LL.M. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

No abstract available. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

This thesis analyses the doctrines of the sham and the alter-ego and their application to the law of trusts in South Africa. Following an initial examination of the historical development of the law of trusts in English law and the principles of equity law, the study focuses on the current legal status of the trust inter vivos in South Africa and the similarities to its English forerunner. The work traces the sham doctrine back to its origins in English law, where the term “sham” was first used in the context of fraud and dishonesty in cases involving matters arising from hire-purchase agreements, and explains how it gradually began to find its place in the law of trusts. During the exploration, the work highlights the cornerstone of the sham doctrine’s development, the Snook test, which in effect became the internationally accepted guideline for any sham trust enquiry. In terms of the alter-ego doctrine, the work highlights the birth of the principle in Australian law and the doctrine’s immediate reception into other common law jurisdictions and its resultant development. The growth, maturity and popularity of the doctrines are key to the thesis and, in the course of the investigation, the study provides a legal-comparative analysis of the treatment of the doctrines in the context of trusts against that in other common law countries. The study then shifts its focus to South Africa’s interpretation and application of these doctrines in trust law, and reveals the erroneous judicial development in which the courts have in some instances mistakenly replaced the sham doctrine with the company law doctrine of piercing the corporate veil or, in other instances, have erroneously conflated the two trust doctrines. The results highlight a breach of a fundamental rule observed overseas – the “no half way house” rule, which specifically cautions against South Africa’s chosen direction when allowing the lifting of a trust’s veil. The study closes with suggestions as to how the country could reconcile the problems underlined in the thesis by means of law reform, as well as offering practical advice for settlors, trustees and beneficiaries, the core of which is given in the handbook that accompanies this thesis.

Thesis (LLM)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study deals with a theoretical and practical investigation of the subject discipline of estate planning in order to identify a reliable and appropriate estate planning model. For purposes of this study, the investigation is restricted to the development of such a model in respect of a person within the niche of an average salary earner with the focus on an appropriate financial planning in respect of his death. An investigation is conducted into the basis from which the subject emerged and developed. It is determined that this basis is the method of successionand that it also forms an integral part of any proposed estate planning. Relevant principles and the methods of succession which were in force in the Roman, Roman-Dutch and English law of succession are analysed. Through the historic development, against the background of these systems, a link is made to the South African law of successionand the position in terms of the South African law is determined. The theoretical basis of the subject discipline is also laid down. The different role players involved are identified in the process and the proposed estate planning process is identified and described. The administration of estates process within the context of the English law is compared with the same process in the context of the South African law through a comparative study. This investigation is limited to those aspects of the administration of estates process important for purposes of estate planning, especially in view of the influence that the rules of the Englishlaw had on the South African law in respect of this process. Practical problems currently experienced by trust companies in respect of the administration of estates are also identified and analysed. These problems also indicate the need for the identification of a reliable and appropriate estate planning model. The identification of an appropriate estate analysis model is identified as an essential control mechanism for the proposed estate planning model. This model is furthermore expanded in order to point out the problem areas in respect of different scenarios with a determined conventional family construction as the basis for the analysis. Available estate planning instruments and techniques are identified as aids in order to facilitate the testator's estate plan by virtue of the proposed estate planning model. Testamentary mechanisms are distinguished from inter vivos mechanisms and applicable legislation is discussed. A reliable and appropriate estate planning model is identified, bearing in mind the results of the researchconducted. This study is concluded with an adjudication and consolidation of the results of the research with a special reference to the implementation phase of an estate plan and the frequent revision thereof. