Do business rescue proceedings affect the liability of sureties of the company?

Do business rescue proceedings affect the liability of sureties of the company?

Author Simphiwe P Phungula

ISSN: 1996-2185
Affiliations: Lecturer, School of Law, University of KwaZulu-Natal, LLB LLM (UKZN)
Source: South African Mercantile Law Journal, Volume 31 Issue 1, 2019, p. 129 – 144

Abstract

This article deals with the legal position of sureties of a company that has commenced business rescue. It analyses how sections 133 and 154 of the Companies Act apply to debts incurred by the company and whether these sections extend to sureties by examining how the courts interpret sections 133 and 154 in relation to the liability of sureties for the debts of the company. It starts by explaining the general legal principles governing suretyship, and then addresses sections 133 and 154 and their impact on the sureties of a company undergoing business rescue.

To foreclose or not to foreclose: revealing the ‘cracks’ within the residential foreclosure process in South Africa

To foreclose or not to foreclose: revealing the ‘cracks’ within the residential foreclosure process in South Africa

Authors Ciresh Singh

ISSN: 1996-2185
Affiliations: LLB, LLM, PhD Candidate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Source: South African Mercantile Law Journal, Volume 31 Issue 1, 2019, p. 145 – 162

Abstract

The execution against hypothecated immovable property, also known as foreclosure, involves a delicate balancing of mortgagor and mortgagee rights. Section 26(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (‘Constitution’) provides that ‘everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing’. Foreclosure can be seen as an infringement of a mortgagor’s right to have access to adequate housing. Thus, during foreclosure a balance needs to be struck between the mortgagor’s right to have access to adequate housing and the mortgagee’s foreclosure rights. Unfortunately, South African law has not provided clarity on the balancing of mortgagor and mortgagee rights during the foreclosure process and this has resulted in considerable inconsistency. With the exception of rule 46A of the Uniform Rules of Court, there is no specific legislation that governs foreclosure process. This ‘crack’ in the law is concerning given the economic and social impact of mortgage and foreclosure. The argument in this article is that current rules governing foreclosure are inadequate and lack a structured framework. In particular, the current laws do not provide any clarity as to when foreclosure against a home is justifiable or when it is not, nor do they provide any guidelines for courts to consider during foreclosure proceedings. This lack of clarity has resulted in much confusion, and it is submitted that there is a need for establishing clarity for purposes of certainty in law regarding foreclosure. Accordingly, it will be suggested that the adoption of a ‘Foreclosure Act’ is required to establish clarity in foreclosure process and fairly balance the interests of all parties concerned during foreclosure against a home.

Tackling the Boko Haram Insurgency: Causes, Challenges and Responses

Tackling the Boko Haram Insurgency: Causes, Challenges and Responses

Authors Michael Addaney

ISSN: 2521-2583
Affiliations: None
Source: South African Yearbook of International Law, 2014, p. 157 – 171

Abstract

Over the past five years, a wide ambit of narratives has been proffered on the Boko Haram insurgence in northern Nigeria, particularly its causes and possible solutions. Most of these narratives conflict and thus compete with one another. This is effectively making it difficult for the government of Nigeria and the international community to devise a clearcut approach to deal with the crisis. It has also played an immense role in worsening the relationship between the predominantly Muslim North and the mainly Christian South. This paper critically tests a number of existing narratives that seek both to explain the origins of Boko Haram and propose solutions. It does this through a meta-analysis and critical content analysis of literature as well as information from both local and international media sources. It is organised under two commanding schools of thought: (i) the human development theory and (ii) the Islamic-state theory. Without doubt, the Boko Haram phenomenon is extremely complex. Yet these two theoretical explanations of the insurgence have a significant influence on public thinking about the crisis. While the Islamic-state theory seems to be mainly advanced by the locals who are mostly civilians (Nigerians), the West tends to think that human development issues of poverty are more important. It was found that there was no specific authoritative way of thinking about the crisis in terms of its causes. The study is designed to play an instrumental role in finding a sustainable solution for the crisis in a modest way. In terms of solutions, however, a military intervention through force is suitable should dialogue fail by March 2015.

Companies Act of 2008_The Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods in Corporate Disputes_ The Provisions of the

Analyses: The Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods in Corporate Disputes: The Provisions of the Companies Act of 2008

Authors Tobie Wiese

ISSN: 1996-2185
Affiliations: Former Senior Lecturer, Department of Commercial Law, University of
Source: South African Mercantile Law Journal, Volume 26 Issue 3, 2014, p. 668 – 677

Abstract

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