Summary PLEADINGS DRAFTING

PLEADINGS PACK : 2010

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INDEX : PLEADINGS : 2010

ANNEXURE: PLEADINGS
A. INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAFTING OF PLEADINGS 5
CASE STUDY: FACTS 11
PART 1: THE PLEADING PHASE IN THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT
a) Framework 17
b) Interim steps that the parties can consider during the pleading stage in the
magistrates court 18
c) Theory - Motor Vehicle Accident 19
i) Cause of action 19
ii) Defense 20
d) Exchange of pleadings in defended motor vehicle collision until litis
contestatio 21
Example 1a Letter of demand 21
1b Summons commencing action (Ordinary) 22
2 Particulars of Claim 25
3 Notice of Intention to Defend 27
4 Request for Further Particulars ito Rule 16 of Act 32 of 1944 28
5 Application in terms of Rule 60(2) 30
6 Notice of Application in terms of Rule 60(3) 31
7 Notice of Bar 32
8 Plea 33
9 Plea to Counterclaim 36
10 Notice of Set Down for Trial 37
11 Notice in terms of Rule 23(1), (3) & (4) 38
12 Discovery Affidavit 40
13 Notice in terms of Rule 24(9)(a) and (b) 44
14 Request for Inspection of Object in terms of Rule 24(6) and (7) 46
15 Notice in terms of Rule 24(10) 47
16 Agreement Not to Appeal 49

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MAGISTRATES COURT PLEADING: DEVIATIONS 50
Scenario One: Defective Summons
Example 17 Summons Commencing Action 51
18 Particulars of Claim 55
Scenario One: Exception
Example 19 Notice in terms of Rule 17(5)(c) 57
20 Notice of Exception 59
Scenario One: Amendment
Example 21 Notice of Intended Amendment ito Rule 55A 61
22 Application for Amendment ito Rule 55A(4) 63
Scenario Two: Failure to enter an Appearance to Defend, Default Judgment
Example 23 Application for Default Judgment 64
24 Affidavit in support of Application for Default Judgment ito Rule
12(4) 66
Scenario Three: Application for Summary Judgment and Opposing Affidavit
Example 25 Application for Summary Judgment 68
26 Supporting Affidavit 69
27 Opposing Affidavit 70
Scenario Four: Where Defendant requests copies of Accounts and Documents
Example 28 Notice ito Rule 15(1) 72
29 Plaintiff's reply to Defendant's request ito Rule 15(1) 73
Scenario Five: Where Plaintiff is a company, Defendant would be able to
request security for costs
Example 30 Request for Security for Costs ito Rule 62(1) of Act 32 of 1944 74
31 Notice in terms of Rule 62(2) 75
Scenario Six: Where a party requests reason for the judgment and decides
to appeal
Example 32 Request for Reasons for judgment ito Rule 51 76
Scenario Seven: Notice of Appeal 77
Example 33 Notice of Appeal
PART II: THE ACTION PROCEDURE IN THE HIGH COURT
a) Framework 80
b) Interim steps that the parties can consider during the pleading phase

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in the High Court 81
(1) DAMAGES ACTION IN THE HIGH COURT
Example 34 Notice of Motion (Appointment of curator ad litem) 83
35 Draft Order 85
36 Founding Affidavit 88
37 Letter of Consent 91
38 Notice of Set Down 92
39 Combined Summons 93
40 Return of Service 98
41 Appearance to Defend 99
42 Notice ito Rule 36(4) 100
43 Notice of Offer of Settlement ito Rule 34(1) & (5) 101
44 Reply to Notice ito Rule 36(4) 102
45 Defendant’s Plea 104
46 Notice of Application for a Trial Date 107
47 Notice of Set Down 108
48 Notice ito Rule 35(1) 109
49 Notice ito Rule 35(10) 110
50 Notice ito Rule 35(8) 111
51 Notice ito Rule 36(9)(a) 112
52 Notice ito Rule 36(10) 113
53 Notice ito Rule 36(9)(b) 114
54 Subpoena 115
55 Notice ito Rule 36(1) & (2) 116
56 Notice ito Rule 36(9)(a) and 36(9)(b) 118
(2) THE DIVORCE ACTION
Theory: The Divorce Action 120
Example 57 Combined Summons 121
58 Deed of Settlement 124
59 Notice ito Rule 35(1), (8) and (10) 126
60 Notice ito Rule 37(1)(a) 127
61 Notice ito Rule 43 129
62 Affidavit 130
63 Defendant’s Plea 133