Thesis (LLM. (Labour Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / The study will analyse section 37C of the Pension Funds Act, 24 of 1956. This section limits the deceased’s freedom of testate by placing the death benefits and the control of the board of trustees who are tasked to distribute such benefits equitably among the dependants and nominees of the deceased. Section 37C of the Act was enacted to protect dependency by ensuring that the dependants of the deceased are not left in destitute. In order to achieve this, three duties are placed on the board of trustees namely, to identify the dependants and nominees of the deceased member; to effect an equitable distribution of the benefit among the beneficiaries; and to determine an appropriate mode of payment. This section sees to all the interest of the dependants without discriminating consequently there are three classes of dependants that are created under section 37C namely; legal dependants, non-legal dependants, and future dependants.

Tax evasion has been happening for decades, but after the highly publicized cases with two foreign banks, LGT and UBS, the United States (US) is cracking down on tax evaders. The latest addition to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s repertoire of enforcement tools is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, otherwise known as FATCA. The Act was enacted to incentivize tax information release by foreign financial institutions (FFIs) who would otherwise face a 30% withholding tax on any US source income. The question was whether or not the design of the Act and its implementation successfully met this goal. This paper explores the history leading up to FATCA’s creation, beginning from the basic data underlying tax evasion. With the US losing approximately $100 billion a year of tax revenue, the IRS is keen on reducing the money flow out of the US. It will dig deeper into the facts of the LGT and UBS cases which led to Congress’s realization that their other enforcement mechanisms were not sufficient and describe FATCA’s unintended impact. Through researching articles on the predicted impact of FATCA, surveys of FFIs, testimonials from US citizens, this paper will explain how FATCA has unfortunately detrimentally impacted FFIs and US citizens living abroad.

This thesis attempts to critically and comparatively analyse the issues relating to the passing of property and risk under the United Nations Convention on the Contract for International Sale of Goods (CISG) and English Law (SGA). The passing of property and risk plays a central role in the area of international legislation in relation to sales contracts. These elements can be the most significant components in contracts of sale between parties, whether in the international or domestic field. The reason is founded on their legal nature and the close relationship between them. The passing of property and risk has been a central issue for practitioners, judges and lawyers dating back to the Roman period and several ideas have been proposed to resolve it. Where the situation is different for contracts of sale in relation to the passing of property and risk, whether in the domestic or international field, it still creates many unresolved problems, because of ongoing changes in the field of modern commerce, which may contribute to unfair implications between the parties. It has been observed in this thesis that both English law and the CISG adopt the party autonomy principle, where the intention of the parties - whether in relation to the passing of property or risk - is the basic rule. However, the difference lies in the default rules. While English law involves default substitutional rules, which apply in cases where there is an absence of an expressed or implied indication regarding the intention between the parties, the CISG lacks such default rules regarding the transfer of property, which could be viewed as its main weakness, although the CISG does involve such provisions with respect to the transfer of risk. This thesis willdiscusses, the legal nature of the rules in relation to the passing of property and risk, and the role of the party autonomy principle, and the impacts and legal difficulties that might arise through the application of these rules, whether they are default rules or based on the party autonomy principle. It will also examine the legal gaps and weaknesses of both legal systems in an attempt to identify such legal difficulties and to find appropriate solutions and remedies.

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not the South African public procurement regime, within the framework set out in section 217(1) of the Constitution 1996, complies with the internationally accepted objectives or principles of public procurement, as contained in the UNCITRAL Model Law on the Procurement of Goods, Construction and Services (1994) and the World Trade Organisation‟s Plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement, and how these objectives are balanced with the need for the government‟s socio-economic policies. The main features of the public procurement reforms after South Africa became a constitutional state are the provision of constitutional principles applicable to public procurement; the creation of a single national legislative framework in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003, applicable to organs of state in the national, provincial and local spheres of government; and the creation of a supply chain management function that is fully integrated with the financial management processes in government, in which decisions on public procurement are decentralised to the procuring entities. The following broad principles applicable to public procurement, which are common to the Model Law and the GPA, were identified: (a) Economy; (b) Competitiveness; (c) Effectiveness; (d) Transparency; (e) The combating of abuse; (f) The avoidance of risk; (g) Accountability; (h) Fairness and equitability; and (i) Integrity. / Private Law / LL.D.

