The criminal liability of juristic persons: lessons from Canada

• Published in: Tydskrif vir regswetenskap Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 83 - 98
• Main Author: Du Toit, P.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Canada; Criminal intent; Criminal investigations; Legal ethics; Legal research; Legislation; Personal information
• ISSN: 0258-252X

Hierdie bydrae ondersoek die grondslag vir die strafregtelike aanspreeklikheid van regspersone in Kanada in 'n poging om moontlike lesse vir die Suid-Afrikaanse reg daaruit te neem. Die Kanadese benadering gee erkenning aan die gefragmenteerde aard van korporatiewe besluitneming én aan die realiteit dat die kollektiewe gedrag van verskeie persone op verskillende vlakke van die korporatiewe hiërargie die misdadige gedrag kan veroorsaak. Voorts hoef die gedrags - en skuldelemente nie aan 'n enkeling toegeskryf te word nie. Die gedrag van die korporatiewe verteenwoordiger kan die handelingselement vorm, terwyl die skuldelement by die bestuur kan lê. Hierdie benadering, hoewel nie volkome 'realisties' van aard nie, verreken tog die aard van moderne regspersone heelwat beter as tradisionele individualistiese benaderings tot die strafregtelike aanspreeklikheid van regspersone.//This contribution investigates the basis for the criminal liability of juristic persons in Canada in an attempt to gain lessons for South Africa. The Canadian position acknowledges both the fragmented nature of corporate decision-making and the reality that the collective efforts of a number of corporate role players may cause criminal conduct. Furthermore, the conduct and fault elements of corporate criminal misconduct do not have to be found in one individual. The conduct of a representative of the corporate entity may be regarded as the conduct of the corporation, whilst the fault requirement may be found to be the level of management. This approach, although not entirely 'realistic', takes into account the nature of modern corporate entities much better than traditional individualistic approaches to corporate criminal liability. [web URL: http://reference.sabinet.co.za/document/EJC190479]