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie handeloor 'n teoretiese en praktiese ondersoek van die vakdissipline boedelbeplanning met die oog daarop om 'n betroubare en toepaslike boedelbeplanningsmodel te identifiseer. Die ondersoek word vir doeleindes van hierdie studie beperk en afgebaken tot die ontwikkeling van so 'n model vir 'n persoon wat homself in die nis van die gemiddelde salaristrekker bevind met die fokus op 'n toepaslike finansiële beplanning vir die intrede van dié se dood. Daar word ondersoek ingestel na die basis waaruit dié vakdissipline ontstaan en ontwikkel het. Daar is gevind dat die metode van erfopvolging daardie basis uitmaak en ook 'n integrale deel vorm van enige boedelbeplanningwat onderneem word. Relevante beginsels en die metodes van erfopvolging soos dit in die Romeinse, Romeins- Hollandse en Engelse erfreg gegeld het, word ontleed. Met die historiese ontwikkeling in hierdie stelsels as agtergrond, word daar by die Suid-Afrikaanse erfreg aangesluit en die posisie volgens die Suid- Afrikaanse reg bepaal. Die teoretiese grondslag van die vakdissipline word ook vasgelê. Die verskillende rolspelers betrokke by die voorgestelde boedelbeplanningsproses word geïdentifiseer en die voorgestelde boedelbeplanningsprosesword beskryf. Die boedelberedderingsprosesword ook binne die konteks van die Engelse reg met dié proses binne die konteks van die Suid- Afrikaanse reg deur 'n regsvergelykende studie vergelyk. Hierdie ondersoek word ook beperk tot daardie aspekte van die beredderingsproses wat vir doeleindes van boedelbeplanning van belang is, juis in die lig van die invloed van die Engelsregtelike reëls op die Suid-Afrikaanse reg ten aansien van gemelde proses. Praktiese probleme wat tans tydens die beredderingsproses van bestorwe boedels deur trustmaatskappye ervaar word, word ook geïdentifiseer en ontleed. Hierdie probleme ondersteun ook die behoefte aan die identifisering van 'n betroubare en toepaslike boedelbeplanningsmodel. Die identifisering van 'n toepaslike boedelontledingsmodel word aangetoon as 'n onontbeerlike kontrolemeganisme van die voorgestelde boedelbeplanningsmodel. Hierdie ontledingsmodel word ook uitgebrei om probleemareas ten aansien van verskillende scenario's uit te wys met 'n bepaalde konvensionele gesinskonstruksie as die basis vir die ontledingsmodel. Beskikbare boedelbeplanningsinstrumente en -tegnieke word geïdentifiseer as hulpmiddels om die erflater se toepaslike boedelplan ingevolge die struktuur van die voorgestelde boedelbeplanningsmodel te fasiliteer. Testamentêre meganismes word van inter vivos meganismes onderskei en toepaslike wetgewing word ook bespreek. Na aanleiding van die resultate van hierdie navorsing word 'n betroubare en toepaslike boedelbeplanningsmodel geïdentifiseer. Die studie word afgesluit met 'n beoordeling en samevatting van die resultate van die navorsing met 'n spesifieke verwysing na die implementeringsfase van 'n boedelplan en die gereelde hersiening daarvan.

Dissertation (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The history of the trust companies and boards of executors of Boland Bank Limited represents a case study of the process through which these rural institutions, as part of the broader trust movement in South Africa, established themselves as an integral and respected part of the local financial and social structure of the communities in which they operated. It also represents a case study of the pressures to which these local rural trust companies were subjected by the changing South African financial environment of the 20th century and of the way they reacted to absorb and counter these pressures. Their reactions and counter-measures were attempts, on the one hand, to hold on to and promote, and on the other hand, to get rid of and discard their pasts. The history of Boland Bank Limited to 1971 represents a case study of the trials and tnbulations; the successes and failures of this process. Paarl African Trust Company Limited (PAT) and African Mutual Trust and Assurance Company Limited (AMT), the two leading role players in the establishment of Boland Bank Limited, was founded in 1900 as a result of the anti- British feelings generated among a section of the Afrikaners in the Cape Colony during the Anglo Boer War. These feelings of nationalism manifested in the Afrikaners' aspiration towards greater economic self-reliance which in the case of PAT and AMT led to the establishment of