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Transcript of Civil Proc Slides
![Page 1: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
TERM 2:PLEADING STAGE
(1) CONTINUE WITH SUMMONS/POC(2) NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DEFEND
Civil Procedure A
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Basic pleadings (continued)
• Implications of not following HC rule 18(12) & MC rule 6(13)
• Failure to comply with provisions– Pleadings deemed irregular step – Opposite party – application to set aside pleadings– Certain circumstances – pleadings ‘excipiable’– Pleader’s failure to rectify pleadings – claim/defence
dismissed/set aside.
• Step 1: summons and particulars of claim (continued)
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Basic pleadings (continued)
• Provisions for summonses relating exclusively to MC’s– Electronic addresses
• Plaintiff’s attorney must include electronic, facsimile and postal address in summons
• Plaintiff may indicate preferred manner of service• Defendant consents to exchange/service of subsequent documents
and notices by way of facsimile/electronic mail• Should defendant refuse/fail to consent – court may on application
by plaintiff grant consent – just and appropriate terms as to costs.
• Step 1: summons and particulars of claim (continued)
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Basic pleadings (continued)
• Provisions for summonses relating exclusively to MC’s (continued)– Provision for jurisdictional averments
• Defendant cited under jurisdiction conferred on court by S 28(1)(d) of Act – averment that whole CoA arose within district/region
• When plaintiff relies on S 28(1)(g) – averment that property situated within district/region
– Abandonment of part of claim under S 38 of Act – Set-off under S 39 of Act.
• Step 1: summons and particulars of claim (continued)
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Basic pleadings (continued)
• Service and methods of service (see pgs 6-7)– NB substituted service and edictal citation
• Lapsing and superannuation of summons– MC rule 10 eliminated by new rule 10 providing for Edictal
Citation– Matter always governed by common law in HC
• Plaintiff must proceed with action within reasonable time• Failure = summons becoming ‘stale’• ‘Reasonable time’ depends on case’s facts – final decision in court’s
discretion.
• Step 1: summons and particulars of claim (continued)
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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PARTICULARS OF CLAIM The Plaintiff is B Torr, an adult businessman of 15 High Street, Grahamstown. The Defendant is A Cox, an adult teacher whose full names are to the Plaintiff unknown of 124 Disa Street, Port Elizabeth. During or about February 2009 and at Grahamstown, Plaintiff and one Peter Twice, entered into a verbal agreement in terms of which Plaintiff agreed to sell and deliver to Peter Twice certain building materials, at a costs of R 155 000,00 to be paid in cash on delivery. Plaintiff duly delivered the building material to Defendant at his place of residence on 21 February 2009. Defendant paid to Plaintiff an initial amount of R 45 000,00 on delivery of the building material. Notwithstanding demand, Defendant has failed to pay the balance of R 110 000,00 to the Plaintiff . Defendant is also indebted to ABC (Pty) Ltd in the sum of R 30 000,00 for a similar transaction as referred to in paragraph 3 above. In the premises Defendant is indebted to Plaintiff in the sum of R 110 000,00. WHEREFORE PLAINTIFF PRAYS FOR JUDGMENT AS AGAINST THE DEFENDANT FOR: Payment of the sum of R 110 000,00;Interest thereon from 22 February 2009 to date of payment;Costs of Suit;Further and/or alternative relief.
![Page 7: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Basic pleadings (continued)
• Summons served – defendant several choices– Do nothing– Contact plaintiff’s attorney – attempt to settle
matter by agreement– MC – ‘consent to judgment’, HC – ‘confession to
judgment’– Defend matter – enter ‘appearance to defend’ –
matter on defended basis.
• Step 2: notice of intention to defend
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Basic pleadings (continued)• Notice• Delivery of notice• Dies induciae
• Step 2: notice of intention to defend (continued)
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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For next week:• Public lecture: The recognition of a class action in
South Africa (Mon, 1715)
• Guest lecture: The impact of the Constitution on the law of civil procedure (Tues, 1030)
• Hand-in of assignments: either 1230 or 1630 (Tues)
• BREAK?: two thirds of class attend public lecture (Wed, 1030)
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Civil Procedure A
Counterclaims, FP, litis contestatio
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Counterclaims• Overview
– Claim brought by defendant against plaintiff– Plaintiff’s claim = claim in convention – Defendant’s counter-claim = claim in reconvention– Normal rules for drafting particulars of claim apply to counterclaims– Counter-claim linked to plaintiff’s claim– Normally parties same – defendant sued in personal capacity – may
counter-claim in representative capacity– Claim and counter-claim heard at same hearing, unless they arise
from different sets of facts– Judgments should be given pari passu/simultaneously in MC and
HC.• Procedure?• Counterclaims in the MC?
