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LEGAL CHALLENGES OF CROSS-BORDER INSOLVENCIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA WITH REFERENCE TO TANZANIA AND KENYA: A FRAMEWORK FOR LEGISLATION AND POLICIES

BENHAJJ SHAABAN MASOUD

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Nottingham Trent University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

February 2012

COPYRIGHT

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ABSTRACT

Although a substantial body of literature has developed in recent years in the area of cross-border insolvency, this scholarship has been dominated by scholars from the United States and Europe, so that a perspective from most of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries is lacking. This study addresses this perspective. It makes an in-depth examination and discussion of the challenges that SSA countries face in reform and application of cross-border insolvency law given the ever-growing multinational trade and investment. The study focuses on the risk of failure of SSA legislative processes to properly address the potential challenges of cross-border insolvencies in a manner that is sensitive to the local contexts and which provides a balance with international insolvency benchmarks. It examines cross-border insolvency theories; the global drivers for convergence of insolvency law through global insolvency norms; and the implications for cross-border insolvency regulations arising from cross-border trade and investment arrangements, such as the bilateral investment treaties, before considering the state and future of the legislative frameworks of SSA countries. It then brings out the ‘pressures’ exerted on and issues that emerge in the consideration and quest for crafting a workable and appropriate cross-border insolvency framework for a SSA country. Notably, the current insights and the pressures from the global convergence may result in unsuitable legislative reforms as such insights and the global insolvency norms are not necessarily and directly relevant to SSA situations. The study offers the perspective that has hitherto been lacking in the current scholarship and provides a theoretical insight and understanding on how the crafting of a workable and appropriate legislative framework may be undertaken, taking account of local policies and providing a balance with the existing international insolvency benchmarks. The study underscores the significance and challenge of prioritising the local contexts in developing a functional cross-border insolvency framework.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Copyright

i

Abstract

ii

Table of Contents

iii

List of Abbreviation

xiii

Table of Legislation

xvi

Table of Cases

xviii

Acknowledgement

xxi

CHAPTER ONE

1

THE CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY

1

1.1

Introduction

1

1.2

Background

1

1.3

Research Problem

7

1.4

Aim, Objectives, and Research Questions of the Study

10

1.4.1

Objectives

10

1.4.2

Research Questions

10

1.5

Research Methodology and Sources

11

1.6

Organisation of the Study

12

CHAPTER TWO

14

CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF THE CROSS-BORDER INSOLVENCY LANDSCAPE WITH REFERENCE TO SUB-SAHARAN

AFRICA

14

2.1

Introduction

14

2.2

The Concept of Insolvency and Cross-Border Insolvency

15

iii

2.3A Brief Overview of Theoretical and Policy Foundations of

 

Insolvency Systems

19

2.4

Problems and Issues Involved in Cross-Border Insolvencies

24

2.5

Competing Theories in Cross-Border Insolvencies

27

2.5.1

Theoretical Underpinning for Territorialism and Universalism

29

2.5.2

A Review of the Debate over Territorialism and Universalism

30

2.5.2.1

Protection of Local Interests

30

2.5.2.2

Predictability

32

2.5.2.3

Efficiency and Value Maximisation

34

2.5.2.4

Practicality

36

2.5.3

Alternative Approaches Emerging from the Debate

37

2.5.3.1

Cooperative Territorialism

39

2.5.3.2

Modified Universalism

40

2.5.3.3

Contractualism or Bankruptcy Selection Clause Approach

41

2.6Placing the Theoretical Approaches and the Associated Issues in

 

SSA Context

43

2.7

Some Thoughts and Issues Relating to Reform Strategies

48

2.8

Conclusion

52

CHAPTER THREE

53

THE GLOBAL CONVERGENCE OF INSOLVENCY LAW AND THE

 

QUEST FOR A SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN CROSS-BORDER

 

INSOLVENCY FRAMEWORK

53

3.1

Introduction

53

3.2Globalisation and the Pressure for Convergence of Insolvency Law

Systems

54

3.3Global Insolvency Norms and the Benchmarking of Insolvency

iv

Reform Process

57

3.3.1The ‘Soft Law’ Approach of the Standardisation Initiatives and the

Strategies for Ensuring Observance

60

3.3.2Relevance and Suitability of International Insolvency Standards in

SSA Context

65

3.4Appraising the Nature and Compliance’s Assessments of the

International Insolvency Standards from a SSA Perspective

72

3.5The Recent Global Crisis and the Continued Influence of

Multilateral Institutions for SSA Insolvency Reform Process

85

3.6Towards Adoption of and Compliance with International

Insolvency Standards: Which Approach?

87

3.7Drivers behind the Emerging Reform Trends in Sub-Saharan

 

Africa

92

3.8

Conclusion

95

CHAPTER FOUR

98

EXTENT OF FACILITATION OF CROSS-BORDER TRADE AND

 

INVESTMENT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CROSS-BORDER

 

INSOLVENCY REGULATION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

98

4.1

Introduction

98

4.2Overview of the Linkage between Cross-Border Insolvency and

 

Facilitation of Trade and Investment

99

4.3

Liberalisation and Reform of the Supporting Legal Environment

101

4.3.1

Market Liberalisation

102

4.3.2

Reform Challenges and Problems

103

4.4Multilateral Institutions’ Role in Facilitation of Cross-Border Trade

and Investment

105

v

4.4.1The Proposed Role of WTO in Financial Crisis Resolution and the

Cross-Border Insolvency Implications Involved

107

4.4.2An Example of Cross-Border Insolvency Implication Arising from

Activities of other Multilateral Institutions

108

4.5The Bilateral Investment Arrangements and their Linkage to Cross-

Border Insolvency

111

4.5.1The Implications of the Bilateral Investment Treaties for Cross-

Border Insolvency Regulation

115

4.5.2Linking Tools between Bilateral Investment Treaties and Cross-

 

