The law of delict in South Africa / Max Loubser, Rob Midgley (editors) ; André Mukeibir, Liezel Niesing, Devina Perumal.
2012
KTL834 .L39 2012 (Map It)
Available at Cellar
Formats
| Format | |
|---|---|
| BibTeX | |
| MARCXML | |
| TextMARC | |
| MARC | |
| DublinCore | |
| EndNote | |
| NLM | |
| RefWorks | |
| RIS |
Items
Details
Title
The law of delict in South Africa / Max Loubser, Rob Midgley (editors) ; André Mukeibir, Liezel Niesing, Devina Perumal.
Published
Cape Town, South Africa ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2012.
Call Number
KTL834 .L39 2012
Former Call Number
So.Af 590 L41 2012
Edition
Second edition.
ISBN
9780199046478 (pbk.)
0199046476 (pbk.)
0199046476 (pbk.)
Description
xvii, 479 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
System Control No.
(OCoLC)795847341
Note
Previous edition: 2010.
"Private law."
"Private law."
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Record Appears in
Table of Contents
Dedication
iii
List of authors
xix
Preface
xxi
Specialist contributors
xxiii
About the book
xxv
Part 1 Introductory Overview
ch. 1
Introduction
3
1.1.
Introduction
4
1.2.
Nature Of The Law Of Delict
4
1.3.
Definitions Of A Delict
7
1.4.
Functions Of The Law Of Delict
8
1.4.1.
Compensate For Harm That Has Been Suffered Or An Interest That Has Been Infringed
8
1.4.2.
Protect Certain Interests
9
1.4.3.
Promote Social Order And Cohesion
10
1.4.4.
Educate And Reinforce Values
10
1.4.5.
Provide Socially Acceptable Compromises Between Conflicting Moral Views
11
1.4.6.
Deter The Injurer From Behaving Similarly In Future And To Warn And Deter Others From Behaving In A Similar Way
11
1.4.7.
Reallocate And Spread Losses
11
1.5.
Delict And Insurance
13
1.6.
Remedies
13
1.7.
Law Of Delict Or Law Of Delicts?
15
1.8.
Protected Interests
18
1.9.
Essential Elements Of Liability Based Upon Fault
21
1.10.
Essential Elements Where Liability Is Strict
23
1.11.
Systematic Approach To Delictual Problem Solving
23
1.11.1.
Step 1: Identify The Parties
23
1.11.2.
Step 2: Primarily Fact-Based Decisions
24
1.11.3.
Step 3: Primarily Normative Decisions
24
1.11.4.
Step 4: Determining The Remedy
25
1.11.5.
Step 5: Apportionment Of Damages
25
1.12.
General Principles Modified For Specific Actions
27
1.12.1.
Lex Aquilia
27
1.12.2.
Germanic Remedy For Pain And Suffering
27
1.12.3.
Actio Iniuriarum
27
1.12.4.
Actio De Pauperie
29
1.12.5.
Actio De Pastu
29
1.12.6.
Vicarious Liability
30
1.13.
Conclusion
31
ch. 2
Delict And The Constitution
32
2.1.
Introduction
32
2.2.
Direct Application
33
2.3.
Indirect Application
34
2.4.
Constitutional Values And Norms
36
2.4.1.
Foundational Values That Relate To Dignity And Equality
36
2.4.2.
Foundational Values Associated With Democracy And Governance
37
2.4.3.
Foundational Values Associated With Freedom Of Expression
38
2.4.4.
Values Of Non-Violence And The Protection Of Vulnerable People From Violence And Abuse
39
2.5.
Constitution's Areas Of Impact On The Law Of Delict
39
2.6.
Conclusion
42
Part 2 General Principles: Primarily Fact-Based Issues
ch. 3
Harm
45
3.1.
Introduction
45
3.2.
Patrimonial And Non-Patrimonial Harm
49
3.3.
Pain And Suffering
52
3.4.
Infringement Of A Personality Interest
54
3.4.1.
Bodily Integrity
55
3.4.2.
Dignity
55
3.4.3.
Privacy
56
3.4.4.
Identity
58
3.4.5.
Reputation
59
3.5.
Personality Rights And Constitutional Rights
60
3.6.
