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Business & Commercial Law 2013. Module 1 – Introduction to law : part 1. Law. Law is a set of rules governing human conduct, recognised as binding by people and enforced by the State. Division of law. The SA Legal System. Origins of our law
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Business & Commercial Law 2013 Module 1 – Introduction to law : part 1
Law • Law is a set of rules governing human conduct, recognised as binding by people and enforced by the State
The SA Legal System Origins of our law Our law is based on Roman-Dutch Law and is also influenced by Roman Law & English Law
The Sources of our Law • Legislation (Acts or statutory law) • The Constitution • Common Law • Judicial Precedent ( Stare Decisis) • Customary Law • Old Authorities • Foreign Law & Textbooks etc (persausive)
The Divisions of Power Legislature – makes the law Executive – implements & enforces the law Judiciary – interprets the law & determines disputes
Civil Procedure • Civil procedure provides the rules for civil matters in the Courts • Litigation commences by way of either an application or an action procedure
Action Procedure • Summons • Appearance to defend • Request for further particulars • Reply • Plea (& counterclaim) • Discovery • Trial • Judgment • Appeal • Execution
Application Procedure • Notice of Motion with Founding Affidavit • Answering Affidavit • Replying Affidavit
Criminal Procedure • Complaint laid at SAPS • Arrest & charged • Bail • Plea • Trial • Verdict • Evidence in mitigation / aggravation • Sentencing • Appeal
The problems with the Court system • Adversarial • Time consuming • Costly
Alternative Dispute Resolution • Negotiation • Mediation • Arbitration
The Law of Contract • A contract “can be described as an agreement concluded by two or more persons with the serious intention of creating legally enforceable obligations”. • Havenga (2010)
Requirements of a valid contract • Consensus • Capacity to Act • Legality • Possibility of Performance • Formalities