![Page 12: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Replication, reply, etc!• Replication
– Only necessary if defendant raises new averments in plea – plaintiff cannot leave unchallenged
– Defendant makes new averments as part of plea of confession and avoidance
• Possible steps after replication– Defendant’s rejoinder to plaintiff’s replication– Plaintiff’s surrejoinder to defendant’s ‘rejoinder’– Defendant’s rebutter to plaintiff’s ‘surrejoinder’– Plaintiff’s surrebutter to defendant’s ‘rebutter’– Only necessary to respond by means of above pleadings
when new averments are made in previous pleading
![Page 13: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Litis Contestatio• Litis contestatio: exact time pleadings close, moment
issue joined between parties• Effect: freezes plaintiff’s rights at that moment• Instances where pleadings considered closed:
1. Party joined issue without alleging new matter and without adding further pleading
2. Last day allowed for filing replication/subsequent pleading elapsed – not filed
3. Parties agree in writing that pleadings are closed and agreement filed with registrar
4. Parties unable to agree on close of pleadings – court declares them closed.
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Further particulars BEFORE close of pleadings?(pp 9-10)
• General overview– HC rule 35(12) and MC rule 23(13)– Purpose: presumably to ensure party is in position to reply to
pleadings.– Not necessary to wait until close of pleadings– Request inspection by serving notice according to HC Form
15/MC Form 15B– Applicable to applications and actions– Appearance to defend entered – request to make available for
inspection clearly specified document/‘tape recording’ for pleading purposes
– Vague request for general class of documents not permitted– Must be relevant ‘to a reasonably anticipated issue in the action’
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Preparation for trial• Step 1: Setting matter down for trial• Step 2: Discovery process• Step 3: Technical and medical examinations• Step 4: Obtaining further particulars for trial• Step 5: Issuing necessary subpoenas• Step 6: Arranging for special evidence• Step 7: Arranging and attending pre-trial
conference• Step 8: Final preparation for trial – advice on
evidence.
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Motswai v RAF 2013 (3) SA 8 (SGHC)• ‘Dishonest litigation’ by ‘carnivorous’ and
‘predatory’ litigators: ‘mount the steed of greed’• Process systematically exploited by a predatory
cabal of administrators, attorneys, advocates and professional experts, to the detriment of accident victims and taxpayers.
• Para 61 (claims by legal practitioners)• Paras 71-72 (claims by expert witnesses)• Hearing to determine: costs (AND
disbursements!!) de bonis propriis
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CIVIL PROCEDURE A
Declarations and the defence (technical basis)
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Introduction
• • The Sheriff (Serves documents) The Clerk / Registrar (court admin)
Prelitigation (prelim issues,
demand) Litigation (pleadings, prep for trial)
Trial Post Litigation (costs)
material dispute of facts legislation
(summons v notice of motion)
Key Officials
Stages of a Dispute
Action / Application
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Stage one: before On what basis am I suing?
ContractDelict
Who can sue or be sued?Common law: Direct & Subst InterestLegislation: Section 38 (Const)Capacity: minors, mentally ill, prodigals, insolvents, judges, p/ships
Which court must I sue out of?Value of claim
Nature of Claim
Is it necessary?Complete cause of actionLegislation
Cause of Action
Locus Standi
Jurisidiction
Demand
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Stage two: pleadings m
RETURN OF SERVICE
Defend Ignore Settle /Consent
SUMMONS & PARTICULARS OF CLAIM
Notice of Intention to Defend
Default judgment
-Satisfy Claim (s 57)-Consent to
judgment (s 58)-Settle
-Pay into court
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Declarations
–Only necessary in actions with simple summons
–HC rule 20 and new MC rule 15• Like a POC• Default?