Conclusion
61
ch. 4
Conduct
63
4.1.
Introduction
63
4.2.
Human Conduct
64
4.3.
Voluntary Conduct And The Defence Of Automatism
64
4.4.
Commission And Omission
67
4.5.
Animal Behaviour
67
ch. 5
Factual Causation
69
5.1.
Introduction
69
5.2.
Determining Factual Causation And The Conditio Sine Qua Non Test
71
5.3.
Critique Of The Conditio Sine Qua Non Test
77
5.3.1.
Elimination/substitution Process Of Reasoning Is Clumsy And Circuitous
77
5.3.2.
Conditio Sine Qua Non Test Provides No Answer In Cases Of Multiple (Or Cumulative) Causes
78
5.3.3.
Conditio Sine Qua Non Test Is Not A True Test For Determining Factual Causation
78
5.4.
Alternatives To The Conditio Sine Qua Non Approach
78
5.4.1.
Material Contribution
79
5.4.2.
Common Sense
79
5.4.3.
Human Experience And Knowledge
80
5.4.4.
Increasing Risk And Creating Opportunities For Occurrence Of Harm
81
5.5.
Alternative Tests For Multiple, Cumulative And Successive Causes
82
5.6.
Appropriate Test For Factual Causation
84
5.7.
Conclusion
84
Part 3 General Principles: Primarily Normative Issues
ch. 6
Legal Causation
89
6.1.
Introduction
89
6.2.
General Test - The 'Flexible Approach'
91
6.3.
Subsidiary Tests
94
6.3.1.
Direct Consequences
94
6.3.2.
Reasonable Foreseeability
95
6.3.3.
Adequate Cause
96
6.3.4.
Intent
97
6.4.
Talem Qualem Rule
99
6.5.
Novus Actus Interveniens
99
6.6.
Conclusion
100
ch. 7
Fault
102
7.1.
Introduction
103
7.2.
Accountability
104
7.2.1.
Youth
105
7.2.2.
Mental Disease Or Illness And Emotional Distress
107
7.2.3.
Intoxication
107
7.2.4.
Provocation
108
7.3.
Intention
109
7.3.1.
Dolus Directus Or Direct Intention
110
7.3.2.
Dolus Indirectus Or Indirect Intention
110
7.3.3.
Dolus Eventualis Or Intention By Acceptance Of Foreseen Result
110
7.3.4.
First Component Of Intention: Direction Of Will
111
7.3.5.
Second Component Of Intention: Consciousness Of Wrongfulness
111
7.3.6.
Special Cases: Intention Comprising Direction Of Will Only
112
7.3.7.
Difference Between Motive And Intention
113
7.3.8.
Proving Intention
114
7.4.
Defences That Exclude Intention
115
7.4.1.
Mistake
115
7.4.2.
Jest
116
7.4.3.
Intoxication
116
7.4.4.
Provocation
116
7.4.5.
Emotional Distress
117
7.5.
Negligence
117
7.5.1.
Concept Of Negligence
117
7.5.2.
Characteristics Of A Reasonable Person
117
7.5.3.
Test For Negligence
118
7.5.3.1.
Foreseeability And Preventability
120
7.5.3.2.
Foreseeability Of Harm
120
7.5.3.3.
Preventability Of Harm
124
7.5.4.
Circumstances And Factors That Indicate The Required Standard Of Care
129
7.5.4.1.
General Practice
130
7.5.4.2.
Legitimate Assumption Of Reasonable Conduct Of Others
130
7.5.4.3.
Sudden Emergency And Error Of Judgment
130
7.5.4.4.
Breach Of Statutory Duty
131
7.5.4.5.
Dealing With Inherently Dangerous Things, Persons Or Circumstances
132
7.5.4.6.
Danger To Children Or People With Disabilities Or Incapacities
132
7.5.5.
Attributes Of Defendants That Influence The Standard Of Care Required For Reasonable Conduct
133
7.5.5.1.
Beginners
133
7.5.5.2.
Experts
134
7.5.5.3.
Children
135
7.5.6.
Proving Negligence
136
7.6.
Conclusion
138
ch. 8
Wrongfulness
139
8.1.
Introduction
140
8.2.
