Ten years ago, the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) was created, centralizing European banking supervision. In the SSM, the European Central Bank (ECB) cooperates closely with the National... Show moreTen years ago, the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) was created, centralizing European banking supervision. In the SSM, the European Central Bank (ECB) cooperates closely with the National Competent Authorities (NCAs). The unprecedented degree of integration between NCAs and the ECB leads to supervision often being a joint exercise. SSM composite procedures are a specific type of such a joint exercise.Composite procedures culminate in a final ECB or NCA decision, yet are based on input from both. This integrated decision-making forms a paradox with the European system of judicial protection, which to an important extent remains to be organised dualistically. In short, national courts still review only national acts while the EU Courts, in principle, review only EU acts.This paradox raises concerns regarding effective judicial protection. This dissertation aims to investigate whether the EU principle of effective judicial protection is currently safeguarded within the SSM, particularly where it concerns composite procedures. It examines both the action for annulment and the action for damages, addressing the interplay between the EU and Dutch national legal framework. It is concluded that effective judicial protection is not always achieved. The dissertation therefore proposes several recommendations aimed at enhancing effective judicial protection within SSM composite procedures. Show less
Zorgverzekeraars sluiten ten behoeve van ruim driekwart van hun verzekerden zorginkoopovereenkomsten met zorgaanbieders over de aan verzekerden te verlenen zorg. Onder de invloed van marktdenken is... Show moreZorgverzekeraars sluiten ten behoeve van ruim driekwart van hun verzekerden zorginkoopovereenkomsten met zorgaanbieders over de aan verzekerden te verlenen zorg. Onder de invloed van marktdenken is de contractsvrijheid in de zorginkoopverhouding stapsgewijs vergroot, zodat zorgverzekeraars de rol van ‘doelmatige, klantgerichte regisseurs van zorg’ kunnen vervullen. De overheid bepaalt in een nog altijd omvangrijk regelgevend kader de randvoorwaarden voor de werking van het zorgverzekeringsstelsel en houdt toezicht.De rechten en verplichtingen van zorgverzekeraars en zorgaanbieders in dit gemengde publiek-privaatrechtelijke kader zijn het onderwerp van dit proefschrift. De zorginkoopovereenkomst wordt civielrechtelijk geduid, op zichzelf en in verhouding tot de zorgverzekering en de geneeskundige behandelingsovereenkomst. Het proefschrift biedt een analyse van de doorwerking van regelgeving, zoals de Zorgverzekeringswet en de Wet marktordening gezondheidszorg, de daarop gebaseerde lagere regelgeving en de uitoefening van de bevoegdheden van de Nederlandse Zorgautoriteit bij aanmerkelijke marktmacht in de (pre-)contractuele verhouding. Getoetst wordt of zorgverzekeraars aanbestedende diensten zijn. De hoedanigheid van de zorgverzekeraar wordt gekenschetst en onderzocht wordt welke invloed in de rechtspraak aan die hoedanigheid en de betrokkenheid van publieke belangen wordt toegekend en welke invloed daaraan zou moeten worden toegekend. Show less
In landen met een ‘common law’ rechtssysteem wordt het woord ‘trust’ in de juridische zin gebruikt om te verwijzen naar de rechtsfiguur trust. De trust is gebaseerd op vertrouwen en is één van de... Show moreIn landen met een ‘common law’ rechtssysteem wordt het woord ‘trust’ in de juridische zin gebruikt om te verwijzen naar de rechtsfiguur trust. De trust is gebaseerd op vertrouwen en is één van de meest toegepaste rechtsfiguren in de internationale financiering- en estate planningspraktijk. Een insteller, de settlor, vertrouwt goederen toe aan een trustee, die vervolgens deze beheert ten behoeve van één of meer beneficiaries, of ter verwezenlijking van een bepaald doel. De trust wordt onder meer gebruikt om familievermogen te beschermen en aan de volgende generatie over te dragen, risicovol beleggen te faciliteren, ondernemingsvermogen veilig te stellen of het beheren van pensioengelden.De trust komt soms negatief in het nieuws, in verband met belastingontduiking en belastingontduiking. Niet geheel terecht, omdat in de ‘common law’ landen evenals in Nederland, anti-misbruikinstrumenten worden ingezet ter bestrijding van belastingontwijking en belastingduiking via vennootschappen en trusts. Deze negatieve connotatie is te wijten aan de vele misvattingen over juridische structuur van de trust in landen met een continentaal rechtssysteem zoals Nederland. Door deze misvattingen – in de politiek en de rechtsliteratuur – is de trust nimmer in het Nederlandse recht ingevoerd. Immers, onbekend maakt onbemind.Dit onderzoek behelst een rechtsvergelijkend onderzoek naar de Anglo-Amerikaanse trust, de Curaçaose trust en de introductie van de trust in het Nederlandse recht. Daarbij worden aan de hand van onder andere het Anglo-Amerikaanse trustrecht concrete oplossingen voor de rechtspraktijk gepresenteerd voor zowel de reparatie van de Curaçaose trustwetgeving als de wijze waarop de trust in het Nederlandse recht kan worden ingevoerd. Show less
