The thesis "Debt trap - the possibility of resolving the debt issue " is concerned with how the public policy of the state responds to the increasing indebtedness of Czech society and that address the causes and consequences of this debt. Features a history of borrowing money and significant impact on society interest in history and in the present. It also shows what causes can lead to debt and the consequences of over-indebtedness bears. Specific cases of clients with debt issues provides a chapter on the social counseling (Občanská poradna Plzeň - Citizens Advice Bureau Plzeň), which among other increasingly engaged in consultancy in the field of debt. The main part is the analysis of public policy events - it is a holistic approach to policy examined, the selected aspects, events, actors, goals. The analysis traces the development of indebtedness of Czech citizens and state intervention and non-state actors in this issue. Also evaluates the actors in this issue shows the complexity of the process of recognition of a social problem and highlights the influence of public interest and political culture of the state in the implementation of public policy. In conclusion, given the public attitude to the issue of debt in the Czech Republic.

Gauteng, one of the nine provinces of South Africa, has a high number of households as compared to the other provinces. Geographically the province has the smallest land size, however it forms the central part of the South African economy. From the total value of credit granted in all provinces, Gauteng has the highest. The province has a high number of registered debt counsellors and an increasing number of consumers who apply for debt counselling because of over-indebtedness. The high number of the registered debt counsellors and consumers seeking debt counselling service gave rise to the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study was to assess the role of debt counselling services provided by debt counsellors to consumers on the one hand, and to also assess whether debt counselling has had a positive effect on the personal financial well-being of consumers who participated in the debt counselling process on the other hand. Furthermore, the study aimed at developing a framework that will empower consumers to be self-sufficient with their finances. From the purpose of the study, two research questions were proposed: (1) How does the debt counselling service provided by debt counsellors assist consumers to manage their finances effectively? (2) Which role does the debt counselling service provided by debt counsellors play in terms of the personal financial well-being of consumers? In an attempt to answer research questions, the theoretical framework of both personal finance and debt counselling were studied. The importance of personal finance, personal financial planning, the evolution of debt counselling, the effectiveness and the ineffectiveness of debt counselling services were identified. A two-phased sequential design (qualitative and quantitative) was used. Fifteen debt counsellors were selected (for the first phase of the study) by making use of a purposeful sampling. These debt counsellors were interviewed and further requested to identify and send questionnaires to consumers whom they have rendered debt counselling service between the years 2007 and 2013. In the second phase of the study, 300 over-indebted consumers were surveyed through a snowball non-probability sampling technique and a response rate of 61% was realised. Data was analysed using ATLAS.ti and the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for the first and the second data collected respectively. Furthermore, the exploratory factor analysis was used to analyse the data, and the factorability of the data was assessed by means of two statistical measures, namely Bartlett’s test of sphericity and Kaizer Meyer-Olkin. It was observed that most debt counsellors lack financial management knowledge and do not have mechanisms to verify their clients’ financial well-being after debt counselling service had been completed. In addition, there was no evidence that consumers who received debt counselling improved in their financial well-being and that consumers also lacked personal financial management skills. The study concluded that, although debt counselling is essential, it does not necessarily assist consumers to effectively manage their finances. The study purports to suggest the following: Debt counsellors should be subjected to formal financial management training prior to their registration, debt counsellors should provide personal financial management education to their clients, and assess the financial management conduct of their clients once debt counselling process is complete, and debt counsellors should establish debt counsellors’ forums. The South African government (in conjunction with the Department of Education and Training) should introduce and implement personal financial management education in both primary and high schools’ curricula. Personal financial management should continue to be offered at adult learning centres as well as other institutions of higher learning. Employers should appoint employee wellness officers who will provide personal finance training to employees. Credit providers should take the responsibility of educating their clients on how to manage their accounts and the importance of paying debts on time. The South African media should also be used by the government and the NCR to educate and inform consumers about finance-related matters. Finally consumers should seek guidance and advice before making financial commitments. The study concluded by suggesting a framework that should help consumers to manage and sustain their financial well-being. / Business Management / DCOM (Business Management)