What Is The Role Of Wrongfulness In South African Law?
140
8.3.
When Is The Issue Of Wrongfulness Likely To Arise?
142
8.4.
Wrongfulness - An Attribute Of Conduct?
142
8.5.
Wrongfulness Presupposes Both Conduct And Consequences, Which Do Not Necessarily Occur Simultaneously
143
8.6.
Wrongfulness - A Matter Of Law
143
8.7.
General Criteria For Determining Wrongfulness: Pathways To Policy
144
8.8.
Wrongfulness And The Infringement Of A Right
146
8.9.
Wrongfulness And Breach Of Duty
147
8.10.
Different Concepts Of 'Duty'
148
8.11.
What Is The Content Of The Legal Duty?
151
8.12.
Policy Considerations
152
8.13.
Is Wrongfulness Determined With Hindsight (Ex Post Facto), Or From The Perspective Of The Defendant At The Time Of The Relevant Conduct, With Foresight (Ex Ante)?
156
8.13.1.
Involvement Of A Strictly Ex Post Facto Perspective And Exclusion Of An Ex Ante Or Actor-Oriented Perspective
156
8.13.2.
Determining Wrongfulness Or Fault First
156
8.13.3.
Nature Of Fault Is In Some Cases Relevant To Wrongfulness
157
8.13.4.
Wrongfulness And Negligence Are Sometimes Based On Similar Factors
158
8.14.
Conclusion
159
ch. 9
Grounds Of Justification: Defences Directed At The Wrongfulness Element
162
9.1.
Introduction
162
9.2.
Consent
163
9.3.
Consent By Assumption Of Risk
167
9.4.
Prior Agreement Not To Claim (Pactum De Non Petendo In Anticipando)
170
9.5.
Necessity
171
9.6.
Self-Defence (Private Defence)
175
9.7.
Provocation
179
9.8.
Statutory Authority
181
9.9.
Official Capacity
183
9.10.
Obedience To Orders
183
9.11.
Disciplinary Powers
184
9.12.
Impossibility
185
Part 4 Exclusions
ch. 10
Liability In Contract Excluding Action In Delict
189
10.1.
Introduction
189
10.2.
Why Does Concurrence Of Actions In Contract And Delict Matter?
189
10.3.
Exclusively Delictual Actions Arising From A Contractual Relationship
191
10.4.
When Is There Concurrence, And When Does Liability In Contract Exclude An Action In Delict?
192
ch. 11
Exclusion Of Employers' Liability By The Compensation For Occupational Injuries And Diseases Act 130 Of 1993
196
11.1.
Common-Law Position
196
11.2.
Position Under The Compensation Act
196
11.3.
Section 35
197
ch. 12
Exemption Clauses
200
12.1.
Validity And Effect
200
12.2.
Interpretation
201
12.3.
Exemption Clauses And The Constitution
202
ch. 13
Prescription
206
13.1.
Nature And Effect Of Prescription
206
13.2.
Prescription Period Applicable To Delict
207
13.3.
Beginning Of Prescription
207
13.4.
Delay Of Prescription
210
13.5.
Interruption Of Prescription By Service Of Process
211
13.6.
Interruption Of Prescription By Acknowledgment Of Liability
213
13.7.
Waiver Of Prescription
213
13.8.
Prescription Act And Other Legislation On Prescription Or Limitation
213
13.9.
Procedure
213
13.10.
Onus
214
13.11.
Prescription And The Constitution
214
13.12.
Institution Of Legal Proceedings Against Certain Organs Of State Act 40 Of 2002
215
13.13.
Road Accident Fund Act 56 Of 1996
215
13.14.
Apportionment Of Damages Act 34 Of 1956
216
13.15.
Compensation For Occupational Injuries And Diseases Act 130 Of 1993
216
Part 5 Special Forms Of Liability Involving Patrimonial Harm, And Pain And Suffering
ch. 14
Omissions
219
14.1.
Introduction
219
14.2.
Wrongfulness
219
ch. 15
Negligent Misstatements
224
15.1.
Introduction
224
15.2.
Wrongfulness
225
ch. 16
Pure Economic Harm
228
16.1.
What Is Pure Economic Harm Or Loss, And Why Does It Require Special Attention In The Law Of Delict?
