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Summary of 56 pages for the course CSL2601 - Constitutional Law at Unisa (CLS2601 EXAM NOTES)
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CONSTITUTIONAL LAWUNIT 1 - SOURCES OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
1. Constitution
2. Legislation
3. Case law
4. International Law
5. Common Law
6. Other Sources
OUTOCOMES:
explain sources of law
classify & examine sources of Constit law
apply sources to a concrete situation
know where to search for various sources of Constit Law
1.1 Sources of Law – meaning
Refers to places you can find legal rules, principles and values that govern a particular
branch of law. (in this case Constit Law)
1.2 Sources of Constitutional law
1.2.1 The constitution
May refer to:-
- Entire body of rules which govern exercise of state authority in particular state
& relationships between citizens - & organs of state
- Written documents which contains some or most constitutional rules
1996 Constsit – example of written doc – contains most constit rules regulating relationship
btwn state organs inter se & state organs & individuals. As evidenced by Sec 2 of Const Law
– implications of this section are:-
Sets standard ito which bearers of state authority – required to exercise state authority
Prescribes limits that are imposed to exercise state authority – Sec 2 = any law or
conduct which is inconsistent with Constitution – declared invalid
In some instances – also prescribes consequences / penalties that may arise when state
authority is exercised improperly
1.2.2 Legislation / Statute
Binds sources of law – “binding source of law” – authoritative source of law
Passes original / subordinate legislation
Du Plessis & Corder 1994 :
Because its provisions cannot be repealed or amended it [a
constitution] must be capable of growth and development over a
period of time in order to meet new technological social political, and
economic realities often unimagined by its framers.
Some important national laws:-
South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995
Electoral Act 73 of 1998
Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998
,1.2.3 Common Law
Unwritten Law of SA.
Since 1996 Constitution – not an important part of constitutional law.
However – English common law – important part of development of SA constitutional law
(even if it was under Westminster system of gov.)
1993 & 1996 Constitution – made break with Westminster system = Substituted
constitutional supremacy with parliamentary sovereignty.
Sec 39(2) – courts are required to develop common law & bring in line with constitutional
precepts.
1.2.4 Case Law (stare decisis)
Illustrates practical application of constitutional principles, rules & values
How particular case contributes or alters to development of the law.
In past – very limited source of SA constitutional law – but position changes drastically
Increase caused by: Entrenched Constitution (sets out institution that bear state authority
at highest levels & contains justiciable bill of rights – constantly leads to numerous
constitutional judgments.
1.2.5 International law
Has wealth of conventions and practices designed to protect & promote human rights
Sec 39(1) – Compulsory for court to consider international law in determination of
constitutional issues
Is indispensable to development of SA constitutional jurisprudence (in analysis of Bill of
Rights)
1.2.6 Other sources of constitutional law
Help interpret constitutional norms & give guidance on how to apply them in concrete
settings.
Merely persuasive in nature – anyone who refers to them , not obliged to follow their
interpretation.
But often influence legislative and judicial decision making & are therefore important.
Examples:-
Academic writing – courts refer to books & writings
Policy documents – Government policies expressed in green, white papers & other
documents issued by organs of state which help to shape the legislative agenda
Reports by “State institutions supporting constitutional democracy” – Intsitutions
report on conduct of ministers & other public officials & make recommendations
Foreign law - Sec 39(1)(c) – courts may consider the use of Foreign law – where
there is insufficient guidance from SA sources.
1.3 Where to find these sources
Legislation
Government gazettes
Butterworth’s publishers (loose leaf legislation book & annual collection of statutes)
www.polity.org.za/legislation OR www.acts.co.za
Case Law
SA law reports published monthly by Juta
Butterworth’s Constitutional Law Reports (BCLR)
Decisions in Constitutional Court & Supreme Court of appeal – found on website of
Univ of Witwatersrand – www.law.wits.ac.za
,Textbooks
Chaskalson et al Constitutional law of South Africa Juta (1996)
Rautenbach, I & Malherbe, CFJ Constitutional law 3ed Butterworths 2003
Devenish A commentary on the South African Constitution Butterworths 1998
Articles published in journals
South African Public Law (SAPR/PL), which is published by the VerLoren van Themaat
Centre, Unisa
South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR), which is published by Juta
Policy documents & reports on the governments website
www.polity.org.za
UNIT 2: BIRTH OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE RSA, 1996
Not compulsory / for examination– read through it to understand
UNIT 3: CONCEPTS OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Know Sections:-
1 (a) – (d)
2
7 (1) – (3)
8 (1)
74 (1) – (9)
172 (1)(a)
Definition of Constitutional Law
The Aggregate (sum total) of binding rules relating to the distribution & exercise of state
authority.
Rules of Const Law define the relationship between organs of state & inter se & between
organs of state & individuals.
3.1 Where does constitutional law fit into the legal system?
Said to be part of Public Law.
Public Law: Branch of law that regulates the exercise of state authority in relationships of
inequality – the individual is always subordinate to the government organ, which is vested
with state authority.
Eg. Where an accused stands trial for a criminal offence.
Private Law: governs relationships between people that are on an equal footing.
Eg. Where two individuals enter into a contract or marriage relationship.
The state sometimes acts in a non-authoritive capacity, same way as a private person /
company. Eg. When the state purchases supplies / hires a lawyer.
However, the dividing line between public & private law has become blurred in recent
times. There are a number of reasons why:-
The modern state has become extremely involved in “private law” relationships.
The Constitution itself states that “private” relationships are often unequal.
Over the past few years, public functions have increasingly been privatised.
, (Read & Do activity on page 24)
End result of developments is that public - & private law are closely connected & often
apply to the same case.
Constitutional law applies in the adoption of all legislation.
(Read & Do activity on page 25)
Constitutional - & Administrative law are concerned with the way a state is governed & with
distribution & exercise of government power.
They are closely related & cannot really be distinguished from each other – but are for
convenience:-
Const Law:- (in the narrow sense) deals with interaction between organs of state at
the highst level (relates mainly to structures & formulation of initial policy)
Admin Law:- Concerned with only a branch of the body politic nl administration. It
regulates the organisation, powers & actions of state admin. (the day-to-day
business of government.
(They have different areas of focus)
3.2 Classifications of Constitutions
Often classified as flexible / inflexible, supreme / not supreme, written / unwritten,
indigenous / borrowed.
3.2.1 Flexible & Inflexible Constitution
Flexible:-
* Enjoys the same states as other laws of the country
* Requires so special procedure for amendment
Inflexible:-
* Enjoys superior status over the ordinary laws of the land
* Requires a special amendment procedure
(Needs a special amendment procedure because Constitution is unlike ordinary legislation –
therefore needs to be protected from overhasty amendment.
Constitution - result of lengthy negotiations between political parties & other role
players &/ result of careful deliberation between people’s democratically elected
representatives.
Supposed to be the embodiment of values & principles to which a nation has
committed itself
& contains rights & procedures – to protect individuals & minorities against unfair
treatment by government.
If it can be amended too easily – majority party in Parliament can abolish some of
these protections.
Even though inflexible – doesn’t prevent amendments from being passed.
The SA Constitution 32 of 1961 - example of flexible constitution – could be
amended quite urgently
The Constitution 110 of 1983 – “tricameral” Constit) less flexible – contained
more entrenched clauses – but can still be classified as flexible.
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