Gauteng, one of the nine provinces of South Africa, has a high number of households as compared to the other provinces. Geographically the province has the smallest land size, however it forms the central part of the South African economy. From the total value of credit granted in all provinces, Gauteng has the highest. The province has a high number of registered debt counsellors and an increasing number of consumers who apply for debt counselling because of over-indebtedness. The high number of the registered debt counsellors and consumers seeking debt counselling service gave rise to the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study was to assess the role of debt counselling services provided by debt counsellors to consumers on the one hand, and to also assess whether debt counselling has had a positive effect on the personal financial well-being of consumers who participated in the debt counselling process on the other hand. Furthermore, the study aimed at developing a framework that will empower consumers to be self-sufficient with their finances. From the purpose of the study, two research questions were proposed: (1) How does the debt counselling service provided by debt counsellors assist consumers to manage their finances effectively? (2) Which role does the debt counselling service provided by debt counsellors play in terms of the personal financial well-being of consumers? In an attempt to answer research questions, the theoretical framework of both personal finance and debt counselling were studied. The importance of personal finance, personal financial planning, the evolution of debt counselling, the effectiveness and the ineffectiveness of debt counselling services were identified. A two-phased sequential design (qualitative and quantitative) was used. Fifteen debt counsellors were selected (for the first phase of the study) by making use of a purposeful sampling. These debt counsellors were interviewed and further requested to identify and send questionnaires to consumers whom they have rendered debt counselling service between the years 2007 and 2013. In the second phase of the study, 300 over-indebted consumers were surveyed through a snowball non-probability sampling technique and a response rate of 61% was realised. Data was analysed using ATLAS.ti and the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for the first and the second data collected respectively. Furthermore, the exploratory factor analysis was used to analyse the data, and the factorability of the data was assessed by means of two statistical measures, namely Bartlett’s test of sphericity and Kaizer Meyer-Olkin. It was observed that most debt counsellors lack financial management knowledge and do not have mechanisms to verify their clients’ financial well-being after debt counselling service had been completed. In addition, there was no evidence that consumers who received debt counselling improved in their financial well-being and that consumers also lacked personal financial management skills. The study concluded that, although debt counselling is essential, it does not necessarily assist consumers to effectively manage their finances. The study purports to suggest the following: Debt counsellors should be subjected to formal financial management training prior to their registration, debt counsellors should provide personal financial management education to their clients, and assess the financial management conduct of their clients once debt counselling process is complete, and debt counsellors should establish debt counsellors’ forums. The South African government (in conjunction with the Department of Education and Training) should introduce and implement personal financial management education in both primary and high schools’ curricula. Personal financial management should continue to be offered at adult learning centres as well as other institutions of higher learning. Employers should appoint employee wellness officers who will provide personal finance training to employees. Credit providers should take the responsibility of educating their clients on how to manage their accounts and the importance of paying debts on time. The South African media should also be used by the government and the NCR to educate and inform consumers about finance-related matters. Finally consumers should seek guidance and advice before making financial commitments. The study concluded by suggesting a framework that should help consumers to manage and sustain their financial well-being. / Business Management / DCOM (Business Management)

The issue addressed in this study is whether the South African insolvency law provides adequate debt relief measures to deal with the growing problem of overindebtedness amongst individuals. Against the background of a historical and comparative investigation this study focuses on a critical evaluation of debt relief measures provided for by the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 as well as the alternative measures outside the ambit of the Insolvency Act. Although it is not a prime object of the Insolvency Act to afford the individual debtor a discharge of pre-sequestration debts it is a consequence of sequestration after rehabilitation of the debtor. Nevertheless, sequestration followed by rehabilitation is not readily available as a debt relief measure. This can mainly be attributed to the advantage for creditors requirement that can be viewed as an impediment to obtaining a fresh start for many individual debtors. This is also the debtor's position regarding debt relief provided by the procedure of composition in terms of the Insolvency Act, as it is currently only available after sequestration As far as creditors' interests are concerned, the efficiency of this requirement may also be questioned as statistics indicate that the sequestration process is implemented in instances where doing so is not cost-effective. It is furthermore submitted that the current alternative debt relief measures provided for by South African law are inadequate and that the problems encountered in practice regarding friendly sequestrations can to a great extent be attributed to this fact. In order to reserve sequestration for extreme cases, insolvency law reform aimed at preventing implementation of the sequestration process when doing so is not cost-effective is recommended. However, it is emphasised that these recommendations should only be implemented if provision is made for an adequate alternative debt relief measure that would accommodate debtors whose estates do not justify a concursus creditorum. It is submitted that the administration procedure in terms of section 74 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 32 of 1944 should be adjusted to offer the required debt relief by inter alia affording the debtor a discharge of his debts. It is furthermore submitted that this procedure should be combined with the pre-liquidation composition proposed by the South African law commission and that the combined procedure should only be open for implementation if an informal arrangement, coupled with debt counselling, cannot be reached. As regards international guidelines for insolvency law reform it is contended that South Africa should follow the example of other systems by fully embracing the fresh start approach. With regard to rehabilitation in terms of the Insolvency Act it is submitted that the automatic rehabilitation of bona fide debtors after three years should be the point of departure. Regarding assets excluded from the insolvent estate recommendations aimed at enabling the debtor to continue his household as a social and economic unit are made. In the end, South African insolvency law reform should seek to find a balance between debtors' and creditors' interests. It is submitted that the current proposals for insolvency law reform will not achieve this objective. / Dissertation (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Procedural Law / unrestricted