CLA 1503
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2023
Use this document as a guide to learn, compare and reference
, Grade 100.00 out of 100.00
Question 1
Correct
Mark 1.00 out of 1.00
Which ONE of the following is the supreme law of South Africa?
1. English law
2. Roman Dutch law
3. Statute law
4. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
Your answer is correct.
(Chapter 1: The South African Legal System)
4 is CORRECT. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 is the supreme law of South Africa. It applies to all law, and binds
natural and juristic persons, the legislature, the executive and all other organs of the state.
1 is INCORRECT. English law is indeed a source of South African law, but not the supreme law. When the Cape was ceded to Great Britain in
1814, the South African legal system then in operation, was influenced by English law.
2 is INCORRECT. Roman Dutch law is one of the sources of South African law, but not the supreme law. Roman law was gradually receivedin
the Netherlands and became mixed with the existing Dutch customary law, and Roman-Dutch law resulted from this process. Jan Van
Riebeeck brought this Roman Dutch law to the Cape in 1652, when he established a settlement here.
3 is INCORRECT. Statute law is also known as legislation. It is the most important source of law, enacted by parliament and provincial
legislatures, and includes proclamations, regulations and by-laws enacted by subsidiary legislative bodies such as the State President,
ministers and municipalities. But statute law is not the supreme law of South Africa, as any legislation that is contrary to the provisions of
the Constitution could be declared unconstitutional.
The correct answer is:
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2023
Use this document as a guide to learn, compare and reference
, Grade 100.00 out of 100.00
Question 1
Correct
Mark 1.00 out of 1.00
Which ONE of the following is the supreme law of South Africa?
1. English law
2. Roman Dutch law
3. Statute law
4. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
Your answer is correct.
(Chapter 1: The South African Legal System)
4 is CORRECT. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 is the supreme law of South Africa. It applies to all law, and binds
natural and juristic persons, the legislature, the executive and all other organs of the state.
1 is INCORRECT. English law is indeed a source of South African law, but not the supreme law. When the Cape was ceded to Great Britain in
1814, the South African legal system then in operation, was influenced by English law.
2 is INCORRECT. Roman Dutch law is one of the sources of South African law, but not the supreme law. Roman law was gradually receivedin
the Netherlands and became mixed with the existing Dutch customary law, and Roman-Dutch law resulted from this process. Jan Van
Riebeeck brought this Roman Dutch law to the Cape in 1652, when he established a settlement here.
3 is INCORRECT. Statute law is also known as legislation. It is the most important source of law, enacted by parliament and provincial
legislatures, and includes proclamations, regulations and by-laws enacted by subsidiary legislative bodies such as the State President,
ministers and municipalities. But statute law is not the supreme law of South Africa, as any legislation that is contrary to the provisions of
the Constitution could be declared unconstitutional.
The correct answer is:
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
