In the aftermath of a business calamity, a delicate dance ensues as we ponder how to shield the rights of secured creditors from the eager grasp of employees who seek recompense following a daring business rescue. With a dash of Roman legal finesse, a touch of Dutch jurisprudence, and a sprinkling of UK and SA case law for good measure, we endeavour to unravel the conundrum of where precisely to draw this all-important line.
Imagine a simple scenario: You lend your beloved book to a friend and count on it being returned to you in pristine condition. The integrity of your agreement is the glue that holds this deal together, bolstering confidence and keeping your friendship strong. Secured creditors’ financial security is critical to sustaining their faith in the judicial system and inspiring them to continue providing credit to businesses. Two recent cases, Investec Bank Ltd v. Mutemeri and Re Spectrum Plus Ltd, illustrate why it is crucial to uphold the rights of secured creditors if the public is to have faith in the financial system and for businesses to have access to credit.