SJD1501 Assignment 3
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE
24 September 2025
[Document subtitle]
[School]
[Course title]
, SJD1501 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 24 September 2025
Course
Social Dimensions of Justice (SJD1501)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
The Justice Motive in Social Behavior
SJD1501 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 24 September 2025;
100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
. Briefly explain the main difference between a criminal offence and a civil dispute in South
African law. (2 marks)
A criminal offence is a wrong against the state/society, prosecuted by the state, with the aim
of punishing the offender (e.g. fines, imprisonment).
A civil dispute is a disagreement between private individuals or entities, where one party sues
another to claim rights or compensation (e.g. damages, breach of contrac
2. Distinguish between the jurisdiction and roles of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme
Court of Appeal in South Africa. (3 marks)
Constitutional Court: Highest court on constitutional matters; interprets and enforces the
Constitution; has final authority on human rights issues.
Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA): Highest court for non-constitutional matters; hears appeals
from High Courts on civil and criminal cases.
Key difference: Constitutional Court deals with constitutional issues, while the SCA is the final
court of appeal in all other legal matter
3. Study the following five cases and for each, state: 1) Whether the case is civil or criminal in
nature, and 2) Which South African court would have jurisdiction over the matter.
Civil or Criminal nature
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE
24 September 2025
[Document subtitle]
[School]
[Course title]
, SJD1501 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 24 September 2025
Course
Social Dimensions of Justice (SJD1501)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
The Justice Motive in Social Behavior
SJD1501 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 24 September 2025;
100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
. Briefly explain the main difference between a criminal offence and a civil dispute in South
African law. (2 marks)
A criminal offence is a wrong against the state/society, prosecuted by the state, with the aim
of punishing the offender (e.g. fines, imprisonment).
A civil dispute is a disagreement between private individuals or entities, where one party sues
another to claim rights or compensation (e.g. damages, breach of contrac
2. Distinguish between the jurisdiction and roles of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme
Court of Appeal in South Africa. (3 marks)
Constitutional Court: Highest court on constitutional matters; interprets and enforces the
Constitution; has final authority on human rights issues.
Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA): Highest court for non-constitutional matters; hears appeals
from High Courts on civil and criminal cases.
Key difference: Constitutional Court deals with constitutional issues, while the SCA is the final
court of appeal in all other legal matter
3. Study the following five cases and for each, state: 1) Whether the case is civil or criminal in
nature, and 2) Which South African court would have jurisdiction over the matter.
Civil or Criminal nature
