Fundamental Principles of Civil Procedure Third Edition C ...

Fundamental Principles

of Civil Procedure

Third Edition

C Theophilopoulos BSc LLB LLM (Wits) LLD (Unisa)

Attorney of the High Court of South Africa Associate Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

CM van Heerden B Proc LLB LLM (UP) LLD (RAU)

Attorney of the High Court of South Africa Professor, University of Pretoria

A Boraine B iur LLB (UP) LLM (Wits) LLD (UP)

Attorney of the High Court of South Africa Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria

Assisted by

J Malan B Com (Law) LLB (UP)

Advocate of the High Court of South Africa Pretoria Bar

LexisNexis

Contents

Page

Preface v

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Law of Civil Procedure 1.1 What is the law of civil procedure? 1 1.2 Civil and criminal procedure 1 1.3 Principles underlying the law of civil procedure 2 1.4 Sources of the law of civil procedure 4 1.5 Mechanisms for solving civil disputes 6

Chapter 2 Structure and Officers of the Courts 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Hierarchy of South African courts and stare decisis 10

2.2.1 The Constitutional Court 10 2.2.2 The Supreme Court of Appeal 12 2.2.3 The High Court 12 2.2.4 Magistrates'Courts 15 2.2.5 Courts of chiefs and headmen (traditional leaders' courts) 16 2.2.6 Small Claims Court 16

2.2.6.1 Introduction 16 2.2.6.2 Jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court 16 2.2.6.3 Procedure in the Small Claims Court 18 2.2.6.4 Judgment and costs 18 2.2.6.5 Review 19

2.3 Specialised courts 19 2.3.1 Labour Courts 19 2.3.2 Land Claims Court 20 2.3.3 Special Income Tax Court 21 2.3.4 Competition Appeal Court 21 2.3.5 Electoral Court 22 2.3.6 Consumer Court and related matters 22

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Fundamental Principles of Civil Procedure

Page 2.3.7 Divorce Court 22 2.3.8 Children's Court 23 2.3.9 Maintenance Court 23 2.3.10 Equality Court 23

2.4 Officers of the Court 24 2.4.1 Judges 24 2.4.2 Magistrates 24 2.4.3 Registrars of the High Court 25 2.4.4 Clerks and registrars of Magistrates' Courts 25 2.4.5 The sheriff 25 2.4.6 The Master of the High Court 25 2.4.7 Legal practitioners 26

2.5 The Legal Practice Act 26 2.6 Example in the electronic Precedents Pack 25

Chapter 3 Consultation, Legal Representation, Demand and Prescription

3.1 The initial consultation 29 3.2 Representation of parties 30

3.2.1 In the High Court 30 3.2.2 In Magistrates' Courts 32 3.2.3 Indigent persons 33

3.3 The action and application procedure 33 3.4 Demand or statutory notice 35 3.5 Prescription and time-limitation statutes 38

3.5.1 General 38 3.5.2 Prescription Act 39 3.5.3 Institution of Legal Proceedings against Organs of State Act 40 3.5.4 Road Accident Fund Act 41 3.5.5 Apportionment of Damages Act 42

3.6 Superannuation 42 3.6.1 Superannuation of judgments 42 3.6.2 Superannuation of summonses 42

3.7 Time periods for the delivery of pleadings 43 3.8 National Credit Act and Consumer Protection Act 43

3.8.1 National Credit Act 43 3.8.2 Consumer Protection Act 44

3.9 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 45

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Page Chapter 4 General Principles of Jurisdiction 4.1 Introduction 47 4.2 Inherent and prescribed jurisdiction 48 4.3 Why is jurisdiction important? 48 4.4 General principles 48

4.4.1 The principle actor sequitur forum rei 49 4.4.2 The principle of effectiveness 49 4.4.3 The principle of convenience 50 4.4.4 The principle of consent (submission or prorogation) 50

