Office of the Dean: Law
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Item Open Access The Roman law of occupatio(University of the Free State, 1966) Van der Merwe, Cornelius G.; Van Tonder, S. I. E.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Item Open Access Artikel 6 van die Wet op Binnekennistransaksies - 'n groepsgeding of aksie in die openbare belang vir die regulering van binnekennistransaksies?(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2001) Henning, Johan; De Bruin, JacoEnglish: The Constitution introduced the concept of a class action in the South African legal system in 1993. The Constitution however limited the use of class actions to rights enshrined in the Constitution. The constitutional class action was followed by a proposal by the South African Law Commission for general legislation on class actions and actions in public interest. The Panel for Security Regulation commented on the discussion paper advocating the use of similar legislation in the fight against insider trading. The King Commission again raised the concept of a derivative action in the fight against insider trading resulting in section 6 of the Insider Trading Act. This action shares some of the characteristics of the class action and action in public interest and sets the way forward for the use of this type of legislation in the commercial world.Item Open Access Some unfinished new thoughts on unilateral acts of states as a source of international law(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2001-12) Suy, ErikEnglish: The unilateral acts of states in the form of a declaration concerning a legal or factual situation may create legal obligations for the state making the declaration when made with the intent to be bound. In such circumstances the intention confers on the declaration the character of a legal undertaking by the state to act in accordance with the undertaking. In this article the author revisits the hitherto restrictive definitions of the unilateral act as a source of international law in view of changed practices brought about by the progressive development and codification of the law of treaties.Item Open Access The limited partnership review. Historical and comparative perspectives on the revival of a "commercial mongrel" in the United Kingdom(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2002) Henning, J. J.English: The United Kingdom limited partnership can be described as the statutory equivalent of the South African partnership en commandite, which was received from French law via Roman-Dutch law. Proposed in 1838 and eventually introduced in 1907, the limited partnership has not proved as popular as its proponents would have wished for. In fact, it has been described as a "commercial mongrel" and as "dismal failure", that was sunk "almost without trace" by the private company. Nevertheless, the limited partnership presently is a useful vehicle in the United Kingdom for investors who do not wish to take an active role in the management of their funds. It offers the investor privacy, as the accounts of the partnership are not generally disclosed. Like other partnerships, it also provides the benefit of fiscal transparency. On 13 September 2000 the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission released a comprehensive joint consultation paper envisaging a thorough review of the partnership law. Consequently, the Law Commissions completed a joint consultation paper on reforms of the Limited Partnership Act 1907 which was published in November 2001. In this contribution historical and comparative perspectives are given on the proposals contained in the second joint consultation paper.Item Open Access Permanent Secretary, Department of Welfare, Eastern Cape, and another v Ngxuza and others - hofreëls vir die voer van 'n groepsgeding?: case note(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2002) De Bruin, J.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Optimising closely held entities to enhance commercial participation and development: the Southern African experience in comparative perspective(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2003) Henning, J. J.English: The important contribution of the small business sector to economic growth and regional development is widely and generally acknowledged. In 1984, the South African Close Corporations Act introduced a simple, inexpensive and flexible closelyheld entity for the business consisting of a single entrepreneur or small number of participants, designed with a view to his or their reasonable needs and expectations and without burdening him or them with legal requirements that would not be meaningful in the circumstances. This example was followed with varying degrees of success in Southern Africa and Australia by legislative developments aimed at the introduction, in various guises, of new legal forms for small business. In more recent law reform initiatives in Australia and especially the United Kingdom, various options were analysed to optimise closely-held entities with a view to enhancing commercial participation and economic development through small businesses. Eventually, the somewhat less imaginative approach of merely simplifying the private company was chosen. Attention will be given to the Southern African experience of closely-held entities and then to a critical comparative analysis of and perspectives on recent developments in Australia and especially the United Kingdom.Item Open Access Groepsgedingvoering - die voorstel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Regskommissie vir die sertifisering van 'n groepsgeding(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2003) De Bruin, J.English: In this contribution the proposals of the South African Law Commission for the certification of a class action are discussed. These proposals are the products of a working paper and a report published in 1995 and 1998 respectively. In both these documents the Commission proposed the promulgation of legislation to provide the necessary framework to govern class actions. The proposals are discussed with reference to the Class Proceedings Act (Ontario) and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (United States of America).Item Open Access Convergence of governance systems in SADEC: the OHADA and COMESA examples: chronicle(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2003) Henning, J. J.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Die vennootskap: goeie huweliksmaat met huwelik of konkubinaat?