According to the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, members of audit teams and firms should be independent of their audit clients. Independence requires both independence of mind and independence in appearance. The objectivity of the independent auditor may be threatened or appear to be threatened where:

(i) The chairman of the board of directors of an audit client has invited the partner in-charge of the audit of that client to join the board as an independent non-executive director;

(ii) The audit manager in-charge of the audit has just married to William. William is a shareholder of the audit client. Although William is holding 18% of the outstanding ordinary shares of the audit client, William does not involve in the operation of the audit client;

(iii) The major shareholder of an audit client and the partner in-charge of the audit of that client have established a joint venture to provide financial services in Singapore.

Required:

For each of the three independent situations given above, explain why the independence of the external auditor may be threatened, or appear to be threatened. Also describe the safeguards that can eliminate or reduce the threats to independence to an acceptable level.