4.5 Legal terminology 51 4.5.1 Incola 51 4.5.2 Peregrinus 51 4.5.3 Local peregrinus 52 4.5.4 Foreign peregrinus 52

4.6 The meaning of domicile and residence 52 4.6.1 Natural persons 52 4.6.2 Juristic persons 53

4.6.2.1 Principal place of business 53 4.6.2.2 Registered office 54 4.6.2.3 Where the corporation conducts business 54

4.6.3 Foreign juristic persons 54 4.6.4 Partnerships 55 4.6.5 The State 55

4.7 Specific jurisdictional provisions 56 4.8 The formula for selecting an appropriate court 56 4.9 The impact of the National Credit Act and Consumer Protection Act on

jurisdiction 58 4.9.1 National Credit Act 58 4.9.2 Consumer Protection Act 59

Chapter 5 Jurisdiction of the High Court 5.1 Introduction 61

5.1.1 The inherent jurisdiction of the High Court 61 5.1.2 Inherent and innate jurisdiction 61 5.1.3 Power to regulate its own procedure 61 5.1.4 Power to adjudicate non-procedural matters 62

5.2 Jurisdiction with regard to the value of the claim 62 5.2.1 No limitation with regard to value 62 5.2.2 Discretion regarding costs 62 5.2.3 Removal of a matter to a Magistrates'Court 63


Page 5.3 Jurisdiction with regard to the nature of the claim 63 5.4 Jurisdiction with regard to territory 63

5.4.1 Section 21(1) of the Superior Courts Act 64 5.4.2 The common-law rule In general terms 64

5.4.2.1 The existence of a link or ratio jurisdictionis 64 5.4.2.2 Considerations of effectiveness 65

5.4.3 Jurisdiction in divorce actions 66 5.4.3.1 The common-law position 66 5.4.3.2 Divorce Act 66 5.4.3.3 The definition of "divorce action" 67

5.4.4 Proceedings relating to property 67 5.4.4.1 Immovable property 67 5.4.4.2 Movable property 68 5.4.4.3 Incorporeal property 68

5.4.5 Proceedings in which a money judgment is claimed 69 5.4.5.1 Rules regarding attachment 69 5.4.5.2 Miscellaneous issues relating to attachment 75 5.4.5.3 The doctrine of consent or submission 77 5.4.5.4 Timing of submission 79

5.5 Concurrent jurisdiction 80 5.6 Jurisdiction for the purposes of counterclaims 80 5.7 The causae continentia doctrine 80 5.8 Removal of a matter to another division 81 5.9 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 82

Chapter 6 Jurisdiction of Magistrates' Courts

6.1 Introduction 83 6.2 Constitutional jurisdiction 84 6.3 Jurisdiction with regard to the value of the claim 84 6.4 Jurisdiction with regard to the nature of the claim 85

6.4.1 Matters excluded in terms of section 46 85 6.4.1.1 Decrees of perpetual silence 85 6.4.1.2 Claims for specific performance 85

6.4.2 Claims which may be adjudicated in terms of section 29 87 6.4.3 Other claims in terms of sections 30, 31 and 32 91

6.5 Jurisdiction with regard to territory 92 6.6 Example 96 6.7 Extension of jurisdiction 96

6.7.1 Incidental jurisdiction 96

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Page 6.7.2 Abandonment of portion of a claim in terms of section 38 97

6.7.2.1 When will a plaintiff abandon? 97 6.7.2.2 Proviso to section 38 97

6.7.3 Deduction (set-off) of an admitted debt in terms of section 39 99 6.7.3.1 Where the plaintiff's claim is partially successful 100 6.7.3.2 Successful counterclaim after abandonment 101

6.7.4 Consent to the extension of jurisdiction in terms of section 45 102 6.8 Further provisions and related matters 104

6.8.1 Transfer of a matter from one court to another 104 6.8.2 Splitting of claims is disallowed 104 6.8.3 Cumulative jurisdiction 105 6.8.4 Counterclaim exceeding the jurisdiction of the court 106 6.8.5 Removal of a matter to the High Court 107

