FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
FUR2601
,Table of Contents
Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 3
Study Unit 1 ................................................................................................................................. 7
Structure of the Bill of Rights ........................................................................................................ 7
Study Unit 2 ............................................................................................................................... 11
Application ................................................................................................................................. 11
Study Unit 3 ............................................................................................................................... 17
Locus Standi .............................................................................................................................. 17
Study Unit 4 ............................................................................................................................... 21
Jurisdiction in Bill of Rights Litigation ......................................................................................... 21
Study Unit 5 ............................................................................................................................... 26
Interpretation of the Bill of Rights ............................................................................................... 26
Study Unit 6 ............................................................................................................................... 29
Limitation of Rights .................................................................................................................... 29
Study Unit 7 ............................................................................................................................... 33
Remedies................................................................................................................................... 33
Study Unit 8 ............................................................................................................................... 44
Equality ...................................................................................................................................... 44
Study Unit 9 ............................................................................................................................... 50
Human Dignity ........................................................................................................................... 50
Study Unit 10 ............................................................................................................................. 56
Socio-Economic Rights .............................................................................................................. 56
2|Page
,Definitions
Adjudication: The formal legal process by which a court, tribunal,
or other competent authority makes a binding
decision or judgment on a dispute between parties. It
involves examining evidence, arguments, and
relevant law to determine the rights and obligations
of the parties and to resolve the dispute, either finally
or provisionally.
Applicant: The person or party who initiates a court case,
seeking relief or enforcement of a right. The
Applicant requests the court to make an order in their
favour.
Audi alteram partem: Latin for “hear the other side”; a core principle of
procedural fairness requiring that all parties have an
opportunity to be heard before a decision is made.
Burden of proof: The responsibility of a party to prove a particular
issue to the court’s satisfaction. The burden may shift
during a case (e.g., applicant proves infringement;
respondent then justifies a limitation under s 36).
Class action: A case in which one or more persons litigate on
behalf of a defined class; the court controls
certification and notice to members.
De facto / de jure: Latin terms meaning “in fact” (de facto) and “in law”
(de jure).
Delictual: Relating to a delict (civil wrong) that causes harm or
loss to another person and gives rise to a claim for
damages.
Demarcation / internal: Built-in textual limits of a constitutional right (e.g.,
“peaceful and unarmed” in s 17).
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, Direct application: Applying a constitutional provision directly to law or
conduct, rendering unconstitutional law or conduct
invalid (s 8; s 172).
Erga omnes: Latin for “towards all”; refers to a rule or obligation
binding on everyone.
Infringed / Infringement: To infringe a right or law means to wrongfully
violate, limit, or encroach upon a legal right, duty, or
entitlement, including actions or omissions by the
state or individuals.
Interest of justice: An overall fairness standard courts apply when
deciding case management issues (e.g.,
condonation, direct access, leave to appeal, or
whether to hear a moot matter).
Justifiable: Lawful and defensible; in the constitutional context, a
limitation or interference with a right is justifiable if it
is reasonable and necessary in an open and
democratic society based on human dignity, equality,
and freedom (s 36).
Law of general application: A clear, accessible, and generally applicable rule
(statute, regulation, common law) that may limit
rights under s 36.
Mootness (moot): A dispute that no longer has a live controversy
affecting the parties; courts may decline to decide
unless the interests of justice require otherwise.
Omission: The failure to act when there is a legal duty or
obligation to do so.
Per incuriam: Latin for “decided in ignorance of a binding rule”; a
judgment with limited precedential value.
Prima facie: Latin for “at first sight” or “on the face of it.”
4|Page
FUR2601
,Table of Contents
Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 3
Study Unit 1 ................................................................................................................................. 7
Structure of the Bill of Rights ........................................................................................................ 7
Study Unit 2 ............................................................................................................................... 11
Application ................................................................................................................................. 11
Study Unit 3 ............................................................................................................................... 17
Locus Standi .............................................................................................................................. 17
Study Unit 4 ............................................................................................................................... 21
Jurisdiction in Bill of Rights Litigation ......................................................................................... 21
Study Unit 5 ............................................................................................................................... 26
Interpretation of the Bill of Rights ............................................................................................... 26
Study Unit 6 ............................................................................................................................... 29
Limitation of Rights .................................................................................................................... 29
Study Unit 7 ............................................................................................................................... 33
Remedies................................................................................................................................... 33
Study Unit 8 ............................................................................................................................... 44
Equality ...................................................................................................................................... 44
Study Unit 9 ............................................................................................................................... 50
Human Dignity ........................................................................................................................... 50
Study Unit 10 ............................................................................................................................. 56
Socio-Economic Rights .............................................................................................................. 56
2|Page
,Definitions
Adjudication: The formal legal process by which a court, tribunal,
or other competent authority makes a binding
decision or judgment on a dispute between parties. It
involves examining evidence, arguments, and
relevant law to determine the rights and obligations
of the parties and to resolve the dispute, either finally
or provisionally.
Applicant: The person or party who initiates a court case,
seeking relief or enforcement of a right. The
Applicant requests the court to make an order in their
favour.
Audi alteram partem: Latin for “hear the other side”; a core principle of
procedural fairness requiring that all parties have an
opportunity to be heard before a decision is made.
Burden of proof: The responsibility of a party to prove a particular
issue to the court’s satisfaction. The burden may shift
during a case (e.g., applicant proves infringement;
respondent then justifies a limitation under s 36).
Class action: A case in which one or more persons litigate on
behalf of a defined class; the court controls
certification and notice to members.
De facto / de jure: Latin terms meaning “in fact” (de facto) and “in law”
(de jure).
Delictual: Relating to a delict (civil wrong) that causes harm or
loss to another person and gives rise to a claim for
damages.
Demarcation / internal: Built-in textual limits of a constitutional right (e.g.,
“peaceful and unarmed” in s 17).
3|Page
, Direct application: Applying a constitutional provision directly to law or
conduct, rendering unconstitutional law or conduct
invalid (s 8; s 172).
Erga omnes: Latin for “towards all”; refers to a rule or obligation
binding on everyone.
Infringed / Infringement: To infringe a right or law means to wrongfully
violate, limit, or encroach upon a legal right, duty, or
entitlement, including actions or omissions by the
state or individuals.
Interest of justice: An overall fairness standard courts apply when
deciding case management issues (e.g.,
condonation, direct access, leave to appeal, or
whether to hear a moot matter).
Justifiable: Lawful and defensible; in the constitutional context, a
limitation or interference with a right is justifiable if it
is reasonable and necessary in an open and
democratic society based on human dignity, equality,
and freedom (s 36).
Law of general application: A clear, accessible, and generally applicable rule
(statute, regulation, common law) that may limit
rights under s 36.
Mootness (moot): A dispute that no longer has a live controversy
affecting the parties; courts may decline to decide
unless the interests of justice require otherwise.
Omission: The failure to act when there is a legal duty or
obligation to do so.
Per incuriam: Latin for “decided in ignorance of a binding rule”; a
judgment with limited precedential value.
Prima facie: Latin for “at first sight” or “on the face of it.”
4|Page
