, PVL3704 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester
1 2025 - DUE 13 March 2025; 100% correct solutions and
explanations.
Question 1 Discuss (by reference to relevant case law) the
requirement that the enrichment must have been sine causa. (10)
Requirement That Enrichment Must Have Been Sine Causa
In South African law, unjustified enrichment refers to a situation
where one party is enriched at the expense of another without a
valid legal reason (sine causa). For a successful enrichment
claim, the plaintiff must prove:
1. The defendant was enriched.
2. The plaintiff was impoverished.
3. The enrichment was at the plaintiff’s expense.
4. The enrichment was sine causa (without a legal cause).
This discussion focuses on the requirement that the enrichment
must have been sine causa, meaning there was no lawful basis
for the defendant’s enrichment.
Meaning of Sine Causa
Enrichment is considered sine causa when the defendant has no
legal justification for retaining the benefit received. The absence
of a valid contractual, statutory, or other legal obligation to
justify the enrichment is crucial. Courts assess whether there
1 2025 - DUE 13 March 2025; 100% correct solutions and
explanations.
Question 1 Discuss (by reference to relevant case law) the
requirement that the enrichment must have been sine causa. (10)
Requirement That Enrichment Must Have Been Sine Causa
In South African law, unjustified enrichment refers to a situation
where one party is enriched at the expense of another without a
valid legal reason (sine causa). For a successful enrichment
claim, the plaintiff must prove:
1. The defendant was enriched.
2. The plaintiff was impoverished.
3. The enrichment was at the plaintiff’s expense.
4. The enrichment was sine causa (without a legal cause).
This discussion focuses on the requirement that the enrichment
must have been sine causa, meaning there was no lawful basis
for the defendant’s enrichment.
Meaning of Sine Causa
Enrichment is considered sine causa when the defendant has no
legal justification for retaining the benefit received. The absence
of a valid contractual, statutory, or other legal obligation to
justify the enrichment is crucial. Courts assess whether there
