ocean disputed regions have similar characteristics to existing JDZs. JDZs may therefore potentially apply to resolve these disputes; - JDZs can potentially provide solutions for disputed boundaries, such as between United States/Canada (Beaufort Sea), United States/Russia (Bering Sea) in the Arctic Ocean region, and between United Kingdom/Argentina/Chile in the Southern Ocean; - JDZ should be adapted to better protect and preserve the marine environment, and to provide a significant liability regime similar to the Greenland regime; - JDZs should support a framework of regional governance, including Arctic Council or Antarctic Treaty representation in the respective JDZs; and - Potential game changing events may affect the use of JDZs in the future, including political and technological developments, and significant oil and gas discoveries. The result of the thesis conclusions is to prove the hypothesis that JDZs can effectively resolve resource conflicts in the Arctic and Southern Ocean regions.

La société holding est une réalité économique dont l’importance ne cesse d’augmenter. Plusieurs États offrent des régimes de faveurs fiscales pour attirer les holdings sur leurs territoires. Le système fiscal turc n’offre pas un tel «régime holding» mais il comporte plusieurs dispositions qui offrent certains avantages aux participations turques et étrangères. Une fiscalité avantageuse pour les holdings est intéressante pour un État dans la mesure où elle lui permet d’attirer les entreprises. Les dispositions fiscales peuvent rendre un territoire attractif et compétitif mais elles peuvent inciter une évasion fiscale à l’intérieur même du territoire. Le second risque engendré par le régime fiscal avantageux est l’établissement d’une concurrence fiscale déloyale. Les éléments clés d’une fiscalité idéale pour la société holding prennent en compte, d’une part la distribution des bénéfices de la holding, et d’autre part, les bénéfices provenant de ses propres participations, notamment les dividendes provenant de ses filiales et les plus-values de cession de ces participations. Par ailleurs, le régime fiscal holding doit être attractif et compétitif tout en restant compatible avec les principes reconnus du droit fiscal international. The holding company is an economic reality whose importance is still increasing. Several countries offer tax benefits plans to attract holdings in their territories. The Turkish tax system does not offer such a "holding plan" but it contains several provisions that provide certain benefits to Turkish and foreign investments. Tax advantages for holding companies are important for the State to the extent that it attracts businesses and group companies. The tax provisions can make an attractive and competitive territory, yet they may increase tax evasion within the same territory. Another risk caused by the advantageous tax regime is harmful tax competition. The key elements of an ideal tax system of holding companies are about, first of all, the distribution of profits of the holding company and secondly, income from its own shares, including dividends from its subsidiaries and the capital gains disposal of their shares. Furthermore, the holding company tax system must be both competitive and attractive and at the same time it must be compatible with the principles acknowledged by international tax law.

Music has, and continues to play, an important role in society. It is therefore natural that more music composers enter the scene to capitalize upon this role that music has in society. It is however becoming more common place for music composers to start copying each other, either directly or indirectly. Fortunately, copyright laws have been developed to further protect the rights enjoyed by copyright holders, such as music composers, and these laws essentially protect the composers from the unlawful reproduction of their original music. Copying is, to some degree, inevitable, therefore, the question asked by this paper is to what extent is someone entitled to ‘copy’ from another person without it amounting to copyright infringement. In determining if there is copyright infringement, two tests must be applied and satisfied, namely, the causal connection test, and the substantial similarity test. Causal connection is usually met by establishing whether the alleged infringer had access to the original work. The substantial similarity test is the focus of this paper. The courts rely on this test to determine if that part which was reproduced from the original work is of substance i.e. if it is a part of the work which attributes uniqueness and quality to the original song. Of course, this test is notoriously difficult to understand and apply, hence the need for this paper to address the question on when there is substantial similarity in two works. This paper is of benefit to academics, authors (musicians) and lawyers, as not only is the substantial similarity test discussed from a theoretical point of view, but the question of when something is substantially similar is answered from a pragmatic point of view. It is hoped that this paper is used as a guideline in understanding and applying the substantial similarity test in music copyright infringement cases.

The Companies Act 71 of 2008 introduces a completely new system for the regulation of distributions by a company to its shareholders. The preferred method for protecting the interests of creditors in distributions is now based on a solvency and liquidity test. Regrettably, the provisions setting out the requirements for distributions on the one hand and the solvency and liquidity test on the other have been poorly drafted. This thesis first explains and then applies an innovative interpretation theory to these provisions with a view to piecing together coherent content. The thesis finds that creative interpretations will not suffice in various places, meaning that substantive revision is required. The thesis concludes with brief amendment proposals and accompanying commentary.

