Thesis (L.L.M. (Law)) - Rhodes University, 2009.

L.LM. (International Commercial Law) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This thesis analyses the compatibility of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) with the South African law of sale. An initial examination of the historical development of the CISG reveals its ambitions of becoming the primary source of law governing international contracts of sale. The goal of this research is to determine whether South Africa should ratify the CISG. The CISG has been ratified by most of the leading trading States in the world. In order to gain a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of ratification, a comparative study has been undertaken. The stance taken toward the CISG by the United Kingdom and Germany has been examined. The United Kingdom has staunchly avoided ratifying the CISG, despite having agreed thereto a number of years ago. Germany however has taken a different approach and has welcomed the CISG. The experiences of these foreign States serve as a useful guide when assessing the specific challenges that exist in South Africa concerning the adoption of the CISG. The most important aspect of this study is the direct comparison between the legal provisions housed in the CISG and their counterparts under South African law. A careful investigation has been conducted into the rights, duties, and remedies under the CISG. This investigation is followed by an examination of the corresponding rights, duties, and remedies under the South African domestic law of sale. It is evident from these explorations that the rights and duties under the CISG strongly resemble those under South African law. The direct comparison revealed however that certain remedies found in the CISG do not have a counterpart under South African law. Despite this discrepancy, there are no legal principles in the CISG that are completely unknown in South African law. While certain remedies housed in the CISG cannot be found in an identical form under South African law, sufficiently similar legal principles can be found, which frequently lead to the same results as those under the CISG. This study is concluded with a recommendation concerning South Africa’s adoption of the CISG.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research report reviews South African and international legislation aimed at preventing insider trading and provides an overview of the successful criminal and civil proceedings taken against insiders. It highlights the possible preventative measures South African companies and legislature can take to reduce insider trading. The United States of America is one of the few countries that had successfully implemented legislation prohibiting insider trading prior to the 1990s. Most countries, including South Africa, only implemented legislation prohibiting insider trading in the late 1990s. Due to apartheid and sanctions against South Africa, the JSE has built up a legacy of being an insider's haven. The Directorate of Market Abuse has the task of transforming this legacy to restore investors' confidence in the market in order to promote economic growth. The success of the legislation is firstly measured by the knowledge the market has gained relating to insider trading since the implementation of the legislation. According to the South African market, insider trading is unethical, but 22% of the participants in the G:cnesis survey still believe that it is an acceptable practice in the South African market. South African companies therefore need to educate their employees and take preventative measures to reduce insider trading in order to erode this culture. Insider trading can only be prevented and reduced if legislation is enforced. Globally, few legal criminal proceedings have been successful, therefore legislation in most countries makes provision for civil remedies. As the burden of proof in a civil legal proceeding is only on "a balance of probabilities", civil proceedings against insiders have been successful. In South Africa, the majority of cases referred for civil legal action have been settled out of court by the alleged insider without admitting guilt to a criminal offence. The South African legislation regulating insider trading in the market is aligned with legislation globally. South Africa's future challenges are to maintain the initial success achieved in reducing insider trading. The establishment of a specific court specialising in financial crime and monitoring specific changes to legislation could increase the possibility of future success. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die projek ondersoek die Suid-Afikaanse en internasionale wetgewing teen binnehandel. Verder word die suksesvolle kriminele en siviele verrigtinge teen diegene wat hulle aan binnehandel skuldig maak onder die soeklig geplaas. Die projek beklemtoon die moontlike voorkomingsmaatreels wat Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye en regslui kan implementeer om moontlike toekomstige binnehandel te bekamp. Die Verenigde State van Amerika is een van die min lande wat reeds voor die 1990s wetgewing teen binnehandel suksesvol geimplementeer bet. Ander lande, insluitend Suid-Afrika, het eers in die laat 1990s wetgewing teen binnehandel geproklameer. Apartheid en sanksies teen Suid-Afrika het 'n nalatenskap van vrye binnehandel op die JSE gelaat. Dit is die taak van die Direktoraat van Markmisbruik om hierdie nalatenskap uit te wis, sodat beleggersvertroue in die mark herstel kan word, wat weer tot ekonomiese groei sal lei. Een van die maatstawwe om die sukses van die wetgewing te meet, is om te bepaal hoeveel kennis die finansiele gemeenskap sedert die implementering van die nuwe wetgewing ingewin het. Volgens die finansiele gemeenskap is binnehandel oneties, maar 22% van die deelnemers aan die G:encsis-opname glo dat binnehandel wel in Suid-Afrika aanvaarbaar is. Daarom moet Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye hulle werknemers se kennis oor binnehandel verbreed en ander voorkomende maatreels in plek stel om die kultuur van binnehandel te elimineer. Binnebandel kan slegs voorkom en verminder word indien wetgewing geimplementeer word. Relatief min kriminele sake teen binnehandel lei tot skuldigbevinding, maar plaaslike en internasionale wetgewing maak voorsiening vir siviele aksies. In 'n siviele hofsaak moet ingediende bewyse slegs na alle waarskynlikheid die skuld van die oortreder bewys, wat suksesvolle siviele vervolging moontlik maak. Die meerderheid siviele sake in Suid-Afrika word buite die bar geskik sonder dat die aangeklaagde skuld aan 'n kriminele daad erken. Die Suid-Afrikaanse wetgewing is in lyn met internasionale standaarde. Suid-Afrika staar verskeie uitdagings in die gesig ten opsigte van die handhawing van die huidige suksesvolle bekamping van binnehandel. Die moontlike totstandkoming van 'n spesiale hof, wat slegs finansiele verwante oortredings aanhoor en veranderings aan die wetgewing kontroleer, kan bydra tot die toekomstige sukses van die Suid-Afrikaanse wetgewing.

