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
This thesis focuses on the duty of independence and impartiality for arbitrators. The starting point is unambiguous: an arbitrator should be independent and impartial. Less unambiguous is the... Show moreThis thesis focuses on the duty of independence and impartiality for arbitrators. The starting point is unambiguous: an arbitrator should be independent and impartial. Less unambiguous is the answer to the question of what this duty of arbitral independence and impartiality entails. This thesis aimed to shed light on this (general) research question.The objective of this doctoral research was twofold. On the one hand, the objective was to gain insight into the way in which the duty of arbitral independence and impartiality is interpreted judicially. To this end, it was examined how the duty is interpreted in arbitration legislation, institutional rules, and (arbitral) court rulings. On the other hand, the objective was to shed light on a number of (open) questions related to the scope of the duty. In this respect, it was examined, among other things, who exactly is subject to the duty, how the duty emerges in arbitration legislation and institutional rules, what the duty aims to achieve, the question from when and to when arbitrators must be independent and impartial, and whether the parties can waive the right to an independent and impartial arbitrator. Show less
Binnen de Nederlandse jeugdhulpverlening komt het voor dat ouders door hulpverleners onder druk worden gezet om ‘vrijwillig’ mee te werken aan hulpverlening, en soms zelfs aan een uithuisplaatsing... Show moreBinnen de Nederlandse jeugdhulpverlening komt het voor dat ouders door hulpverleners onder druk worden gezet om ‘vrijwillig’ mee te werken aan hulpverlening, en soms zelfs aan een uithuisplaatsing van hun kind. Dit wordt in de praktijk ‘drang’ genoemd. Waar het vrijwillige en gedwongen kader van jeugdhulpverlening duidelijk bij wet zijn geregeld, ontbreekt voor het drangkader een wettelijke grondslag. Vanuit verschillende hoeken wordthier kritiek op geuit, omdat dit leidt tot grote onduidelijkheden ten aanzien van de rechtsbescherming en verantwoordelijkheden van betrokkenen.In dit boek worden fundamentele uitgangspunten geformuleerd die gelet op de rechtshistorie en het internationale mensen- en kinderrechtenkader aan het jeugdhulpverleningsstelsel ten grondslag (behoren te) liggen. Vervolgens wordt diepgaand inzicht gegeven in het drangkader, de positie van dit kader binnen het jeugdhulpverleningsstelsel en wat dit betekent voor de rechtsbescherming en verantwoordelijkheden van betrokkenen in de praktijk. Tot slot bevat het boek aanbevelingen ter versterking van de rechten van jeugdigen en ouders die te maken krijgen met jeugdhulp op het snijvlak van het vrijwillige en gedwongen kader. Hiermee is dit boek waardevol voor beleidsmakers en professionals die werkzaam zijn in de praktijk van de jeugdhulpverlening, maar ook voor ouders, jeugdigen enoverige betrokkenen. Show less
This book explores the underlying principles of the law of compensation. To this end, it examines the meaning of four essential concepts: ‘damage’ (schade), ‘benefit’ (voordeel), ‘damage... Show moreThis book explores the underlying principles of the law of compensation. To this end, it examines the meaning of four essential concepts: ‘damage’ (schade), ‘benefit’ (voordeel), ‘damage attribution’ (schadetoerekening) and ‘benefit attribution’ (voordeelstoerekening). As a result of this examination, a three-step approach to compensation law cases becomes apparent. Although this approach is in my opinion widely followed in legal practice, it is usually not made explicit. By doing so, I hope to help legal practitioners clarify andrefine their reasoning and argumentation in compensation law cases and offer guidance in addressing the many challenging questions that arise in this area of law. Show less
Every year, several thousands of companies are declared bankrupt in the Netherlands. The purpose of the bankruptcy proceeding is to distribute the assets of those companies among its creditors. The... Show moreEvery year, several thousands of companies are declared bankrupt in the Netherlands. The purpose of the bankruptcy proceeding is to distribute the assets of those companies among its creditors. The total value of the claims of the creditors, however, almost always greatly exceeds the value of the company’s assets. In approximately 25% of the bankruptcies irregularities have occurred that caused the bankruptcy or increased the deficit in the estate. The societal damage caused by these irregularities is estimated at more than one billion euros per year.The legislator has given bankruptcy trustees a central role in identifying and redressing irregularities. However, the task of the trustee is not without controversy, mainly because the bankruptcy community does not agree with the legislator’s assumption that the task of dealing with irregularities is an extension of the trustee’s core task of liquidating the estate in the interest of the joint creditors.This research examines the discrepancies between the expectations of the legislator and the practice of redressing irregularities by trustees. Based on three empirical studies, it is concluded that the expectations of the legislator have not yet materialized, especially because trustees experience various obstacles when dealing with irregularities. The likelihood of irregularities being addressed does not appear to depend solely on the financial resources in a specific bankruptcy, but also on the person of the trustee and the views of the supervising court and its supervisory judges as perceived by the trustee.The thesis culminated in a number of recommendations to remove obstacles experienced by trustees and a plea for a revision of the primacy of creditors in bankruptcies, in order to promote sustainable liquidation. Show less