228
16.2.
Pure Economic Harm - Examples
228
16.3.
Wrongfulness
229
ch. 17
Interference With Contractual Relations
234
17.1.
Negligent Interference With Personal Rights (Claims) Deriving From Contract Or Another Source
234
17.2.
Intentional Interference With Contractual Relations
235
ch. 18
Unlawful Competition
238
18.1.
Aquilian Liability For Unlawful Competition
238
18.2.
Forms Of Unlawful Competition
240
18.3.
Fault
244
18.4.
Interests Protected
244
18.5.
Wrongfulness
244
18.6.
Damages
246
ch. 19
Product Liability
247
19.1.
Introduction
247
19.2.
Aquilian Liability
248
19.3.
Strict Liability
251
19.3.1.
What Is The Nature Of The Liability Created By The Act?
251
19.3.2.
Why Should There Be Strict Liability For Defective Products?
251
19.3.3.
What Are 'Goods' For The Purpose Of Strict Liability?
252
19.3.3.1.
Immovable Property
252
19.3.3.2.
Information Products
252
19.3.3.3.
Contaminated Blood
253
19.3.4.
Defectiveness Of Goods
253
19.3.4.1.
Unsafe
253
19.3.4.2.
Failure
253
19.3.4.3.
Defect
254
19.3.4.4.
Hazard
254
19.3.4.5.
Puzzling Interplay Of Definitions
254
19.3.5.
Inadequate Instructions Or Warnings Provided To The Consumer Pertaining To Any Hazard
255
19.3.6.
Who Is A Consumer?
255
19.3.7.
Who Is Liable?
256
19.3.8.
For What Type Of Harm Will Liability Be Imposed?
256
19.3.9.
Defences
256
19.3.9.1.
Section 61(4)(A): Compliance With Public Regulation
256
19.3.9.2.
Section 61(4)(B)(i): Absence Of Defect At Time Of Supply
257
19.3.9.3.
Section 61(4)(B)(ii): Compliance With Instructions
257
19.3.9.4.
Section 61(4)(C): Defects Not Reasonably Discoverable By The Distributor Or Retailer
257
19.3.9.5.
Section 61(4)(D): Time Limit For Claims
257
ch. 20
Breach Of A Statutory Duty
259
20.1.
Liability For Breach Of A Statutory Duty: A Question Of Statutory Interpretation And Wrongfulness
259
20.2.
Typical Factors That Indicate Wrongfulness
261
ch. 21
Public Authorities
264
21.1.
Introduction
264
21.2.
Widening Liability
264
21.3.
General Trends In South Africa: Effect Of The Constitution
265
21.4.
State Liability Act 20 Of 1957
265
21.4.1.
Section 1
266
21.4.2.
Section 2
267
21.4.3.
Section 3
267
21.4.4.
Section 4
267
21.5.
Section 35 Of The General Law Amendment Act 62 Of 1955
268
21.6.
State Liability For Public Schools
268
21.7.
Local Authorities
269
ch. 22
Professional Liability
270
22.1.
Introduction
270
22.2.
Medical Practitioners
272
22.3.
Legal Practitioners
275
22.3.1.
Attorneys
275
22.3.2.
Advocates
276
22.4.
Engineers, Builders And Architects
277
22.5.
Accountants And Auditors
279
22.6.
Banks
282
ch. 23
Injury Or Death Of Another Person
286
23.1.
No General Right
286
23.2.
Claims Based On Injury Of Dependant
286
23.3.
Claims By Parents And Employers For Loss Of Services
287
23.4.
Contracting Parties
287
23.5.
Claims By Heirs And Legatees For Reduced Inheritance
287
23.6.
Claims By Heirs Or Family Members For Funeral Expenses
288
23.7.
Claims By Executor For Funeral And Other Expenses
288
23.8.
Claims Based On Death Of Support-Provider (Action Of Dependants)
288
23.8.1.
History
289
23.8.2.
Nature Of And Requirements For The Action
289
23.8.3.
Who Can Sue?
290
23.8.4.
Damages
291
23.9.
Claims For Loss Of Support Based On Injury To The Support-Provider
292
ch. 24
Road Accident Fund Act 56 Of 1996
294
24.1.