two Afrikaner-controlled local rural trust companies. These two institutions laid the foundation of a mainly Cape based tradition oflocal rural trust companies with a predominantly Afrikaans character. In the first half of the 20th century these institutions established themselves as dynamic local rural financial institutions serving the financial needs of the predominantly agricultural economies in which they functioned. As an integral part of their local communities, they were respected as stabilizing economic and social agents, -a respect demonstrated by the local inhabitants refering to these institutions as "my Kamer" (my Board). The changed nature of the economic system and climate of the post war (Second World War) period in tandem with the tendency towards stricter state control over the monetary and financial system and institutions, pressurized small local :financial institutions like trust companies and boards of executors to show a profit. In this regard PAT and AMT were no exception and together with other similar trust companies were in danger of becoming outdated financialnational monuments. Against this background PAT and AMT took the lead in the early sixties in a successful amalgamation initiative which eventually culminated in the formation of Boland Bank Limited. This process included 17 institutions of which 16 were local rural trust companies and boards of executors and created the potential for regaining their lost dynamic nature. These dynamics would eventually carry them into the 21st century. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geskiedenis van die trustmaatskappye en eksekuteurskamers van Boland Bank Beperk verteenwoordig 'n gevallestudie van die proses waardeur die plattelandse instellings as deel van die breer trustbeweging in Suid-Afrika hulself as 'n integrale en gerespekteerde deel van die plaaslike finansiele en sosiale struktuur van die gemeenskappe waarbinne hulle opgetree het, gevestig het. Dit verteenwoordig ook 'n gevallestudie van die druk waaraan die veranderende Suid-Afrikaanse finansiele omgewing van die 20ste eeu die plaaslike plattelandse trustmaatskappye onderwerp het en die wyse waarop hulle gereageer het in 'n poging om die druk te absorbeer en te opponeer. Hulle reaksies en teenmaatreels was 'n mengsel van pogings om enersyds die status quo ten opsigte van hulle manier van dink en doen te handhaaf en andersyds dit te verwerp of van ontslae te raak. Die geskiedenis van Boland Bank tot 1971 verteenwoordig 'n gevallestudie van die ervaringe en wedervaringe, die suksesse en ook die mislukkings van die proses. Paarl African Trust Company Limited (PAT) en die African Mutual Trust and Assurance Company Limited (AMT) , die twee hoofspelers in die daarstelling van Boland Bank Beperk, is in 1900 gestig as die resultaat van die anti-Britse gevoel wat deur die Anglo-Boereoorlog onder 'n deel van die Afrikaners in die Kaapkolonie gegenereer is. Hierdie gevoel van nasionalisme het gemanifesteer in die Afrikaners se strewe na groter ekonomiese selfstandigheid wat in die geval van PAT en AMT gelei het tot die stigting van twee Afrikanerbeheerde plaaslike plattelandse trustmaatskappye. Die twee instellings het die grondslag van 'n hoofsaaklik Kaaps gebaseerde tradisie van plaaslike plattelandse trustmaatskappye en eksekuteurskamers met 'n oorwegende Afrikaanse karakter gele. In die eerste helfte van die 20ste eeu het die instellings hulself as dinamiese plaaslike plattelandse finansiele instellings gevestig, wat voorsien het in die finansiele behoeftes van die oorheersend primere landbou-ekonomie waarbinne hulle gefunksioneer het. As 'n integrale deel van hulle plaaslike gemeenskappe is bulle as stabiliserende ekonomiese en sosiale agente gerespekteer. Dit was 'n respek wat gedemonstreer is deur die plaaslike inwoners se verwysing na die instellings as "my Kamer". Die veranderde aard van die ekonomiese stelsel en klimaat van die naoorlogse (Tweede Wereldoorlog) periode in tandem met die tendens van strenger staatsbeheer oor die monetere en finansiele stelsel en instellings het druk geplaas op die windsgewendheid van klein plaaslike finansiele instellings soos trustmaatskappye en eksekuteurskamers. In die verband was PAT en AMT geen uitsondering nie en het hulIe saam met ander soortgelyke trustmaatskappye die gevaar geloop om oudmodiese finansiele nasionale monumente te word. Teen hierdie agtergrond het PAT en AMT in die vroee sestigerjare die leiding geneem in 'n suksesvolle amalgamasie-inisiatief wat uiteindelik in die stigting van Boland Bank Beperk gekulmineer het. In die proses is 17 instellings, waarvan 16 plaaslike plattelandse trustmaatskappye en eksekuteurskamers was, ingesluit en daardeur die potensiaal geskep om hulle verlore dinamika te herwin, Dit was 'n dinamika wat hulle uiteindelik tot in die 21ste eeu sou dra.