In de moderne benadering van het aansprakelijkheidsrecht zijn recht en rechtsvordering van elkaar losgekoppeld. Er wordt veel aandacht besteed aan het bestaan van rechten en plichten, maar minder... Show moreIn de moderne benadering van het aansprakelijkheidsrecht zijn recht en rechtsvordering van elkaar losgekoppeld. Er wordt veel aandacht besteed aan het bestaan van rechten en plichten, maar minder aan de remedie die is verbonden aan een inbreuk op een recht of de schending van een plicht. Het gevolg van deze disjunctieve benadering is dat vooraf onduidelijk kan zijn welke remedie in een bepaald geval – en in welke omvang – passend is. Bovendien is achteraf niet altijd goed uit te leggen waarom juist deze remedie moest worden opgelegd. Dit zorgt voor rechtsonzekerheid en rechtsongelijkheid, waardoor effectieve rechtsbescherming onder druk komt te staan.Recht, plicht, remedie brengt in kaart hoe een relationele benadering van het remedierecht past bij het geldende recht en bespreekt hoe ze bijdraagt aan het vergroten van rechtszekerheid en het verwezenlijken van materieelrechtelijke aanspraken. De auteur legt uit waarom een remedie niet op zichzelf mag worden bezien. De remedie dient voort te vloeien uit de norm waaraan deze is verbonden en de strekking die deze norm heeft. Oftewel: de norm draagt de belofte van een passende remedie in zich. Show less
At the crux of article 5 is an attempt to re-imagine the parent-child relationship. It recognises that all children have a right to be parented with respect and tenderness.THis collection of... Show moreAt the crux of article 5 is an attempt to re-imagine the parent-child relationship. It recognises that all children have a right to be parented with respect and tenderness.THis collection of published manuscripts sheds light on the scope and meaning of the right to parental guidance, and considers its implications for children's enjoyment of rights in medical research. Show less
There has been growing concern about the depredations of platform capitalism, ranging from the erosion of workplace protections to questionable corporate and data governance practices. This PhD... Show moreThere has been growing concern about the depredations of platform capitalism, ranging from the erosion of workplace protections to questionable corporate and data governance practices. This PhD research project investigates the emergence of ‘democratic’ firms, which confer important control and financial rights to the stakeholders that contribute intellectual, social, and use value to a platform. Interdisciplinary research methods were used for this project, combining doctrinal research with the use of a Delphi-study and case studies.This dissertation makes a three-fold contribution to the literature. First, it explores the extent to which democratic firms can ameliorate the socio-economic concerns raised by capital-managed online labour and social media platforms. Second, it unpacks the (socio-)legal obstacles that exist to their formation and governance. Third, it charts pathways towards making such democratic firms more viable. The dissertation found that while factors such as the shifting of risk onto workers and concern about corporate accountability drove interest in democratic firms, start-up costs (e.g., obtaining adequate financing) and governance costs (e.g., member apathy) have been barriers to formation. Potential solutions are tentatively offered to overcome these barriers, from the use of degradable reputation tools to the joint development of a platform’s intellectual property. Show less
Article 162(2) of Book 6 of the Dutch Civil Code sets out the central concept of non-contractual liability law by providing a definition of what is deemed a tortious act. The list of different... Show moreArticle 162(2) of Book 6 of the Dutch Civil Code sets out the central concept of non-contractual liability law by providing a definition of what is deemed a tortious act. The list of different types of tortious acts concludes with the qualification: ‘except for the presence of a ground of justification’. Thus, the door to the exception to the core of non-contractual liability law has been left wide open. A fascination for this ‘escape’ incorporated in Dutch liability law was one of the motives for this dissertation. This study set out on a journey of discovery through the full breadth of non-contractual liability law, constantly viewed from the perspective of the exception to the rule. The first part of the dissertation is a general exploration of the area of research. The different types of torts are described, the concepts of justification and grounds of justification are defined and the distinction between the grounds of exculpation is provided, and a comparision with criminal law is made. The second part of the study classifies the subject matter. For this purpose, the different types of justifications are defined and divided into categories: complete, incomplete and conditional justifications. The third part of the dissertation is devoted to the principles of justification: culpa in causa and proportionality and subsidiarity. The focus of the book then shifts to the content of the justification. To that end, in the fourth part of the book justification is considered in light of wrongfulness, guilt and relativity. The fifth and final part of the dissertation deals with the legal effects of the presence of a justification: the impact on the judgements of the act and of the obligation to compensate. 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
