This thesis examines possible synergies and points of friction between understandings of disability that emphasise its social contingency and jurisprudential debates on substantive equality and access to social security in the context of the promotion of access to work for disabled persons in South Africa. In consequence of an analysis of theoretical debates in the field of disability studies and how these find application in the sphere of employment equity law, it is concluded that, while social understandings of disability mostly focus on structural changes that would see people with disabilities who can and want to work gain access to such work, the positive obligations imposed on employers and the state in terms of equality rights and employment equity legislation are of limited depth and breadth. It is proposed that one potential course of action to address the limited scope of equality law would be to emphasise the state's obligations in terms of socio-economic rights where these rights are relevant to work inequality. Particular emphasis is placed on how the interpretation and application of the right to access to social security could be used to activate government's duties in respect of unemployment protection and work creation. The conclusion reached is that while this strategy poses risks and has its limitations, it can be used to improve information gathering in respect of disabled work seekers that will aid planning and enforcement; to facilitate support for disabled work seekers who experience discrimination; to compel government to improve the implementation and enforcement of employment equity laws in respect of disabled work applicants; to catalyse a holistic approach to social security that considers the interrelationship between social assistance and promoting unemployment protection for disabled persons who are willing and able to work; and to provide different forms of support to disabled people who do not operate in the formal labour market, but who can and do perform work that falls outside the scope of traditional labour market regulation.

The integrated global economy has presented challenges as well as opportunities for companies and their surrounding communities. This has resulted in many jurisdictions having to re-evaluate the question of company failure and how best to deal with it. The South African context has seen the enactment of a new Companies Act, ushering in a rescue regime which evidences a significant departure from its predecessor; judicial management. Contained within Chapter 6 of the Companies Act of 2008, business rescue adopts a fresh approach to company resuscitation. With relatively easy access to the procedure, business rescue caters for the restructure of the business, debt or its equity to ensure either a return to solvency or a better return to creditors than in liquidation. The new regime is further underpinned by the 2008 Act purpose provision, which envisages an efficient business rescue procedure and further mandates that the resolution of financial distress be conducted in a manner that balances the rights and interests of all relevant stakeholders. It is in this light, that this study explores the interplay between section 7(k) and Chapter 6 of the new Act. Specifically, the work sets out to critique the manner in which our new business rescue regime balances competing stakeholder interests in its provisions and investigates whether current provisions provide an adequate framework for this to be done in a manner that enhances the regime's ability to return a financially distressed company to a position of solvency, as a primary objective. After discussing the previous judicial management regime and exploring the mechanics of Chapter 6, a comparative study of similar procedures in the United Kingdom and the United States is undertaken. The study further identifies a number of weaknesses and makes recommendation for improvement.

This thesis answers the question of how South Africa ought to regulate ownership of patentable employee-inventions within the prevailing patent system. It is concerned with developing a South African legal regulatory framework for an optimal default allocation of ownership in patentable inventions made by employee-inventors in the private sector. It approaches this concern from the perspective that the law relating to ownership of employee-inventions should align with the purpose of patents as tools for encouraging private sector investment in technological innovation. This perspective is informed by a theoretical framework based on assumptions about, amongst other things, the role of patents as individual incentives, the nature of inventorship, and the likely incentive effect of a grant of a patent on employers' and employee-inventors' contributions to inventive activity. The core of the thesis is an analysis of the South African law relating to the allocation of ownership of patentable inventions between employers and employees to determine whether and how it supports the incentive function of the patent system. This includes a consideration of the ownership of intellectual property which may arise as a consequence of the inventive activity and which attract statutory protection in the form of copyright, industrial design rights, and plant breeders' rights. In the absence of international guidance and a dearth of sources about the South African approach, an examination of the British and American approaches provides insight into divergent legal regulatory responses to the same issue. A key conclusion is that the prevailing South African law does not provide for an efficient legal framework for the allocation of patent rights between employers and employees when reviewed against the purpose of the patent system in the innovation context. Based on this and other conclusions about the factors which ought to inform the regulation of the allocation, recommendations for a new legislative framework which is responsive to the purpose of patents as individual incentives, but which is also cognisant of the dynamics of the employment relationship, are made.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 258-302). / The focal research question of this thesis is the relevance of the contract of employment in modern employment. In answering this question three broad areas associated with the contract are explored: (1) the evolution of the contract of employment in South Africa and the dichotomy between the contract of employment and the independent contract; (2) the forms of engagement of workers in the South African labour market; and (3) alternative regulatory models with specific reference to models that are consistent with the South African Constitution. Using a comparative approach it is shown that the contract of employment in South Africa is in a relative state of unification. However, some assumptions about its historical evolution and the influence of Roman and Roman-Dutch law are overstated, and more recent developments, such as tax legislation, arguably had a greater influence on the dichotomising of labour law. The study of the South African world of work illustrates that modern work is performed in diverse ways. After illustrating that labour law has both countervailing and social developmental roles, it is concluded that the contract of employment as traditionally understood is no longer capable of performing these roles. It is further claimed that a process of diversification (as opposed to the unification of the contract of employment) will help to redefine the contract of employment and this may extend the coverage of labour legislation to those who, bearing in mind the purpose of labour law, ought to be protected by labour laws. Finally, it is argued that the South African Constitution provides a ready paradigm within which to achieve such a process of diversification which would ultimately lead to an extension of the coverage of labour laws.

