Law of Delict
Exam questions and answers
2021 - 2016
1
,Table of Content
May / June Examination 2022 ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Question 1: ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Question 2: ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Answer 2: ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Question 3: ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Answer 3: ................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Question 4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
Answer 4: ................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Question 5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Answer 5: ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Question 6: .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Answer 6: ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Question 7: .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Answer 7: ................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Question 8: .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Answer 8: ................................................................................................................................................................. 12
May / June Examination 2020 .................................................................................................................................... 13
Question 1 – 7: ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Question 8 – 15:....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Question 16 – 50:..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Oct / Nov Examination 2019 ......................................................................................................................................... 24
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 28
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 29
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 29
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 30
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 31
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 32
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 32
Question 4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 32
Answer 4: ................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Question 5.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Answer 5.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Question 5.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Answer 5.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Question 5.3: ........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Answer 5.3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 34
2
, Question 5.4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 34
Answer 5.4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 34
May/June Examination 2019 ....................................................................................................................................... 35
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 35
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Question 1.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 38
Answer 1.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.3: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.5: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.6: ........................................................................................................................................................... 40
Answer 1.6: .............................................................................................................................................................. 40
Question 2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 40
Answer 2: ................................................................................................................................................................. 40
Question 3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 42
Answer 3: ................................................................................................................................................................. 42
Question 4.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
Answer 4.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 43
Question 4.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
Answer 4.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 44
Question 5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 44
Answer 5: ................................................................................................................................................................. 44
Oct/Nov Examination 2018 ........................................................................................................................................... 46
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 46
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 49
Question 1.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 50
Answer 1.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 50
Question 1.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 51
Answer 1.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 51
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 51
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 51
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 53
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 53
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 54
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 54
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 55
3
, Question 3.3: ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
Answer 3.3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 55
Question 3.4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
Answer 3.4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 56
Question 3.5: ........................................................................................................................................................... 56
Answer 3.5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 56
May/June Examination 2018 ....................................................................................................................................... 57
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 57
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 61
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 61
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................. 61
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 62
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 62
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 63
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 63
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 64
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 64
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 64
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 65
Oct/Nov Examination 2017 ........................................................................................................................................... 66
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 66
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 70
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 70
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 71
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 71
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 72
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 72
Question 3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 73
Answer 3: ................................................................................................................................................................. 73
May/June Examination 2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 74
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 74
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 78
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 78
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................. 78
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 79
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 80
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 80
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 81
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 81
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 81
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 82
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 82
4
,May/June Examination 2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 83
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 83
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Question 1.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 87
Answer 1.1: ............................................................................................................................................................. 87
Question 1.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 87
Answer 1.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 87
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 88
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 88
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 89
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 89
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 90
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 90
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 90
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 90
Oct/Nov Examination 2016 ........................................................................................................................................... 92
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 92
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 97
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 97
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................ 97
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 98
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 98
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 98
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 99
Question 3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 99
Answer 3: ............................................................................................................................................................... 100
May/June Examination 2016 ..................................................................................................................................... 101
Section A: .............................................................................................................................................................. 101
Section B: ............................................................................................................................................................... 106
Question 1 to 3 facts: ........................................................................................................................................... 106
Question 1: ............................................................................................................................................................ 106
Answer 1: ............................................................................................................................................................... 106
Question 2.1: ......................................................................................................................................................... 107
Answer 2.1: ............................................................................................................................................................ 107
Question 2.2: ......................................................................................................................................................... 108
Answer 2.2: ............................................................................................................................................................ 108
Question 3.1: ......................................................................................................................................................... 108
Answer 3.1: ............................................................................................................................................................ 109
Question 3.2: ......................................................................................................................................................... 109
Answer 3.2: ............................................................................................................................................................ 109
5
, May / June Examination 2022
Question 1:
John works in the control tower at the Take flight Airport. He suffers from a rare disease that causes
unexpected blackouts. However, he is on prescription medicine that effectively eliminates the possibility of
the blackouts. On one particular day, he does not take his medicine. In the control tower, he has a
blackout and is unable to give the necessary instructions to departing and arriving aircraft. A catastrophic
airplane accident takes place during his blackout because no instructions were forthcoming. A potential
plaintiff approaches you for a legal opinion.