The aim of this technical report is to serve as a handy expose of the relevant provisions of various statutes for attorneys, accountants and other advisors who have to deal with the relevant tax laws affecting the establishment, utilisation and dissolution of trusts. The South African Acts which are the subject of this technical report were promulgated on or before 31 December 1998. They are as follows: • The Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962. • The Transfer Duty Act, No. 40 of 1949. • The Value Added Tax Act, No. 89 of 1991. • The Estate Duty Act, No. 45 of 1955. The principal South African taxes dealt with in this report are as follows: • Normal Tax. • Donations Tax. • Transfer Duty. • Value Added Tax. • Estate Duty. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

The trust figure in South Africa has undergone an interesting process of evolution during the last century – from a mere gratuity or private tax evasion tool to a proper family protection, business entity, investment, and structured finance vehicle. Its flexibility and multi-functionality positioned the trust as an ideal legal institution for many innovative ideas in the search for holistic business structures, economic empowerment transactions, general estate planning and risk protection initiatives, and ultimately, its application as financial instrument and structured finance entity. The development of both traditional and synthetic securitisation schemes in South Africa has been investigated, with some emphasis on the application of the special purpose institution, which may be in trust form. It is submitted that the application of the trust figure has developed without any significant contribution from the local legislator. A sound legal and regulatory framework is crucial for the creation of a strong future environment for legal and financial vehicles. The question is, however, whether the current South African legal framework for the application of the business trust, and also as a vehicle for financial instruments, is adequately sound and robust in light of the standards set in the international business and financial environment. It is submitted that the hybrid nature of the South African legal landscape is conducive for the development of sound legal systems in an ever-changing legal and economic reality. It is further submitted that in the development of proper legal frameworks, South Africa should position itself particularly in its context as a Southern African developing democracy. The South African trust development is compared with that of some foreign jurisdictions as well as with international conventions and treaties of relevance. Some recommendations for necessary changes are made and it is submitted that such future development of the trust figure should not take place haphazardly, but within the context of a structured regulatory model.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a discretionary inter vivos trust is still an effective instrument for estate planning. The process of estate planning, the role the trust plays in it and the background to the trust are described. The taxability and tax saving opportunities when the trust are utilised are discussed in the light of the Estate Duty Act, 45 of 1955, the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (including the Eighth Schedule thereof) and the Transfer Duty Act, 40 of 1949. The opinions of tax and legal authorities in articles and relevant case law are also discussed. The impact of the "letter of wishes" on the stipulations of the trust deed is examined. Amendments to the Income Tax Act have placed a limit on the use of a trust for estate planning through a number of anti-avoidance measures, the introduction of a capital gains tax (in the Eighth Schedule) and the imposition of a high tax rate. The increase in the deduction granted in arriving at the dutiable amount of an estate, in terms of section 4A of the Estate Duty Act, from R1 500 000 to R2 500 000 has imposed a further limit on the use of the trust as an instrument in estate planning. The research demonstrates that, notwithstanding the amendments to the Income Tax Act, the trust still is a viable instrument, mainly because the trust operates as a conduit and because of its potential use in dividing taxable income amongst a number of beneficiaries. The stipulations included in the trust deed and the "letter of wishes" (if one exists), must be thought through carefully when estate planning is done, as it can give rise to the application of the general and specific anti-avoidance provisions as included in sections 7 and 103 of this Act. The research also concludes that, in assessing the effectiveness of the trust as an instrument in tax planning, the disadvantage of paying the higher transfer duty when the immovable asset is transferred to the trust should be weighed up against the possible saving in income tax and estate duty at a later stage. It is also clear that most assets owned by the trust are tax neutral, whilst many of the amendments under discussion deal with the taxability of trust income. The quantitative considerations underlying the use of the trust as part of the estate plan, remain unchanged. The research concludes by providing a framework of quantitative and qualitative criteria that can be used by an estate planner to determine whether it will be advantageous to transfer an asset to the trust to achieve the objectives of the estate plan.