A franchise relationship is usually an asymmetrical relationship because a franchisor exclusively possesses essential information about the franchisor and the franchise system and holds superior... Show moreA franchise relationship is usually an asymmetrical relationship because a franchisor exclusively possesses essential information about the franchisor and the franchise system and holds superior bargaining power over a franchisee. Accordingly, a franchisee is susceptible to franchisor opportunism that could inflict financial loss to the franchisee. This book aims to propose guidelines for formulating private law rules in comprehensive franchise legislation to protect a franchisee against the franchisor’s unfair conduct. This book compares the franchise legal framework of the European Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR), the United States of America (USA), and Australia. The main conclusions of the comparative study are as follows. First, comprehensive franchise law should contain rules requiring a franchisor to provide a prospective franchisee with complete, current, and accurate pre-contractual information. Second, the law should contain rules regulating the franchisor’s encroaching conduct and the franchisor’s duty to provide the franchisee with initial and ongoing assistance. Third, the law should contain rules regulating the franchisor’s unfair conduct concerning transfer, non-renewal, and termination of a franchise contract. Fourth, the law should establish a remedial system that provides an aggrieved franchisee with mechanisms to compel the franchisor’s performance of the duties, claim damages, and cancel a franchise agreement. Show less
This dissertation discusses the injunction and whether there is a claim for a preventive remedy. It explains how the injunction is regulated in Dutch law, when it can be pronounced and what the... Show moreThis dissertation discusses the injunction and whether there is a claim for a preventive remedy. It explains how the injunction is regulated in Dutch law, when it can be pronounced and what the grounds for refusal are.Using supranational law, the requirements that a remedy must meet to be effective are examined. It concludes that a remedy is effective if it can enforce substantive rights, can be deployed in a timely manner, has a deterrent function and is proportionate.Three themes are then used to examine whether the national regime is in line with those requirements. In that regard, the role and freedom of the courts, the situation where performance has become impossible, and collective actions against the government are examined.The conclusion is that the national regulation is adequate. Show less
De doelstelling van dit onderzoek is het begrip 'bevrijdend verweer' nader te definiëren, het begrip af te bakenen en structuur in het leerstuk aan te brengen. Een systematische, overzichtelijke... Show moreDe doelstelling van dit onderzoek is het begrip 'bevrijdend verweer' nader te definiëren, het begrip af te bakenen en structuur in het leerstuk aan te brengen. Een systematische, overzichtelijke ordening is hierbij leidraad. De reeds bestaande inzichten over het begrip zijn in het onderzoek verwerkt. Het boek biedt zowel verdieping als praktische toepasbaarheid; het onderzoek beoogt niet alleen de wetenschap te dienen, maar vooral ook de civiele procespraktijk. De insteek is pragmatisch; een zo efficiënt mogelijk gevoerde civiele procedure is voor de rechtspraktijk van groot belang. Aan de praktijkjurist worden instrumenten geboden om een goede analyse te kunnen maken van de stelplicht en bewijslast in een te behandelen zaak; niet alleen aan verweerder ingeval van een mogelijk beroep op bevrijdend verweer, maar ook aan eiser om te kunnen anticiperen op een mogelijk bevrijdend verweer. Regelmatig worden illustratieve praktijkvoorbeelden en processuele tips gegeven. De (relatief) korte (sub)paragrafen van het boek zijn zodanig opgebouwd dat het boek tevens als naslagwerk kan dienen. Het is van belang dat een praktijkjurist zijn bewijsrechtelijke positie kan bepalen op basis van de feitelijke grondslag en weet te anticiperen op de waarschijnlijke bewijslastverdeling. Een advies om al dan niet te gaan procederen of verweer te voeren wint dan aan zeggingskracht. Een goede analyse van de wederzijdse stellingen en de daaraan verbonden rechtsgevolgen is daarbij startpunt. Vooraf moet een oordeel worden gevormd over de haalbaarheid van een procedure in verband met eventuele procesrisico's. Veel gespecialiseerde praktijkjuristen opereren in bepaalde echtsgebieden en zijn zich er soms niet van bewust dat bewijsrechtelijke beslissingen samenhangen met het algemene bewijsrecht, waaronder begrepen regels inzake bevrijdende verweren. Het boek beoogt een gefundeerde toepassing in de rechtspraktijk van het bevrijdend verweer te bewerkstelligen zodat het begrip 'bevrijdend verweer' meer inhoudt dan een toverformule. Show less