6.9 The impact of the National Credit Act and Consumer Protection Act on jurisdiction 108


Chapter 7 The Parties and Citations 7.1 Introduction 109 7.2 Locus standi 109

7.2.1 In the sense of a right and interest in the relief claimed 110 7.2.1.1 Standing to enforce rights guaranteed in the Constitution 110 7.2.1.2 Class actions and public-interest actions 111

7.2.2 In the sense of capacity to litigate 115 7.2.2.1 Minors (children) 115 7.2.2.2 Married women 116 7.2.2.3 Insane and disabled persons 117 7.2.2.4 Prodigals 118 7.2.2.5 Insolvents 119 7.2.2.6 Trusts 119 7.2.2.7 Partnerships, firms and associations 119 7.2.2.8 Judges, diplomats and others 121 7.2.2.9 Citation of parties in the High Court and

Magistrates' Courts 122 7.3 Joinder of parties and actions 124

7.3.1 Joinder of parties in the High Court 125 7.3.1.1 Joinder of convenience 125 7.3.1.2 Joinder of necessity 126

7.3.2 Joinder of causes of action and separation of trials 128 7.3.3 Waiver, non-joinder and misjoinder 128 7.3.4 Joinder in Magistrates'Courts 129

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Page 7.4 Intervention 130

7.4.1 In the High Court 130 7.4.2 In Magistrates'Courts 131

7.5 Third-party joinder 131 7.5.1 In the High Court 131 7.5.2 HCR 13 and apportionment of damages 132 7.5.3 Third-party-notice procedure 134 7.5.4 In Magistrates'Courts 135 7.5.5 Submissions by amicus curiae 135

7.6 Consolidation of actions 136 7.7 Parties to a suit, plurality of parties, cession and subrogation 137

7.7.1 General 137 7.7.2 Plurality of contractual parties 137 7.7.3 Cession and delegation 138 7.7.4 Subrogation 138

7.8 Headings of Pleadings in the High Courts and Magistrates' Courts 139 7.9 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 139

Chapter 8 The Application Procedure

8.1 Introduction 141 8.2 Types of application 142

8.2.1 Ex parte applications 142 8.2.2 Bilateral applications 142 8.2.3 Interlocutory or interim applications 142

8.3 The form of the proceedings 143 8.3.1 Notice of motion 143 8.3.2 Affidavit 143

8.4 Applications in the High Court 144 8.4.1 The general rule 144 8.4.2 Disputes of fact 145 8.4.3 Resolving a dispute of fact 145

8.4.3.1 Dismissal of the application 146 8.4.3.2 Presentation of oral evidence 146 8.4.3.3 Referral to trial 147

8.4.4 General requirements of HCR 6 148 8.4.5 Ex parte applications 148

8.4.5.1 Notice of motion in ex parte applications 149 8.4.5.2 Enrolment 150 8.4.5.3 Opposing an ex parte application 150

8.4.6 Bilateral applications 151 8.4.6.1 Notice of motion in bilateral applications 151

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Page 8.4.6.2 Unopposed enrolment 152 8.4.6.3 Opposing a bilateral application 152 8.4.6.4 Replying affidavit 153 8.4.6.5 Further affidavits 153 8.4.6.6 Opposed enrolment 154

8.4.7 Interlocutory applications 154 8.4.8 Urgent applications 155

8.4.8.1 General 155 8.4.8.2 Notice of motion 156 8.4.8.3 The need to make out a case of urgency 156 8.4.8.4 Enrolment 157 8.4.8.5 Hearsay evidence in urgent applications 157

8.5 Applications in Magistrates'Courts 157 8.5.1 General 157 8.5.2 General requirements of MCR 55 161

8.5.2.1 Application with notice 161 8.5.2.2 Ex parte application 163 8.5.2.3 Interlocutory applications 164 8.5.2.4 Applications to court for authority to institute proceedings.... 164 8.5.2.5 Urgent applications 164 8.5.2.6 Various aspects 165

