Unit 1 - Slide Pack (For Notetaking)
Unit 1 - Slide Pack (For Notetaking)
Contracts
(LAWS3044A)
2025
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Slide 2
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Slide 3
Contracts are the basis for trade, industry and the country’s economy.
The law of contracts provides a legal framework, which provides for the following:
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Slide 4
What is a contract?
Definition of a contract (para 1.1)
“ Contracts are agreements between parties who have the intention to create
legal rights and duties between them and which are legally binding on the
parties [which the law recognises as being valid and enforceable]”
1. “Contracts are agreements” (not all agreements are contracts, but all contracts are indeed agreements
– what’s the difference?).
2. “Between parties” (this relates to the creation of “personal rights” and principle of “privity of
contracts”.
3. “Create legal rights and duties” (this relates to the principle of “animus contrahendo”
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Slide 5
Format of a Contract
Verbal (oral).
Requirements
A contract must meet the requirements for a valid contract. Possibly Legality
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Slide 6
Animus Contrahendi
Not all agreements are contracts (but all contracts are agreements).
The distinguishing factor is the parties have the serious intention to contract (the Latin word for this is called
animus contrahendi).
Serious intention to contract (or animus contrahendi) talks to the contracting parties intended to create
legal rights and duties between them.
Agreements that lack the serious intention to contract (or animus contrahendi) are social agreements.
Examples include:
Gentlemen’s agreement.
Letter of intent.
Memorandum of understanding.
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Slide 7
Case Law
Kgopana v Matlala 2019 JDR 2365 (SCA)
Kgopana and Matlala had a romantic relationship, from which there was a child.
Kgopana had to pay maintenance for the child (e.g., via a court order). There was
negotiations to pay for the maintenance via a pension payout. However, subsequently,
Kgopana won the Lottery. He sent the following WhatsApp message to Matlala:
“'if I get 20m I can give all my children 1 m and remain with 13m .I will just stay
at home and not driving up and down looking for tenders’” Remember:
You must read
Matlala action against Kgopana was based on the above WhatsApp. and study the
What did the court say in relation to the principle of animus contrahendo. case in full!
Take special note of the court’s conclusions in paragraphs 12 -13.
You will need re-read this case when you have studied Units 2-6, at which stage you
will need to also understand what the decision’s approach was to:
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Slide 8
Exercise 1.1
1. Give two examples of a contract Warm-Up
2. Give two examples of an oral and tacit contract Exercise
3. Give two examples of a social agreement
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Slide 9
Legal Obligations
There are civil obligations, natural obligations and moral obligations
Contracts are juristic acts (they create legal obligations between the contracting parties).
The legal obligation is a “legal tie” (in Latin this is called vinculum iurus) which exists between two or
more people.
One party has the duty to perform (debtor) and the other party has the corresponding right to receive
performance (creditor).
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Slide 10
Types of Performance
Non facere (to refrain from doing something e.g., restraint of trade or non-compete).
A
Debtor dare / facere / non facere
B
Creditor
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Slide 11
Types of Performance
It is possible for a contract to create more than one obligation.
Separate obligations arise for each of the performances (each performance has as right (creditor) and a
duty (debtor).
Legal Relationship (Bilateral Obligation)
Duty Performance Right
A B
Debtor dare / facere / non facere Creditor
A B
Creditor dare / facere / non facere Debtor
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Slide 12
Exercise 1.2
Identify the performance due in each of the following contracts and determine
whether it is dare, facere or non facere:
a) Cecilia and her 18-year-old daughter Grace agree that Cecilia will give
Grace her old car.
Beginner Level
b) Kabelo promises to sing at a charity concert for the Thuli Children’s Fund. Question
The Fund thanks him profusely.
c) X contracts with his neighbour Y that X will not play loud music on Sundays.
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Slide 13
Exercise 1.3
Refer back to Exercise 1.2(a). Cecilia’s duty to give Grace her car arises
immediately upon the conclusion of the contract. Assume that they
agree that performance in terms of their contract will take place at the
end of the month. However, the day after reaching this agreement,
Cecilia decides that she would rather give the car to her other daughter Can Cecilia
Ursula. change her
mind?
Can Cecilia now refuse to give Grace the car?
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Slide 14
Sources of Liability
There are different sources where a person may be found
Sources of Liability
legally liable.
