High Court of South Africa Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth - 2022 August

6 judgments
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6 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
August 2022
Applicant’s urgent s18 relief granted to implement transfer order pending appeal; cancellation of intermediary agreement effective 1 September 2021.
Insurance law — intermediary agreements and Master Policy — cancellation and effect on members; Superior Courts Act s18 — exceptional circumstances, irreparable harm and prospects of success; statutory change to definition of ‘group’ under Insurance Act — effect on transfer of book; non‑joinder — necessity of joining individual policyholders for provisional implementation of order.
30 August 2022
Court rescinded interlocutory separation order because confidentiality, misappropriation and damages issues were too intertwined to be tried separately.
Interlocutory procedure – separation order under Uniform Rule 33(4) – court may revisit/rescind interlocutory orders; convenience of severance – issues of confidentiality, misappropriation and unlawful use so interrelated that separate determination impractical; evidentiary and credibility overlap; costs of rescission to be costs in the action.
30 August 2022
Whether the particulars disclose a cause of action or are vague and embarrassing, and whether the claim is contract or delict.
Civil procedure – Exception to particulars – whether particulars disclose cause of action – vagueness and embarrassment – duty to plead material contractual terms and elements of delict. Contract v delict – relationship indicated a contract of services; claims must be pleaded in alternative and material terms and breach identified. Delict – wrongfulness and legal duty must be pleaded where pure economic loss is claimed; statutory inspection obligations and basis for liability must be pleaded.
16 August 2022
The plaintiff’s unchallenged evidence established a slip on a wet court floor; defendants’ mere appointment of a contractor did not discharge their duty, so both are jointly liable.
Premises liability – duty to keep premises reasonably safe – appointment of independent contractor does not absolve principal where reasonable steps to guard against foreseeable danger were not taken – application of Langley Fox test to slip-and-fall on wet floor – non-joinder/misjoinder of contractor insufficient to defeat plaintiff’s claim.
12 August 2022
Court enforces JBCC adjudicator’s monetary determinations, rejecting respondent’s set-off and impossibility defences and ordering payment.
Construction law – JBCC adjudication – enforceability of adjudicator’s determinations pending arbitration; set-off requires liquidated debts; specific performance of adjudicator’s monetary awards; role of termination finding in withholding payments.
10 August 2022
Political/contract appointee terminated for misconduct; MOA governed termination, collective agreement inapplicable, application dismissed with costs.
Administrative law – authority of municipal representatives and Rule 7 challenges to deponents/attorneys; Urgency – financial prejudice and non‑self‑created urgency can justify urgent relief; Employment law – distinction between political/contract appointments and permanent municipal employees; applicability of Collective Agreement and municipal Codes; Contract law – enforcement and cure of notice defects under a Memorandum of Agreement; Misconduct – threatening/aggressive conduct by a political appointee can justify summary termination under contract provisions.
5 August 2022