Lay participation in the South African criminal justice system: An assessment of the assessor system

by | Feb 20, 2022 | SACJ, SACJ V34 I2 2021

Lay participation in the South African criminal justice system: An assessment of the assessor system

Authors: B Tshehla & MC Marumoagae

ISSN: 1996-2118
Affiliations: B Proc (North) LLM (UCT), Senior Lecturer, School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand; LLB LLM (Wits) LLM (NWU) PhD (UCT) AIPSA Diploma in Insolvency Law and Practice (UP), Associate Professor, School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand
Source: South African Journal of Criminal Justice, Volume 34 Issue 2, p. 339 – 361
https://doi.org/10.47348/SACJ/v34/i2a8

Abstract

This paper sets out to demonstrate that the South African assessor system is not structured in a manner that holds the promise of adequately catering for the intended goal of promoting lay participation by community members in the adjudication of criminal cases. It identifies several challenges with the current assessor system in South Africa such as the unjustifiable differentiation between the assessor system in the magistrates’ courts and the high court which undermines this system as a form of lay participation. In the high court, assessors are required to have experience in the administration of justice or some other skill deemed useful in the case tried. This is not required of assessors in the magistrates’ courts. The paper also illustrates that there are no legislative guidelines on the appointment of assessors which leads to wide discretion being given to presiding officers in the appointment of assessors, which could potentially lead to the adoption of different approaches to similar cases. The key argument presented is that the discretion enjoyed by presiding officers when considering whether to use assessors should be limited by legislation. Most importantly, it is argued that that the legislature should consider reforming the assessor system with a view to establishing a system that will be equally applicable to both the high court and magistrates’ courts as the current differentiation seems unjustifiable.

Slapping down SLAPP suits in South Africa: The need for legislative protection and civil society action

by | Feb 13, 2022 | SALJ, SALJ V139 I1 2022

Slapping down SLAPP suits in South Africa: The need for legislative protection and civil society action

Author: Zeenat Emmamally

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Independent Researcher
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 139 Issue 1, p. 1-31
https://doi.org/10.47348/SALJ/v139/i1a1

Abstract

A pernicious strand of legal proceedings, instituted by affluent parties to cow their critics into silence, is sweeping through the world, discouraging engagement on issues of public interest. These proceedings, termed strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) suits, have had deleterious effects on a range of rights, prompting civil society to push for targeted legislative protection against these lawsuits. After examining the phenomenon of SLAPP suits in South Africa and the inefficacy of existing protections, this article acknowledges that the enactment of anti-SLAPP legislation is necessary, and considers what this legislation should look like in South Africa. However, since the experience of other jurisdictions reveals that anti-SLAPP laws have occasionally been ineffective or have been subverted to create further injustice, this article recommends a range of civil society initiatives that could be employed concomitantly with legislation to curb SLAPP suits.

Problems relating to the formation of online contracts: A comparative perspective

by | Feb 13, 2022 | SALJ, SALJ V139 I1 2022

Problems relating to the formation of online contracts: A comparative perspective

Author: Sanmarie van Deventer

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Consolidoc Fellow in Private Law, Stellenbosch University
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 139 Issue 1, p. 32-77
https://doi.org/10.47348/SALJ/v139/i1a2

Abstract

The formation of online contracts has enjoyed considerable judicial and academic attention in American law. Generally, American courts are of the view that the rise of online contracts has not necessitated any changes to the fundamental principles of the law of contract, although commentators argue that the enforcement of online contracts has stretched the requirement of mutual assent beyond recognition. This article engages in a comparative evaluation of these arguments, as well as some proposals contained in the American Law Institute’s Draft Restatement of the Law, Consumer Contracts. Ultimately, the aim is to identify whether the principles regarding the formation of contracts in South African law ought to be adapted or supplemented to accommodate online contracts. It is found that both legal systems subscribe to fairly lenient formation requirements. The possibility of recognising more stringent assent-related requirements, such as imposing specific disclosure requirements, is investigated. It is concluded that there is little to be gained by insisting on stricter formation requirements for online contracts in general, because consumers rationally choose not to read these contracts. Instead, recognising these concerns may provide the impetus for increased reliance on other forms of control, most notably regulating the use of certain problematic standard terms.