Under de senaste åren har finanssektorn förändrats och en bidragande faktor är teknisk innovation. Teknisk innovation kan utveckla tillhandahållandet av finansiella tjänster som finansiella aktörer såsom banker erbjuder till sina kunder. En jurisdiktion kan främja utvecklingen av finansiella tjänster, antingen genom en finansiell sandlåda eller en innovationshubb. En finansiell sandlåda är en säker miljö där banker och bolag vars verksamhet endast består av teknisk innovation (FinTech-bolag), kan testa sina oreglerade affärsmodeller. Testutrymmet kontrolleras av en tillsynsmyndighet. För närvarande har över 50 jurisdiktioner upprättat en finansiell sandlåda och flera europeiska länder har redan en sandlåda i drift eller överväger att införa en. Flera olika EU-institut, som exempelvis Europeiska kommissionen och Europaparlamentet, är positiva för att införa en reglering av finansiella sandlådor på EU-nivå. Finansiella sandlådor är endast utformade som nationella finansiella sandlådor. Syftet med denna masteruppsats är att utreda huruvida EU behöver reglera finansiella sandlådor och i så fall om regelverket bör antas som ett direktiv eller en förordning. Slutsatsen av denna uppsats är att finansiella sandlådor behöver regleras även om vissa medlemsstater inte vill upprätta en egen nationell sandlåda. En anledning till varför finansiella sandlådor är behövliga i EU är för att de främjar konkurrensen mellan olika finansiella aktörer. Dessutom är finansiella sandlådor ett tillfälle för nya marknadsaktörer såsom FinTech-bolag att växa. Väljer EU att inte reglera finansiella sandlådor kommer det att hämma den fria rörligheten för finansiella tjänster. Den mest effektiva lösningen för EU hade varit att anta ett direktiv om harmoniserade nationella finansiella sandlådor. Genom att anta regelverket som ett direktiv får medlemsländerna själva bestämma vilka bestämmelser som ska implementeras i den nationella lagstiftningen. / In recent times, the financial market has changed and a contributing factor is technological innovation. Technological innovation can develop the provision of financial services which companies such as banks offers their consumers. There are two ways a jurisdiction can promote the development of financial services; either through a regulatory sandbox or an innovation hub. A regulatory sandbox is a safe environment where banks and companies who only works with technological innovation (FinTech-companies) can test their unregulated business models. The environment is controlled and monitored by a supervisory authority. Regulatory sandboxes are available in more than 50 different jurisdictions, and an increasing number of European countries are either thinking of establishing one or have already done it.   Within the European Union, some organisations such as the European Commission and the European Parliament have expressed their willingness to regulate regulatory sandboxes at Union level. For now, sandboxes can only be set up as a national regulatory sandbox. The purpose of this master’s thesis is to investigate whether the Union needs to regulate regulatory sandboxes and if so, should the Union introduce a directive or a regulation on harmonized national regulatory sandboxes.    The investigation of this thesis shows that regulatory sandboxes are needed even though some Member States are unwilling to establish one. Regulatory sandboxes are needed in the Union because it furthers the competition between companies offering financial services. Regulatory sandboxes also help new entrants such as FinTech-companies to grow. If the Union does not regulate regulatory sandboxes, it will hinder the free movement of services. The best outcome for regulation, would be if the Union adopted a directive on harmonized national regulatory sandboxes. The regulation should be adopted as a directive because it facilitates Member States in determining which provisions should be implemented in national legislation.