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Defence on a technicality (NB but also responses to defective pleadings and non-compliance with
rules)
• General overview– Pleadings that fail to concisely and accurately define
issues in matter/do not comply with court rules– Procedures to attack defective pleadings:
• Exception• Application to strike out
– Procedures to respond to breaches of court rules• Application to set aside irregular step• Enforcing compliance and condoning non-compliance with rules
– Procedure to cure defective pleadings.PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Exceptions
– Legal objection to pleading – pleading not legally valid for purpose
– Defect apparent ex facie document – excipiable– Party bringing exception = excipient– Defect in pleading not apparent ex facie pleading –
exception itself bad– Effect: dismissal/setting aside of claim/defence.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Exceptions
• 2 major grounds for taking exception1. Failure to disclose CoA/defence
• Most serious fault• Bring exception – truth of each allegation in pleading not
questioned• Defendant’s plea – material facts necessary for defence
to plaintiff’s CoA – failure, plea excipiable.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Scallan v Cadbury (Pty) Ltd (2006) 8 BLLR 811 (SE). Both Mr Buchanan and Mr Redding submitted, however, that a constitutional claim could and should be implied from the averments set out in the particulars of claim. I must confess to an inability to grasp the basis upon which such implication should be drawn from the particulars of claim as it stands. I am put in mind, however, of the pictures which were once a popular feature on the back of cereal boxes some years ago. The seemingly unintelligible jumble of dots and squiggles, if stared at long enough, would suddenly resolve themselves, for instance, into a picture of a tiger lurking in the foliage. I have stared long and hard at the pleadings but it does not appear to me that any tiger in the form of a constitutional claim is lurking in the verbiage thereof. However, when two senior counsel, each instructed by an experienced attorney, assure one that it is indeed there, then one is loath mero motu to decide otherwise. Despite my reservations I will therefore proceed to deal with the exception in the light of counsels’ submissions.
![Page 26: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Exceptions
• 2 major grounds for taking exception (continued)2. Vague and embarrassing
• Pleading ambiguous/lacks clarity• Vagueness must result in prejudice/‘embarrassment’• Strikes at formulation of CoA, not legal validity• Examples:
– Lack of clarity/ambiguity– Omission of material facts– Contradictions in pleadings.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Exceptions
• Prejudice requirement• Harmonisation of practice regarding exceptions in MC
& HC
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Exceptions• Procedure for lodging exception
– Procedure in general– Time periods– Notice– Hearing– Consequences for failing to lodge exception– Consequences of successful exception– Overlap with special plea?
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Applications to strike out• Offending averment deleted/erased from
pleading– 2 requirements
• Distinction between exception and application to strike out
• Within period allowed for filing any subsequent pleading.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Other responses to defective pleadings and non-compliance with rules
1. Application to set aside irregular step (rule 30A, 27)
2. MC Rule 60 – non-compliance with rules, including time limits and errors
3. Amendment of pleadings
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Agenda:Applications to strike out and pleas
Notice of Intention to Defend
Substantive Technicality grounds
Plea Exception/ Appl to strike out
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Applications to strike out• Offending averment deleted/erased from
pleading– 2 requirements
• Distinction between exception and application to strike out
• Within period allowed for filing any subsequent pleading.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
![Page 33: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
• Plea
– General overview• Plea: defendant’s reply to plaintiff’s particulars of claim
and defendant’s defence• Plea on merits
– Substance of plaintiff’s claim– Attacks validity of CoA regarding facts of case
• Special plea– Legal objection to some aspect of plaintiff’s claim
• Plea on merits added as alternative to special plea.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
![Page 34: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Plea on merits
• Time limits– Defendant must deliver 20 days after delivering notice
of intention to defend/receiving plaintiff’s declaration– NA in case of exception/application to strike out
• Different kinds of pleas on merits» Admit allegation» Deny allegation» Confess and avoid allegation» Not admit allegation.
• 3 general responses» Counter-claim» Alternative defence» Tender.PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
![Page 35: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Drafting plea on merits
• Pleadings divided into consecutively numbered paragraphs each containing allegations of fact
• Isolate allegations and respond • Admit ‘all the allegations’.• Drafting different plea responses• Respond (Yes’, or ‘No’, or ‘Yes But...’, or ‘I have no way of knowing,
you prove it.’, admit ‘all the allegations’) to each allegation in every paragraph of particulars of claim/declaration
• After responding end off plea with a prayer.• Dealing with all plaintiff’s allegations: Fail to deal with each and
every fact in particulars of claim/declaration – facts ought to have been denied – deemed admitted
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Special pleas• Dilatory special pleas
– Arbitration– Lis pendens
• Special pleas in abatement– Special plea of prescription– Special plea of misjoinder/non-joinder– Special plea of res judicata– Special plea to jurisdiction– Special plea of non locus standi in judicio (lack of locus
standi).