Le rôle des propriétés intellectuelles au sein d’une économie de l’immatériel et de l’innovation est essentiel. Les contrats d’exploitation constituent les instruments juridiques permettant la circulation de ces sources de richesse et favorisent l’optimisation de leur exploitation, tant au niveau national qu’au niveau européen. La présente thèse traite la question de l’amélioration du cadre juridique actuel des contrats d’exploitation en Europe. Plus précisément, elle a pour objectif de démontrer que, d’une part, l’insuffisance du droit des contrats d’exploitation en Europe est globale et pose problème et, d’autre part, que ce problème devrait être traité à travers la (re)construction du droit spécial des contrats d’exploitation de manière transversale et dans une perspective européenne. L’analyse a pour point de départ l’examen du statu quo à partir des droits grec, français, allemand, britannique et communautaire et aboutit à la recommandation de certaines pistes de (re)construction et d’européanisation, vue de la construction d’un véritable et cohérent droit commun européen des contrats d’exploitation.

The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (the CISG or the Vienna Sales Convention) was adopted at a diplomatic conference of the United Nations held in Vienna during 1980. The Convention came into force on 1 January 1988. According to its preamble, the Convention is based on the premise that “the adoption of uniform rules which govern contracts for the international sale of goods and take into account the different social, economic and legal systems would contribute to the removal of legal barriers in international trade and promote the development of international trade”. The CISG has proven to be successful in its endeavour and currently has 74 member states representative of all legal traditions. As an international convention, the CISG has been lauded for its “simplicity, practicality and clarity”. Schlechtriem observed that the CISG has now gained worldwide acceptance. It has even been stated that the CISG has established a “world law on international sales” and that it has influenced several domestic sales laws. It is submitted that the CISG constitutes an important component of modern international commercial law or of the modern lex mercatoria. Therefore, a study that aims to establish a better understanding of the scope and functioning of the CISG and its relationship with domestic law, is of special relevance for the international business and legal community. The two basic methods of the unification of law, ie the unification of substantive law and the unification of private international law, have both been utilised in the field of the international sale of goods. The CISG is the most notable example of first mentioned method of unification.

Les arrêts sur l’affaire Beaudoin c. Université de Sherbrooke (Cour Supérieure et Cour d’Appel du Québec 2008-2010) ont porté sur l’intensité de l’obligation de consultation insérée dans l’accord de partenariat de recherche. Ce type de partenariat est souvent créé par un accord et peut prendre plusieurs formes. La plupart d’entre elles sont méconnues par le droit, c’est pourquoi la doctrine les considère comme étant des entreprises complexes puisque le choix des partenaires est souvent guidé par le souci d’échapper au formalisme qu’imposent les règles étatiques. Cependant, les pratiques connues dans le secteur d’activité des associés et les accords qui les lient sont souvent les seules règles qu’ils suivent. En cas de conflit, ils recourent généralement à un tiers expert pour régler leur litige, la saisine des tribunaux ne se faisant qu’exceptionnellement. Dans cette cause, les contractions entre les deux décisions ont soulevé quelques interrogations : d’une part, sur la capacité des tribunaux à trancher des conflits qui peuvent naître au cours de l’exécution de ce type de contrat, et d’autre part sur la compatibilité des règles matérielles applicables au fond par les juges lorsque les parties ne sont liées que par la lex contractus et les usages reconnus dans leur secteur d’activité. Cette étude tente donc d’identifier la forme de partenariat en cause afin de mesurer l’étendue de la compétence ratione materiae du juge dans la résolution des conflits nés d’un contrat complexe (PARTIE I), et d’examiner l’opportunité de recourir aux modes alternatifs de résolution des litiges (PARTIE II).

Le Code des obligations règle le renouvellement de cinq contrats : le contrat de bail, le contrat de bail à ferme, le contrat de travail, le contrat d'agence et le contrat de société simple. D'autres règles figurent dans la Loi sur le contrat d'assurance et dans la Loi sur le bail à ferme agricole. L'analyse de ces dispositions constitue essentiellement le point de départ de la thèse. Nous nous interrogeons ensuite sur la notion de renouvellement appliquée à d'autres contrats, nommés et innommés. La thèse porte également sur le renouvellement comme solution contractuelle adoptée par les parties, sur les différents types de réglementation et sur les clauses dites pathologiques. Enfin, nous avons procédé à une analyse de l'impact du renouvellement dans le cadre d'une action en justice, notamment en ce qui concerne le for et le choix de l'action, les mesures provisionnelles, l'action en réparation du dommage et la problématique du renouvellement en rapport avec le droit des poursuites.

Dans un contexte de mondialisation, les entreprises africaines doivent s'adapter en permanence aux diverses contingences économiques, juridiques ou sociales. Conscient de cette réalité, le législateur africain a mis en place dans le cadre de la reforme de l'OHADA, un arsenal juridique afin de leur permettre de s'acclimater en permanence aux tendances et pressions du marché : le droit de la restructuration qui désigne l’ensemble des techniques conçues par le législateur pour réorganiser l’entreprise. Ces techniques ont eu pour source d’inspiration le droit français des restructurations qui a connu des mutations. La confrontation des deux systèmes de droit permet de constater que si dans les principes fondamentaux les deux systèmes répondent aux mêmes objectifs à savoir assurer la pérennisation des entreprises par la promotion de la croissance de l’entreprise et sa survie lorsqu’elle est le seuil de difficultés diverses, il existe toutefois des différences d’ordre pratique et technique consécutives aux dernières réformes intervenues.