In a January 2025 judgment, the High Court dealt with a claim for damages by the claimant, who slipped and fell on a wet floor at a restaurant owned by the defendant. The central issue was whether the defendant was negligent in maintaining the premises and whether their negligence caused the claimant’s injuries. The court
High Court
Requirements for an application to dismiss a claim for want of prosecution

In a December 2024 judgment, the High Court discusses the requirements for a successful application to dismiss a claim due to want of prosecution.
Quoting from the 2014 SCA judgement in Cassimjee v Minister of Finance there are three primary requirements that must be met:
“First, there should be a delay in the prosecution of…
Can an amendment of quantum be considered a reopening of the issues?

The Western Cape High Court erroneously held in Oliver NO v MEC for Health Western Cape and City of Cape Town that the deceased plaintiff’s non-pecuniary claim for general damages did not transfer to her estate as the matter had not reached litis contestatio (close of pleadings) because the summons had been amended to increase…
Non-variation clause leads to contract invalidity

This blog was co-authored by Zahraa Amod-Carim
In May 2022, the Eastern Cape High Court handed down a judgment that invalidated a shareholders agreement between a private entity and its respective shareholders. Five medical doctors and shareholders challenged the hospital in respect of a new shareholders agreement put into effect without their signed consent required…
Wrongfulness and liability for injury by animals

This blog was co-authored by: Bwanika Lwanga, Candidate Attorney
In this January 2021 judgment the high court in Minister of Justice and Correctional Services v Kitcher and Another (874/2019) [2021] ZANCHC 12 considered the question of whether the minister could be held liable for harm from an animal attack on premises within their control.…
Litigation funding is not insurance

In the High Court Steinhoff judgment, it was argued that the litigation funding agreement between the class representative and the funder was a contract of insurance in terms of which the funder provides indemnity insurance to the class representative in consideration for the funder being paid a premium, being a percentage of the ultimate reward.…
Affidavit commissioned via WhatsApp video call valid for COVID 19 realities
This blog was co-authored by Sa’ood Lahri, Director and Muhammad Mirza, Candidate Attorney
In August 2021 the High Court[1] accepted that an affidavit commissioned over a WhatsApp video-call constitutes substantial compliance with the applicable regulations[2] and is valid in light of the practical difficulties faced by the deponent due to the raging Covid19…
When does independent consultant to sub-contractor owe a duty of care to the main contractor? (UK)

The UK High Court found that an independent consultant to a sub-contractor relating to the design and construction of a slipform rig did not owe a duty of care to the main contractor and could not be sued for damages for negligence. There was no assumption of responsibility to the main contractor which sought damages…
Extra-territorial jurisdiction of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act

In May 2021, the Supreme Court of Appeal delivered a judgment with two important principles namely:
- The High Court has jurisdiction to make a forfeiture order in terms of section 50(1)(b) of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 1998 (POCA) in respect of property situated outside the territory of South Africa and belonging to persons
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Tenders cannot be awarded to non-existent entities

The High Court has handed down judgement in proceedings involving Primedia (Pty) Ltd, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and others in March 2021. The court has held that a tender had to be set aside because:
- Prasa, as a public body which knew that the tenderer did not exist when the tender closed,
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