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Drafting and hearing a special plea?• Raised at start of defendant’s plea in separate section
with heading ‘Defendant’s Special Plea’• Statement – defendant raising particular special plea• Facts upon which special plea based• No uniform practice regarding need to plead over on
merits – all defences defendant intends to raise – raised at same time.
• Separate hearings for special pleas?• No provision for separate hearings of special pleas in MC
– S 54 conference– HC rule 33(4)
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Civil Procedure A
Counterclaims, FP, litis contestatio
![Page 39: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Counterclaims• Overview
– Claim brought by defendant against plaintiff– Plaintiff’s claim = claim in convention – Defendant’s counter-claim = claim in reconvention– Normal rules for drafting particulars of claim apply to counterclaims– Counter-claim linked to plaintiff’s claim– Normally parties same – defendant sued in personal capacity – may
counter-claim in representative capacity– Claim and counter-claim heard at same hearing, unless they arise
from different sets of facts– Judgments should be given pari passu/simultaneously in MC and
HC.• Procedure?• Counterclaims in the MC?
![Page 40: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Replication, reply, etc!• Replication
– Only necessary if defendant raises new averments in plea – plaintiff cannot leave unchallenged
– Defendant makes new averments as part of plea of confession and avoidance
• Possible steps after replication– Defendant’s rejoinder to plaintiff’s replication– Plaintiff’s surrejoinder to defendant’s ‘rejoinder’– Defendant’s rebutter to plaintiff’s ‘surrejoinder’– Plaintiff’s surrebutter to defendant’s ‘rebutter’– Only necessary to respond by means of above pleadings
when new averments are made in previous pleading
![Page 41: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Litis Contestatio• Litis contestatio: exact time pleadings close, moment
issue joined between parties• Effect: freezes plaintiff’s rights at that moment• Instances where pleadings considered closed:
1. Party joined issue without alleging new matter and without adding further pleading
2. Last day allowed for filing replication/subsequent pleading elapsed – not filed
3. Parties agree in writing that pleadings are closed and agreement filed with registrar
4. Parties unable to agree on close of pleadings – court declares them closed.
![Page 42: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Further particulars BEFORE close of pleadings?(pp 9-10)
• General overview– HC rule 35(12) and MC rule 23(13)– Purpose: presumably to ensure party is in position to reply to
pleadings.– Not necessary to wait until close of pleadings– Request inspection by serving notice according to HC Form
15/MC Form 15B– Applicable to applications and actions– Appearance to defend entered – request to make available for
inspection clearly specified document/‘tape recording’ for pleading purposes
– Vague request for general class of documents not permitted– Must be relevant ‘to a reasonably anticipated issue in the action’
![Page 43: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Preparation for trial• Step 1: Setting matter down for trial• Step 2: Discovery process• Step 3: Technical and medical examinations• Step 4: Obtaining further particulars for trial• Step 5: Issuing necessary subpoenas• Step 6: Arranging for special evidence• Step 7: Arranging and attending pre-trial
conference• Step 8: Final preparation for trial – advice on
evidence.
![Page 44: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Motswai v RAF 2013 (3) SA 8 (SGHC)• ‘Dishonest litigation’ by ‘carnivorous’ and
‘predatory’ litigators: ‘mount the steed of greed’• Process systematically exploited by a predatory
cabal of administrators, attorneys, advocates and professional experts, to the detriment of accident victims and taxpayers.
• Para 61 (claims by legal practitioners)• Paras 71-72 (claims by expert witnesses)• Hearing to determine: costs (AND
disbursements!!) de bonis propriis
![Page 45: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Civil Procedure A
Prep for trial (FP and Discovery)
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Preparation for trial• Step 1: Setting matter down for trial• Step 2: Discovery process• Step 3: Technical and medical examinations• Step 4: Obtaining further particulars for trial• Step 5: Issuing necessary subpoenas• Step 6: Arranging for special evidence• Step 7: Arranging and attending pre-trial
conference• Step 8: Final preparation for trial – advice on
evidence.
![Page 47: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Further particulars BEFORE close of pleadings?(pp 9-10)
• General overview– HC rule 35(12) and MC rule 23(13)– Purpose: presumably to ensure party is in position to reply to
pleadings.– Not necessary to wait until close of pleadings– Applicable to applications and actions– Appearance to defend entered – request to make available for
inspection clearly specified document/‘tape recording’ for pleading purposes
– Vague request for general class of documents not permitted– Must be relevant ‘to a reasonably anticipated issue in the
action’
![Page 48: Civil Proc Slides](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081505/577cc4201a28aba7119834eb/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Further particulars for trial (AFTER close of pleadings)
– Further particulars only permitted for purpose of trial preparation
– Purpose?• Prevent surprises at trial• Inform party what opponent is going to prove to enable
him to prepare case– 2 considerations – render requesting further
particulars pointless– Procedure?