8.5.3 Applications for which a specific form is prescribed 166 8.6 A summary of preparation for the hearing and the hearing of the motion 166 8.7 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 167

Chapter 9 Overview of the Action Procedure 9.1 Introduction 169 9.2 The pleading stage 170

9.2.1 The High Court 170 9.2.1.1 Particulars of claim and declarations 170 9.2.1.2 Plea 170 9.2.1.3 Counterclaim 171 9.2.1.4 Replication 171 9.2.1.5 Further pleadings 171 9.2.1.6 Time periods 171

9.2.2 Magistrates'Courts 172 9.2.3 Other procedural steps 172

9.3 The purpose and function of pleadings 173 9.3.1 To define the issues in dispute 173 9.3.2 To define the limits of the action 174

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Page 9.3.3 To establish whether the issues are good in law 174 9.3.4 To place the issues on record 174 9.3.5 To establish the onus of proof 174

9.4 The general rules and formalities of pleading 175 9.4.1 The heading 175 9.4.2 Division into paragraphs 175 9.4.3 Pleading of material facts only 175 9.4.4 The prayer 176

9.4.4.1 Calculating interest 176 9.4.5 The signature 179

9.5 Particularity in pleadings 180 9.5.1 General 180 9.5.2 The types of specific particularity required in pleadings 181

9.5.2.1 HCR 18(6); MCR 6(6) 181 9.5.2.2 HCR 18(8) 182 9.5.2.3 HCR 18(9); MCR 6(8) 182 9.5.2.4 HCR 18(10); MCR 6(9) 182 9.5.2.5 HCR 18(11); MCR 6(10) 182 9.5.2.6 HCR 18(12); MCR 6(13) 182 9.5.2.7 Where there is no court rule 183

9.5.3 Particularity regarding the plea 183 9.6 In Magistrates'Courts 183 9.7 Request for further particulars 183 9.8 Amendments and other variations to pleadings 183

Chapter 10 Summons, Particulars of Claim and Declaration 10.1 The function of a summons 185 10.2 The different types of summons 186

10.2.1 Combined summons 187 10.2.2 Simple summons 188 10.2.3 Formal requirements of a summons 189 10.2.4 Substantive requirements of a summons 191 10.2.5 Electronic addresses 191

10.3 Particulars of claim and declarations 192 10.4 Subsequent steps 192

10.4.1 Simple summons 192 10.4.2 Combined summons 193

10.5 Provisions relevant to Magistrates' Courts only 193 10.5.1 Additional forms for the benefit of the defendant 193 10.5.2 Jurisdictional provisions 194

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Page 10.5.3 Provisions relating to legislation 194 10.5.4 Plaintiff as cessionary 195 10.5.5 Declaration on executable immovable property 195 10.5.6 Automatic rent interdict summons 195


Chapter 11 Service of Process 11.1 Introduction 199 11.2 Service by the sheriff 199

11.2.1 Service in the High Court 201 11.2.1.1 Types of process 201 11.2.1.2 Time of service 201 11.2.1.3 Manner of service in the High Court 202 11.2.1.4 Discretion of the court 203

11.2.2 Service in Magistrates'Courts 204 11.2.2.1 Time of service 204 11.2.2.2 Manner of service in Magistrates' Courts 204

11.3 Service in matters relating to insolvency 206 11.3.1 Application for sequestration 206 11.3.2 Application for liquidation 207

11.4 If service cannot be effected in the prescribed manner 208 11.4.1 Substituted service in South Africa 209

11.4.1.1 Contents of an application for substituted service 209 11.4.2 Service by edictal citation outside South Africa 210

11.4.2.1 Contents of an application for edictal citation 211 11.4.2.2 In Magistrates'Courts 211

11.4.3 Service of process in a foreign country 211 11.5 Example in the electronic Precedents Pack 211

Chapter 12 Judgment at an Early Stage and Stay of Proceedings 12.1 Intention to defend 213 12.2 Notice of intention to defend 213