A comparative analysis of the Twin Peaks model of financial regulation in South Africa and the United Kingdom

by | Feb 12, 2022 | SALJ, SALJ V139 I1 2022

A comparative analysis of the Twin Peaks model of financial regulation in South Africa and the United Kingdom

Author: Mmiselo Freedom Qumba

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Lecturer, University of Pretoria
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 139 Issue 1, p. 78-113
https://doi.org/10.47348/SALJ/v139/i1a3

Abstract

This article examines the recent adoption of the Twin Peaks model by the United Kingdom and South Africa. An international and comparative analysis is provided. It observes that there is a gradual paradigm shift across the world towards the Twin Peaks model of financial regulation. There are slight variations in the design of the two countries’ Twin Peaks models. The variations in regulatory design indicate the flexibility of the Twin Peaks model and its adaptability to suit local conditions, regulatory culture, and the country’s specific needs. Therefore, while the South African model has drawn significantly from the experiences of other Twin Peaks jurisdictions, particularly the UK, South Africa has adopted the model to accommodate its own needs and unique characteristics. It is imperative for the success of the Twin Peaks model that it clearly delineates the objectives and functions of each regulator, and achieves effective co-ordination between them. This article warns that, given the potential overlaps and high levels of co-operation required between the different regulatory bodies in South Africa, there could be detrimental consequences if this complicated financial regulation regime is not properly managed.

Disclosure of corporate political donations and expenditure to shareholders: Why South Africa should follow the United Kingdom’s legislative approach

by | Feb 12, 2022 | SALJ, SALJ V139 I1 2022

Disclosure of corporate political donations and expenditure to shareholders: Why South Africa should follow the United Kingdom’s legislative approach

Author: Vela Madlela

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Senior Lecturer, Department of Mercantile Law, University of South Africa
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 139 Issue 1, p. 114-156
https://doi.org/10.47348/SALJ/v139/i1a4

Abstract

Whilst corporate political donations and expenditure is legally permissible in South Africa, and whilst some companies may be making such donations and incurring such expenditure for valid reasons, corporate political donations and expenditure is frequently associated with secrecy and poor corporate governance practices within companies. One strategy that some corporate-law jurisdictions have adopted to regulate corporate political donations and expenditure is to require company boards to disclose relevant information about such donations and expenditure directly to their shareholders. However, South African law currently does not require companies to disclose their political donations or expenditure directly to the shareholders, either in the annual financial statements, or in the directors’ report that must be included in the annual financial statements, or in the annual report. Following an examination of key policy considerations relevant to the disclosure of corporate political donations and expenditure to shareholders, and an examination of the legislative approach in the UK, the article argues for the effective disclosure of corporate political donations and expenditure to shareholders under the Companies Act 71 of 2008. It then makes detailed recommendations on how such disclosure requirements could be introduced and implemented in South Africa.

Guilty of being deaf. Kruse v S — paying lip service to the fair-trial rights of hearing-impaired accused persons

by | Feb 12, 2022 | SALJ, SALJ V139 I1 2022

Guilty of being deaf. Kruse v S — paying lip service to the fair-trial rights of hearing-impaired accused persons

Authors: Ferdinand Heinrich Hermann Kehrhahn & Jani Charlese de Lange

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Lecturer, Independent Institute of Education, Varsity College, Pretoria; Lecturer, Department of South African Sign Languages and Deaf Studies, University of the Free State
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 139 Issue 1, p. 157-180
https://doi.org/10.47348/SALJ/v139/i1a5

Abstract

This article considers the case of Kruse v S, where the right to a fair trial of a deaf accused was infringed owing to the poor communication and translation of the trial proceedings. This article considers the methods available to translate court proceedings to a deaf or hard-of-hearing accused, and demonstrates an appreciation that the deaf community is not homogeneous and that a single interpreting method cannot accommodate every deaf person. In raising the question as to which method is best suited to a specific accused, the article indicates that the culture and history of the deaf accused should be indispensable factors to consider. The article explores the rights of deaf accused in the South African criminal justice system by considering the Constitution, national legislation, and judicial norms and standards which relate to the interpreting of trial proceedings to the deaf accused. The existing laws and safeguards that protect these rights are poorly implemented at a grass-roots level, which calls for better training of stakeholders and more effective policy implementation. A concerted effort on the part of the government is required to ensure that the rights of the deaf accused are protected.