With advancements in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), more and more individuals across the globe want access to these medical miracles, not only to realise their desire for offspring but... Show moreWith advancements in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), more and more individuals across the globe want access to these medical miracles, not only to realise their desire for offspring but also to realise their desires for specific offspring and/or healthy offspring. South Africans are no exception. The challenge posed by this situation is that there is no specific right to reproduce with assistance in this country. Instead, there are certain general constitutional rights which may be interpreted as affording recognition to this right. Moreover, while the current legislative framework permits certain forms of ART, it expressly prohibits others, or it fails to make provision for newer and emerging technologies entirely. As a result, prospective parents are uncertain about the reproductive options available to them. Increasingly individuals are approaching the courts for clarity regarding their rights. The results have however been conflicting. Additionally, divergent views on the applicability of children's rights to prospective offspring is a complicating factor, which has yet to be resolved in South Africa (SA).This thesis, therefore, attempts to contribute to the existing knowledge on the legal rights of prospective parents to make use of ART in SA. It does so, by firstly exploring the current legal framework for assisted reproduction (AR). It additionally explores the legal implications of AR for the various parties concerned, in particular the prospective parents and the future child; and how their interests are balanced, if at all. What emerges from this investigation is that tension exists between the interests of these parties.The study further considers the existence of a right to reproduce from a global perspective. Given that there is no such express right, the thesis considers how the right has been given effect to by applying other rights. In this regard five primary rights have been identified, namely the rights to reproductive autonomy, reproductive health care, dignity, equality and privacy. The thesis then examines how the rights identified above have been interpreted to recognise reproductive rights and whether these interpretations would be useful in recognising the right to reproduce with assistance in SA.The thesis concludes that while the right to reproductive autonomy offers the most recognition to prospective parents’ rights to make use of certain forms of ART, it too is inadequate. To address this shortcoming, the study calls for legislative reform as well as wider interpretations of rights to accommodate various family forms. The need to adopt an interconnected approach that considers both the rights of the prospective parents and the potential offspring is also proposed. This however requires a consistent approach to be applied in respect of the interests of prospective offspring, which is currently lacking. These recommendations would go a long way towards realising the right to reproduce with assistance in SA and it would undoubtedly provide clarity on the existence of this right. Show less
As illustrated by the Global Financial Crisis and the more recent Covid-19 pandemic, when asset prices fall, margin levels increase and highly leveraged financial institutions are forced to... Show moreAs illustrated by the Global Financial Crisis and the more recent Covid-19 pandemic, when asset prices fall, margin levels increase and highly leveraged financial institutions are forced to deleverage, causing market participants to ‘run’ in advance of other market participants motivated to do exactly the same thing. As a result, a vicious cycle can emerge where lenders raise margin levels thereby demanding more financial collateral, forcing de-leveraging and more asset fire sales, eventually generating a downward leverage and liquidity spiral. The source of this instability is a recurring phenomenon involving the build-up of leverage that makes the economy particularly vulnerable to financial crises.My dissertation investigates the use of collateral transactions in the shadow banking sector. In particular, it will argue for the introduction of more stringent margin measures to tame financial uncertainty by limiting leverage and dampen procyclicality. One plausible way to restrict leverage is to impose minimum margin regulation, which would ex-ante limit the amount of leverage a financial institution can obtain. This dissertation will therefore propose four complementary measures that would ultimately result in a harmonised legal and regulatory margin framework in the EU shadow banking sector. Show less