General Features Of The Road Accident Fund Compensation Scheme
294
24.2.
Damages
295
24.3.
Causation Of Harm, Locality, 'Driving' And 'Motor Vehicle'
296
24.4.
Liability Fault-Based
297
24.5.
Delimitation Of Raf Claims
297
24.6.
Limitations To Liability Of The Fund
297
24.7.
Exclusion Of Liability Of The Fund
298
24.8.
Prescription, Procedure And Right Of Recourse
299
Part 6 Special Forms Of Liability: Psychological Or Emotional Harm
ch. 25
Pain And Suffering
303
ch. 26
Emotional Shock
305
26.1.
What Constitutes Psychological Harm Or Emotional Shock?
305
26.2.
Why Is It A Problem Area?
305
26.3.
How Did The Law Develop?
306
26.4.
When Will Psychological Harm Justify An Award Of Damages?
307
26.5.
What Can Be The Causes Of Psychological Harm?
307
26.6.
What Is The Appropriate Action?
308
26.7.
What Is The Appropriate Criterion For Liability?
309
Part 7 Special Forms Of Liability: Personality Interests
ch. 27
Infringements Of Bodily Integrity
313
27.1.
Introduction
313
27.2.
Infringements Of One's Corpus
314
27.2.1.
Assault
314
27.2.2.
Deprivation Of Personal Freedom
316
27.2.3.
Seduction
318
ch. 28
Infringements Of Dignity, Privacy And Identity
320
28.1.
Introduction
320
28.2.
Insult
321
28.3.
Privacy
325
28.3.1.
Common-Law Right To Privacy
325
28.3.2.
Juristic Persons And The Right To Privacy
331
28.3.3.
Constitutional Right To Privacy
332
28.4.
Identity
334
ch. 29
Infringements Of Reputation
339
29.1.
Introduction
339
29.2.
Who Can Sue For Defamation?
341
29.3.
Publication
343
29.3.1.
Who Is Responsible?
343
29.3.2.
Communication
344
29.3.3.
Understanding
345
29.4.
Defamatory Matter
345
29.4.1.
Step 1: Determining The Meaning Of The Words Or Conduct
345
29.4.1.1.
Primary Or Ordinary Meaning
346
29.4.1.2.
Secondary Or Hidden Meaning - Innuendo
346
29.4.1.3.
Quasi-Innuendo
346
29.4.1.4.
Reasonable Reader, Listener Or Viewer
346
29.4.2.
Step 2: Determining Whether The Meaning Is Defamatory
347
29.4.2.1.
Benchmark
347
29.5.
Reference To Plaintiff
352
29.6.
Presumptions
354
29.7.
Wrongfulness
355
29.8.
Animus Iniuriandi
355
ch. 30
Grounds Of Justification Associated With Infringements Of Personality Interests
359
30.1.
Introduction
359
30.2.
Truth For Public Benefit
360
30.2.1.
Truth
360
30.2.2.
Public Benefit
360
30.3.
Fair Comment
362
30.3.1.
Comment Or Opinion And Not A Statement Of Fact
362
30.3.2.
Based Upon Substantially True Facts That Are Known
363
30.3.3.
Related To A Matter Of Public Interest
363
30.3.4.
Comment Must Be Fair
363
30.4.
Privileged Occasion
366
30.4.1.
Absolute Privilege
366
30.4.2.
Qualified Privilege
366
30.5.
Defence Of Reasonable Publication
369
Part 8 Strict And Vicarious Liability
ch. 31
Strict Liability
375
31.1.
Introduction
375
31.2.
Why Strict Liability?
375
31.3.
Liability For Harm Caused By Animals
376
31.3.1.
Actio De Pauperie For Harm Caused By Domestic Animals
376
31.3.1.1.
Type Of Animal
377
31.3.1.2.
Person Who Could Be Liable
377
31.3.1.3.
Type Of Behaviour-The Contra Naturam Test
377
31.3.1.4.
Elements Of The Action
378
31.3.1.5.
Defences
379
31.4.
Actio De Pastu For Harm Caused By Grazing Animals
380
31.5.
Actio De Effusis Vel Deiectis And The Actio Positis Vel Suspensis
381
31.6.