Write an opinion on the question whether John’s behaviour qualified as conduct for the purpose of
delictual liability. (10)
Answer 1:
Conduct is defined as a voluntary human act or omission. “Voluntary” means that the person must be able
to control his muscular movements by means of his will. The act of the wrongdoer must be voluntary to
give rise to delictual liability. Conditions that may cause a person to act involuntary as they tender him
incapable of controlling his bodily movements such as absolute compulsion (vis absoluta), sleep,
unconsciousness, fainting fit, epileptic fit, serious intoxication, blackout, reflex movements, strong emotional
pressure, mental disease, hypnosis and heart attack.
However, John had been receiving medical treatment for a diagnosed illness but failed to take his
prescribed medication on that particular occasion. He therefore intentionally placed himself in a medical
state (actio libera in causa). Actio libera in causa – defence of automatism will not succeed if defendant
intentionally created the situation in which he acts involuntarily in order to harm another. The defendant
will be held liable for his culpable in creating the state of automatism which resulted in damage to the
plaintiff.
John was negligent his automatic “conduct”. Where the reasonable man would have foreseen the
possibility of causing harm while in a state of automatism e.g in Victor case, X was convicted of
negligence driving despite causing the accident during an epileptic fit, as he had been suffering fits for 13
years and the reasonable man would have foreseen the possibility of causing harm while in a state of
automatism. In this case, John knew he may have a blackout if his medication was taken.
Only the voluntary act closest to the harmful consequence is of relevance and it is therefore unnecessary
to consider prior voluntary acts. John placed himself in a mechanical state by note taking his medication.
Therefore, John was probably negligent, or could even have had intention in the form of dolus eventualis.
6
Exam questions and answers
2021 - 2016
1
,Table of Content
May / June Examination 2022 ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Question 1: ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Question 2: ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Answer 2: ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Question 3: ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Answer 3: ................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Question 4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
Answer 4: ................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Question 5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Answer 5: ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Question 6: .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Answer 6: ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Question 7: .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Answer 7: ................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Question 8: .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Answer 8: ................................................................................................................................................................. 12
May / June Examination 2020 .................................................................................................................................... 13
Question 1 – 7: ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Question 8 – 15:....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Question 16 – 50:..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Oct / Nov Examination 2019 ......................................................................................................................................... 24
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 28
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 29
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 29
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 30
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 31
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 32
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 32
Question 4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 32
Answer 4: ................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Question 5.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Answer 5.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Question 5.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Answer 5.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Question 5.3: ........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Answer 5.3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 34
2
, Question 5.4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 34
Answer 5.4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 34
May/June Examination 2019 ....................................................................................................................................... 35
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 35
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Question 1.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 38
Answer 1.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.3: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.5: ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 1.5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 1.6: ........................................................................................................................................................... 40
Answer 1.6: .............................................................................................................................................................. 40
Question 2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 40
Answer 2: ................................................................................................................................................................. 40
Question 3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 42
Answer 3: ................................................................................................................................................................. 42
Question 4.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
Answer 4.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 43
Question 4.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
Answer 4.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 44
Question 5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 44
Answer 5: ................................................................................................................................................................. 44
Oct/Nov Examination 2018 ........................................................................................................................................... 46
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 46
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 49
Question 1.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 50
Answer 1.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 50
Question 1.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 51
Answer 1.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 51
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 51
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 51
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 53
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 53
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 54
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 54
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 55
3
, Question 3.3: ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
Answer 3.3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 55
Question 3.4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 55
Answer 3.4: .............................................................................................................................................................. 56
Question 3.5: ........................................................................................................................................................... 56
Answer 3.5: .............................................................................................................................................................. 56
May/June Examination 2018 ....................................................................................................................................... 57
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 57
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 61
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 61
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................. 61
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 62
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 62
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 63
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 63
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 64
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 64
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 64
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 65