This dissertation provides a comparative study on the rationale of publicity in the law of corporeal movables and claims. It examines possession, notification, and documental recordation as a means... Show moreThis dissertation provides a comparative study on the rationale of publicity in the law of corporeal movables and claims. It examines possession, notification, and documental recordation as a means of publicity by paying attention to English law, German law, and Dutch law. In this dissertation, a system of registration is argued to be introduced in the transaction concerning corporeal movables and claims. In the end, some proposals are made for Chinese law. Show less
The credit rating industry called for many debates on its civil liability since the origin of the industry at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 2013, the Union legislature introduced a... Show moreThe credit rating industry called for many debates on its civil liability since the origin of the industry at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 2013, the Union legislature introduced a right to damages, which issuers and investors can directly enforce against credit rating agencies under Article 35a CRA Regulation. This provision has drawn attention because of its remarkable structure: Article 35a CRA Regulation introduced a legal ground for civil liability at the European level, while general tort law has not been harmonised at the European level. The thesis investigates Article 35a CRA Regulation from multiple legal perspectives. Combining EU law, Private International Law and Dutch, French, German and English national private law, this book answers the main question of whether Article 35a CRA Regulation achieves its post-crisis goal of being an adequate right of redress for issuers and investors whilst it has to be interpreted under various systems of national law. In answering this question, the book takes a broader European approach and also rates the usefulness of Article 35a CRA Regulation as a European template for civil liability to be used by the Union legislature. Show less
This research considers the development of the concept of insolvency close-out netting under the laws of England, France and the US, as representative of common law, civil law and eclectic systems... Show moreThis research considers the development of the concept of insolvency close-out netting under the laws of England, France and the US, as representative of common law, civil law and eclectic systems respectively. It concludes that the legal systems of these jurisdictions have influenced the recognition of insolvency close-out netting with varying degrees. English common law has exerted the most influence whilst the French regime is most ready to develop according to market practices notwithstanding the precepts of civil law. The US legal system exerts a more balanced influence. These conclusions are based on preliminary replies to three sub-questions, namely (i) whether the development of close-out netting in these jurisdictions has been influenced by national set-off rules, (ii) whether the recognition given to close-out netting provisions has been affected by the norms of national insolvency laws and state insolvency goals, and (iii) whether, following the global financial crisis of 2008 – 2009, a convergence can be noted in the restrictions imposed on the recognition of close-out netting provisions under their national resolution regimes. The choice of the research question serves to map the national netting regimes of England, France and the US in a global perspective. It seeks to examine from various perspectives the adaptability and amenability of their national law regimes to accommodate this important contractual provision and serves to demystify stereotypes which have come to be associated with certain jurisdictions in their approach and readiness to uphold creditors’ rights. Show less
This dissertation investigated what the legal framework for recognition of foreign bank resolution actions should be. It aims to fulfil the current gap in legislative actions and scholarly research... Show moreThis dissertation investigated what the legal framework for recognition of foreign bank resolution actions should be. It aims to fulfil the current gap in legislative actions and scholarly research on the issue of cross-border bank resolution and attempts to formulate rules that would facilitate resolution actions effective across borders so as to achieve the ultimate goal of a global orderly resolution for banks. This dissertation conducts both normative and positive analysis and compares three jurisdictions, namely, the European Union, the United States and China. Building on the traditional legal doctrines of private international law, financial law and insolvency law, this dissertation proposes ten principles that should apply in recognition of foreign bank resolution actions. Show less
