Law of Delict (PVL3003F) complete course notes

The following is an overview of the topics to be covered in this course.

Topics:

 1.  Introduction to the Law of Delict

• Definition(s)
• Nature and purpose of the Law of Delict
• Historical context of the Law of Delict
• The Law of Delict in a Constitutional dispensation
• Delict and related concepts
• Essential elements and corresponding remedies

2.  Conduct and onus of proof

• Nature and characteristics of Conduct
• The Defence of Automatism

3.  Wrongfulness

• Introduction to wrongfulness
• Criteria for determining wrongfulness
• Wrongfulness and the infringement of a right
• Wrongfulness and breach of a legal duty
• Wrongfulness and breach of a statutory duty
• Public authorities

4.  Fault

• Capacity for fault and accountability
• Intention
• Negligence
• Contributory Fault

5.  Liability without fault

• Principles relating to liability without fault
• Vicarious liability
• Statutory liability

6.  Causation

• Factual Causation
  • conditio sine qua non test

• Legal Causation
  • Theories of legal causation, namely, adequate, direct consequences, fault, flexible, etc

7.  Harm and the Law of Damages 

• Introduction to the concepts harm and damage(s)
• Principles applicable to patrimonial loss
• Principles applicable to non-patrimonial loss
• RAF, COIDA and the Prescription

8.  Forms of liability 

• Pure Economic Loss (including negligent misrepresentation)
• Contract/Delict overlap
• Product Liability
• Unlawful Competition
• Psychological lesion (emotional shock)
• Infringement of Personality Interests (including defamation)

9.  Defences 

• Grounds of Justification aimed at excluding Wrongfulness
  • -consent
  • -necessity
  • -self defence
  • -provocation
• Grounds of Justification associated with the Infringement of Personality Interests

10.  Professional Liability 

• Errors and Omissions
• Positive Conduct

11.  Specific Forms of Liability: Patrimonial Harm & Pain & Suffering 

• Omission/Negligent Misstatements
• Pure Economic Harm/Interference with Contractual Relations
• Unlawful Competition
• Product Liability
• Breach of Statutory Duty
• Public Authorities
• Injury or Death of another Person
• Introduction to Third Party Compensation/Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996

12.  Specific Forms of Liability: Psychological or Emotional Harm 

• Emotional Shock

13.    Specific Forms of Liability: Personality Interests 

• Infringement of Bodily Interests (Focus on wrongful arrest and detention)
• Infringements of Dignity
• Infringements of Privacy
• Infringements of Identity
• Infringements of Reputation
• Grounds of Justification for Infringements of Personality Interests
• Actio Iniuriarum: Assessment and Quantification of Satisfaction
• Award

14.  Liability

• Liability: General Introduction
• Actio de Pauperie
• Vicarious Liability

Recommended Texts

1. G Feltoe, A Guide to the Zimbabwean Law of Delict, Legal Resources Foundation,
2. J Neethling et al, Law of Delict, Third Edition, Butterworths, Durban,
3. PQR Boberg, The Law of Delict: Acquilian Liability, Juta & , Capetown, 1993.
4. J Burchell, Principles of the Law of Delict, Juta & , Capetown, 1993.
5. J Burchell, The Law of Defamation in South Africa, Juta & , 1993.
6. RG McKerron, The Law of Delict, Juta &