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Discovery procedure “Means by which each party can compel the other to
reveal the documentary evidence which he has in his possession or under his control, which relate to the action and which he intends to use in the action or which tend to prove or disprove either party’s case’(Eckard, 194)
• Purpose: – allows each party knowledge of/access to documents in opponent’s
possession relevant to trial– Prevents parties being surprised and eliminates disputes about issues
where evidence is incontrovertible
• HC rule 35 and MC rule 23
• S 50 Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 ('PAIA').
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Procedure?• Prompted by notice to discover• In response:
– Affidavit filed with 2 schedules• Automatic discovery? (HC v MC)• Contents?: Information may ‘fairly’ lead ‘train of enquiry’
that may advance case/damage opponent’s case• Privileged documents: opponent not entitled to inspect:
– Witness statements taken for purposes of proceedings– Communications btn att and client, att and advocate
• Failure to discover?
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Follow up notices:• Notice to inspect:
– Party delivers notices to other party – requiring documents/‘tape recordings’ (extended meaning) discovered to be made available for inspection
– When and where?
• Notice to specify
• Notice to produce
• Notice to admit
PART 2: B: PRE-TRIAL PROCEDURE
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For last week:
• Final prep:– Pre-trial conference
• Practical considerations– Trial itself
• Exam structure
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Civil Procedure A
Prep for trial & practical considerations
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Agenda
• Final prep:– Pre-trial conference
• Practical considerations– Trial itself
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Reminder:Pleadings stage and pre-trial stage
• Pleading stage– Parties define issues in dispute between them– Issues defined in writing and set out in pleadings– Documents (pleadings with different legal names)
exchange between parties• Pre-trial stage
– Pleadings close – pre-trial stage begins• Parties prepare for trial: set down, discovery, issuing subpoenas,
pre-trial conference, etc.
PART 2: INTRODUCTION
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Preparation for trial• Step 1: Setting matter down for trial• Step 2: Discovery process• Step 3: Technical and medical examinations• Step 4: Obtaining further particulars for trial• Step 5: Issuing necessary subpoenas• Step 6: Arranging for special evidence• Step 7: Arranging and attending pre-trial
conference• Step 8: Final preparation for trial – advice on
evidence.
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Pre-trial conference• In the High Court?
– No less than 6 weeks before date of trial– Curtails proceedings, curb costs, settle matter– Setting the agenda– Conference itself and minute– Special order as to costs
• In the Magistrate’s Court?– Issues– Contents of new s 54?
PART 2: B: PRE-TRIAL PROCEDURE
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END OF COURSE… BUT!!!:
• Practical considerations on pg 18 including:– Indexing and paginating– Consultations
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For tomorrow:
• Exam structure• Go over 2012 exam paper• Plan revision session before exam
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Civil Procedure A
Final lectureRevision
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Areas of concern for exam:
• civil procedure is that part of adjective law that regulates civil litigation and the enforcement of substantive rights, obligations and remedies (H & W 1)
• ‘[E]mbodied in [the] practices and rules [of civil procedure] are the great waves of history: the socio-economic as well as the intellectual changes, revolutions, and stagnations of history’
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Civ Proc A exam 2013
• 14 June, GHV, PM• 2 hours, out of 70• SECTION A (COMPULSORY) = 50 marks
– Questions ranging from 3-10 marks• SECTION B (CHOICE OF 2x Qs) = 20 marks each
– Both questions subdivided into 2 sub-questions
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Civ Proc Exam 2012 (revision and expectations)
(a) A defendant receives a notice of bar in terms of rule 12(1)(b). What is the consequence of this to a defendant?
(2)
(b) Name the three basic methods of pleading to a plaintiff’s particulars of claim.
(3)
(c) Rule 37 of the High Court Rules deals with a pre-trial conference. List 8 aspects which should be canvassed between litigants at such a conference.
(8)
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(a) Must file plea within 5 daysIf not will be barred from pleadingJudgment may be taken
(2)(b) Admit
DenyConfess and avoid
(3)
(c) Any 8 of : Date, place
Prejudice due to non-complianceSettlement proposalsAny issue to mediation etcTransfer to another courtSeparation of issuesAny admissionsOnusProduction of proof by affidavit
Responsible for copying etc.Documents which serve as evidence without etc
(8)
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A party to an action fails to provide further particulars for purpose of trial as requested by an opponent. What orders may a court make in such an instance?