This study identifies the human rights of children who live in foster care due to a family supervision order, and analyses the extent to which Dutch laws and regulations protect these rights. The... Show moreThis study identifies the human rights of children who live in foster care due to a family supervision order, and analyses the extent to which Dutch laws and regulations protect these rights. The aim of the research is to provide insight into the rights of foster children regarding four important decisions about their lives. Although the interests of the child are often taken as a starting point for these decisions, this does not do justice to the recognition of children as subjects of rights. After all, individual interpretations of the best interests of the child will inevitably depend on the normative frameworks of the decision-maker. It is argued that by identifying which children's rights can be derived from a human rights framework, children in foster care can be given stronger protection when making decisions about their life. The study concludes that the literal text of Dutch laws and regulations does not usually conflict with children's and human rights. Yet in many cases, foster children have no effective means of invoking their rights. Therefore recommendations are being made to amend the law and regulations to better protect the rights of children in foster care. Show less
Het onderzoek betreft de civielrechtelijke en fiscale aspecten van (testamentair) bewind, certificering en trusts/entiteiten die kwalificeren als afgezonderd particulier vermogen (APV). Vanuit... Show moreHet onderzoek betreft de civielrechtelijke en fiscale aspecten van (testamentair) bewind, certificering en trusts/entiteiten die kwalificeren als afgezonderd particulier vermogen (APV). Vanuit civielrechtelijk perspectief is onderzocht in hoeverre deze figuren kunnen leiden tot een duurzame scheiding van zeggenschap en belang, zowel algemeen als in relatie tot de legitieme portie. Voorts zijn de fiscale gevolgen geanalyseerd, waarbij de focus ligt op de inkomstenbelasting en schenk- en erfbelasting. In geval van geconstateerde fiscale belemmeringen is onderzocht of deze het gevolg zijn van juridische onvolkomenheden in de wetgeving. Voorts is een voorstel gedaan om deze belemmeringen weg te nemen. The research regards the civil law and fiscal aspects of (testamentary) administration, the exchange of assets for depositary receipts and trusts/entities that qualify as separated private estates as defined by the Dutch Income Tax Act 2001. The civil law research focuses on the question to what extent these legal arrangements can be used to create a durable division between control and beneficial ownership, both generally and in relation to the Dutch forced heirship rules. In addition the Dutch fiscal consequences have been analysed, with a focus on personal income tax and gift and inheritance tax. In case of fiscal impediments the analysis includes the question whether these impediments are caused by imperfections in Dutch fiscal law and proposals to remove these impediments have been made. Show less
With access to and usage of it increasing dramatically over the past 20 years, the Internet has become an emerging realm for human interaction. With children constituting one-third of Internet... Show moreWith access to and usage of it increasing dramatically over the past 20 years, the Internet has become an emerging realm for human interaction. With children constituting one-third of Internet users worldwide, this realm offers endless opportunities to learn, connect, and interact. At the same time, the Internet facilitates child sexual abuse on a large scale – through the production, dissemination, and accessing of child sexual abuse material.This study aims to critically analyse emerging aspects of the international and national regulation, investigation and prosecution of online child sexual abuse material from a child-rights and rule-of-law-based approach. It investigates emerging aspects of substantive and procedural law which have been little explored in the past, zooming in on complex constitutional aspects by applying a comparative legal analysis approach with a strong focus on the Global South as well as interdisciplinary legal research.In order to solve these complex legal issues, the answer lies in the identification and subsequent navigation of a variety of dichotomies that govern the discourse on online child sexual abuse material. The international and national regulation, investigation and prosecution of emerging aspects of online child sexual abuse material hence require constant identification, reflection and calibration of competing discourses, with a view to developing a cyber-specific yet victim-sensitive response that upholds the rule of law and takes a child-centred approach. Show less