Contract This means that there are areas in the law that places a duty
on a person.
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Slide 15
Personal rights can only be enforced against the parties to the contract.
Real rights are absolute and can be enforced against anyone in the world.
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Slide 16
Exercise 1.7
a) X contracts with Y that X will give his car to Y. It turns out
that X stole the car, and that the true owner of the car is Z. Think about how
Can Y claim the car from Z? Why/why not? real rights and
b) Assume that X already gave the car to Y. Can Z claim the personal rights
car from Y? Why/why not? apply here.
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Slide 17
Exercise 1.8
C Bank concludes a written contract with D that he will stand
guard at one of their ATMs after hours and on weekends, and that
he will take all reasonable steps to prevent their customers from Think about the
being robbed when using the ATM. principle of
One night, D decides that he would rather go to a party thrown by “ privity of
his best friend than guard the ATM. That night, E, a customer of C contracts”
Bank, is robbed when using the ATM. Can E sue D for breach of
contract? Why/why not?
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Slide 18
Cornerstones of a Contract
There are four cornerstones to a contract:
Good faith reflects the idea that parties must act honestly and fairly
in their dealings with one another (which is reflected in contractual
doctrine and closely linked to the principle of public policy).
Good faith
Privity of contract reflects the principle that rights and duties can via public
only be enforced between the parties to the contract. policy
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Slide 19
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Slide 20
Case Law
Barkhuizen v Napier 2007 (5) SA 323 (CC)
However, this poses a challenge. When reading (and studying this case), you should You only need
focus on: to study the
majority
The court’s interpretation of section 39(2), section 36 and section 172(1)(a). E.g.,
what did the court say about these provisions?
decision.
What did the court conclude? E.g. how should the Constitution apply to private
contractual engagements?
Remember you need to be able to read, analyse and explain the court’s position.
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Slide 21
Case Law
Beadica 231 CC and Others v Trustees, Oregon Trust and Others 2020 (5) SA 247 (CC)
Since the Barkhuizen case there was inconsistency in the application of the equity
principles (fairness, reasonableness, good faith and Ubuntu) in contracts. This
necessitated the Constitutional Court to confirm its earlier decision in Barkhuizen.
Central to the issue was when judicial intervention or control is permitted to amend the
contractual terms of the contracting parties in instances of bad faith, unfairness or
unreasonableness. You only need
Take note: to study the
majority
You should (after having read and studied the Barkhuizen case) has a good
understanding of the approach of the Constitutional Court.
decision.
You need to, be able to explain what the Constitutional Court added to the
discussion.
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Slide 22
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Slide 23
This leads to the principle that contracts freely entered into should be honoured e.g., sanctity of contracts
(pacta sunt servanda). This is the cornerstone of commercial activity.
Although contracts are subject to judicial control via the Constitution, the Constitution is not applied directly
but rather indirectly through the principle of public policy.
Public policy incorporates values in the Bill of Rights, fairness, reasonableness & Ubuntu.
A courts cannot refuse to enforce a contract because it would be subjectively unfair, unreasonably or unduly
harsh. A court’s power to judicially intervene is limited to instances where the contract if it is against public
policy.
Onus of proof lies with the person who alleges the contract has infringed public policy.
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Slide 24
Exercise 1.10
Alex asks the cashier at the Wits Cafeteria for a bottle of sparkling
mineral water. She replies, ‘That will be R10 please.’ The cashier hands
the water to him as he searches for his wallet. To his surprise, the water
is lukewarm.
a) Is there a valid contract between Alex and the Wits Cafeteria? Put your
b) If so, what are the rights and duties created by the contract knowledge to
between Alex and the Wits Cafeteria? More specifically, did the the test!
Cafeteria have a duty to give Alex a cold bottle of water?
c) If so, has the Cafeteria breached its duty to Alex and further, would
he be entitled to contractual remedies?
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Slide 25
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Slide 26
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Slide 27
Who is the Consumer? (This is the person who receives goods / services)
Always applies to natural persons.
Only applies to juristic person with asset value / annual turnover of R 2 mil or more.
Are there any other prohibitions / limitations / exclusions under section 5 applicable?
e.g., employment contract, collective bargaining agreement etc.
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Slide 28
Keep Practicing
Sometimes additional resources and exercises will be posted on Ulwazi
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Slide 29
- Mark Twain
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