The thesis examines the enforcement of consumer rights in South Africa, and is set against the backdrop of the underlying principles and theories on the enforcement of consumer protection law. It then analyses the various forms of consumer protection law enforcement mechanisms that were in place prior to the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, and sets out why there was a need for the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act. The thesis then critically discusses the consumer protection law enforcement mechanisms introduced and/or catered for by the Consumer Protection Act. The in-depth comparative analysis against the consumer protection law enforcement dispensations in both India and the United Kingdom culminates in a critical analysis of the successes and shortcomings of consumer protection law enforcement regime in present-day South Africa; as well as recommendations (in the form of legislative amendments and practical solutions) on how the South African consumer protection enforcement framework can be improved in order to facilitate the realisation of consumer rights. / Mercantile Law / LL. D.

This research analyses the impact and materiality of South Africa’s choice not to ratify the CISG on its trade as well as relations with other states. As the point of departure, the broader events leading up to the creation of the CISG will be examined as well as UNCITRAL’s mandate and the development of trade in the local and global context. At present, the CISG has been ratified by 85 states. The decisions by common law jurisdictions such as the UK and India not to ratify the CISG as well as the delay by Brazil and Japan will be discussed. The legal, business and political or policy reasons for and against the ratification of the CISG are investigated which focuses on aspects such as legal certainty, uniformity of laws and the reduction of legal costs. An investigation is carried out regarding the historical foundations of the South African law of contract to this framework sets the tone for a comparison between the South African law and the provisions of the CISG. Lastly, a comparison is drawn between the provisions of the CISG and the South African law with specific emphasis on the remedies of specific performance and the right to claim damages which culminates in an overall conclusion that the South African law is compatible with the CISG insofar as remedies for breach of contract are concerned. / Mercantile Law / LL. M. (International Economic Law)

This thesis analyses the existing legal framework that applies to franchising in South Africa today. The study begins with an examination of the history and nature of the franchise contract, focusing particularly on the nature of the franchise relationship. This study is undertaken in order to substantiate the argument that franchising is a unique method of doing business. There is a need therefore to recognise that the franchise contract is a special contract in its own right, just like contracts of sale, lease, insurance and suretyship. The study then goes on to examine the problems which are experienced in the sector, as well as the law which must provide solutions to these problems. The research will show that in a modern commercial world the existing legal framework, especially the common law, cannot adequately deal with many of these problems. The complex relationship between franchising and competition law is also explored. A common thread that emerges from franchise disputes is the lack of protection afforded to the interests of franchisees. Franchisees tend to be at the mercy of economically stronger franchisors, hence the belief that there is a need for a stronger regulatory framework. The study then shifts to proposals for reform. In 2000 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) established the Franchise Steering Committee in conjunction with the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) to review the regulatory environment. This Committee drafted franchise legislation which aimed to bring the regulation of the sector under the control of the DTI. This legislation has not been implemented and the DTI has changed its strategy. Instead of dealing with franchising independently, franchising will fall within the scope of consumer protection legislation. Both the consumer protection legislation and the legislation proposed by the Franchise Steering Committee are thoroughly examined and explained. Shortcomings in the proposals are highlighted and an alternative approach is recommended. It is proposed that franchise-specific legislation should be introduced but that this legislation should establish a system of co-regulation between the government and the franchise sector.