Het Europese non-foodproductveiligheidsrecht bevat productnormen die veelal als publiekrechtelijk worden bestempeld. Bij de harmonisatie gebruikt de Europese wetgever verschillende soorten... Show moreHet Europese non-foodproductveiligheidsrecht bevat productnormen die veelal als publiekrechtelijk worden bestempeld. Bij de harmonisatie gebruikt de Europese wetgever verschillende soorten productnormen, namelijk bindende eisen in richtlijnen en verordeningen en niet-bindende Europese normalisatienormen. De literatuur neemt aan dat Europese productnormen ook invloed kunnen hebben op de privaatrechtelijke normen die gelden in rechtsverhoudingen tussen bijvoorbeeld de eindgebruiker van het product en andere partijen in de handelsketen, alsmede tussen concurrenten. Dit onderzoek beantwoordt de vraag wat de exacte betekenis is van Europese productnormen voor privaatrechtelijke normstelling. Wanneer is een productnorm slechts een van de relevante omstandigheden van het geval bij de formulering van een privaatrechtelijke norm? Wanneer vult een productnorm een privaatrechtelijke norm grotendeels in, in de zin dat de productnorm het uitgangspunt vormt? Van welke omstandigheden en factoren is deze betekenis afhankelijk?Het onderzoek biedt de lezer een nadere introductie in het wat onderbelichte Europese productveiligheidsrecht en beantwoordt de hoofdvraag aan de hand van een Europeesrechtelijk, institutioneel en privaatrechtelijk perspectief. De privaatrechtelijke analyse ziet op de belangrijkste Nederlandse rechtsgronden voor doorwerking van productnormen en bevat rechtsvergelijking met het Engelse en Duitse recht. Bovendien vindt een uitvoerige analyse van Nederlandse feitenrechtspraak plaats om te zien hoe feitenrechters in de praktijk met productnormen bij de invulling van privaatrechtelijke normen omgaan. Het onderzoek besluit met een overzicht van gezichtspunten die behulpzaam kunnen zijn bij het beoordelen van de betekenis van productnormen voor privaatrechtelijke normstelling in concrete gevallen. Show less
The dissertation offers a comprehensive description of rules and regulations on Related Party Transactions (RPTs) and corporate groups in Ukrainian corporate law. Besides Ukraine, the following... Show moreThe dissertation offers a comprehensive description of rules and regulations on Related Party Transactions (RPTs) and corporate groups in Ukrainian corporate law. Besides Ukraine, the following jurisdictions were chosen for analysis: the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and the EU overall. The author investigates how and to what extent RPTs are covered by the existing legal requirements on capital protection and corporate group regulation, highlighting experiences and strategies adopted in the studied jurisdictions. Beyond his comparative analysis of the current status, the author offers recommendations for more effective handling of RPTs in Ukraine, investigating such aspects as the following: what constitutes a corporate group and how group issues are regulated in the various legal systems; what constitutes a conflict of interest originating in ownership and control and what types of such conflicts occur; whether RPTs within corporate groups should receive special treatment relative to transactions outside groups; combatting corporate raiding, most often carried out through illegal seizure of corporate assets; approval and disclosure requirements for RPTs; and how information about RPTs is disclosed publicly. Show less
This dissertation explores the ability of commercial parties to obtain the very thing they bargained for under the contract law of the Netherlands, Singapore and China. It does so by analysing the... Show moreThis dissertation explores the ability of commercial parties to obtain the very thing they bargained for under the contract law of the Netherlands, Singapore and China. It does so by analysing the extent to which respective contract law principles balance out the interests of parties to a commercial sales contract in the principles surrounding the enforceability of performance obligations. Attention is also paid to the approaches taken by global and regional sales and contract law instruments. Show less
This thesis explores the application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 (‘the CRC’) by domestic courts, in the light of the formal domestic rules which govern the... Show moreThis thesis explores the application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 (‘the CRC’) by domestic courts, in the light of the formal domestic rules which govern the relationship between international treaties and domestic law. The focus is on three legal systems – Australia, France and South Africa – purposefully selected to represent three different reception models: dualist, monist and hybrid respectively. The thesis demonstrates that the formal rules of reception are only a starting point for the courts, but do not always explain why, how and with what consequences the courts have given effect to the CRC. The courts have applied the CRC creatively, building on the strengths of their respective systems and sometimes compensating for potential vulnerabilities in the domestic reception framework. The thesis calls for, inter alia, a recognition of the complex position of the courts at the intersection between domestic and international law; and for a closer exploration of the added value of the Convention in relation to other legal instruments. It also encourages a dialogue between the CRC Committee and the courts in relation to the interpretation of the CRC. Show less