Statutory Instances Of Strict Liability
381
31.6.1.
Aviation
382
31.6.2.
Damage To Telecommunication Lines And Call Boxes
382
31.6.3.
Genetically Modified Organisms
382
ch. 32
Vicarious Liability
383
32.1.
Introduction
383
32.2.
General Rule And Justification For Vicarious Liability
383
32.3.
Who Qualifies As An Employee?
384
32.4.
Employment Or Akin-To-Employment Relationship Must Exist
385
32.5.
Employee Of Two Employers
386
32.6.
Independent Contractors
386
32.7.
Delict Must Be Committed By The Employee While Acting Within The Course And Scope Of Employment
389
32.8.
Intentional Wrongdoing
392
Part 9 Remedies And Apportionment
ch. 33
Remedies
399
33.1.
Introduction
400
33.2.
Damages
400
33.2.1.
Purpose Of A Damages Award
401
33.2.2.
Future Loss And The Once-And-For-All Rule
404
33.2.3.
Once-And-For-All Rule
404
33.2.4.
Exceptions To The Once-And-For-All Rule
407
33.2.4.1.
Common-Law Exceptions
407
33.2.4.2.
Statutory Exceptions
408
33.2.5.
Accounting For Benefits And Collateral Sources
408
33.2.6.
General Factors That Influence An Award
411
33.2.6.1.
Time With Reference To Which Assessment Is Made
411
33.2.6.2.
Taxation
412
33.2.6.3.
Interest
412
33.2.6.4.
Inflation
412
33.2.6.5.
Currency
413
33.2.6.6.
Contingencies
414
33.2.7.
Lex Aquilia: Assessment And Quantification Of Damages For Patrimonial Harm
416
33.2.7.1.
Assessment Of Harm: General Principles
416
33.2.7.2.
Quantifying The Damages: Damage To Property
417
33.2.7.3.
Quantifying Damages: Personal Injury
417
33.2.7.4.
Quantifying Damages: Expenses
418
33.2.7.5.
Quantifying Damages: Loss Of Earnings And Earning Capacity
418
33.2.7.6.
Quantifying Damages: Basic Method For Calculating Loss Of Future Income
419
33.2.7.7.
Quantifying Damages: Illegal Earnings
420
33.2.7.8.
Quantifying Damages: Loss Of Support
421
33.2.7.9.
Quantifying Damages: Mitigation Of Loss
422
33.2.8.
Germanic Remedy: Assessing Reparation For Infringements Of Physical-Mental Integrity
424
33.2.8.1.
Introduction
424
33.2.8.2.
Pain And Suffering
425
33.2.8.3.
Loss Of Amenities Of Life
425
33.2.9.
Actio Iniuriarum: Determining The Amount That Would Provide Appropriate Satisfaction
427
33.2.9.1.
Assault
427
33.2.9.2.
Sexual Abuse
428
33.2.9.3.
Deprivation Of Liberty
428
33.2.9.4.
Dignity, Privacy, And Identity
429
33.2.9.5.
Defamation
429
33.3.
Retraction And Apology
430
33.4.
Interdict
432
33.5.
Conclusion
433
ch. 34
Reduction And Apportionment Of Damages
435
34.1.
Introduction
435
34.2.
Apportionment Between Plaintiff And Defendant: Contributory Fault
436
34.2.1.
Statutory Provision
436
34.2.2.
How Are Damages Apportioned?
437
34.2.2.1.
Approach 1
437
34.2.2.2.
Approach 2
437
34.2.2.3.
Approach 3
438
34.2.2.4.
Approach 4
438
34.2.3.
Contributory Negligence Or Contributory Fault?
439
34.2.4.
Children's Contributory Fault
439
34.2.5.
Contributory Fault And Breach Of Contract
440
34.3.
Apportionment Between Defendants: Joint Wrongdoers
441
34.3.1.
Statutory Provision
441
34.3.2.
Spouses
442
34.3.3.
Claims By Dependants
443
34.3.4.
Claims By Breadwinners
445
34.4.
Apportionment Between More Than One Plaintiff And More Than One Defendant
445
34.5.
Conclusion
446
Bibliography
447
Table of cases
450
Table of legislation
469
Index
473