It is in the area of the regulation of a company's share capital and distributions to shareholders that the inherent conflict between creditors and shareholders, and the fragile balance among shareholders internally, intersect. The share capital of a company underlies its corporate structure and represents not only its initial own funds from which creditors can be paid, but also the relative equity interests of the shareholders. The balance between shareholders can be disturbed by capital reorganisations through increase, reduction or variation of share capital or through disproportionate contributions by, or distributions to, shareholders. Share repurchases are particularly risky in this regard. Creditor interests are affected when their prior right to payment is endangered by distributions to shareholders. This study analyses the South African Law relating to share capital and distributions against the background of a comparative study of the laws of England, New Zealand, Delaware and California, as well as the provisions of the American Model Business Corporations Act. Two main approaches to creditor protection are evident. The capital maintenance doctrine, which is followed in England and Delaware, protects creditors by emphasising the notional share capital of the company as a limit on distributions. In contrast, the solvency and liquidity approach focuses on the net assets of the company and on its ability to pay its debts. New Zealand, California and the Model Business Corporations Act represent this approach. Regulatory responses to shareholder protection range from insistence on compliance with procedural requirements to minimal statutory intervention in the internal affairs of companies, instead relying on general principles of fairness and good faith. There is little correlation between a particular system's approach to creditor protection on the one hand, and to shareholder protection on the other. England, New Zealand and South Africa prescribe specific formalities, while the American approach is more relaxed. South Africa is a hybrid system. Its transition from capital maintenance to solvency and liquidity has been incomplete and its protection of equity interests is relatively unsophisticated. A number of recommendations are made for an effective and coherent approach that will safeguard the interests of creditors and shareholders alike. / School: Law / LL.D.

It is in the area of the regulation of a company's share capital and distributions to shareholders that the inherent conflict between creditors and shareholders, and the fragile balance among shareholders internally, intersect. The share capital of a company underlies its corporate structure and represents not only its initial own funds from which creditors can be paid, but also the relative equity interests of the shareholders. The balance between shareholders can be disturbed by capital reorganisations through increase, reduction or variation of share capital or through disproportionate contributions by, or distributions to, shareholders. Share repurchases are particularly risky in this regard. Creditor interests are affected when their prior right to payment is endangered by distributions to shareholders. This study analyses the South African Law relating to share capital and distributions against the background of a comparative study of the laws of England, New Zealand, Delaware and California, as well as the provisions of the American Model Business Corporations Act. Two main approaches to creditor protection are evident. The capital maintenance doctrine, which is followed in England and Delaware, protects creditors by emphasising the notional share capital of the company as a limit on distributions. In contrast, the solvency and liquidity approach focuses on the net assets of the company and on its ability to pay its debts. New Zealand, California and the Model Business Corporations Act represent this approach. Regulatory responses to shareholder protection range from insistence on compliance with procedural requirements to minimal statutory intervention in the internal affairs of companies, instead relying on general principles of fairness and good faith. There is little correlation between a particular system's approach to creditor protection on the one hand, and to shareholder protection on the other. England, New Zealand and South Africa prescribe specific formalities, while the American approach is more relaxed. South Africa is a hybrid system. Its transition from capital maintenance to solvency and liquidity has been incomplete and its protection of equity interests is relatively unsophisticated. A number of recommendations are made for an effective and coherent approach that will safeguard the interests of creditors and shareholders alike. / School: Law / LL.D.