(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2003-06) Snyman-Van Deventer, E.; Henning, J. J.English: In this article the legal position of people in a concubinate relationship after the breakup or dissolution of the relationship in the American, Dutch and South African law is compared. Various attempts in the American law failed to solve the problems that originate with the dissolution of marriages and concubinates or to establish a just and equitable system. In the Netherlands attempts were made to solve problems with living-together relationships, especially between members of the same sex. The South African courts have solved these problems by application of the partnership principles on these relationships through recognition of the universal partnership and its use as a just and equitable remedy.Item Open Access 'n Verkenning van die soorte vennootskappe in die Amerikaanse reg(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2003-12) Snyman-Van Deventer, E.; Henning, J. J.English: This article briefly comments on the various types of partnerships encountered in American law. The types of ordinary as well as extraordinary partnerships are identified. Ordinary partnerships are only analyzed to the extent that they differ from the standard ordinary partnership. In American literature reference is made to the mining partnership, the family partnership, the partnership in real estate and the farming partnership. This differentiation is primarily based on the type of business with which the partnership is concerned. However, the mining partnership and the farming partnership differ from the ordinary partnership in a number of ways, and, as a result of their unique attributes, are discussed in detail. A brief discussion of the types of extraordinary partnerships is necessitated in order to highlight their differences. The limited partnership is discussed briefly and only the main characteristics are named.Item Open Access Die Class Proceedings Act van Ontario - 'n voorbeeld van wetgewing vir die regulering van Suid-Afrikaanse groepsgedingvoering(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2004) De Bruin, J.English: In 1995 and 1998 the South African Law Commission proposed the promulgation of legislation to govern class action proceedings. The Class Proceedings Act of Ontario was one of the sources consulted by the Commission. According to the commission this piece of legislation played a valuable role in their recommendations. This contribution discusses this act as an example of legislation which may usefully be consulted in the drafting of a procedure to govern class actions in South Africa.Item Open Access The impact of Scholasticism and Protestantism on Ulrich Huber's views on constitutionalism and tyranny(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2004) Raath, A. W. G.; Henning, J. J.English: Ulrich Huber's (1636-1694) contribution to public law was initiated with his lectures on the general principles of constitutional law at Franeker. The fruits of his work culminated in his De Jure Civitatis. The era in which Huber produced this work was generally characterized by the emergence of rationalism and enlightenment in Dutch jurisprudence. More specifically Huber's work reflects the influence of the transition from enlightened absolutism to democratic government based on the will of the subjects. His views on popular sovereignty culminated in Huber's theory of limited government and resistance to tyranny. A study of the Latin text of Huber's pioneering work reveals valuable perspectives on these trends in the transition of Dutch jurisprudence from scholasticism to enlightenment.Item Open Access Political Covenantalism, sovereignty and the obligatory nature of law: Ulrich Huber's discourse on state authority and democratic universalism(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2004) Raath, A. W. G.; Henning, J. J.English: Ulrich Huber's De Jure Civitatis, published in Latin, has never been translated into any other language, making this a relatively unknown source in constitutional law. In this work Huber responds to the state absolutism of Machiavelli and Hobbes. Although Huber objects strongly to Hobbes's enlightened absolutism, his own theory of the double social contract scheme harbours distinct elements of political universalism.The possibilities for political resistance by subjects in the state are very limited. Although Huber's theory of constitutionalism prepared the way for the enlightened individualism in the theories of Locke and Rousseau, his constitutional law theory shows a clear preponderance towards political absolutism.Item Open Access A note on the history of the Faculty of Law of the University of the Free State(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2004) Henning, J. J.; De Bruin, J. H.; Wessels, H. A.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Huber, natural law and the reformational basis of the iurisprudentia universalis(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2005-12) Raath, A. W. G.; Henning, J. J.English: Ulrich Huber's work, De Jure Civitatis, contains the first serious effort to apply the Reformational perspectives on natural law to the field of Public Law. Not only did he integrate the perspectives on natural law with his views on Public Law generally, but he used the idea of natural law as the basis for jurisprudence as a whole (iurisprudentia universalis). In his opposition to the natural law theories of Bodin, Hobbes and Pufendorf, Huber maintained the perspective that law and justice cannot be seen as the products of utility or be determined simply by their usefulness. To Huber the principles of good and bad, lawful and unlawful, just and unjust, are based on immutable principles superceding human manipulation. For these reasons, Huber emphasises the fact that natural law is not the product of man's reason, but is based on the eternal will of God. However, man is able, with his reason, to determine the will of God from its revelation in God's moral law. In effect, then, God's eternal law is the fundamental source of natural law. As such the validity of natural law principles are not subject to an agreement among men, or to the principles of civil law, but they precede the state and the authority of government. Not only do these precepts of natural law apply as normative provisions to all elements of Public Law, but also to the rights of man (among others to life and property) irrespective of the nature and composition of the state. Huber's response to Hobbes's natural law theory in particular, highlights the importance of establishing the principles of law and justice not susceptible to the manipulation of political authorities and government authority. As such Huber's theory of natural law was not only an important contribution in his own time, but he postulated an alternative which may serve as an essential corrective in legal systems where the formal notion of the state subject to law, does not penetrate to the level of informing the material idea of the law state in a fundamental sense.Item Open Access Close corporations without end. Two remarkable decades of simply 'thinking small first': chronicle(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2007-06) Henning, J. J.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Is die essentialia van die vennootskap ondergeskik aan die bedoeling van die partye? 