Border Insolvency Regulation

117

4.5.2.1

Scope and Definition of ‘Investment’ and ‘Investor’

120

4.5.2.2 Standards of Treatment of Foreign Investors and Foreign

 

 

Investments

122

4.5.2.3 Encouraging and Creating a Favourable Environment for Foreign

 

 

Investments

127

4.5.2.4 Transfer of Funds and Repatriation of Capital and Profits

128

4.5.2.5 Reciprocity Principle

131

4.5.2.6 Expropriation

133

4.5.2.7 Dispute Settlement

135

4.6

Inter-Regional and Regional Economic Arrangements

136

4.6.1Inter-Regional Economic Arrangements and the Cross-Border

Insolvency Potential

138

4.6.2Regional Economic Arrangements and the Cross-Border Insolvency

Potentials

142

4.6.3Critiquing the Inter-Regional and Regional Trade Arrangements

Involving SSA with Cross-Border Insolvency in Mind

147

4.7The ‘Crowding in’ and ‘Crowding out’ Effects of Cross-Border

Trade and Investment in the Context of Cross-Border Insolvency 149

vi

161
164
160
160

4.7.1 The ‘Crowding In’ and ‘Crowding Out’ and their Related Effects 150

4.7.2The Potential Impact of Effective Cross-Border Insolvency

Regulation on Cross-Border Trade and Investments

152

4.8A Case for Differential and Contextual Treatments in Cross-Border

Insolvency Regulation?

155

4.9 Conclusion

158

CHAPTER FIVE

160

THE COMMON LAW APPROACH TO CROSS-BORDER INSOLVENCY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA WITH REFERENCE TO TANZANIA AND KENYA

5.1 Introduction

5.2A Historical Basis of Cross-Border Insolvency Frameworks in

SSA’s Legal System

5.2.1The Reception and Nature of the Cross-Border Insolvency Law

Inherited from the Colonial Administration in SSA

5.2.2A Brief Survey of the State of Cross-Border Insolvency at Common

 

Law

167

5.2.2.1 Jurisdiction for Initiating Insolvency Proceedings Regarding a

 

 

Foreign Company

170

5.2.2.2

Recognition of Foreign Proceedings

171

5.2.2.3

Ancillary Proceedings

173

5.2.2.4

Judicial Assistance and Cooperation

174

5.2.2.5

Fair and Equitable Treatment of Local and Foreign Creditors

176

5.3Considering the Common Law Approach in Light of Cross-Border Insolvency Theories and the International Insolvency Benchmarks 177

5.4Fitting the Common Law Approach into Cross-Border Trade and

Investment Facilitation Arrangements

181

vii

5.5

Utility and Limitations of the Common Law Approach in SSA

184

5.6

Conclusion

191

CHAPTER SIX

194

A SURVEY OF THE STATE OF CROSS-BORDER INSOLVENCY

 

LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA WITH

 

REFERENCE TO TANZANIA AND KENYA

194

6.1

Introduction

194

6.2A Brief Overview of Legal and Socio-Economic Settings in SSA

 

with Reference to Tanzania and Kenya

195

6.2.1

A Historical and Socio-Economic Backdrop

195

6.2.2

Application of Law in Cross-Border Insolvencies in SSA Countries:

 

Past, Present and Future

199

6.3The International Character of Tanzania’s Insolvency Related

Legislation

208

6.3.1Cross-Border Insolvency Aspects in Tanzania’s Inherited Colonial

Legislation

208

6.3.2 Legal Developments in Cross-Border Insolvencies in Tanzania

211

6.3.2.1 Treatment of Foreign Companies and Creditors in Domestic

 

Proceedings

214

6.3.2.2 Co-operation with and Recognition of Foreign Insolvency

 

Proceedings

217

6.3.2.3 Co-ordination and Communication

219

6.4The International Character of Kenya’s Insolvency Related

Legislation

220

6.4.1Cross-Border Insolvency Aspects in Kenya’s Inherited Colonial

Legislation

220

viii

6.4.2Legislative Reform Initiative and Cross-Border Insolvency

Regulation in Kenya

222

6.4.3Cross-Border Insolvency Features Emerging From the Kenyan

Reform Initiative

225

6.4.3.1 Towards Adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border

Insolvency

225

6.4.3.2 Key Aspects of the Proposed Kenyan Model Law on Cross-Border

 

Insolvency

226

6.4.3.2.1Application of the Proposed Law to Foreign Jurisdictions

and Proceedings

226

6.4.3.2.2Treatment of Foreign Creditors and Foreign

 

Representatives

227

6.4.3.2.3

Recognition

229

6.4.3.2.4

Protection of Creditors

230

6.4.3.2.5

Communication, Co-ordination and Co-operation

231

6.4.3.2.6

Application of other Relevant Laws

231

6.5Applying the Relevant Bankruptcy Rules into Cross-Border

Corporate Insolvency Proceedings

232

6.5.1 A Glimpse at the Cross-Border Bankruptcy Rules

234

6.5.2Impact of the Cross-Border Bankruptcy Rules for Cross-Border

Corporate Insolvency Regulation

241

6.5.3Effect of the Contemplated Kenyan Reform on the Future of Cross-

Border Insolvency Regulation

245

6.6State Owned Enterprises and the Treatment of Cross-Border

Insolvency Aspects with Reference to Tanzania

246

6.7Cross-Border Insolvency Treatment in SSA Regional Groupings

with Special Reference to Tanzania and Kenya

249

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