According to Olasupo Owoeye, as the world is becoming increasingly globalized, it is difficult for some regions, for example, the African continent, to become competitive in the global market because of their overly protectionist measures1 . Former WTO Director, Pascal Lamy, also noted that Africa should no longer rely on external demand for its goods and services to support its growth but must take steps to accelerate regional integration, as it remains the least developed continent with the highest number of least developed countries in the world2 . This explains the formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by the African Union members; whose main objective is to boost intra African trade and create a single continental market for goods and services. The African Continental Free Trade Area is expected to enhance competitiveness at both the industry and enterprise level through exploitation of opportunities for scale production, continental market access and better allocation of resources. 3 The AfCFTA is also expected to facilitate a better integration of the African economy into the global market, thus contributing to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, enhanced foreign direct investment and employment creation in Africa. It is also considered to be a steppingstone towards two of the deeper integration stages envisaged in the Abuja Treaty of 1991, namely the creation of a continental customs union by 2019 and an African Economic Community (AEC) by 20284 . The AfCFTA can however pose some challenges to the signatory countries as through trade liberalization, domestic markets will become open to foreign competition and susceptible to anti-competitive practices originating outside their national borders. These include crossborder competition concerns, international cartels, mergers and acquisitions that risk monopolizing or creating abuse of dominance in the internal market5 . Some firms may gain market power and abuse their dominance through taking advantage of the economies of scale. Hence the need for the member countries, not only to dismantle trade barriers but also to adopt complementary competition policy to ensure a smooth transition and to benefit from gaining access to new markets. As was stated by Ernst-Ulrich Petersmann, competition laws are important to the preservation of economic freedom and the free trade system as is with the Bill of Rights to the protection of fundamental freedoms6 . The competition and trade policies are both based on the conviction that free trade is a means of maximizing the economic welfare of trading nations through the efficient allocation of resources. The two policies therefore complement each other as without competition, the African Continental Free Trade Area lacks legitimacy because private restraints to trade will undermine its achievement. Hence the negotiations on competition which are supposed to take place beginning of 2019 by the African Union countries who have signed the African Continental Free Trade Area. The research will therefore discuss the formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, discuss the relationship between trade and competition and will also scrutinize the likely positive and negative impacts of the African Continental Free Trade Area vis a vis competition. Reference will also be made to other regional agreements on competition linked with regional efforts to set up free trade zones, particularly, the European Union where regional integration has been used to enhance economic growth and the useful lessons that can be learnt from those.

This thesis analyses how Kenya should apply intellectual property (IP) law in the country’s oil and gas sector to foster innovation and support economic growth within the context of the country’s development plan, Kenya Vision 2030. Specifically, the thesis considers the possible influence of IP law on innovation, investment and economic growth in the oil and gas sector in Kenya. Using doctrinal methodology, the thesis examines legislation and case law from Kenya, South Africa and the United Kingdom relating to competition and protection of patents, copyright, trade marks, trade secrets and industrial designs. This examination is based on a public interest approach to IP law and competition law and seeks to determine the possible effect of Kenya’s IP laws on investment and innovation in the sector. The study finds that IP law and competition law reflect an attempt to accommodate public interest and the interests of investors. It argues that regulation of Kenya’s oil and gas sector using IP law is likely to enhance innovation and support economic growth if relevant IP laws provide for protection of IP whilst safeguarding public interest. The thesis also finds that protection of traditional knowledge (TK) is likely to be relevant to the upstream oil and gas sector in Kenya for environmental resource management. It argues that optimal management of TK is likely to entail collaborative work between indigenous communities, public institutions and private enterprises, as provided for in Kenya’s Environmental Management and Coordination Act (Number 8 of 1999). The thesis makes proposals for a regulatory environment that is likely to provide a firmer basis for investment in the country’s oil and gas industry, promote competition in markets for IP in Kenya, provide a sustainable IP law framework for the sector for economic growth in Kenya, preserve TK of local communities and enhance equitable sharing of benefits related to TK in the context of the country’s oil and gas industry. The thesis contributes to literature on Kenya’s oil and gas industry by filling the apparent gap in analysing the possible effect of the country’s IP law on investment in the industry and public interest.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 289-330). / The debate surrounding the nautical fault exemption has recently been revived in the context of the negotiation and drafting of the UNCITRAL Draft Convention on the Carriage of Goods [Wholly or Partly] [By Sea]. Indeed, the concept of nautical fault has been debated in academic, legislative, and industry circles for decades, with the issue resurfacing each time an attempt is made to modernize the law of carriage of goods by sea, either domestically or internationally. The frequency of debate by no means implies a comprehensive understanding of nautical fault. Rather, the importance of nautical fault and the role it plays in modern carriage law is often misunderstood and underplayed. The majority of commentators and cargo interests view the nautical fault exemption solely as an anachronistic holdover from an earlier era in shipping. This thesis challenges the modern assumptions surrounding nautical fault by demonstrating both its importance and it relevance to the modern law of carriage of goods by sea. This thesis therefore attempts to reconcile all the factors impacting and impacted by nautical fault, and provide a clear, complete and comprehensive study of the exemption.