OPSOMMING Alhoewel die trustfiguur reeds sedert die 19e Eeu in Suid-Afrika erken word, en as `n suiwer trustfiguur tipeer kan word, is die hantering van die regte van sekere trustbegunstigdes steeds in onsekerheid gehul. Die hoofrede hiervoor is die oorbeklemtoning van die wyse waarop trusts tot stand kom en die onderbeklemtoning van die unieke fidusiêre aard van die trust na oprigting daarvan. In Engeland, Skotland, Sri Lanka, Louisiana en Quebec, waar die suiwer trustfiguur ook aanwending vind, bestaan, in teenstelling met die oënskynlike regsposisie in Suid-Afrika, die moontlikheid van trustbegunstigdes sonder regte glad nie. In hierdie jurisdiksies speel die oprigtingsinstrument `n ondergeskikte rol en ontstaan die regte van trustbegunstigdes ex lege uit hoofde van die trustfiguur as `n vertrouensverhouding sui generis. Alhoewel die Suid-Afrikaanse trustreg die fidusiêre aard van die verhouding tussen trustee en trustbegunstigde erken, word die aard en omvang van die regte wat hieruit voort behoort te vloei nog nie voldoende deur die howe erken nie. Vertrouensverhoudinge waaruit regte en verpligtinge ex lege voortspruit, is bekend aan die gemenereg en word steeds hedendaags aangetref in verskeie ander vakdissiplines binne die Suid-Afrikaanse reg, waaronder die maatskappyereg. Die suiwer trustfiguur stel verder noodwendig `n vertrouensverhouding daar wat juis daarop gemik is om die regte van trustbegunstigdes te beskerm. Die standpunt word dus ingeneem dat alle trustbegunstigdes in Suid-Afrika derhalwe oor ex lege regte beskik. Daar word aan die hand gedoen dat trustbegunstigdes se regte nie uitsluitlik voortvloei uit hoofde van die tersaaklike oprigtingshandeling nie, maar dat unieke regte ontstaan as gevolg van die onderliggende fidusiêre verhouding wat tot stand kom wanneer, maar ongeag hoe, die trust opgerig word. Kortom: Die fidusiêre verhouding behoort erken te word as eie, onafhanklike bron van trustbegunstigdes se moontlike regte teen die trustee in die geval van trustbreuk. Nie net is dit `n logiese stap in die ontwikkeling van die gemenereg nie, maar sal dit ook die beskerming van trustbegunstigdes in die Suid-Afrikaanse trustreg op dieselfde voet plaas as trustbegunstigdes in die ander jurisdiksies wat nagevors is. So 'n stap sal bydra tot regsekerheid en nie tot `n wesentlike omwenteling in die Suid-Afrikaanse trustreg en -administrasie lei nie. SYNOPSIS Although the trust figure has been recognised in South Africa since the 19th century and can be characterised as a proper trust, uncertainty still prevails regarding the scope and acknowledgement of the rights of some trust beneficiaries. The main reason for this is the over-emphasis of the manner in which trusts are created, and the under-emphasis of the unique fiduciary nature of the trust once it has been established. In England, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Louisiana and Quebec where the proper trust figure is also applied, there is no possibility, contrary to the apparent legal position in South Africa, of trust beneficiaries without rights. In these jurisdictions the instrument used to create a trust plays a subordinate role and the rights of trust beneficiaries originate ex lege by virtue of the trust itself as a relationship of trust sui generis. Although South African trust law acknowledges the fiduciary nature of the relationship between trustee and trust beneficiary, the nature and extent of the rights that should emanate from this relationship are not adequately acknowledged by the courts. / Jurisprudence / L.L.D.

Prior to the introduction of section 37C into the Pension Funds Act. 24 of 1956, the benefit payable as a result of the death of a member would devolve in accordance with his last will and testament or the provisions of intestate succession. The advent of section 37C brought a statutory regime which expressly excludes freedom of testation and rather looks to the board of a fund to distribute the death benefit. The board may only pay the dependants of a deceased (either factual or legal) or the persons he has recorded on his nomination form. The section relies on the board to exercise its discretion in a manner which results in an equitable distribution of the death benefit notwithstanding that it does not provide any guidelines as to how this is to be achieved. Accordingly, numerous decisions are challenged by the identified beneficiaries because they are unhappy with the manner in which the board exercised its discretion. This results in complaints being lodged with the Pension Funds Adjudicator. Many such complaints should never have arisen or could have been easily solved by a proper exercise of discretion on the part of the board. The problem is that these complaints are adding to an already burdened office. Adequate training and understanding of the obligations of section 37C would probably result in fewer complaints to the Adjudicator. This dissertation examines whether the determinations which have been issued by the Adjudicator in respect of section 37C indicate a need for such training and understanding and, if they do, what possible remedies there might be to cure such a problem. Recommendations arising from this are that trustees must receive training focused on section 37C and proposed practical protocols to assist a board when exercising its duty to make an equitable distribution. / Jurisprudence / LL.M.