12.2.1 Time limits (dies induciae) 213 12.2.2 Contents of notice of intention to defend 214 12.2.3 Irregular or defective notice of appearance to defend in

Magistrates' Courts 215 12.2.4 Important aspects regarding notice of intention to defend 216

12.3 The default-judgment procedure 216 12.3.1 The meaning of "default" and "default judgment" 216

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Page 12.3.2 The various types of default in the High Court and

Magistrates'Courts 217 12.3.2.1 The defendant's failure to enter a notice of intention to

defend 217 12.3.2.2 The defendant's failure to file a plea (in convention) 218 12.3.2.3 The defendant's defective appearance to defend 219 12.3.2.4 The plaintiff's failure to file a declaration 220 12.3.2.5 The plaintiff's failure to file a plea against the

defendant's counterclaim (claim in reconvention) 220 12.3.2.6 A party's failure to appear at the hearing 221

12.4 Judgment obtained at an early stage of proceedings and stay of proceedings 221 12.4.1 Other judgments obtained at an early stage 221 12.4.2 Stay of proceedings 222


Chapter 13 Summary Judgment 13.1 Introduction 225 13.2 Circumstances in which summary judgment is appropriate 226 13.3 Bringing an application for summary judgment 227

13.3.1 Plaintiff's notice of application 228 13.3.2 The content of the plaintiff's affidavit 228

13.3.2.1 Swearing positively to the facts 229 13.4 Opposing an application for summary judgment 229

13.4.1 Payment of security 229 13.4.2 A bona fide defence 230

13.4.2.1 Affidavit or oral evidence 230 13.4.2.2 Time periods 230 13.4.2.3 Deponent to the opposing affidavit 230 13.4.2.4 The contents of the affidavit 231

13.4.3 Defective summons or application 232 13.4.4 Counterclaim 232

13.5 Further evidence and affidavits 232 13.6 The hearing and the court's discretion 233 13.7 Costs 234 13.8 The impact of the National Credit Act 235 13.9 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 235

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Chapter 14 Defective Processes and Non-compliance with the Rules 14.1 Introduction 237 14.2 Exception 237 14.3 When an exception may be taken 238

14.3.1 A pleading is vague and embarrassing 239 14.3.1.1 A pleading lacks averments 241 14.3.1.2 The procedure for taking an exception 244

14.4 The application to strike out or "motion to expunge" 245 14.4.1 The difference between an exception and a striking-out 245 14.4.2 Grounds 246 14.4.3 Procedure 248

14.5 The irregular step 249 14.5.1 The procedure 251

14.6 Summary 251 14.7 Non-compliance and deviation from the rules 252

14.7.1 Barring in the High Court 252 14.7.1.1 Effects of barring 252 14.7.1.2 Discharge of bar or extension by agreement 253 14.7.1.3 Discharge of bar, extension of time and

condonation 253 14.7.1.4 Non-compiiance with the High Court Rules 254

14.7.2 Barring in Magistrates'Courts 254 14.7.2.1 Non-compliance with the Magistrates' Courts Rules

and condonation 255 14.7.2.2 Extension of time limits 256 14.7.2.3 Condonation of short service 257

14.8 Further particulars for the purposes of pleading 257 14.9 Request for copies 258 14.10 Annexure 259 14.11 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 260

Chapter 15 Settlement Offers or Tenders, Security for Costs and Mediation

15.1 Introduction 261 15.2 Offers at common law 261 15.3 Offer or tender to settle in the High Court 263

15.3.1 Written offer or tender 263 15.3.2 Other offers of settlement 265

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Page 15.3.3 Notice of offer or tender 265 15.3.4 Settlement procedure 266

15.4 Offer or tender to settle in Magistrates' Courts 267 15.4.1 General 267 15.4.2 Procedural issues 268 15.4.3 Pleading a tender 268

15.5 Settling a matter prior to trial 269 15.5.1 The position in the High Court 269 15.5.2 The position in Magistrates'Courts 269