This thesis seeks to identify how the appraisal rights remedy, which was introduced into South African company law for the first time by section 164 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 ('the South African Act'), should be interpreted and applied in order to facilitate its effective and proper exercise. When the draft version of the South African Act was initially published for public comment, critics raised concerns that the inclusion of the appraisal remedy was undesirable and unnecessary. These concerns were largely motivated by the fact that at the time appraisal rights were a novel concept and thus a completely unknown quantity in South African law. As a result there was much uncertainty in the legal and commercial sector as to how these rights would be interpreted, how they would function and how frequently they would be used. However, since the commencement date of the South African Act (being 1 May 2011) to date no appraisal rights matter has come before our courts and it could therefore be argued that the initial concerns of the critics regarding the impact that the inclusion of appraisal rights would have on South African company law were unfounded. This 'lack of use' phenomenon is in line with the general trend experienced in foreign jurisdictions where the appraisal remedy has been on the statute books for decades, such as the United States of America ('USA' or 'US'), Canada and New Zealand. Due to the fact that appraisal rights are notoriously underutilised they have often been dismissed as an ineffective remedy for minority shareholders. Clearly it could not have been the intention of the drafters of the South African Act to include an ineffective or useless remedy. My research indicates that the lack of use of the appraisal remedy in comparable jurisdictions is due to a number of factors but can be broadly attributed to the complexity, uncertainty and expense associated with the exercise of appraisal rights. The thesis therefore seeks to identify the various causes of the lack of effectiveness apparent in the USA, Canada and New Zealand, to examine the relevance of these in the South African context and to consider possible ways of addressing these challenges. The ultimate objective of the thesis is to devise measures which may be taken so that the appraisal remedy can function more effectively, or at least as effectively as possible, in South Africa.

This dissertation examines the obligations created by Article 3 and Article 6 of the SPS Agreement. It uses Reports accepted by down by the Dispute Settlement Body to find and unpack the interpretation of both Article 3 and 6. These interpretations will be unpacked and examined in detail It further identifies issues and challenges facing these Articles and the obligations which they create. This discussion is held primarily within the context of Developing Country Members. In relation to this discussion policy suggestions will be given forward as possible solutions to certain of the issues and challenges identified. In the course of this discussion the current dispute, which is still in the consultations phase, between Indonesia and Brazil regarding the Importation of Bovine Meat is examined. This paper attempts to provide a probable outcome should this dispute appear before a panel. This outcome relates exclusively to the Article 3 and Article 6 sections of this dispute.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references. / This thesis seeks to identify the test for judicial review of arbitration awards issued by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration ('CCMA'). Currently, that test is set out in section 145 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 ('LRA'), read with the Constitutional Court's decision in Sidumo & another v Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd & others [2007] 12 BLLR 1097 (CC). In terms of Sidumo, section 145 of the LRA has been suffused by the standard of reasonableness, consistently with the right to just administrative action found in section 33 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 ('the Constitution'). In search of a clear formulation of the test, an extensive examination of South African case law on the subject is undertaken. Thereafter, relevant principles of judicial review in South Africa in the administrative sphere generally are considered. Finally, an assessment of Canadian case law and commentary in this field is conducted. The conclusion to this thesis proposes a revised test for review of CCMA awards. The principal research findings begin by recognising the significance of efficiency, accessibility, flexibility and informality to ensuring fair and efficacious labour dispute resolution. The implication of this is that the test for review of CCMA awards should not be too exacting. Still, section 33 of the Constitution cannot be ignored and a broader ambit of review may therefore be necessary in certain instances. In fact, to maintain legal certainty, intrusive review may sometimes be crucial. These factors must be balanced when formulating a reliable and practical approach to review of CCMA awards. A key finding of this thesis is that – ostensibly due to the complexity of doing so – the Labour Courts have struggled to apply the current test for review consistently, fairly or predictably.