Bibliographie sélective OHADA

Securing fast, inexpensive and enforceable redress is vital for the development of international commerce. In a changing international commercial dispute resolution landscape, the combined use of mediation and arbitration, and particularly a combination where the same neutral acts as a mediator and an arbitrator (same neutral (arb)-med-arb), has emerged as a dispute resolution approach offering these benefits. However, to date there has been little agreement on several aspects of the combined use of processes, which the literature often explains by reference to the practitioner’s legal culture. There is a heated debate in the international dispute resolution community as to whether it is appropriate for the same neutral to conduct both mediation and arbitration. When the same neutral acts as a mediator and an arbitrator, caucuses become a primary concern. This is largely due to the danger that an arbitrator will appear to be, or actually be biased, and the risk that the process may offend the principles of due process.A review of the literature shows that the combined use of mediation and arbitration raises more questions and concerns than it offers answers and solutions. This thesis proposes remedies for this situation. The purpose of this thesis is twofold. First, to investigate ways to address concerns associated with the same neutral (arb)-med-arb, which should allow parties to benefit from time and cost efficiencies of the process and the ability to obtain an internationally enforceable result. Second, to examine whether the perception and use of the same neutral (arb)-med-arb varies depending on the practitioner’s legal culture. The research involved an analysis of legal sources complemented by a two stage empirical study conducted through questionnaire and interview.The thesis identifies three major ways to address concerns associated with the same neutral (arb)-med-arb: 1) the involvement of different neutrals in combinations, 2) procedural modifications of the same neutral (arb)-med-arb, and 3) the implementation of safeguards for using the same neutral (arb)-med-arb. It demonstrates that not all of these ways will achieve the goals of fast, inexpensive and enforceable dispute resolution. The results support the conclusion that the perception and use of the same neutral (arb)-med-arb varies throughout the world depending on the practitioner’s legal culture. This and other factors ultimately affect the choice of ways to address concerns associated with the same neutral (arb)-med-arb. Further to these significant results, the thesis argues that the same neutral (arb)-med-arb is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ process. Other combinations discussed in the thesis require more attention from practitioners and academics.This thesis makes a substantial and original contribution to the understanding of combinations in international commercial dispute resolution in four ways. First, the empirical study is the first study to investigate specifically the use of combinations in international commercial dispute resolution. Its results shed light on the use of combinations in international commercial dispute resolution, their common triggers, the way in which the processes are combined most frequently, and the most common forms of recording the outcome of combinations. Second, the thesis synthesises existing ways of addressing concerns associated with the same neutral (arb)-med-arb in international commercial dispute resolution and groups them into the three major categories mentioned above. Third, having identified that there is scope for a more widespread use of combinations in international commercial dispute resolution, the thesis provides recommendations on how to enhance the use of combinations. Finally, the thesis highlights several areas where future research is needed.

Designers are those individuals within our society with a desire and drive to create. In general designers can be found in all facets of industry and good designers (and ultimately good designs) are the very backbone upon a successful business is built. Designers are required to marry practical knowledge with artistic ability and we are reliant on their skills and to turn abstract ideas into formal designs for everything from the groceries we purchase, the cars we drive and of course, the clothes we wear. Whilst there is no definitive delineation of what a fashion design is, generally fashion designs relate to the creation of designs that focus on clothing, apparel and accessories. The style and functionality of the end products rest firmly within particular time frames, economic and socio-cultural environments within which particular designers find themselves. Accordingly the fashion design industry is never one that stagnates but rather is one that is constantly evolving. In South Africa, the fashion industry is blossoming. As an emerging economy, it is important to create opportunities and not barriers for entry into particular sectors for emerging entrepreneurs. The entire fabric of the fashion industry has certainly changed over time and these changes have brought an increased focus on issues of copying and counterfeiting. It is the contention of some in the industry that there is a need for stricter protection of the actual design in and of itself. Using intellectual property rights as a means of protecting fashion designs is very fitting as every new design begins with an idea, which then evolves, though a process of creative engagement and application of skill and labour to become the final original end product. Designers seeking to protect their designs would need to consider the provisions of the Copyright Act, the Designs Act and the Trade Marks Act. These Acts may in some instances provide a means for protect the actual design incidentally, i.e. by protecting the designer‟s rights in relation to reputation and goodwill associated with the goods whilst in others may afford protection to the design itself. The focus of this research will be a discussion of the legal mechanisms available to fashion designers in South Africa for the protection of their designs using their intellectual property rights and an assessment of whether the fashion industry is in need a stronger intellectual property regime than the current one.

The Convention for the International Sale of Goods called the Vienna Conference 1980 is an astute international statute that regulates the sale of goods globally. It has been ratified by about 83 countries of the world and countries that have not ratified it have at a point or the other made reference to it. Major economic players apart from England have ratified and have their courts pronounce on the CISG. The Convention provides for the well known elements of contract and also allows for the usage of standard user terms, for example, general terms known or related to certain goods. It is imperial to state that there are also certain regional statutes that are similar to the CISG although with varying differences. It is important to also mention that the CISG also has its lacunae and defects such as allowance for exemption, contents and so on. The CISG has been pronounced upon by courts across the world and has been seen to be highly justiciable.

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Promotional competitions are competitions in which prizes are awarded by lot or chance in order to promote goods or services. Due to the chance element, these competitions are often categorised as lotteries or gambling. Initially, South African legislation did not make provision for the running of promotional competitions, but this situation changed when the Lotteries Act, 1997 came into force. Currently, promotional competitions are regulated by the Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (CPA). This thesis examines the regulation of promotional competitions in South Africa. It commences with a background discussion, which touches on the relevant terminology and some sociological aspects. It then considers the consequences of gambling and the need for and nature of regulation, and deals with the marketing and consumer protection contexts. This is followed by a brief overview of the global and South African history of gambling, lotteries and promotional competitions, which includes a discussion of South African case law. Foreign law relating to promotional competitions in New Zealand and Great Britain is explored in order to compare this to the South African position. This is followed by an examination of the current regulation of promotional competitions in South Africa, including a discussion regarding the interplay between the CPA and the Lotteries Act and a detailed analysis of the CPA’s provisions. The self-regulation of promotional competitions is discussed as well. The concluding chapter of this thesis contains recommended solutions for the problems identified in the analysis of the relevant legislation.