15.6 Settling a matter by consent to judgment 269 15.6.1 Consent in the High Court and Magistrates'Courts 269 15.6.2 Section 57 of the Magistrates' Courts Act: Admission of liability

and an undertaking to pay a debt in instalments or otherwise 270 15.6.3 Section 58 of the Magistrates' Courts Act: Consent to

judgment or to judgment and an order for the payment of the judgment debt in instalments 271

15.7 Recording a settlement agreement 272 15.8 Interim settlement offers in the High Court and Magistrates' Courts 272 15.9 Security for costs 273

15.9.1 Introduction 273 15.9.2 Security in the High Court 274

15.9.2.1 Peregrini 274 15.9.2.2 Unrehabilitated insolvents 275 15.9.2.3 Companies 275 15.9.2.4 Other circumstances 276

15.9.3 Application for security in the High Court 276 15.9.4 Security for costs in Magistrates'Courts 277

15.10 Statutory induced court-annexed mediation 278 15.10.1 Introduction 278 15.10.2 Definitions 279 15.10.3 Application of mediation rules 279 15.10.4 Functions and duties of clerks and registrars 280 15.10.5 Process regarding referral to mediation prior to commencement

of litigation 280 15.10.5.1 Referral by a party prior to trial 280 15.10.5.2 Referral by party after commencement of litigation

but prior to trial 282 15.10.5.3 Referral by party after the commencement of trial

but prior to judgment 282 15.10.5.4 Referral to mediation by court 282

15.10.6 Role and functions of mediator 282

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15.10.7 Suspension of time limits 283 15.10.8 Settlement agreements 283

15.10.8.1 Settlement reached 283 15.10.8.2 Settlement not reached 284

15.10.9 Multiple parties and multiple disputes 284 15.10.10 Representation of Parties to Mediation, Mediators and Fees 284 15.10.11 Conclusion 285


Chapter 16 The Plea, Counterclaim, Replication, Counterplea and Close of Pleadings

16.1 The plea 287 16.1.1 The rules and time periods 287 16.1.2 Failure to comply with the time periods 288 16.1.3 Contents of the plea 288

16.1.3.1 Plea on the merits 289 16.1.3.2 Structure of a plea on the merits 293 16.1.3.3 Special pleas 294

16.1.4 Failure to comply with the requirements regarding content 297 16.2 The replication 297

16.2.1 The rules and time periods 298 16.3 The counterclaim 298

16.3.1 The counterclaim procedure 299 16.4 The plea to the counterclaim (counterplea) 301

16.4,1 The procedure for the plea to the counterclaim 301 16.5 Subsequent pleadings 201 16.6 Close of pleadings 202 16.7 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 303

Chapter 17 Amendments of Pleadings 17.1 Introduction 305 17.2 General considerations when seeking an amendment 305 17.3 Specific instances when an amendment is sought 307 17.4 Amendment procedure 309 17.5 Examples in the electronic Precedents Pack 311

Chapter 18 Preparation for Trial 18.1 Introduction 313 18.2 Enrolment and set-down 314

18.2.1 Set-down for trial in the High Court 314 18.2.2 Set-down for trial in Magistrates' Courts 315

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Page 18.3 Discovery of documents 315

18.3.1 The discovery procedure 317 18.3.1.1 What must be discovered 317 18.3.1.2 When may a party call for discovery 319 18.3.1.3 Who may be compelled to discover 320 18.3.1.4 How discovery must be made 320 18.3.1.5 Further discovery 322 18.3.1.6 How to secure production of discovered documents.... 323 18.3.1.7 Other discovery rules 324 18.3.1.8 Sanctions 324 18.3.1.9 Practical compliance after the close of pleadings 325

18.4 Medical examinations 325 18.5 Inspection or examination of property and things 327 18.6 Expert evidence 328 18.7 Presentation of a plan, diagram, model or photograph 329 18.8 Further particulars for the purpose of preparing for trial 330

