August 2025. TWO ANSWERS PROVIDED.
Legal Opinion
To: Shane
From: Legal Advisor
Subject: Validity of the Contract of Sale – Mode of Acceptance
1. Introduction
You approached me regarding the refusal by Porsche
Johannesburg to deliver the limited-edition Porsche you
ordered and paid for, on the basis that the dealership’s
authorised representative did not sign the ‘Contract of Sale’
document. The dealership’s attorney argues that, since the
seller did not sign, the prescribed mode of acceptance was not
complied with, and thus no valid contract was concluded. The
central legal issue therefore relates to whether the mode of
acceptance was properly complied with, and if not, whether a
valid contract of sale was still formed.
2. Legal Principles Governing Acceptance and Mode of
Acceptance
In South African contract law, a valid contract requires
agreement (consensus), capacity, legality, possibility of
performance, and compliance with prescribed formalities. For