LJU4804
OCT/NOV EXAM PORTFOLIO 2024
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 18 OCTOBER 2024
, LJU4804
October/November Exam Portfolio 2024
Unique No.
DUE: 18 October 2024
Private International Law
Question 1
1.1 Which legal system applies to the formal validity of John and Mary’s marriage
in terms of South African private international law?
The formal validity of a marriage is generally governed by the lex loci celebrationis,
meaning the law of the place where the marriage was celebrated. Since John and Mary
were married in Hawaii, Hawaiian law will apply to determine the formal validity of their
marriage under South African private international law.
1.2 How would the South African court determine where John was domiciled at
the time of entering into the marriage?
The court will apply the concept of domicile, which refers to the place where a person
resides with the intention of remaining there permanently or indefinitely. At the time of
the marriage in December 1983, John was working in New York under a fixed-term
contract, but there was a possibility of renewal. However, since he was negotiating for a
senior permanent position in South Africa, this indicates that he may have already
intended to establish his domicile in South Africa at that time. The court will consider
factors such as his intention and future plans, as demonstrated by his relocation to
Johannesburg after the marriage, to determine his domicile.