18.8.1 Scope and procedure 332 18.8.2 Failure to furnish particulars 333

18.9 The pre-trial conference 333 18.9.1 In the High Court 333

18.9.1.1 Scope and procedure 333 18.9.1.2 Minutes of the pre-trial conference 334

18.9.2 The pre-trial procedure for formulating issues in Magistrates' Courts 335

18.10 Subpoena (witness summons) 336 18.10.1 The position in the High Court 336 18.10.2 The position in Magistrates' Courts 337

18.11 Evidence on commission, interrogatories and affidavit 337 18.11.1 Evidence on commission 337 18.11.2 Evidence by way of interrogatories 338 18.11.3 Evidence on affidavit 339


Chapter 19 The Trial arid Judgment 19.1 Introduction 343 19.2 The stages in the adversarial trial process 344

19.2.1 The commencement of trial and the determination of onus 345 19.2.1.1 The incidence of the burden of proof 345 19.2.1.2 The duty to begin 346 19.2.1.3 The evidentiary burden 346

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19.3 The relationship between the primary onus, the evidentiary burden and the duty to begin 347

19.3.1 Examination of the witnesses 347

19.3.2 Absolution from the instance 343

19.3.3 The defendant's case 349

19.3.4 Closing arguments 350

19.3.5 Judgment 333

19.4 Balance of probabilities 333

19.5 Judgments and orders 331

19.6 Rescission and variation of judgments 351 19.6.1 Variation and rescission in the High Court 351

19.6.1.1 Common-law variation and rescission 351 19.6.1.2 HCR 42(1) 353

19.6.1.3 HCR 31 (2)(b) 354

19.6.1.4 Void and abandoned judgments 355 19.6.2 Rescission in Magistrates'Courts 355

19.7 Re-opening a case 333

19.8 Separation of issues 333

19.9 Incidental matters 333

19.10 Example in the electronic Precedents Pack 358

Chapter 20 Provisional Sentence Summons 20.1 Introduction 339

20.2 A liquid document 333

20.2.1 A written instrument 361 20.2.2 Signed by the defendant or the authorised agent 361 20.2.3 Unconditional acknowledgement of debt 361 20.2.4 A fixed amount in money 334

20.2.5 Certain other exceptions 364 20.3 The provisional sentence summons procedure 365

20.3.1 The application and motion procedure 365 20.3.1.1 The summons and commencement of proceedings 365 20.3.1.2 The defendant 366 20.3.1.3 The plaintiff 366 20.3.1.4 The onus of proof in provisional sentence procedure ... 366 20.3.1.5 The hearing 367 20.3.1.6 The court's discretion 368

20.4 The further procedure when provisional sentence is refused 369 20.5 The further procedure when provisional sentence is granted 369 20.6 The principal case 373


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Chapter 21 Appeals and Reviews in Civil Proceedings 21.1 Appeal and review contrasted 373 21.2 Review 375

21.2.1 Review of proceedings in Magistrates' Courts 375 21.2.1.1 Grounds for review of proceedings of

Magistrates' Courts 376 21.2.2 Review of the decision of a High Court judge 377 21.2.3 Procedure on review 378

21.3 Appeals 379 21.3.1 When does an appeal lie? 379 21.3.2 Examples of decisions (judgments, orders and rulings) 381 21.3.3 Instances in which no appeal lies 382 21.3.4 When leave to appeal will be granted 382

21.4 Appeals from Magistrates' Courts 384 21.4.1 When does an appeal lie in a Magistrates' Court? 384

21.4.1.1 Section 83 of the Magistrates'Courts Act 384 21.4.1.2 Section 48 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 385

21.4.2 Procedure to be followed 386 21.4.2.1 In the Magistrates'Court 386 21.4.2.2 In the High Court 387

21.4.3 Powers of a court of appeal 389 21.4.4 Further appeal 389

21.5 Appeals from superior courts 390 21.5.1 General 390 21.5.2 Suspension of decision pending the appeal 391 21.5.3 Procedure to be followed 392