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar criticamente a governança das receitas públicas de recursos naturais não renováveis no Brasil. Considerando a característica essencial de finitude dos recursos naturais explorados, que importa também em negar às gerações pósteras o acesso aos bens minerais e petrolíferos, impõe-se reconhecer nos diversos aspectos dessa governança a necessidade de tratar essa receita de forma singular. Para compreender quais são estas especificidades, foram eleitos dois eixos de análise: o primeiro, com a revisão da literatura sobre a maldição dos recursos naturais, a doença holandesa, e fenômenos (especialmente econômicos) relacionados à exploração mineral; e o segundo, com consulta à doutrina de diversos ramos (no Direito e fora dele) sobre a noção de justiça, solidariedade ou equidade entre gerações, bem como com a busca de especificação do conteúdo desta perspectiva, que se aplica a diversas áreas do Direito, inclusive e especialmente ao Direito Financeiro. Com essas bases, elegem-se aspectos da governança brasileira de royalties a serem analisados: o federalismo fiscal dessas receitas públicas patrimoniais; a forma de tratamento financeiro-orçamentário dos royalties, especialmente sua classificação consoante a Lei nº 4.320/1964; a utilização de Fundos para gestão dessas receitas (o Fundo Social); a relação entre a arrecadação de royalties e a arrecadação tributária, especialmente nos entes subnacionais beneficiados em grande monta com essas receitas patrimoniais; os modos de direcionamento e coação que a lei impõe ao gestor no gasto dos royalties; a transparência fiscal brasileira; e, de forma ampla, as recentes alterações (efetivadas e propostas) nas leis que regem as explorações de minérios e de petróleo no país. Conclui-se que, apesar de o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro ter avançado significativamente em alguns desses aspectos recentemente (especialmente com a criação do Fundo Social no âmbito da União, e no que diz respeito à transparência fiscal relacionada à atividade exploratória), ele não está, sob as perspectivas de análise escolhidas, adequadamente aparelhado para a governança das receitas públicas de recursos naturais não renováveis. / This dissertation aims to critically analyze the Brazilian governance of public revenues from nonrenewable natural resources. Considering that finiteness is an essential characteristic of natural resources that are exploited, which implies in denying future generations the access to mineral and oil assets, one must acknowledge, in various aspects of governance, the necessity to treat these revenues singularly. To understand what these specificities are, two axes of analysis were elected: the first envolves revisiting the curse of natural resources, the Dutch disease, and phenomena (especially those of economic nature) related to the mineral exploitation; and the second involves consulting doctrine of different areas of study (in and out of Law) about notions of justice, solidarity or equity between generations, as well as searching for specification of this content, which applies to various areas of Law, including and especially Public Finance Law. Building on these foundations, some aspects of Brazilian governance of royalties were elected to be analyzed: fiscal federalism applied to these public revenues; the financial-budgetary treatment of royalties, especially its classification under Law nº 4.320/1964; the utilization of Funds to manage these revenues (the Social Fund); the relationship between the collection of royalties and the collection of taxes, especially in subnational governmental entities largely benefited by these revenues; the ways the law directs and coerces the expenditure of royalties; Brazilian fiscal transparency; and, broadly, the recent modifications (finished and proposed) in the laws that conduct the exploitation of minerals and oil in the country. It is concluded that, although the Brazilian legal system has advanced significantly in some aspects as of late (especially the creation of the Social Fund by the central government, and in respects to fiscal transparency related to the exploratory activities), it is not, under the elected perspectives of analysis, adequately prepared to regulate the governance of public revenues originating from exploration of nonrenewable natural resources.