(3)
Explain the circumstances in which the following special pleas may be filed by a defendant:
• Lis pendens;• Res judicata;• Non joinder.
(6)
A party files a request for further particulars, which is not strictly necessary to enable him to prepare for trial. What is the possible consequence to that party of doing so?
(3)
In which circumstances must a plaintiff initiate proceedings by way of a letter of demand? Provide examples of these.
(5)
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Order their deliveryDismiss the actionOr strike out defence
(3) Action pending – same partiessame cause of actionsame subject matter
Point of issue already adjudicated onbetween the same partiesmust be end to litigation Has correct party been citedclear that another party should have been joined
(6) At conclusion of trialCourt may disallow all costs flowing from unnecessary requestMay order either party to pay wasted cost, even on attorney and client scale
(3)Ordered by statute – NCA, Small claims court or Legal proceedings against state or any other Necessary to complete the cause of action – payable on demand
Notice of breach clausePlace debtor in mora
(5)
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Question 2Mistakes a. citation of plaintiff – pl’s full name, and gender of def. b. numbering of clauses c. whole cause of action arose clause left out All three, notice of irregular proceedings to set aside. Have to amend. Stay until complied with. d. Clause 3 –reference to Twice. Unknown person
Exception – vague and embarrassing alternatively no cause of action
Exception applicationMust amend if possible. e. Paragraph 7 - irrelevant
Application to strike out
Clause itself is expunged/removed.
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Jurisdiction – • Grahamstown incorrect• Whole cause of action did not arise • Due to delivery of materials in PE• Court cannot hear case Prescription – • summons served more than 3 years after amount
became due on 21/2/2009
Jurisdiction – R110 000 falls outside the quantum allowedShould abandon R10 000 May be remedied.
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• SECTION B – for your own study (not Q2(a))• Revision session? Still wanted? 12 June?
AND FINALLY:
“It's hard to detect good luck - it looks so much like something you've earned….”
Frank Clark
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Agenda:Applications to strike out and pleas
Notice of Intention to Defend
Substantive Technicality grounds
Plea Exception/ Appl to strike out
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Applications to strike out• Offending averment deleted/erased from
pleading– 2 requirements
• Distinction between exception and application to strike out
• Within period allowed for filing any subsequent pleading.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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• Plea
– General overview• Plea: defendant’s reply to plaintiff’s particulars of claim
and defendant’s defence• Plea on merits
– Substance of plaintiff’s claim– Attacks validity of CoA regarding facts of case
• Special plea– Legal objection to some aspect of plaintiff’s claim
• Plea on merits added as alternative to special plea.
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Plea on merits
• Time limits– Defendant must deliver 20 days after delivering notice
of intention to defend/receiving plaintiff’s declaration– NA in case of exception/application to strike out
• Different kinds of pleas on merits» Admit allegation» Deny allegation» Confess and avoid allegation» Not admit allegation.
• 3 general responses» Counter-claim» Alternative defence» Tender.PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Drafting plea on merits
• Pleadings divided into consecutively numbered paragraphs each containing allegations of fact
• Isolate allegations and respond • Admit ‘all the allegations’.• Drafting different plea responses• Respond (Yes’, or ‘No’, or ‘Yes But...’, or ‘I have no way of knowing,
you prove it.’, admit ‘all the allegations’) to each allegation in every paragraph of particulars of claim/declaration
• After responding end off plea with a prayer.• Dealing with all plaintiff’s allegations: Fail to deal with each and
every fact in particulars of claim/declaration – facts ought to have been denied – deemed admitted
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Special pleas• Dilatory special pleas
– Arbitration– Lis pendens
• Special pleas in abatement– Special plea of prescription– Special plea of misjoinder/non-joinder– Special plea of res judicata– Special plea to jurisdiction– Special plea of non locus standi in judicio (lack of locus
standi).
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS
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Drafting and hearing a special plea?• Raised at start of defendant’s plea in separate section
with heading ‘Defendant’s Special Plea’• Statement – defendant raising particular special plea• Facts upon which special plea based• No uniform practice regarding need to plead over on
merits – all defences defendant intends to raise – raised at same time.
• Separate hearings for special pleas?• No provision for separate hearings of special pleas in MC
– S 54 conference– HC rule 33(4)
PART 2: A: PLEADINGS