21.5.3.1 Appeals to a full court of a division of the High Court 392

21.5.3.2 Appeals to the Supreme Court of Appeal 395 21.5.4 Powers of a court of appeal 398 21.5.5 Further appeal 399

21.6 Appeals to the Constitutional Court 399 21.6.1 Appeals from a Magistrates' Court 399 21.6.2 Appeals from the High Court 399 21.6.3 Accessing the Constitutional Court directly 400

21.6.3.1 Constitutional Court Rule 18 read with section 167(6)(a) of the Constitution 400

21.6.3.2 Constitutional Court Rule 19 read with section 167(6)(b) of the Constitution 400

21.6.3.3 Section 172(2)(a) and (d) read with section 167(5) of the Constitution 401

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21.7 Costs of appeal 431


Chapter 22 Execution 22.1 Introduction 403

22.1.1 General 403

22.1.2 Developments regarding execution against immovable property 404

22.2 Property that may be attached in execution 407 22.2.1 Movable, immovable and incorporeal property 407 22.2.2 Property exempt from attachment and execution 410

22.3 The writ or warrant of execution 412 22.3.1 Form of the writ in the High Court 412 22.3.2 Form of the warrant in Magistrates' Courts 412

22.4 Execution in the High Court 413

22.4.1 Attachment and execution against movables 413 22.4.2 Attachment and execution against immovable property 414

22.5 Execution in Magistrates'Courts 416 22.5.1 Attachment and execution against movables 416 22.5.2 Attachment and execution against immovable property 419

22.6 Garnishee orders 431

22.7 Suspension of execution in cases on appeal 422 22.8 Interpleader proceedings 433

22.8.1 Interpleader proceedings in the High Court 424 22.8.2 Interpleader proceedings in Magistrates'Courts 433

22.9 Section 127 of the National Credit Act 427 22.10 Cross-border enforcement of judgments 427

22.10.1 Outward-bound enforcement 428 22.10.2 Inward-bound enforcement 428

22.11 Example in the electronic Precedents Pack 429

Chapter 23 Debt Collection and Administrations 23.1 Introduction 43^

23.1.1 The section 65A( 1) notice 432 23.1.2 The section 65 hearing 433 23.1.3 Failure to appear at section 65 proceedings 434 23.1.4 Notice in lieu of arrest 434 23.1.5 Failure to appear 434

23.1.6 Summary inquiry into contempt 435 23.1.7 Rights to be observed 435

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Page 23.2 Emoluments attachment orders 436

23.2.1 When to apply for an emoluments attachment order 436 23.2.2 Jurisdiction in respect of emoluments attachment orders 436 23.2.3 Requirements for the issue of an emoluments attachment

order 437 23.2.4 The difference between an emoluments attachment order

and a garnishee order 437 23.3 Administration orders 438

23.3.1 Application for an administration order 438 23.3.1.1 The application 439 23.3.1.2 The hearing of the application for administration 439 23.3.1.3 The contents of an administration order 439

23.3.2 Execution of the administration order 440 23.3.3 Other requirements flowing from an administration order 441 23.3.4 Amendment and lapsing of an administration order 441

23.4 The impact of the National Credit Act on debt collection 441

Chapter 24 Legal Costs 24.1 Introduction 443 24.2 The general rules relating to legal costs 445 24.3 Terminology relevant to legal costs 447

24.3.1 Party-and-party costs 447 24.3.2 Attorney-and-client costs 447 24.3.3 Attorney-and-own-client costs 448 24.3.4 Costs de bonis propriis 448 24.3.5 Wasted costs 449 24.3.6 Costs reserved 449 24.3.7 Costs in the cause 449 24.3.8 Costs of the day 449 24.3.9 All costs 449 24.3.10 No costs order 449

24.4 Taxation of bills of cost 449 24.5 Costs and tariffs 451

24.5.1 High Court 451 24.5.2 Magistrates'Courts 451

Table of Cases 455

Table of Legislative Material 475

Index 495

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Fundamental Principles of Civil Procedure Third Edition C ...

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