'n Oorsig oor die Suid-Afrikaanse reg(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2007-06) Snyman-Van Deventer, E.; Henning, J. J.English: When determining the existence of partnership, it is necessary to establish whether the essentialia of a partnership are present. However, apart from the essentialia, the intention of the parties is regularly referred to and it is stated that the intention of the parties shall be conclusive, even in the presence of all the essentials. This article will attempt to illustrate that only the essentials are determinants for the existence of a partnership and that the intention of the parties can only refer to the intention to comply with the essentialia. The essentialia of partnership are: the making of a contribution by each partner; the business must be conducted to the joint benefit of all the parties; and the objective of the partnership should be to make and distribute profit. Although the essentials of the partnership seem cut and dried at first glance, the whole issue is clouded by a series of court rulings in which a further requirement, viz. the intention of the parties to create a partnership was added to the essentials by reference to contrary evidence that the agreement between the parties may not be a partnership agreement. With all due respect, this view cannot be concurred. The question that has to be asked is if the intention referred to is the intention to comply with all the requirements of the partnership or the intention to specifically create a partnership?Item Open Access 'n Kritiese analise van die begrip "Administratiewe Geregtigheid" in die grondwet, met besondere verwysing na die konkretisering daarvan in die Wet op die Bevordering van Administratiewe Geregtigheid, 3 van 2000(University of the Free State, 2008-05) Maré, Tjaart Jurgens; Raath, A. W. G.English: South Africa has an extensive heterogeneous population where drastic and far-reaching differences regarding community values and acceptability norms exist. These are emphasised by the serious imbalances regarding socio-economic circumstances. The late establishment of a democracy in South Africa was preceded by a traumatic period of intense suffering among a large section of the population. One great advantage of South Africa becoming a democracy at such a late stage is the fact that the country could learn from the political and constitutional successes and failures of other countries. This aided the establishment of a new order to ensure justice and stability for all South Africans. The final Constitution was developed after five years of intense negotiations. To address imbalances of the past, the Legislator deemed it necessary to write the concept administrative justice into Section 33 of the Constitution. This is currently a fundamental human right which is a right every citizen is entitled to. The concept administrative justice contained in Section 33 of the Constitution and its concretisation in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act are certainly not perfect in all respects, but, in spite of this, is a significant effort on the part of the Legislator to create a basis for peace, justice, political tolerance and prosperity in South Africa. The foundation was built according to a concept of administrative justice which can develop further. In this thesis the constitutional embodiment of administrative justice is analysed through various approaches. A critical analysis is made with specific reference to case law as well as legislation. The emphasis is placed on the review aspects as mentioned in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, and developmental aspects of the concept will be investigated further. Attention is paid to the history preceding the current concept of justice. This will reveal both the essence and the problems surrounding this concept that has been around for years. A closer investigation of the practical application and influence of administrative justice on the private law fields, more specifically, the law of delict and contractual law will shed further light on the concept of justice. The concept administrative justice does not only belong to the state-subject relationship, i.e. vertical application of understanding, but also has an impact on the relationships of the private individual or institutions – the so-called horizontal application. The embodiment of the concept administrative justice in legislation caused a drastic change in the approach of the courts to the application of justice. The application of the courts of legislation, such as the "ouster clauses", and the disadvantage it has for the individual now belongs to the past. The focus of this thesis falls on key elements pertaining to the concept of justice, namely, lawfulness, reasonableness and procedural equity. However, there is much cause for concern of state institutions and different bodies being excluded in the definition of administrative action in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act. It has the potential to become a powerful barrier in the future development of administrative justice. It is clear that all administrative action should firstly be tested to the definition before concentrating on its different review grounds. The definition of an administrative action is compiled from three different definitions and is, as such, interpreted with difficulty by the general civil servant in his/her daily action in the workplace. A further development of the above-mentioned act and the provision of a guideline, such as the Code of Good Conduct and the implementation of courts specialising in administrative law, will be welcomed to help further establish and develop the concept administrative justice. In essence, this thesis attempts to critically analyse the concept administrative justice in Section 33 of the Constitution with specific reference in its concretisation in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.Item Open Access The Orange Free State's strategy to continue the Anglo-Boer War in July 1900: a lost opportunity?(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2011-09) De Bruin, Jaco; Wessels, Andre; Henning, JohanMore than 4 000 Orange Free State (OFS) burghers, inclusive of their most senior officers, surrendered in the Brandwater Basin in the Eastern Orange Free State (OFS) during the period 30 July to 9 August 1900. It was a military catastrophe from which the OFS would never recover. This contribution endeavours to provide new perspectives on the events leading up to the surrender by evaluating the various strategic options considered by the OFS military command during July 1900 to continue the war. It appears that two basic strategies were considered. An analysis of these provides new insights into the confusion prevailing in the Brandwater Basin, as well as the lack of effective and decisive leadership, the contradictory decisions and the concomitant conflicting orders.