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar criticamente a governança das receitas públicas de recursos naturais não renováveis no Brasil. Considerando a característica essencial de finitude dos recursos naturais explorados, que importa também em negar às gerações pósteras o acesso aos bens minerais e petrolíferos, impõe-se reconhecer nos diversos aspectos dessa governança a necessidade de tratar essa receita de forma singular. Para compreender quais são estas especificidades, foram eleitos dois eixos de análise: o primeiro, com a revisão da literatura sobre a maldição dos recursos naturais, a doença holandesa, e fenômenos (especialmente econômicos) relacionados à exploração mineral; e o segundo, com consulta à doutrina de diversos ramos (no Direito e fora dele) sobre a noção de justiça, solidariedade ou equidade entre gerações, bem como com a busca de especificação do conteúdo desta perspectiva, que se aplica a diversas áreas do Direito, inclusive e especialmente ao Direito Financeiro. Com essas bases, elegem-se aspectos da governança brasileira de royalties a serem analisados: o federalismo fiscal dessas receitas públicas patrimoniais; a forma de tratamento financeiro-orçamentário dos royalties, especialmente sua classificação consoante a Lei nº 4.320/1964; a utilização de Fundos para gestão dessas receitas (o Fundo Social); a relação entre a arrecadação de royalties e a arrecadação tributária, especialmente nos entes subnacionais beneficiados em grande monta com essas receitas patrimoniais; os modos de direcionamento e coação que a lei impõe ao gestor no gasto dos royalties; a transparência fiscal brasileira; e, de forma ampla, as recentes alterações (efetivadas e propostas) nas leis que regem as explorações de minérios e de petróleo no país. Conclui-se que, apesar de o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro ter avançado significativamente em alguns desses aspectos recentemente (especialmente com a criação do Fundo Social no âmbito da União, e no que diz respeito à transparência fiscal relacionada à atividade exploratória), ele não está, sob as perspectivas de análise escolhidas, adequadamente aparelhado para a governança das receitas públicas de recursos naturais não renováveis. / This dissertation aims to critically analyze the Brazilian governance of public revenues from nonrenewable natural resources. Considering that finiteness is an essential characteristic of natural resources that are exploited, which implies in denying future generations the access to mineral and oil assets, one must acknowledge, in various aspects of governance, the necessity to treat these revenues singularly. To understand what these specificities are, two axes of analysis were elected: the first envolves revisiting the curse of natural resources, the Dutch disease, and phenomena (especially those of economic nature) related to the mineral exploitation; and the second involves consulting doctrine of different areas of study (in and out of Law) about notions of justice, solidarity or equity between generations, as well as searching for specification of this content, which applies to various areas of Law, including and especially Public Finance Law. Building on these foundations, some aspects of Brazilian governance of royalties were elected to be analyzed: fiscal federalism applied to these public revenues; the financial-budgetary treatment of royalties, especially its classification under Law nº 4.320/1964; the utilization of Funds to manage these revenues (the Social Fund); the relationship between the collection of royalties and the collection of taxes, especially in subnational governmental entities largely benefited by these revenues; the ways the law directs and coerces the expenditure of royalties; Brazilian fiscal transparency; and, broadly, the recent modifications (finished and proposed) in the laws that conduct the exploitation of minerals and oil in the country. It is concluded that, although the Brazilian legal system has advanced significantly in some aspects as of late (especially the creation of the Social Fund by the central government, and in respects to fiscal transparency related to the exploratory activities), it is not, under the elected perspectives of analysis, adequately prepared to regulate the governance of public revenues originating from exploration of nonrenewable natural resources.

Marinha do Brasil / O texto constitucional brasileiro de 1988 sofreu diversas alterações em matéria tributária e financeira. Praticamente todas as emendas constitucionais tiveram sua constitucionalidade questionada em razão de alegadas violações aos limites materiais do poder de reforma constitucional. O presente trabalho procura delinear alguns parâmetros para a construção de contornos mais precisos dos limites do poder de reforma constitucional em matéria tributária e financeira. A delimitação de tais parâmetros de reforma, além de contribuir para o exercício da jurisdição constitucional na análise da constitucionalidade das emendas constitucionais, permite que sejam mais bem delineadas quais as decisões fundamentais que a Constituição adotou na seara financeira e tributária, relacionadas ao federalismo, aos direitos fundamentais e à separação de poderes. / This study aims to analyze the constitutional amendments and to examine the limitations to which they are submitted in tax and public finance law. Constitutional changes are necessary as means of preservation and conservation of the Constitution. Constitutional norms are not to be considered perfect but are yet in a constant state of mutual interaction with reality. The obtained results with the research enables us to evaluate the limitations that are imposed to constitutional amendments, the binding orders of the Constitutional Court, the prohibition of abolition of perpetual clauses, as the prohibition retreating to fundamental rights, federalism and separation of powers.