Programees and Projects as Instruments for Development

# 2011 University of South Africa All rights reserved Printed and published by the University of South Africa Muckleneuk, Pretoria SCW2601/1/2012±2018 98794183 3B2

CONTENTS

Study unit Page (xii)

OVERVIEW

PART 1: LAW IN GENERAL

INTRODUCTION STUDY UNIT 1: THE CONCEPT OF ``THE LAW''

1.1 1.1.1 1.1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.4 1.2 1.2.1 1.3 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 1.3.4 1.3.5 1.3.5.1 1.3.5.2 1.3.5.3 1.3.5.4 1.4 What is law? Definition of ``the law'' Legal rules are rules (norms) of human conduct Legal rules are sanctioned by the state The function or purpose of the law Law and justice Law ± a system of rules and a system of rights The branches of law What are rights? Right = legal relationship Four kinds of legal relationships Right = power Right = capacity or competency Rights = human rights What are human rights? Origin of the idea of human rights Three categories of human rights The South African Bill of Rights The connection between ``the law'' and ``rights'' 2 3 3 4 4 4 6 7 7 7 9 9 9 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 16

SCW2601/1/2012±2018

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STUDY UNIT 2: A BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY OF SOUTH AFRICAN LAW

2.1 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4 Introduction Origins of South African law Roman law Roman-Dutch law English law Indigenous law

19 19 19 20 20 20 20 23 23 24 24 26 26 27 29 29 30 30 30 31 31 36 36 36 37 37 37 37 38 38 50 51 52 52 52 58 58 58 59

STUDY UNIT 3: SOURCES OF SOUTH AFRICAN LAW

3.1 3.2 3.2.1 3.2.1.1 3.2.2 3.2.2.1 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5 3.2.6 3.2.7 3.2.8 3.3 Introduction Sources of South African law Legislation (statutes) The Constitution as a source of law Court decisions The precedent system Common law Customary law Indigenous law Roman law Works of modern writers Other modern legal systems An example of how our courts consult the sources of law before reaching a decision

STUDY UNIT 4: READING AND STUDYING COURT DECISIONS AND STATUTES

4.1 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.1.1 4.2.1.2 4.2.1.3 4.3 4.3.1 4.4 4.4.1 4.5 4.5.1 4.5.2 4.5.3 4.5.4 4.5.5 4.5.6 (iv) Introduction Where to find court...