Oct/Nov Examination 2017 ........................................................................................................................................... 66
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 66
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 70
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 70
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 71
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 71
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 72
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 72
Question 3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 73
Answer 3: ................................................................................................................................................................. 73
May/June Examination 2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 74
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 74
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 78
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 78
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................. 78
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 79
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 80
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 80
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 81
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 81
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 81
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 82
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 82
4
,May/June Examination 2017 ....................................................................................................................................... 83
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 83
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Question 1.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 87
Answer 1.1: ............................................................................................................................................................. 87
Question 1.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 87
Answer 1.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 87
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 88
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 88
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 89
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 89
Question 3.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 90
Answer 3.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 90
Question 3.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 90
Answer 3.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 90
Oct/Nov Examination 2016 ........................................................................................................................................... 92
Section A: ................................................................................................................................................................ 92
Section B: ................................................................................................................................................................. 97
Question 1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 97
Answer 1: ................................................................................................................................................................ 97
Question 2.1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 98
Answer 2.1: .............................................................................................................................................................. 98
Question 2.2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 98
Answer 2.2: .............................................................................................................................................................. 99
Question 3: .............................................................................................................................................................. 99
Answer 3: ............................................................................................................................................................... 100
May/June Examination 2016 ..................................................................................................................................... 101
Section A: .............................................................................................................................................................. 101
Section B: ............................................................................................................................................................... 106
Question 1 to 3 facts: ........................................................................................................................................... 106
Question 1: ............................................................................................................................................................ 106
Answer 1: ............................................................................................................................................................... 106
Question 2.1: ......................................................................................................................................................... 107
Answer 2.1: ............................................................................................................................................................ 107
Question 2.2: ......................................................................................................................................................... 108
Answer 2.2: ............................................................................................................................................................ 108
Question 3.1: ......................................................................................................................................................... 108
Answer 3.1: ............................................................................................................................................................ 109
Question 3.2: ......................................................................................................................................................... 109
Answer 3.2: ............................................................................................................................................................ 109
5
, May / June Examination 2022
Question 1:
John works in the control tower at the Take flight Airport. He suffers from a rare disease that causes
unexpected blackouts. However, he is on prescription medicine that effectively eliminates the possibility of
the blackouts. On one particular day, he does not take his medicine. In the control tower, he has a
blackout and is unable to give the necessary instructions to departing and arriving aircraft. A catastrophic
airplane accident takes place during his blackout because no instructions were forthcoming. A potential
plaintiff approaches you for a legal opinion.
Write an opinion on the question whether John’s behaviour qualified as conduct for the purpose of
delictual liability. (10)
Answer 1:
Conduct is defined as a voluntary human act or omission. “Voluntary” means that the person must be able
to control his muscular movements by means of his will. The act of the wrongdoer must be voluntary to
give rise to delictual liability. Conditions that may cause a person to act involuntary as they tender him
incapable of controlling his bodily movements such as absolute compulsion (vis absoluta), sleep,
unconsciousness, fainting fit, epileptic fit, serious intoxication, blackout, reflex movements, strong emotional
pressure, mental disease, hypnosis and heart attack.
However, John had been receiving medical treatment for a diagnosed illness but failed to take his
prescribed medication on that particular occasion. He therefore intentionally placed himself in a medical
state (actio libera in causa). Actio libera in causa – defence of automatism will not succeed if defendant
intentionally created the situation in which he acts involuntarily in order to harm another. The defendant
will be held liable for his culpable in creating the state of automatism which resulted in damage to the
plaintiff.
John was negligent his automatic “conduct”. Where the reasonable man would have foreseen the
possibility of causing harm while in a state of automatism e.g in Victor case, X was convicted of
negligence driving despite causing the accident during an epileptic fit, as he had been suffering fits for 13
years and the reasonable man would have foreseen the possibility of causing harm while in a state of
automatism. In this case, John knew he may have a blackout if his medication was taken.
Only the voluntary act closest to the harmful consequence is of relevance and it is therefore unnecessary
to consider prior voluntary acts. John placed himself in a mechanical state by note taking his medication.
Therefore, John was probably negligent, or could even have had intention in the form of dolus eventualis.
6
